Spooky Halloween events in and around Plymouth this year

The spooky season promises lots of family fun with everything from scary trails to pumpkin picking

Spooky season is almost upon us and there's Halloween events galore to enjoy in and around Plymouth. From spine-tingling trails to eerie activities after dark, there's something for all the family.

There's pumpkin patches a-plenty, complete with toasted marshmallows, train rides and scarecrow displays. You also can check out a maize maze and Dartmoor Zoo after dark - but beware of some scary figures lurking around every corner!

If you rather stay warm and cosy indoors, you can head to the Theatre Royal for the musical version of Tom Fletcher's The Creakers and Devonport Theatre for Young Frankenstein the Musical. And over at the Woolwell Centre, there's a huge Halloween party for all the family to enjoy.

There's also Halloween fun to be had if you're just heading to the shops. A special spooky trail will challenge youngsters to find the creepy characters hidden in windows around plympton>Plymouth city centre.

We've compiled a guide to some of the best events in and around Plymouth to sink your teeth into for Halloween 2024. Dare to discover more? Read on. And let us know your must-dos in the comments.

Pumpkin Fest

Strawberry Fields in Lifton is going all out for Halloween with pumpkin picking and much much more. There will be thousands of the beloved winter squash to choose from in a huge range of colours, sizes, and shapes.

Visitors can also enjoy a sweet treat at toasting marshmallow pits, scarecrows galore, a fun train ride around the pumpkin patch (an extra charge applies for this) and a mystery-themed maize maze.

There's also a pumpkin drinks bar and the chance to post for a photo with pumpkin walk-around characters. Admission is £3.95 and you can book online.

Find out more: https://strawberryfieldslifton.co.uk/

South Devon Pumpkin Patch

You'll find the South Devon Pumpkin Patch at Terawhiti Farm. It's promising lots of seasonal fun for all the family, including the Pumpkin Express, bouncy castle, coconut shy, face painting and the ever popular Bale Run. Food and drink is available from The Rock Box on the site - and fancy dress is welcomed.

The pumpkin patch will be open from 10am until 4pm on the weekends of October 5 and 6 and October 12 and 13. The farm suggests coming early in the month for the best choice and selection of pumpkins.

Find out more: https://www.southdevonpumpkinpatch.co.uk/

Young Frankenstein the Musical

Plymouth Theatre Company is presenting monster musical Young Frankenstein at the Devonport Theatre from October 9 to 12. It's based on the film of the same name by Mel Brooks starring Gene Wilder and features songs including Puttin' on the Ritz.

Performances are at 7.30pm with an additional 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are priced from £16 and can be purchased online or by calling 01752 560726.

Find out more: https://www.plymouththeatrecompany.com/

Baby Dragon Trail

Baby dragons have hatched at Buckland Abbey - and the National Trust attraction needs your help to track them down and discover some dragon secrets along the way. You can also cosy up with an autumnal read in the Book Nook. Storytelling will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout the trail.

The trail will be open from October 19 to November 3. Admission charges apply and entry is free for National Trust members.

Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey

Harvest Weekend

Buckland Abbey has more seasonal fun planned in the form of its Harvest Weekend on October 26 and 27, celebrating a bountiful harvest of squashes and pumpkins galore. The Abbey's garden team will be showing off their hard work in an autumnal display in the Great Barn.

Visitors can join in the celebrations with classic family games including sack racing and apple and spoon races. You can also help create leaf bunting and take part in some autumnal crafts - and there will be seasonal treats in the café and cider & mead tastings in the shop.

There is no extra charge for the event and normal admission prices apply.

Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey

Boo at the Zoo

Dartmoor Zoo is opening its gates after dark this Halloween for two frightfully good evenings featuring nail-biting frights and hair raising delights. Listen out for rustling among the trees as you make your way around the zoo, meeting some nightmarish figures along the way..

The event will have areas suitable for most families but some will not be suitable for young children. The zoo say there will be advisory notices throughout so you can find the right sort of thrills for you.

Boo at the Zoo is on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26. Gates open at 5.30pm and the event runs until 8.30pm. Tickets can be booked online.

Find out more: https://dartmoorzoo.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/24674?catID=23968&

Pumpkin Festival at Pennywell Farm

Organisers say the 2024 Pumpkin Festival at Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh will be bigger and better than ever before. There will be a pumpkin patch, pumpkin trail, marshmallow toasting experience, scarecrow dress-up competition and games including "spot the golden pumpkin".

Visitors can also spot the pumpkins s on the Rainbow Railway and take part in a pumpkin colouring competition, with the farm pledging "countless Instagrammable moments" for all the family.

The season runs from September 28 to November 3, with the farm open every day of the week from 9am to 4pm. You'll need to book your ticket online before you visit and a small extra charge applies for marshmallow toasting.

Find out more: https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/pumpkin-patch

Torchlight Maize Maze and PYO pumpkin

Check out the maize maze and pumpkin patch after dark at South Battisborough Farm in Holbeton on Saturday, October 26. There will be a family friendly session from 5.30-6.30pm and a scary session from 7 to 8pm.

But what will you find within the maze after dark? You'll have to enter to find out. Tickets are £7.50 and include entry to the maize maze and pumpkin patch after dark, plus one pumpkin from the patch to take home - and don't forget to bring your own torch.

Dogs are not permitted and children must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. The scary session may not be suitable for under 12s.

Find out more: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/67580?

The Creakers

McFly star and best-selling author, Tom Fletcher's popular book The Creakers has been turned into a brand new musical, coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth from October 25 to November 4. It's billed as being "perfect for young people and brave adults".

It follows Lucy, who wakes up one morning to discover that all the grown-ups in her town have disappeared. It means no more school and no more rules but Lucy wants her dad back. Along with friends Norman and Ella she sets off on an unbelievable adventure into a topsy-turvy, back-to-front and inside-out new world underneath her bed.

Tickets are from £18.

Find out more: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/creakers/

Halloween Trail, Plymouth city centre

Fifteen creepy characters will be hiding in the shop windows of Plymouth city centre over Halloween, with families challenged to spot them all. And there could be a prize for clever kids who track them all down.

The Halloween Trail is open from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3. More details will be shared by organisers soon - keep an eye on the link below.

Find out more: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/major-events/the-halloween-trail

Halloween Party at Woolwell Centre

You are cordially invited to a spooktacular family Halloween party at the Woolwell Centre on Saturday, October 26 from 5-10pm. Dance your heart out at the monster disco, join in with crafts and games and jump like a zombie in the bouncy castle.

Get into the spirit by dressing to impress for the fancy dress competition - and the more creative, the better. You can also have your photo taken in the spooky cave and feast on chips, burgers and hotdogs.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children. Under twos go free.

Find out more: woolwellcentre.co.uk

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