Autumn is well and truly upon on. The ground is scattered with golden and red leaves, scary costumes are slowing filling the shelves of many a supermarket, hot chocolate and pumpkin spice lattes are flowing and pumpkin picking patches are opening left, right and centre. And with that comes the frightfully fun and spook-tastic holiday: Halloween.
As you and your little ones prepare to go all out on All Hallow's Eve, costumes and sweet buckets at the ready for an evening of trick or treating, there are a number of events happening in Cardiff to get you well and truly in the mood before the big day.
From scary screenings and twilight pumpkin picking to family-friendly events, there is something spooktacular for every level of Halloween horrors.
Read more: Terrifying Halloween event launches in the Valleys
What's more, for those who like to pre-plan, many Halloween events in Cardiff this year are already available to book, meaning you can combine fear-inducing organised fun and the spooky holiday all in one.
Read on to discover the collection of eerie escapades on offer this year. Got an event you'd like us to add in? Email eve.rowlands@walesonline.co.uk.
The Shining screening at Cardiff Hotel
A screening of The Shining is set to take place at a Cardiff hotel for the Halloween season. For its 10th anniversary, Darkened Rooms is returning to The Angel - the site of their first ever pop-up cinema event - for the screening of the classic horror film.
Darkened Rooms is returning this year with two horror film screenings in the lead up to Halloween. With the screening of The Shining set to take place at 8pm on Sunday, October 23 and a screening of The Others, starring Nicole Kidman, at Insole Court in Llandaff on Saturday, October 22, also at 8pm.
The screening of The Shining, set at the remote Overlook Hotel, will aptly take place at one of Cardiff's oldest hotels, The Angel Hotel on Westgate Street. It is claimed that the iconic hotel has existed since 1666, but it has certainly existed from the 18th century, being run by John Bradley in 1782. You can buy tickets to the screening here.
Where: The Angel Hotel, Castle Street, Cardiff
Pumpkin Picking at Cardiff's Pumpkin Picking Patch
Make the mess of carving a pumpkin into a Jack O Lantern all the more worth it by picking your very own. This farm has 10 acres of "real living pumpkins" with 20 varieties to choose from - and it is free to park up and enter. Upon finding the perfect pumpkin (or two), you then pay depending on its size - prices begin at £1.
In addition to the perfectly plump pumpkins - although none will turn into a chariot at the strike of 12 - there's also a spooky maize maze at this site. It will be open for weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) from Saturday, October 8 until Sunday, October 30 and will run from 9.30am til 5pm. Packing a cardboard box to take your pumpkins is advised.
Post pumpkin picking, you can picnic, explore the woodland trails and there's even an investigation station.
Where: Coedarhydyglyn Park, Near Bonvilston, St Nicholas, Cardiff, CF5 6SF
Maize Maze and pumpkin picking at Forage Farm in Cowbridge
A great day out for all the family in the Vale of Glamorgan, this event will run just a stone's throw from the Forage Farm farm shop and offers a plethora of activities, including a maize maze, tractor rides, a range of food vendors, face painting, crafts and animals to see - and, of course, pumpkin picking from its pumpkin patch.
This year, they will not only be doing daytime pumpkin picking but a twilight zone too. Daytime picking will run from Saturday, October 15 to Monday, October 31. Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance and includes parking and all activities on offer.
For those seeking a bit of an extra thrill, picking after dark will include a live pumpkin carving from Sarah King, attempting the maze - in the dark - pumpkin catapulting and more. It says on its website: "Over three eerie dates we’re welcoming the brave to explore our pumpkin patch for an evening you don’t want to miss." These dates are Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, October 29.
Where : Penllyn Estate, Llwynhelig, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7FF See more pumpkin picking patches in Wales here.
Halloween Half Term Family Trail at Mount View Ranch
From Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, November 6, Mount View Ranch will be hosting a spooky family adventure which includes activities such as the Witch's House, Spider Wood, Pumpkin Trail and Zombie Forest alongside some firm all-year-round favourites which are available at the ranch - activites such as jumping pillows, soft archery, tree houses, a doube zip wire, its "BIG BIG" swing and Wales' only official Gruffalo Trail.
Re-energise with the Ranch's stonebaked pizzas, fries, hot dogs, coffees and snacks, all available from its on-site cafe.
For more information on how to book, see here.
Where : Mount View Ranch, Cardiff, Caerphilly, CF83 1NG
Halloween Classic Spooktacular at St Donat's Castle
If you love sitting round watching films all day then St Donat's is the place to be on Saturday, October 29 with a triple-bill of Casper, Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice. You must book tickets for each individual film, though, and they'll be screened in Bradenstoke Hall inside St Donat's Castle under the dimmed glowing lights and vaulted wooden ceilings - creepy! For more info and tickets, click here.
