Spooky Halloween Adventures and Free Family Fun Across North Yorkshire This Half-Term

This October half-term, children can enjoy a range of free Halloween-themed activities, from exploring secret tunnels to spooky bat hunts, as part of family-friendly events across North Yorkshire.

At Knaresborough Castle, families can discover the hidden history of the Sallyport, a medieval tunnel once used for secret escapes and surprise attacks. Guided tours will offer a firsthand look at this fascinating part of the castle’s defences. Younger visitors can enjoy the revamped Castle Critters Room, complete with a play kitchen, foam building blocks, and a Lego corner, as well as history hunts and Halloween-themed trails. The castle is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 3.30pm, with £4 admission for adults and free entry for children.

Visitors to Knaresborough Castle explore the underground tunnels.

Over at Harrogate’s Royal Pump Room, visitors can explore the newly restored Georgian building, complete with a relocated fountain and a fresh, elegant interior. From October 29 to November 3, the museum offers history-packed activities, including a free bat hunt trail and an object-handling drop-in session on October 31. Admission is £4 for adults, with free entry for children.

Skipton Town Hall is also hosting a variety of half-term events, including an art club, planetarium experience, free craft sessions, and a kids’ comedy night. On October 30, families can enjoy a free Halloween craft session from 10am to 12pm or 1pm to 3pm, where children can make paper pumpkins, bats, and more. Spooky Shakespeare, a puppet-filled performance, will take place on October 30 at 2pm, with tickets priced at £5.

Spooky Shakespeare is coming to Skipton Town Hall as part of this year’s half-term events.

Meanwhile, Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate is offering a free “make and take” session from October 28 to November 1, and various libraries across the county will host Halloween-themed family craft sessions. For more details on these events, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

Families can also take part in free Halloween-themed eco-friendly craft sessions hosted by Adult Learning North Yorkshire in libraries across the region, including Catterick, Ripon, Whitby, and Scarborough. Full event details and timings are available here.

With a mix of historical exploration, crafts, and Halloween fun, North Yorkshire’s half-term activities promise lasting memories for families.

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