Halloween in Plymouth 2023: What’s on in and around the city for kids

Halloween in Plymouth is here! And there is SO much spooky entertainment going on in our fabulous city, you’d better be ready for it.

So get your costumes organised, stock up on sweets for the Trick or Treaters, and get those pumpkins carved. Obviously once you’ve picked one from some of the awesome pumpkin patches near Plymouth. 

Halloween events in Plymouth 2023 – what’s on and where

City Centre Halloween Trail

If you love a trail, then you’ll be in for a treat this year. The Visit Plymouth city centre Halloween trail is back again for 2023. 

It will be running during half term, October 21 to 30, and is the perfect thing to do to keep the kids entertained during the holidays. You have to locate the 15 Halloween characters displayed in shop windows to be in with a chance of winning one of three £50 gift cards to spend at Smyths. What a great prize! 

Once you’ve found them all, complete the entry form on the Visit Plymouth website to be in with chance to win. 

Halloween on the Barbican

A whole host of ‘sea-riously’ spooky events and activities are set to take place on Plymouth’s Barbican this month. There will be a Barbican Halloween Trail run by the Barbican Tourist Information Centre. More details are soon to be released on the Barbican Waterfront website and Facebook page about it as well as other activities planned. There is also a Halloween Family Walk being organised by Plymouth Walking Tours. It will be a 60 minute fun and spooky tour of the Barbican, perfect for families with young children aged from 5 to 10. More details and booking can be found here.

Spooky Science at The Box

The Box is holding a spooktacular Spooky Science kids event from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on October 28. Explore the galleries by torchlight, perform a science experiment in the museum’s Learning Room and dance away to some spooky tracks in your Halloween outfits. Tickets must be booked in advance. And if you’ve not been to The Box yet, find out more and what we thought of it here.

Halloween Story Telling

Get yourselves dressed up and head down to the Soapbox Children’s Theatre at Devonport Park for some spooky story telling beside a fire and a look around Miss Treat’s laboratory on Saturday October 28. Storyteller Jacqueline will delight the whole family with tales of ghosts and ghouls whilst toast and hot chocolate will be provided for the children. Book one of the three sessions here.

Pumpkin Picking at Pips Pick Your Own

If you fancy picking your own pumpkin this Halloween, owners at Pips Pick Your Own in Yealmpton have opened their fields early again. You can go and pick your pumpkins from October 1 and every day from 10am to 5pm. And it’s a good idea to be quick – this event is super popular and in the past all the pumpkins have been snapped up way before Halloween.  And on Friday October 6, they are open until 9pm for you to pick your pumpkin by torchlight! Don your Halloween fancy dress and have a spooky time. There will also be a food truck there so why not make an evening of it?

Pumpkin Fest at Lifton

You can also pick your own pumpkins at Strawberry Fields, Lifton’s Pumpkin Fest 2023. It will be held on October 7/8, 14/15 and October 21-29. It will include family fun activities from pumpkin picking and carving, a mesmerising magic show and a pirate maize maze. This year you need to book a slot again, which is great as it has been totally manic in the past. Buy your tickets beforehand here.  And if you’re not a Devon local, find out where your nearest pumpkin patch is in this ultimate UK pumpkin picking guide.

Halloween Pumpkin Patch and Horror Maze

The Pumpkin Patch at the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze at Pillaton near Saltash will take place on October 7/8, 14/15 and then October 21-31. Not only will there be pumpkin picking, but also a short maze with a pumpkin quiz ideal for families with younger children. It will be open from 10.30am to 5pm. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance as it’s set to be busy.

And on Saturday October 28, the Halloween Maze of Horrors will be opened at timed slots from 6pm. It’s not for the faint-hearted and costs £16.50 each. Find out more details on their website.

Halloween Craft Workshops

Three Halloween Craft Workshops are taking place in the city centre this October half term. Kids can drop inand hae a go at making witches hats, pumpkin decorations and Halloween crowns. All workshops are free to attend and booking is not required. Just drop in and get creative! They are running from 10am to 2pm at these locations:

• October 24 – Las Iguanas, The Barcode – Willow Wands and Pumpkin Decorations
• October 25 – Central Library, Armada Way – Alien Headbands and Pumpkin Masks
• October 26 – Baby’roo, Armada Way – Witches Hats and Spooky Crowns

Plymouth Market Halloween Party

Halloween fun will be taking place at Plymouth Market in the city centre at a special spooky party. The event will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday October 28 and will involve exciting (and spooky) activities such as face painting, competitions, games and activities, and trick or treating. Get into the spooky spirit and show off your creepiest, funniest or most creative costume – everyone is encouraged to dress up and join in. Find out more here.

BOO at the Zoo

Dartmoor Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is back and is set to be scarier than ever. The zoo at Sparkwell is opening its gates after dark on Friday October 27 and Saturday October 28 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm. Guests will be invited on a spooktacular trail through the zoo and are promised a FRIGHTfully good evening.  Be aware not all of it is suitable for children. You can roam the haunted zoo grounds where creatures maybe lurking in the shadows. Visitors can also meet the zoo’s reptile and beastly bug residents, and there’ll be spooktacular entertainment, moreish cuisine and tricks or treats galore. It’s got to be one of the scariest events for Halloween in Plymouth and if you’re feeling brave, buy tickets here.

