Fun Halloween Events Essex 2024 | October Half Term UK

Disclosure: This posts may contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission on purchases made after clicking the link. I do my best to try and keep information up-to-date but please check direct with businesses for current opening times and prices. For more information visit the Privacy & Disclosure Policy. Thank you for your support!

If you’re looking for things to do during October half-term, here is a roundup of some Halloween events in Essex this year! Many of the Essex attractions hold special-themed weeks during the school break (26th October to 3rd November 2024).

Disclosure: I will update as 2024 events are announced* Please check with events directly before travelling, in case anything changes.

Halloween Events Essex

East Essex

Colchester Zoo Shriek Week

🗺Maldon Rd, Colchester CO3 0SL

The popular Colchester Zoo Shriek Week has a range of activities during October half-term week. The Halloween Trail is included as part of the admission price however there are other activities available for a small fee, such as: face painting, pumpkin carving and other Halloween crafts.

During selected dates in October, the ‘Trail of Terror‘ event takes place from 6.30pm. This event is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Tickets are between £24 – £27 and only include the trail, the rest of the zoo is closed during this time.

For more information, check out the Colchester Zoo events page.

Halloween Festival on Clacton Pier

🗺No.1, North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QX

During October half term, Clacton Pier has a ‘Frightfully Fun Band’ package deal for £19.99 which includes: unlimited rides, 1 game of adventure golf, entry to the pumpkin patch, entry to the Misery Mansion, Creepy Crawly Cabin, 4D Ghost Train, 5 video game credits and more! You can book online by selecting a day on the calendar.

Mid Essex

Halloween at Markshall – Markshall Estate

🗺Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG

The Markshall Estate is 2350 acres of gardens, lakes and woodlands for people to relax and enjoy being surrounded by nature. The arboretum is open between 10am until 4pm and there is an admission fee for adults and children over the age of 3.

From 28th October – 1st November there will be a range of activities, including a Pumpkin Trail with 20 hidden pumpkins and Witches and Wizard crafts. The entrance fee also includes free fish food, to feed the fish in the lakes! You can see more details here.

TBC – Halloween on Bear Creek (Adventure Golf)

🗺Evans Way, Forest Rd, Witham CM8 2PS

Bear Creek Adventure Golf (located at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre) has a Halloween theme, with pumpkins, witches, and spooky sounds for some additional spooky fun! There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up and play. Standard entrance fees apply.

North West Essex

Audley End Miniature Railway Halloween Special

🗺Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB

During October half term the Audley End Miniature Railway takes on a spooky theme! The train visits a witch’s house in the forest with some friendly monsters and dancing witches. Once the train returns to the station, there’s a fortune-telling witch and a woodland wizard to meet too.

Tickets must be pre-booked in advance. Children and adults over 92cm are from £19.50 and children under 92cm are from £9.25. There is a special gift for every paying child (under 1’s are free).

Pumpkin Trail at Mountfitchet Castle

🗺Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8LY

Included as part of the general admission price (adults: £17 | children (3-13yrs): £13.50) is the Halloween Pumpkin Trail at Mountfitchet Castle. Visitors have to find all the hidden pumpkins and those with completed trail sheets receive a small gift! There’s also a haunted manor!

West Essex

Hatter’s Farm

🗺Hatter’s Farm, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 6NP

🕖Weekends & October Half-Term

Hatter’s Farm has a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Tickets for daytime pumpkin picking cost between £3-5 per person, and under 2s are free. Tickets include entrance to a themed indoor maze and the Field of Fun.

Hatters Farm Pumpkin Picking Essex — Hatters Farm Pumpkins

There are a couple of other activities that cost extra, such as a maize maze from £2.50pp and a pumpkin canon which costs £2.50 for one shot. ‘Pumpkin Nights’ are available on selected days and are £7 a ticket.

Dogs are allowed at Hatters Farm Pumpkins, but not in the pumpkin field and they must be kept on a lead. Portaloos are available on-site.

Halloween Ghost Train at Epping Ongar Railway

🗺Departing from North Weald Station

Between October 26th to 31th the Epping Ongar Railway has Halloween ghost trains between North Weald and Ongar! The steam trains have spooky characters on board to entertain passengers. There’s a ghost hunt and spooky diesel trains which are in service too. Adult tickets are £18 and children over 3 are £10.

Cammas Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch

🗺Cammas Hall Farm Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT

A pumpkin patch in Essex is Cammas Hall Farm in Hatfield Broad Oak. The pumpkin patch requires pre-booking in advance. There are Halloween characters, a ‘Wicked Walkway’, a maize maze, photo opportunities, a craft tent, nature trails (1k and 3k routes), and more!

Entrance to the pumpkin patch is from £5 depending on the day of the visit. Some activities have an additional cost (such as the maize maze). They also offer nighttime visits for £10.50 per adult and £8 per child.

Related Reading: 6 Fun Places To Go Pumpkin Picking In Essex

South Essex

Hurleys Pumpkin Forest

🗺Woodham Rd, Battlesbridge, Wickford SS11 7QL

Hurleys Pumpkin Forest in Battlesbridge is a pumpkin patch with a maze and pumpkin crafts. The farm is open throughout October. Entrance must be pre-booked and individual entry starts from £3.50. Pumpkins, squashes and activities are then individually priced.

Just down the road is Meadow Croft Garden Centre. This has a great indoor German Christmas Market, so it may be fun to combine the two attractions while in the area!

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

🗺Sawyer’s Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Ln, Brentwood CM15 9BZ

During the October school holidays, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary have a ‘Halloween Week’ event. As well as being able to see the 500+ rescued animals at the sanctuary, visitors can enjoy a haunted barn, a scarecrow trail, and fancy dress competitions.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is open from 10am until 3pm. Tickets can be pre-booked online, adult entrance is £9 and children (2-15yrs) are £13. All paying children receive a free pumpkin.

There is a cafe onsite that sells plant-based hot and cold snacks.

Shriek Week at Wild Forest Obstacle Course

🗺Parsonage Farm, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex CM15 0LA

Located at the Secret Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch is the Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre. For October half term they have Halloween-themed obstacle courses. The courses are 90-minutes. On Saturday 26th it is open for the whole family but Tuesday 29th and Thursday 31st are kids only (£20 + booking fee).

Southend Halloween Parade & Seafront Fireworks

🗺Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE

The Southend Halloween Parade is taking place on Saturday 26th October. The parade starts at 6pm and travels along Marine Parade. There will be dancers, puppets, vehicles and floats. The parade ends with a fireworks display.

Something a little different for those who may not want something completely Halloween-themed, the Southend seafront fireworks take place EVERY Saturday in October and November. The display starts at 7.30pm and lasts around 10 minutes. It’s also a free event.

Woodland Halloween Activities at Essex Wildlife Trust Locations

🗺Various locations in Essex

Several of the Essex Wildlife Trust locations have Halloween events, aimed at younger children. Activities must be pre-booked in advance. Activities include:

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park in Colchester: Spooktacular (£12.99 per person) on 28th October.
Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre in Hornchurch: Forest Fun Spooky Special on 1st November (£7.73 per child)