While Halloween events for adults seem to become more gory by the year, it can be a welcome relief to find some toned-down October entertainment that offers spooky thrills rather than hardcore chills.
As the likes of scare park Psycho Path and Beamish Museum's Halloween Evenings prepare to subject brave visitors to night-time terrors, there are other attractions in the region which are inviting families to enjoy the likes of pumpkin-picking and themed craft activities. Here, we've created up a round-up of Halloween events set to appeal to children - and easily-spooked adults.
They include - in County Durham - a Family Fright Fest which actually takes place on the site of Psycho Path but, rest assured, all the terrifying inhabitants of the scare park will be safely out of sight; and a magic quest attraction at Raby Castle which is a new addition to the Halloween programme this year.
Read more: Pumpkin-picking patches around the North East
Others options include a theatre show in Newcastle and an outdoor trail in Northumberland. And we'll be adding to our round-up too in the run-up to Halloween so keep an eye out here.
Halloween Trail at The Plotters’ Forest
Raby Castle in County Durham will be hosting a twilight trail for the first time at its woodland play area. The Plotters’ Forest, which also will host a day-time version of the trail, is set to come alive after-dark for a unique visitor experience.
The adventure playground is woven within the castle's Christmas tree plantation that opened earlier this year, adding to attractions on Raby Estate which include High Force Waterfall where another trail awaits, featuring a series of intricately-carved woodland sculptures such as a moon-gazing hare and a fox.
Families can also take up a "spellbinding quest", picking up an activity sheet to follow a separate witches and wizards trail across the Deer Park to hunt for clues, discover magical creatures and complete a puzzle. They are invited to bring along their "best-dressed pumpkins" during October half-term for display in Hunters Courtyard and a chance to win a 2023 Raby Estates annual pass.
Daytime trails are included in Raby's general admission ticket price while the after dark-trail, which will run from October 27-30, costs £6 for children and £4 for adults. For admission prices see here.
The Gingerbread Man
The childhood story that has sent shivers down the spine of generations of children will be brought to life on stage in Newcastle in the run-up to Halloween.
Aimed at under-sevens, so presumably not too scary a version of the tale, this show at Northern Stage uses live music and puppetry to tell the tale of the gingerbread man who is created when a baking experiment goes wrong. And the spicy little chap needs to be stopped before he wreaks havoc.
The 50-minute performance runs at the city theatre from October 25-30 and costs from £11. To book see here.
Family Fright Fest
Also at Lintz Farm, clearly when its Psycho Path inhabitants are out of sight, the return of this family adventure promises a tamer version of the pirate ship and IScream maze along with stage shows, magical moments and costumed characters. Aimed at all ages, this day event will run from 11am until 4pm on October 22-23 then from October 29-30.
The previous three Fright Fest events have been a sell-out and the 2022 run no doubt will prove similarly popular especially as it promises to be bigger and better this year. Children will be able to pick their own pumpkin from a pumpkin patch and play in the games barn.
There also will be a wizard school, fairground rides and a street food village. Anyone turning up in fancy dress will be in with a chance of winning a prize too. See here.
Woodhorn Pumpkin Trail
Pumpkins have been hidden in shadowy corners of Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland for eagled-eyed young visitors to spot over Halloween.
Both the museum - on the former colliery site near Ashington - and the old pit buildings are included in a trail, running from October 22-30, which will begin with visitors picking up an activity sheet. They then will head out to explore and count the pumpkins they find. Their completed trail sheet then can be returned to the museum's welcome desk where they will be rewarded with a small treat.
The Pumpkin Trail is included as part of the Annual Pass admission price for the site - although there is a suggested donation of £1. Passes cost £7 for adults and £6 for concessions. Those aged 16 or under can go along for free. See here.
Pumpkin Week at the farm
Popular County Durham attraction Down at the Farm near Houghton-le-Spring is holding a week of activities around half-term, from October 22-30, when children can enjoy a range of spooky fun on top of its usual animal attractions.
Among them is a haunted barn, a 'ghoulie ghost' barrel train, quad biking in a ghostly graveyard, trick-or-treating and scarecrow-making sessions. There also will be prizes up for grabs.
Tickets for adults as well as those aged two-plus cost from £7.95 which covers admission and - for children - the barrel ride too. The farm is among the North East sites offering pumpkin-picking too. See here.
Nerd Fright Fest
Making a return to The Boiler Shop in Newcastle, this family-friendly event will be making an early Halloween-theme appearance - on October 9 to be exact - with Ghostbusters and Gremlins props and spooky merchandise alongside an array of movie characters.
A range of retro arcade games will be free to play and local Viz favourite Simon Donald will be making drawings for the public. Highlights of the 10am-4pm Fright Fest will include a Ghostbusters ecto-1 car - the Ectomobile - which featured in the whole film franchise - and a Gremlins movie set.
There also will be a Jurassic Park jeep plus Ghostbusters, Star Wars, Iron Man and Batman characters and more than 40 trade stalls. The event again will be raising money for local charity money for Cash for Kids which supports disadvantaged children in the North East
Tickets cost £10; £8 for under-12s and free for under-fives. They are available at Eventbrite - see here - and also will be available from the door on the day.
Read more:
- North East Halloween events for adults
- Top 10 scariest films - and we're talking proper chillers not slashers
- Most haunted locations around Newcastle
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Most haunted North East spots from creepy castles to poltergeist pubs
- North East's creepy castles and poltergeist pubs
- Scariest North East ghost walks
