October half-term in Kent 2026
Schools in Kent break up for October half-term on Monday 26 October and go back on Monday 2 November 2026, according to the council's published term dates (academies can differ, so check with your school). These are the events and activities running during the break that we have checked against the organisers' own websites.
Halloween falls on the Saturday at the end of half-term this year, so the busiest days are likely to be 30 and 31 October. Book anything with timed entry early.
20 events we have checked
- HalloweenHalf-term
Room on the Broom trail with Halloween cauldrons at Bedgebury
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Goudhurst · 1 October to 31 October 2026
Bedgebury's Room on the Broom trail gains a Halloween twist in October, with cauldrons to find and a crossword to solve for a sticker. It is an easy, low-cost outing in the pinetum while the autumn colour is at its best.
- Price:
- From £4
- Dates:
- Halloween cauldrons appear along the trail throughout October.
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
PYO Pumpkins at Beluncle Farm
Beluncle Farm, Hoo · 10 October to 31 October 2026
A home-grown pumpkin patch on the Hoo Peninsula, with carving pumpkins, eating squash and decorative corn to pick straight from the field. Tickets are sold per car, which keeps costs down for bigger families.
- Price:
- From £10
- Dates:
- Open 17 to 18, 23 to 25 and 27 to 31 October (opened 10 October).
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Pumpkin Moon pick your own pumpkins
Pumpkin Moon, Maidstone farm, Maidstone · 10 October to 31 October 2026
Pumpkin Moon grows more than 100 varieties of pumpkin, squash and gourd across two Kent farms, near Maidstone and at Rainham. Grab a wheelbarrow, wander the field and pick your own.
- Price:
- From £2.75
- Dates:
- Open 17 to 18 October, then every day from 21 to 31 October. Arrive between 10am and 3.30pm; gates close at 4pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Potion Hunt at Go Ape Leeds Castle
Go Ape Leeds Castle, Maidstone · 17 October to 1 November 2026
New for 2026, Go Ape's Halloween Potion Hunt sends young climbers into the trees to help the Woodland Wizard, who has dropped his cauldron over the forest. Clues on signs around the course reveal which ingredients belong in his secret recipe, and only five will fit. Finishers get treats and a medal.
- Price:
- From £5
- Ages:
- Treetop Adventure is for ages 4 to 10 and over 1m tall; Treetop Adventure Plus is for ages 6 and over.
- Dates:
- Runs at Leeds Castle from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, as an add-on to a booked session.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Trail and Pumpkin Patch at Betteshanger Park
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal · 17 October to 1 November 2026
Betteshanger Park's spooky woodland trail returns for Halloween, with surprises along the route for young monsters and their grown-ups. Over half term the trail is joined by a pumpkin patch where every child picks a small pumpkin to take home. On Saturday 24 October a Halloween dog show joins the fun.
- Price:
- From £12.50
- Dates:
- Halloween Trail on 17 and 18 October 2026; Woodland Trail and Pumpkin Patch from 24 October to 1 November 2026. Check booking for session times.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Halloween half-term at Hever Castle
Hever Castle and Gardens, Edenbridge · 17 October to 1 November 2026
Hever turns its grounds over to a mad scientist theme for half-term, with a trail, a science show and a goggles craft. Most of it is included in the normal admission, which makes it an easy family day out in West Kent.
- Price:
- Most activities are included with admission. Face painting is £6 per child.
- Ages:
- Aimed at younger children.
- Dates:
- Daily 10.30am to 4.30pm. The trail closes at 4pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Horrible Histories Halloween at Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, Maidstone · 17 October to 1 November 2026
Horrible Histories takes over the castle grounds for half-term with ghostly queens, potion making and a costume party in the maze. It is designed to be more funny than frightening, so it works well for mixed ages.
- Price:
- From £24.50
- Ages:
- Pitched as silly rather than scary, so suits younger and easily spooked children.
- Dates:
- Daily through October half-term, 17 October to 1 November 2026.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Yuck Yard: Barnaby Bilge's Big Mess
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham · 17 October to 8 November 2026
A mucky Halloween mystery around the Dockyard, where families follow a security incident report to track down ghostly grime. A live show called The Night Shift adds some theatre to the visit.
- Price:
- Listed by the Dockyard as included with admission.
- Dates:
- Runs 17 October to 8 November 2026, covering Halloween half-term.
- DetailsHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Eastgate House
Eastgate House, Rochester · 18 October to 1 November 2026
Rochester's Elizabethan Eastgate House marks Halloween with a family scavenger hunt through its historic rooms, followed by a weekend of ghostly programming. The Unexplained and an evening of classic ghost stories round off half term in a suitably atmospheric setting.
- Price:
- Event prices are not yet published; standard 2026 admission is adult £7, child £3.06, family £14.96.
- Dates:
- Halloween Scavenger Hunt from 18 to 29 October 2026; The Unexplained at Eastgate House and An Evening of Classic Ghost Stories from 30 October to 1 November 2026. Check times with the venue.
- BookFeatured partnerHalf-termOutdoors
October half-term adventure camp at Bewl Water
Bewl Water, Lamberhurst · 19 October to 30 October 2026
The Bewl Adventure Rangers camp gives older children full days of outdoor activity at the reservoir over the half-term fortnight. Days run from 8.30am to 4.30pm, so it also works as childcare for working parents.
- Price:
- From £50
- Ages:
- Ages 8 to 15.