Immersive Pumpkin Patch at Market Hall

This half term Plymouth Market Hall’s immersive dome will be transformed into a spook-tacular immersive pumpkin patch! Kids can design their own pumpkin and watch it magically grow into the patch during the Halloween Half Term special screenings. There are three screenings to choose from during the week – Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival, Legend of the Enchanted Reef, and BUGS: A Rainforest Adventure. Book your tickets here.

Magic and Myths Trail at Saltram

My favourite place Saltram is holding a Magic and Myths Trail from October 21 to 31. Wander around the gardens to discover the folklore tales surrounding the superstition and magical properties of trees. Collect a wand from the wand shop at the Welcome Centre (or bring your own) and cast magical spells around the garden at each of the trail points. And the Pesky Pumpkins are back! Can you spot them all around the garden?

Spooky Goings-On at Cotehele

There’s a Spooky Scarecrow trail happening at Cotehele this Halloween. Head over to the National Trust property in South East Cornwall, pick up your free trail sheet and explore the gardens to see how many spooky scarecrows you can spot. Each scarecrow has its own folklore story for you to crack the riddle and solve the mystery. All the scarecrows have been made by local schools and commjunity groups. The trail runs from October 21 to November 5. Cotehele is also holding some Spooky Storytime sessions on October 24, 28 and 29. Fancy dress is encouraged for kids to go and listen to some spooky scarecrow stories in the Great Hall. Normal admission applies but booking onto the free sessions is advised.

Plymouth Snowsports Centre Halloween Party

Why not try out sno-tubing or the toboggan run combined with a spooktastic Halloween Party at Plymouth Snowsports Centre on Friday October 27. From 6pm to 9pm there will be a disco, party games and competitions. You can even bring your carved pumpkin for a competition and help light up the centre. Tickets are available now, to book call 01752 600220.

Halloween at Pennywell

Another one of our favourite places, Pennywell Farm is having its very own Pumpkin Patch again this year. From September 30 to October 29, everyone is invited to meet Paddy the Pumpkin and his friends who have left clues all around the farm. Follow the trail and answer the quiz questions. You can then roam around the pumpkin patch and find your own locally grown pumpkin to buy and take home. This year there is also live music, marshmallow toasting, a scarecrow dress-up competition, a pumpkin colouring competition, and different stickers to earn and collect.

Spook-Fest at Crealy

Crealy’s Spook-Fest is a real favourite among locals and is set to be even better this year. There is something for all ages with a new Creaky Hotel walk-through experience, Scarecrow Scare Maze, new Dino Jeepers Creepers, Treehouse Trolls, Book of Spells cirque show, Halloween Sooty Show, and free pumpkins From Pumpkin Patch’s Plot to take home and carve.

Canonteign Falls

This October half term, there’s set to be some spooktastic fun at Canonteign Falls. They have a fantastic spooky code-breaking treasure hunt (free with entry price) and pumpkin colouring competition, where kids get a chance to win a fun prize, Alpaca experiences as well as the usual fun and discovery Canonteign Falls has on offer.

Spooky Fun at Plymouth Libraries

A Halloween craft session is taking place at Southway library this October half term. Children can make monster cups from 11am to 12pm on October 24. Last year various libraries across the city put on spooktacular craft and storytime sessions throughout half term so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website here to see if more are announced.

Halloween Disco at Adrenalin

Trampoline centre Adrenalin at Derriford is holding two Halloween events this October. The ‘Jumping Dead’ Halloween disco will take place on Saturday October 28 fro 6pm to 8pm with spooky guests, prizes for best costume, and creepy tunes.

Then a Mini Adrenalin Halloween Event for under 5s is being held on Sunday October 29 from 10am to 11am. There will be spooky tunes, trampolines, balloons, prizes to be won and face painting. Find out more on the Adrenalin Facebook page.

Halloween Fun at Jump

There’s lots of spooky goings-on at Jump Plymouth at Christian Mill Business Park this half term. Their Halloween discos are taking place on Friday October 27 and Saturday October 28 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. There will be a DJ and disco, dance competitions, spooky snacks, fun activities, plus sweet treats and prizes. It usually sells out quickly, so don’t hang about buying your tickets!

Halloween Party at Chaplins

If you’re in Plympton and looking for a spooky event to go to, a Halloween Party is being held at Chaplins on Saturday October 22 from 10am to 4pm. Find out more here.

Inflatable Halloween Fun

Two Bounce Inflatable Halloween Fun Days are taking place at the YMCA sports hall in Plymouth on October 28 and 29. Kids will be able to play on the bouncy castles, mega slides, assault course, fun run, toddler castles, soft play and more in the 90 minute sessions. Suitable for 2 to 12 year olds.

