October Half Term Events

OCTOBER HALF TERM EVENTS 2020

This October half term in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is packed with fantastic events for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re looking for a staycation destination for a family getaway while the kids are off school or a fun-filled day out to banish the boredom. Don’t forget to check out our Twitter and Facebook for regular news and updates, or browse our pages Things to do for under £10 and Things to do on rainy days for lots more ideas. 

All events featured here are scheduled to go ahead as planned at the time of publication, with social distancing and hygiene measures in place to keep everyone safe. We’ll do our best to keep this page up to date, but we recommend planning ahead and checking with individual venues before you visit for changes in coronavirus restrictions which may impact on your visit.  

A magical after-dark adventure awaits at Rufford Abbey where the Spectacle of Light will brighten the long, autumnal evenings. Stunning light installations will bring the romantic ruins and glorious gardens to life as you explore an enchanting illuminated trail, discovering surprising sculptures and a kaleidoscope of colour. Wrap up warm and head to Wollaton Hall to watch a movie under the stars, with screenings of the classics Ghostbusters and Hocus Pocus. There’s also heaps of half-term fun to be had at Conkers with daily rangers activities to help them connect with nature, like pond dipping and bush craft, plus some spooky Halloween fun too.  

There’s more Halloween happenings at the National Justice Museum where you can join the Ghost Hunters to help catch the pesky ghosts which are causing mayhem throughout the museum, or go on a monster hunt the Tropical Butterfly House for a spooky sweet reward. Follow the ghoulish trail around Bolsover Castle to solve creepy clues then gather round to listen to spooky stories, or join the Vampire quest and explore the darker side of history at Belvoir Castle. Be careful not to disturb the undead as you enter the Castle dooms, meet frightful guides in disguise, solve spooktacular mysteries and carve pumpkins in the old kitchens. You’ll find more Halloween events here.

If you’re looking for low cost activities there’s lots of fun to be had at Stonebridge City Farm, a little slice of the country in the heart of the city. Entry is free and there’re lots of cute critters to meet, from sheep and goats to bunnies and guinea pigs. Or for a deceptively educational but still fun-filled outing Green's Windmill and Science Centre, a restored and working 19th Century tower mill, has a brilliant science centre dedicated to mathematical physicist George Green where they can experiment with light, electricity and magnetism. It’s free to enter but to ensure social distancing can be maintained tickets must be booked online in advance.

If you want to encourage them away from their ever-present screens and out into nature take them to the legendary Sherwood Forest where they can walk in the footsteps of folklore hero Robin Hood, visit his hideout the mighty major oak and have a go at archery.

Whatever you get up to, we hope you have a fantastic time over half term. For more ideas about what's happening in Nottinghamshire over the next week, scroll through our What's On listings below, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.