- Dates:
- Monday to Friday, 19 to 23 and 26 to 30 October 2026, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Book single days or a full week.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Howloween at Howletts
Howletts Wild Animal Park, Bekesbourne · 23 October to 1 November 2026
Howletts runs a playful Halloween week where the animals get pumpkin treats and children follow a trick trail around the park. Free child tickets booked online make it one of the better-value half-term days in East Kent.
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- Under 16s must be with an adult.
- Dates:
- Daily 10am to 5pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights
Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, near Ashford · 24 October to 1 November 2026
The Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford runs a family Halloween over October half term, with farmyard frights and trick or treating alongside its 200-plus animals. It suits younger children who want Halloween fun without real scares.
- Price:
- Check the Rare Breeds Centre booking page for prices.
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. The farm is open 10am to 5pm until 31 October; check 1 November times on the website.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Penshurst Place
Penshurst Place and Gardens, Penshurst · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Penshurst's Beware the Bad Apple trail sends families round the grounds hunting for odd potion ingredients. Crafts in the Old Coach House and panto-style storytelling fill out a half-term visit.
- Price:
- Check the Penshurst Place website for admission prices.
- Ages:
- Storytelling is pitched as not too scary for the whole family.
- Dates:
- Trail 10am to 5pm and crafts 11am to 3.30pm daily from 24 October to 1 November. Storytelling 26 to 31 October.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween half-term at Dover Castle
Dover Castle, Dover · 24 October to 1 November 2026
English Heritage hosts a Great Pumpkin Party at Dover Castle for half-term, with storytelling, games and a themed trail across the site. It is included in normal entry, so you can combine it with the tunnels and the Great Tower.
- Price:
- Included with standard admission. English Heritage members go free. Booking ahead saves 15%.
- Ages:
- Family event. Child tickets cover ages 5 to 17.
- Dates:
- Daily 10am to 4pm.
- BookHalf-termFamily days out
Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival
Venues across Royal Tunbridge Wells and Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells · 26 October to 31 October 2026
The Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival returns for its seventh year over October half term, with professionally curated puppetry from the UK and overseas. Shows, workshops and public events across the town cover every style of puppetry, not only puppets on strings. It is pitched as accessible and sustainable, and ideal for families looking for half-term culture.
- Price:
- Ticketed shows are sold through TicketSource; check the programme for prices and any free events.
- Dates:
- Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October 2026 (October half term). Check the festival programme for individual show times and venues.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Family ghost tours at The Historic Dockyard Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham · 27 October to 31 October 2026
A guide leads families round the Dockyard after hours by torchlight, telling stories of shadowy ships and badly behaved spirits. Expect spooky tales and a few gentle jump scares rather than full-on frights.
- Price:
- From £7.50
- Ages:
- Best for ages 9 to 15 with adults. Not recommended for children aged 6 and under.
- Dates:
- Tours 5pm to 6pm. Arrive 20 minutes before your booking time.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
The Spellbound Express
Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden · 28 October to 30 October 2026
A gentle, scare-free Halloween steam train for younger children, running from Tenterden to Northiam and back. Witches, wizards and a baby dragon keep things lively on board, and every child earns a Junior Spellcaster certificate.
- Price:
- Book online for the best price. Local resident season tickets are not valid.
- Ages:
- Ages 4 to 11.
- Dates:
- 28, 29 and 30 October 2026. The experience lasts about an hour.
- BookHalloween
After Hours: Haunted Hever Castle Tours
Hever Castle and Gardens, Hever, near Edenbridge · 29 October to 31 October 2026
See Hever Castle after dark on a 50-minute theatrical tour through its historic rooms, where actors play figures drawn from the castle's history and folklore. Expect a sorrowful Thomas Boleyn, the elusive Grey Lady and other characters in the shadows. The evening starts with a drink in the Moat Café, and groups are capped at 20.
- Price:
- From £42.50
- Ages:
- Recommended for ages 14 and over.
- Dates:
- Thursday 29, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026. Tours leave at 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm and last about 50 minutes.
- DetailsHalloweenHalf-term
Not So Scary Halloween at Cyclopark
Cyclopark, Gravesend · 29 October to 30 October 2026
Cyclopark's Not So Scary Halloween is a gentle half-term afternoon for younger children at the Gravesend charity venue. It runs over two afternoons, with the play park and cycling trails on hand for the rest of the day.
- Price:
- Check the Cyclopark website for prices.
- Dates:
- Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.
- BookHalloweenHeritage railways
Fright Night on the Kent and East Sussex Railway
Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden · 30 October to 31 October 2026
An evening steam train runs from Tenterden through the dark countryside to Northiam, where drummers, a fire eater and a fireworks display wait at the station. Free Halloween activities and hot food at Tenterden make it a full evening out.
- Price:
- Tickets are sold online. Carer tickets and local resident season tickets are not valid on this service.
- Ages:
- Most popular with families with children aged 6 to 11, but all ages are welcome.
- Dates:
- Arrive from 5.30pm. Children's activities from 5pm, train departs 6.30pm and returns around 8.15pm.
Questions people ask
When is October half-term 2026 in Kent?
Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026 for council-maintained schools, with term restarting on Monday 2 November. Academies and independent schools can set their own dates.
What can we do if it rains?
Filter our directory for indoor places, or ask Doodle for rainy-day ideas near you. Several of the Halloween events listed here are indoors or mostly under cover.