Where : UWC Atlantic, St Donat’s Castle, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, CF61 1WF
HALLOWEEN Ghost Chase at Lo Lounge
Lo Lounge's spooktacular ghost chase will be taking place on Saturday, October 29 to Monday, October 31, and is fun for all the family - even furry friends. The cafe/bar will be transformed into a ghostly haven in which visitors will have to find 20 "famous Ghosts" - and for those who find all twenty, they'll be in for a treat - or trick...
Filled with treats, a whole lotta laughter and a few frights along the way, the event will take place between 4.30pm and 9pm on the Saturday and will include prizes for the best dressed dog as well as a spooky disco for those wanting to bust a move.
Fearfully fabulous fancy dress is encouraged and all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, see here.
Where : Lo Lounge, Porth Teigr Way, Cardiff CF10 4GA
House of Horrors at Llanrumney Hall
Can you handle the horrors of a haunted house? If the answer is yes, then this Halloween Llanrumney Hall is the place to be as it is believed to be the place of a number of spooky and haunted happenings. Over the course of the Halloween weekend, Llanrumney Hall is hosting its House of Horrors event after the success of 2021. The event includes a guided tour of the 500+ year old famously haunted mansion and will take you around six rooms within The Hall - all of which have been decorated for the frightful occasion. If you're after a scare this Halloween, then this house's event, which comes complete with haunting screams and spooky sounds, is for you.
And that's not all the experience has to offer. Between 5:30pm and 9:30pm across the three days, there will be a live DJ and disco blasting hits of Halloween for the children taking place in the outer grounds of The Hall. Need to refuel? There will be stalls serving refreshments, sweets, candyfloss, popcorn and Halloween-themed goodies and toys on offer as well as Thackery At The Hall hosting a BBQ in the grounds on all three nights.
Ghouslishly great games and activities will also be on offer and Halloween costumes aren't just welcomed but encouraged. Please be aware that this event is ticketed and although advertised as scary, fear not as it is family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
For more information on the end, see here.
Where: Llanrumney Hall Community Trust Ball Road Llanrumney CF3 4JJ
Buzz Trampoline Park, Cardiff
Buzz Trampoline's Halloween events are back this year. On Saturday, October 29, the park will be turned into a spooktacular park, complete with games, Halloween costumes, sweetie giveaways, a spooky soundtrack for your jumping, smoke machines and more - all while you bounce the afternoon away.
The two events in question are for 'Terror Tots' - under 5s only - between 3pm-4pm and the The Bouncing Dead, which is for over 6s only. This second event will be happening between 5pm-7pm on the day.
With limited spaces, what are you waiting for? Jump to it!
For more information, visit the website.
Where : BUZZ Cardiff, Ty Glas Avenue, Llanishen, CF14 5DX
Fonmon Castle's Halloween Night-Time Scare Trail
Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan is offering a night-time scare trail that will run from Wednesday, October 19 to Monday, October 31 between the hours of 5pm and 9:30pm.
With plenty of spooky characters to entertain you from Ghostbusters and their car Ecto 1 - which will be at the castle's entrance - to Geraint the Snake and The Magician. The Scare Run is also returning and is "full of mazes and things that will jump out at you", after which you can make your way towards Horror Farm. Night trail tickets start at £14.50. For those who aren't so faint-hearted, the much-loved Scare Run's many scream-inducing scares will get bigger as it gets darker - so stick around.
There is also a Halloween daytime event for the younger ones running from Saturday, October 29 to Sunday, November 6. Adult tickets are £10, while a child's pass is £8 and those under 3 go free. Activities include toddler-friendly play with costumed staff and a Halloween Adventure story trail.
Fancy a chance to look for real ghosts? Fonmon Castle's Paranormal Investigations experience allows you to tag along on a real life ghost hunters with paranormal investigators. This event will run until Monday, October 31.
For more information, see here.
Where: Fonmon, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, Barry CF62 3ZN
Halloween-themed spa day at Lush
Treat yourself to spooky soak in Lush's first of its kind bathing experience, The Lord of Misrule Book A Bath. Open now on Queen Street, the spa will last 30 minutes and will see users bathing in a sea of blood-red-coloured water that fills the room with the scent of Lush's The Lord of Misrule famous bathbomb - aromatic black pepper, Sumatran patchouli and warm vanilla.
You get a choice of indulging in not only the bath - which will be enjoyed in a private bathing room - but one of Lush's Fresh Face Masks from their Halloween range chosen specifically for your skin type by a spa therapist. Also included is a pair of nourishing Pumpkin Eye Pads and the ghoulishly gorgeous Ghost In The Dark Soap. You will also be treated to a popping candy blood orange cocktail for the ultimate relaxation.
