.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
You are here > What's On > Autumn in Nottinghamshire
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Autumn in Nottinghamshire is nothing short of beautiful. With picturesque villages, ancient woodlands and rolling countryside, there are plenty of places to enjoy the changing season.
From scenic walks to spooky events, there are all sorts of ways to embrace cosy season in Nottingham. Whether you're looking to hunker down in a rustic pub, or head out for an autumnal hike, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.
Don't let the cold weather put you off exploring either - our events calendar really ramps up during the autumn months. From the world-famous Goose Fair to the thrills of Halloween and the sparkling delights of Bonfire Night, there are many reasons to visit Nottingham and Nottinghamshire this autumn!
In Nottingham, October half term falls between 17 - 31 October. To ensure your little ones are entertained, we've collated some of the best family entertainment from across the county.
Keep reading for inspiration, or head to our events page to find out what's happening during the school holidays. We've also pulled together some ideas for Free Days Out in Nottinghamshire and Family Days Out.
Our dedicated October Half Term landing page is full of school holiday inspiration, and you will find some fantastic discounts and deals on our Special Offers page.
Of course, with Halloween just around the corner there are plenty of spooky events to keep your kids on their toes. To kick off the celebrations, we recommend taking a trip to Southwell and visting the Pick Your Own Pumpkin patch. Suitable for all ages, this is the perfect activity to get little ones out and about in the crisp autumn air - and get them excited for Halloween!
Head to the National Ice Centre this autumn and you will find a full range of family-friendly activities on offer - perfect for the half-term break. With holiday clubs, skating discos and even intensive skating programes, the expert team here have you covered! If you're on a bit of a budget, children aged 5 and under can skate for free - there are also family passes available if you're planning repeat visits!
Our friends at Nottingham City Transport are happy to get you to your destination in the county hassle free with their fleet of green buses. Travelling as a family? Get a Grouprider ticket for a great deal! Exploring the city centre...No problem! Take the tram and take advantage of NET trams 'hop on, hop off' offer.
.jpg)
If you're planning to visit Nottingham in autumn, you can check out some of our event highlights below. Ahead of your visit, you can check out our 'Whats On' page for a full round up of upcoming events - or subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get ahead of the game.
Dating back to 1284, Goose Fair is undoubtedly the most famous autumn event in Nottingham. With more than 250 rides and attractions, this epic event is one of the largest travelling funfairs in Europe. For locals, this epic event marks the end of summer, and the start of the new season.
Halloween is hugely popular here in Nottingham and our attractions certainly take it very seriously! Whether you intend to scare yourself silly on The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk, spend the day at a pumpkin patch or take in a scary movie at The Mayhem Film Festival, you will find all sorts of spooktacular events to enjoy!
Lederhosen at the ready, the arrival of autumn means the return of Oktoberfest in Nottingham! This October, Germany's biggest beer festival will be making its way back to Binks Yard for the third year in a row. With beer steins, bratwurst and pletny of Bavarian spirit, this energetic event will have you dancing on the tables in no time.
From the 8 - 11 October, the Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival will be taking over Trent Bridge for another year of delicious beer! Managed by Nottingham CAMRA, this flagship event will bring a huge selection of beers and ciders to the city, along with delicious food and live entertainment.
The world-famous Bramley Apple Festival will return to Southwell on Saturday 25 October. If you consider yourself a foodie, then this is the perfect event for you! Located in Southwell Minster, a short walk away from the original Bramley Apple Tree, this world-famous event will bring together the county's finest food and drink prudcers for a weekend of delicious eats - and a celebration of local heritage.
On Sunday 19 October, the fantastic Hockley Hustle will return to Nottingham. Get set to join thousands of revellers and hundreds of local musicians as everyone gathers together for the party of the year. Even better, you'll be giving something back to the local community as all funds raised go back to local charities. This is your chance to see the best musical talent that Nottingham has to offer, so prepare your dancing shoes, grab your wristband and get ready to party!.
If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season, you can enjoy a leaf-crunching walks at one of Nottinghamshire's magnificent stately homes. Historic estates like Wollaton Hall, Rufford Abbey and Newstead Abbey are perfect for a laidback scenic stroll, or you can wrap up warm and venture out into the countryside at places like Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest.
If cycling is more your thing, you will find some brilliant off-road trails at Sherwood Pines. Novice or pro, you can enjoy a relaxing ride through the trees, or challenge yourself to an adrenaline-fuelled adventure! Cycle hire is available on site.
Whilst we can guarantee that you will have plenty of fun in Nottingham, we sadly can't guarantee the weather...this is Britain after all! If you're looking for things to do on a rainy day, we've pulled together some great suggestions, guaranteed to keep you busy!
History and heritage your bag?
Check out Mr Straw's House where you can step back in time to the 1920s and discover how a grocer's family lived in a Midlands market town through their furnishings and household objects. This house, now owned by the National Trust has remained virtually unchanged since the Straws moved here in 1923.
Nottinghamshire is famous for it's crucial part in the English Civil War, a royalist stronghold. To discover this history for yourself, visit the National Civil War Centre in the centre of Newark. To immerse yourself furthr, head over to Newark Castle to see the holes left by cannon balls fired during this bloody battle.
Looking for fun for the whole family?
Look no further than the Lost City Adventure Golf. Set in the heart of a rainforest, you can enjoy an incredible challenge in this one of a kind indoor golf course. There are two 18 hole courses to try, and when your adventurers need some R&R, you can head to the Tiki Bar to refuel.
If you want to challenge your mind - and your teamwork skills - decend into the cellars at Escapologic. With multiple escape rooms, immersive set designs and plenty of mysteries to solve, this unique experience is designed to thrill. Each game is spectacularly imagined down to the last detail, so you can enjoy an unforgettable adventure!
If you've got a need for speed, buckle up for an exciting ride at Teamworks Karting. Challenge your family and friends to a competition on their epic Go Kart tracks or run riot in the Laser Tag arena. With five incredible karting tracks, amazing race options and a cafe/bar on-site, it's ready, set, go!
If you're planning to visit Nottingham this autumn, share your adventures with us using #LoveNotts, or tagging @visitnotts on Facebook, X and Instagram.
© Visit Nottinghamshire 2025. All Rights Reserved