Halloween Boat Trip

Fancy a Halloween-themed kids disco on the high seas? Plymouth Boat Trips are holding their Halloween event on Saturay Octoebr 28 from 5pm to 6.30pm. There will be on-board musical games, a children’s disco and a prize for the best Halloween costume.

Snapdragons Halloween Fayre

Snapdragons Plymouth CIC is holding its first Halloween Fayre on October 29 from 1pm to 4pm. There will be Trick or Treat without the sweets, scavenger hunts, stalls, games, a raffle, lucky dip, Creepy Cafe and activities to honour the season and your ancestors. Fancy dress is encouraged!

Halloween First Aid Course

A Real-Life Superheroes first aid course, aimed at 8 to 14 year olds is taking place on October 26 and will have a special Halloween twist. The course, run by White Cross Training, will take place at Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre and will cover:

• devil’s burn (burns)
• fainting from the shock of seeing a ghost (recovery position and shock position)
• poisonous spider bite (bites and stings)
• heart-stopping potion from a witch (poisoning, CPR, AED)
• evil cat scratch (minor wounds)
• vampire bite (bleeding)
• zombie infection (infections and wound cleansing)
• sweets (choking and allergic reactions)
• falling off a broom (head injuries and fractures)

Children will learn how to stay safe and get help in an emergency. There will also be activities and games and opportunities for some quiet time if needed. They can be dropped off between 9:00-9:30 and collected between 3:00-3:30, or parents can stay. The cost is £30 and can be booked here.

Millbrook FC Halloween Party

Millbrook Football Club is hosting a Halloween Party on Saturday October 28 from 6pm. Fancy dress is encouraged and more details will be announced nearer the time.

Tavistock Halloween Trail

The Witch of Tavistock needs you to find all the ingredients to the Witches Brew recipe so she can make her potion. Will you complete the task to earn a prize and avoid being turned into stone? That’s the task for the Tavistock Halloween Trail from October 21 to 28. Collect your trail sheets from the Visitor Information Centre, Toy Cupboard or Kaleidoscope Toys, and be in with a chance of winning one of three £15 Tavistock Gift Cards.

Tots Play Halloween Specials

Tots Play baby group in Plymouth are holding special Halloween classes at William Sutton Village Hall and Tamar View Community Resource Centre on Monday October 23. The multi-activity sessions are for babies aged two months up to 2.5 years. Siblings and other family members are welcome. Do you need any more of an excuse to dress your little ones up in cute Halloween costumes? Find out more and book here. 

Baby Sensory Plymouth Pumpkin Parties

Baby Pumpkin Parties are being held at different places across the city by Baby Sensory Plymouth and there are a few places left. They take place in Manadon on October 24, Elburton on October 28, and Saltash on October 29. Check out more details here.

Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense parties

Pumpkin parties for babies and Spooky Wooky parties for toddlers are being held at the WOW centre in Plympton at the weekend. The Baby Sensory Pumpkin Parties are already fully booked but there are still spaces for the Toddler Sense Spooky Wooky Parties on October 27 and 28.

Splat Messy Play Halloween Specials

There’s something for everyone at Splat Messy Play this Halloween, with several different sessions being held for under 1s right up to primary aged children. They’re taking place in Saltash, Chaddlewood and the city centre.

Stay and Play Hub

There are a few spaces left at the Stay and Play Hub’s Halloween Glow and Play events. They’re taking place on October 27, 28 and 29, and can be booked here.

Are you holding a Halloween event in or around Plymouth? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

How did I do?

Did you enjoy this post? Want some more spooky Halloween bits to read? Try these:

• Halloween Activities You Can Do At Home

• Easy Halloween Crafts For Kids

• Autumn Baking Ideas For Halloween and Bonfire Night

• Four Simple Ideas For How To Celebrate Halloween At Home

And if you live in Plymouth, (like all the best people), keep an eye out for the latest Local Stuff here. And why not check out some of these:

• What There Is For Kids At Plymouth’s New Museum The Box.
• Top 20 Outdoor Spaces In Plymouth For Families.
• The 20 Best Things To Do Indoors In Plymouth With Kids
• Things To Do in Plymouth With Kids In The Summer
• Plymouth’s High 5 Holiday Camps and Sports Clubs
• Pubs With Play Parks in Plymouth
• Best Walks for Kids In Devon

You should also check out the ‘usual’ type of stuff I write. Honest, relatable rants about parenting three boys. With a touch of swearing and a lot of sarcasm. You’ll like it! Check out my Mum Life section or head to my Travel Section for some UK family holiday and days out inspiration.

If you like a bit of social media madness, pop over to my Facebook page where you’ll be able to have a laugh at what ridiculousness goes on in my house with three boys on a daily basis. Warning – there is often sarcasm, and usually swearing. There are also great travel reviews and the odd giveaway. Feel free to join my Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee – Shits and Giggles Parenting Group too, where everyone shares their hilarious stories.

If you like what you see, how about you check me out on Pinterest,  Instagram,  Twitter, Threads and TikTok too.

And if you want to work with me, feel free to give me a shout at helen@twinstantrumsandcoldcoffee.com and I’ll get back to you.