Plan a spook-tacular October half-term full of Halloween events and autumn activities
Schools out, ghouls out. From spooky trails to steam trains, look no further for October half-term events, autumn things to do and family days out across Winchester district.
It's October half-term (Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November 2026) in Winchester and we have some great ideas to keep you and your little ones busy over the school break. There's plenty to do if you want to get into the Halloween spirit, from immersive experience Halloween Witches of Watercress Woods at The Watercress Line to pumpkin carving at Marwell Zoo, slime-making at Winchester Science Centre and PYO pumpkin patches with potion-making and broomstick-riding.
There's also loads on if you'd rather swerve anything spooky and spend October half-term soaking up autumn in Winchester instead, like family-friendly nature trails, collaborative craft workshops and on-stage productions of much-loved books. Keep reading for rainy day ideas and family-friendly places to eat in Winchester, too.
Curated by the Visit Winchester team.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
October half-term events across Winchester district
Spin To Survive: Dinosaur Island Play-Along with…
P & G Wells
CLOSES: 30 October 2026
DATE: 29 Oct 2026 - 29 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 30th Oct 2026
October Half-Term at the AGC Museum: Addy the…
The Adjutant Generals Corps Museum
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 24 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
Trick-or-Treat at The AGC Museum
The Adjutant Generals Corps Museum
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
The Big Family Sleepover
Winchester Science Centre
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 30 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
Starlight Cinema: Hocus Pocus
Winchester Science Centre
CLOSES: 29 October 2026
DATE: 29 Oct 2026 - 29 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 29th Oct 2026
New Year's Eve Silent Disco
Winchester Science Centre
CLOSES: 31 December 2026
DATE: 31 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
CLOSES: 31st Dec 2026
Halloween Silent Disco
Winchester Science Centre
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
Halloween events in Winchester
The Royal Haunting Bottomless Brunch
Winchester Royal Hotel
CLOSES: 1 November 2026
DATE: 31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 1st Nov 2026
October Half-Term at the AGC Museum: Addy the…
The Adjutant Generals Corps Museum
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 24 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
Trick-or-Treat at The AGC Museum
The Adjutant Generals Corps Museum
CLOSES: 31 October 2026
DATE: 31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2026
CLOSES: 31st Oct 2026
Alternative half-term activities in Winchester
Prefer to swerve Halloween? We've got you covered, with plenty of family-friendly things to do over half-term where there are no skeletons in sight.
Why not visit some of the city's more peaceful spots, like Winchester Cathedral or The Hospital of St Cross. Spot the signs of autumn with a walk up St Catherine's Hill, around the river in Alresford or along Bishop's Waltham's old railway line footpath. You'll find natural play areas and dens to explore in Winchester's West Wood or Forest of Bere, just outside of Wickham.
For family-friendly theatre shows on over October half-term, check out Theatre Royal Winchester or The Nutshell.
Autumn ideas for half-term in Winchester
Winchester Cathedral Tower Tours
Winchester Cathedral
DATE: 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
The Hospital of St Cross Chapel Tower Tours
The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty
DATE: 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
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Frequently asked questions
- When is October half-term 2026 in Hampshire?
In Hampshire, half-term runs from Monday October 26 to Friday October 30 2026 (so you've got Saturday October 24 - Sunday November 1 to fill with autumnal adventures and spooktacular fun) though some schools are breaking up on Friday 16 October for a bumper two-week October half-term.
- What are the best Halloween events in Winchester?
If you're after spooky things to do during October half-term in Winchester, consider immersive experience Halloween Witches of Watercress Woods at The Watercress Line or Droxford Pumpkin Patch. There are also Halloween discos, Halloween guided walking tours, pumpkin displays and the free Spooky Winch Letter Hunt. Find more Halloween events here.
- What pumpkin patches are near Winchester?
There are plenty of places to pick-your-own pumpkin near Winchester this October, from Bourne Valley and Pickwell to Sunnyfields, Droxford Pumpkin Patch and more.
- What indoor activities are there in Winchester?
Visiting Winchester on a rainy day? No problem. There are lots of things to do when it rains in Winchester from cinemas, theatres and museums to soft play. Attractions like The Great Hall, The Arc, Winchester Cathedral and Winchester Science Centre are also great on a rainy day.
- What are the best free things to do in Winchester during October half-term?
There are loads of great things to do in Winchester that won't cost you a penny. Check out our guide to free things to do in Winchester here, which features everything from walking trails to galleries, museums and outdoor art. During October half-term you can take part in the Spooky Winch Letter Hunt, a free Halloween trail around Winchester city centre.