Half-term fun in Basingstoke and Deane this October

It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by and now October half-term is just around the corner. If you’re looking for family-friendly activities close to home, Love Basingstoke has put together a ‘fang-tastic’ guide to help you make the most of the break in Basingstoke and Deane.

Free spooktacular fun

The Love Basingstoke Presents programme returns this half-term with lots of FREE spooktacular fun over three days. Perfect for those aged between three and 13, enjoy amazing activities with no cost such as potion making and bubble worshops. Join the Love Basingstoke team from Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October 2025, between 11am and 3pm, across Basingstoke town centre. Please click here for more information about the Love Basingstoke Presents programme. 

There will be lots of Halloween fun to join in with at The Malls. Take part in FREE Halloween arts and crafts workshops. Bring the kids for some hands-on creative fun with spooky-themed craft sessions, running from 11am to 4pm. 

Saturday 25 October  (Pipe cleaners and fir cone spiders, bats and witches)
Monday 27 October (Halloween lantern making)
Thursday 30 October (Pumpkin decorating workshop)

Join in with a spooktacular Halloween Party at Dummer Village Hall on Friday 31 October, 4pm to 5.30pm. Enjoy fun, food, games and Halloween surprises for £2 per person. All ages welcome – come dressed to impress in your best costume!

Boo’kable indoor fun

Not so spooky but tonnes of fun, The Anvil has performances for younger audiences! Based on the beloved book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt; interactive musical 'You Choose' from Nonsense Room Productions (Shark in the Park) lets you decide what happens! Running on Saturday 25 October with games, challenges and ever-changing characters, no two shows are the same!

Take your little ones to a fun-filled train-themed day on Saturday 25 October in Basingstoke!
Enjoy a hands-on train track, lots of train rides, train slides and more exciting activities for little train lovers. Book your spot now at: www.hampshire.trainmaster.co.uk. Don't miss out – it's full steam ahead for family fun!

There’s a Halloween half-term spooktacular special at Four Kingdoms Adventure Park. From Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November, visitors can enjoy a full day of family fun with indoor soft play, animal encounters, outdoor activities and spooky Halloween-themed entertainment. There will also be pumpkin picking in the Pumpkin Patch throughout October. For late night fun enjoy Pumpkin Nights with Dinos in the Dark, running from Friday 3 October to Friday 31 October, 6pm to 9pm. There is also an experience in the dark in the haunted woods, a lantern lit maze and a torch ride through Dinosaur Kingdom. 

Fright at the museum!

Have a ghoulishly good time at Milestones Museum this October half-term. Put on your best costume and follow the Halloween trail around Milestones eerie streets to see if you can spot who is haunting the museum's buildings. It will run from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November and will be packed full of creepy effects and traditional Halloween decorations as you wander over the cobbles. Top tip: Don’t forget, with your admission ticket you can return to Milestones Museum as many times as you like for a whole year. 

On Wednesday 29 October, experience a spooky trail at Whitchurch Silk Mill, full of fun for the whole family! Take on 10 Halloween-themed activities scattered around the site and grab your well-earned bag of treats when you’re done. It is £6 per trail and comes with a Halloween trail sheet, cool face stencils and a treat bag (dairy or free-from). Please pre-book online, so you don't miss out. 

Dare to explore the haunted history of Basing House with a chilling guided tour through the barn and ruins. Running from Thursday 23 October to Thursday 30 October, this spooky experience includes eerie stories and an optional crawl through the infamous tunnel beneath the site. Tickets are £19.95 and include a warming hot chocolate. Parental guidance is advised as the event may be frightening for young children and whatever you do, don’t forget your torch! 

Fa-boo-lous outdoor fun

Treat yourself to a magical family evening with Twilight in the Woods at Ewhurst Park on Saturday 25 October. Start with fun daytime activities like pumpkin carving and scarecrow selfies, then explore the ancient woods at twilight with spooky surprises and a haunted tunnel. Enjoy a boathouse BBQ featuring high-quality, locally produced meats, plus woodland crafts, marshmallow toasting and a paid bar with local juices, cordials and gin.

For train lovers head over to Viables as The Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Club is holding a special Halloween ride on Saturday 25 October. Don't miss out on a really lovely outdoors experience children and adults will certainly enjoy. 

Head to The Vyne for a "We're Going on a Ghost Hunt" Halloween Adventure, running from Saturday 11 October to Sunday 2 November. Based on the bestselling book, there is fun for all the family on this spooky trail. Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick and watch out for the warty toads, before collecting your prize/sticker. This trail is ideal for preschoolers and young children.

Running from Friday 18 October to Sunday 3 November, spectacular Oakley Hall invites you and your little ones for a Halloween Scavenger Hunt around the beautiful gardens and grounds. Tick all the items off the list and little ones will receive a trick or treat. No booking is required. It costs £5 per child. 

Experience Pumpkin Colour Dash for a colourful, family-friendly fun run at Bourne Valley PYO on Sunday 19 October, 9.30am until 12pm. Dash, walk, or skip your way through a 1km loop on the farm— go around as many times as you like while getting splashed with vibrant colour powder! All ages (and dogs!) welcome. Wheel-friendly and perfect for prams too.

We are so lucky in Basingstoke and Deane to have lots of play areas to help the kids burn energy and get active outside.  Pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head out to splash about in puddles or take their bikes and scooters and visit one of the many skate parks in the borough.

Halloween is not just for little ones

Spooky fun is most definitely not just for kids, so here’s some adult-focased events! 

The popular annual Old Basing Halloween Craft Market is back for its third year on Saturday 25 October, at 2pm. Expect spooky-themed handmade crafts and unique gifts from local traders.

Get ready for a night of frightful fun and fantastic music as The White Hart and GISB present the ninth Annual Halloween Fancy Dress Party – the legendary Halloweenaversary! Come dressed to impress (or terrify!) and there will be prizes awarded for the top three costumes of the night! The iconic GISB DJs are taking over with a killer mix of rock, metal, alternative and Halloween classics. 

Get ready for a spooky throwback! Head to Labyrinth in Basingstoke, for an unforgettable Halloween Day Party packed with iconic anthems from the 80s and 90s, monster beats, and non-stop party vibes. Fancy dress encouraged! It will be running from 3pm to 8pm on Saturday 1 November. 

Bombay Sapphire has a Scary October Cinema Night taking place on Sunday 26 October. Enjoy a complimentary gin and tonic on arrival and get comfy with a great classic scary film. There will be sweets and popcorn on hand. Pre-booking is essential for this fun event.

Autumn walks are undoubtably the perfect way to get outside, connect with nature and enjoy the crisp air and golden sunlight. Not only is it great for your physical health, but the benefits of getting out as the daylight hours reduce can be so important mentally as well. Crunch through the fallen leaves and get inspired with our ideas page on the best Autumn Walks in Basingstoke and Deane.

Further afield

There are also plenty of places within easy reach of Basingstoke. Take a look at Beyond Basingstoke and Deane for inspiration.

If you have any other half term ideas then drop us an email: hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. 

Updated October 2025