It’s that time of year, and to get us all ready for the day that seems to last a month, Megan Philip has found roughly two weeks’ worth of jolly-looking horror business for all the family. Even you!
Halloween Family Daytimes / Scare Evenings
Family-friendly Halloween happenings in a stories Vale castle! Enjoy Halloween stamp trails, Skeleton Gardens and axe-throwing, plus entry to the Jurassic Wales Dinosaur attraction. Pack your day (or night) with scary yet safe adventures.
Fonmon Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan, Sat 18 Oct-Sun 2 Nov
Tickets: £11/£10 (day); £15/£14 (evening). Info: here
Terror Mountain
This year marks a decade of Terror Mountain. Spend a night running from cannibals, ghouls and demons in five terrifying live-action attractions, namely Sanctum, Killerz, Wild Woods 2, Haunted: Live, and one new attraction TBC.
The Silver Mountain Experience, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Sat 18 Oct-Sat 1 Nov
Tickets: £35-£41. Info: here
Hell On Earth: Halloween Horror
Cardiff’s only Alt Goth Halloween market is making a comeback this autumn. Based in the legendary Fuel Rock Club, come and peruse the stalls, with free entry for all from 11am-4pm.
Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff, Sat 25 Oct
Admission: FREE. Info: Facebook
Terror Mountain
House Of Deviant: Slayance!
‘Slay’ance, the latest performance from House Of Deviant, Wales’ first and only learning disabled drag troupe, will be bringing cabaret to Pontypridd in a feisty and fierce Halloween spectacle.
Y Muni, Pontypridd, Sat 25 Oct
Tickets: £15. Info: here
Spooky Science Halloween Party
A night of family festivities, complete with a Trick & Treat Trail and Ghoul School, an interactive live science show. With full access to the interactive Techniquest exhibits, Halloween craft stations and a fancy dress competition, it’s a night not to miss.
Techniquest, Cardiff Bay, Sat 25 Oct
Tickets: £12/FREE under-3s. Info: here
Halloween Island
New week-long romp in Cardiff’s bay area, with partaking families assembling at Mermaid Quay before sailing the short distance to Alexandra Head, or Halloween Island as they’re calling it. Attractions there include Pumpkin Village, the Carnival Of Bones and a Sunken Galleon.
Alexandra Head, Cardiff Bay, Sat 25-Fri 31 Oct
Tickets: £14.50/£13.50 kids (daytime); £15.50/£14.50 kids (evening). Info: here
Techniquest – credit Steve Pope / Fotowales
Beetlespoof
Brought to Abertillery by the Talegate theatre company this October half-term, Beetlespoof sees Betty Beetle endeavouring to save her haunted house in an evening filled with spooky themes and fearfully funny moments.
The Met, Abertillery, Wed 29 Oct
Tickets: £12.50/£9.50. Info: here
After Dark Scream Park
Three live-action mazes – the Blackwoods Abattoir, Dr Malice: The Cure, and Ghost Track – packed with jump-scares and haunting scenes. Also, come witness Luminaria, an spectacle of light, dance, and fire.
Trago Mills, Merthyr Tydfil, Oct 29-31
Tickets: £35/£15. Info: here
Halloween Nights
Each night, watch as a Wicker Man is set ablaze, and even make your own mini-replica. Come in costume to hear chilling Welsh folklore, then wander the museum after dark and join the haunted house disco.
National Museum Of History, St Fagans, Wed 29-Fri 31 Oct
Tickets: £14/FREE under-2s. Info: here
Halloween Nights, St Fagans
Adult Lates: Shocktober Fest
Techniquest, but only for big kids. See the scientific side of all things spooky with Techniquest doing what they do best. An adults-only evening of immersive exhibits accompanied by Oktoberfest-esque bratwurst and beers, and live music.
Techniquest, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 30 Oct
Tickets: £17/£12 early bird. Info: here
BBC NOW: Halloween Spooktacular
Come in costume and experience your favourite cinematic scores live – with pieces from Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Jaws – in an enchanting orchestral concert, conducted by Ellie Slorach.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 30 Oct
Tickets: £10. Info: here
Cŵm Rag
High heels and high energy, and unapologetic fun, the boundary-pushing Cŵm Rag are back with their fiercely popular drag show, serving a spine-tingling Halloween spectacular.
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 31 Oct
Tickets: £5-£14. Info: here
Violet’s Vaudeville Vault
Halloween Spooktacular 25
The Savoy is hosting their frightening family Spooktacular, an adventure show set in an abandoned castle; expect ghosts, ghouls and a world of magic.
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, Fri 31 Oct
Tickets: £13/£10 under-16s. Info: here
Which Craft?
Join a free morning of crafts and games this Halloween in Barry’s King Square. Previous years have seen Black Mountain Falconry making an appearance with their magnificent birds of prey displays.
King Square, Barry, Fri 31 Oct
Admission: FREE. Info: here
Violet’s Vaudeville Vault
Violet Duff’s award-winning cabaret show promises a raucous night that’s a daring blend of magic, burlesque and circus skills guaranteed to entertain.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 31 Oct
Tickets: £20. Info: here
words MEGAN PHILIP