This spa experience is available until January 8, 2023. For more information on how to book, visit the website.
Where: 59-61 Queen St, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2AT
Gŵyl Calan gaeaf Cosmeston Halloween Festival
This gorgeous park and Medieval Village is welcoming visitors for a spooky night of family fun from Saturday, October 22 to Monday, October 31. Opening after dark, the park will be illuminated with thousands of lights decorating the village and surrounding trees. Special effects and performers will be out to test your nerves as you make your way around the Medieval Village. You will be guided by Ewenni The Villager but keep your wits about you as you get into introduced to a variety of characters while tiptoeing through the gates - beware of the witches, hunters, Coffin Maker and ghoulish creatures you may - or may not - meet on your path.
There will also be a traditional children's playground and refreshments to keep you going. Tickets cost £14 for this family-fun event, which runs between 5pm and 9pm, and is suitable for ages three upwards.
For more information, see here.
Where: Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Lavernock Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 5UY
Children's Halloween Afternoon Tea at Future Inns
The perfect pre-trick or treating indulgence, this child-friendly afternoon tea offers spooky-inspired cakes, sandwiches and drinks - cordial as well as tea and coffee for the adults. Alongside this devilishly deluxe treat, there will be a meet and greet with some of the world's most sought after Disney villains - Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and other entertainment. Fancy dress is encouraged as there will be prizes for the best costume.
The afternoon tea costs £21.95 per person with the price of a child under 12 being £10.95.
For more information, visit the Future Inns website.
Where : Hemingway Road, Cardiff CF10 4AU
Half term Halloween Trail at St Fagans
This half term, St Fagans is calling upon young witches and goblins to find their inner sleuth on its Halloween trail. With clues leading to pumpkins hidden around the history museum's grounds, trail-goers will need to draw in the pumpkin faces, look for letters nearby the pumpkins and crack the code. Once you've solved the case, there will be a prize to collect.
If you get in a bit of a pumpkin pickle, there is a QR code to help you along your route.
Suitable for ages four and up, the cost is £3.50 per trail and treat. Please be aware that if you are arriving by car, there is a £6 parking fee for the day.
For more information, visit the website.
Where: St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff CF5 6XB
Descendants Halloween Brunch at The Coal Exchange Hotel
If you are a fan of the film, Descendents, then this "wicked" brunch is for you. Visit the Grand Hall in Cardiff Bay's Coal Exchange hotel to be transported to the fictional town of Auradon, where you will be able to tuck into an all you can get buffet as you enjoy some wicked and wonderful performances. You may even spot some of the characters from the show: Mal, Evie, The Evil Queen and Maleficent.
Taking place on Monday, October 31 and Tuesday, November 1, the tickets for the brunch cost £12.50 per child and £17.50 per adult.
For more information, see here.
Where : The Coal Exchange, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FQ
Pop-Up Cinema Halloween Special: The Others at Insole Court
Get into the Halloween spirit with a spooky showing of Nicole Kidman's The Other at Llandaff's Insole Court. After the late viewing at 8pm sold out, it was only fair they added a second at the earlier time of 5pm.
Start your Hallowen celebrations early with this creepy thriller film, which will be showing at the grand old building on Saturday, October 22.
A synopsis for the film reads: "On the secluded Isle of Jersey in the final days of World War II, a young woman waits for her beloved husband to return from the front. Grace (Nicole Kidman) has been raising her two young children alone in a beautiful, cavernous, Victorian mansion, the one place she believes them to be safe. But they are not safe. Not anymore. When three new servants arrive to replace the ones that inexplicably disappeared, startling, supernatural events begin to unfold."
Booking your place at the cinema is a must ahead of the showing and tickets cost £8.00 per person.
For more information, visit the website.
Where : Insole Court Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff CF5 2LN.
Bingo Lingo Halloween Special
Want to kickstart your Halloween weekend with a freaky Friday filled with ghouls, ghosts and a grand old time? Bingo Lingo, which has re-invented the classic game into an interactive phenomenon, is hosting a special Halloween event on Friday, October 28, where party go-ers can don vampire teeth, mumify themselves in toilet roll and come dressed for the occasion whilst attending one of Cardiff's most popular games nights with a twist.
With tickets starting at £14.50, it's sure to be a fright night to remember.
For more information, visit the Bingo Lingo website
Where: DEPOT Cardiff, Curran Embankment, Cardiff, CF10 5DY
READ NEXT:
- Halloween 2022: Where to go pumpkin picking in Wales
- You can book a Halloween-themed spa day this October in Cardiff
- The places in Wales you can watch spooky films this Halloween
- New terrifying Halloween experience unleashed at Zip World Tower
- Halloween events in Wales you can book now as autumn arrives
