Discover Halloween events across Dorset for 2026, from illuminated forest trails and pumpkin picking to ghost trains, castle quests, family activities and terrifying experiences for adults. Our county-wide guide covers Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch alongside Purbeck, Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne, Bridport and rural Dorset. Find confirmed dates, ticket prices, age guidance and booking information for Halloween and October half-term events, with further activities added as organisers announce them.
9th September 2026
Discover Halloween events across Dorset for 2026, from illuminated forest trails and pumpkin picking to ghost trains, castle quests, family activities and frightening experiences for adults. Our county-wide guide covers Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch alongside Purbeck, Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne, Bridport and rural Dorset. Find confirmed dates, prices, age guidance and booking information for Halloween and October half-term events, with further activities added as organisers announce them.
Pumpkin picking is available at farms across East, North and West Dorset, although several 2026 programmes are still awaiting confirmation.
Confirmed options currently include Gullivers Farm at West Moors and Gorcombe Farm near Blandford. Other established pumpkin patches include North Farm at Horton, Parley Pumpkin Patch, Dewflock Farm near Dorchester and Washingpool Farm near Bridport.
Images: Unsplash
Our separate local guides contain more detailed information about smaller events, parties, theatre, cinema and activities within each area.
Halloween Events in Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s Halloween programme includes family entertainment, theatre, seasonal attractions and parties taking place around the town centre, Boscombe and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Read our full guide: Halloween Events in Bournemouth 2026
Halloween Events in Southbourne
Find neighbourhood Halloween events, children’s activities and seasonal entertainment taking place around Southbourne and nearby Tuckton.
Read our full guide: Halloween Events in Southbourne 2026
Halloween Events in Christchurch
The Christchurch guide includes family attractions, nearby pumpkin picking, events at local venues and Halloween activities around Christchurch and Highcliffe.
Read our full guide: Halloween Events in Christchurch 2026
Halloween Events in Poole
Explore farm attractions, family trails and October half-term theatre in Poole, including Farmer Palmer’s and productions at Lighthouse Poole.
Images: Unsplash
Halloween at Moors Valley
Where: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET
Moors Valley has several Halloween activities running throughout October 2026.
The daytime Halloween Hunt runs from 1 October until 1 November between 9am and 5pm. Activity packs cost £3.50 and the hunt is recommended for children aged four and over.
Selected dates during October half term will also feature Halloween crafts in the Ranger Den from 1.30pm until 4pm. Full craft dates and prices are still to be announced.
Children aged three to ten can drive the Adventure Valley mini Land Rovers daily from 24 October until 1 November. The activity runs from 11am until 3pm and costs £9 for two laps or £15 for four laps.
Check all Halloween activities at Moors Valley.
Halloween Illuminated Trail at Moors Valley
Dates: 22 October-1 November 2026
Times: Bookable sessions from 4pm–9pm
Booking: Required
When darkness falls, the forest will be transformed into an illuminated Halloween trail filled with eerie installations, live characters and immersive scenes.
The 2026 experience includes giant skeletons, a sinister Demon Barber, a carnivorous garden and mysterious forest rituals. It is designed as a family Halloween experience, although some scenes may be unsettling for particularly young or sensitive children.
Food, hot drinks and seasonal treats will be available to purchase around the trail. Parking should be reserved when buying tickets, with a limited free parking offer available for qualifying Moors Valley members and season-ticket holders.
Book the Moors Valley Halloween Illuminated Trail.
Gullivers Pumpkin Fest
Where: Gullivers Farm Shop, Station Road, West Moors, Ferndown, BH22 0JG
Pumpkin picking: From 10 October 2026
Pumpkin Fest: Every Saturday and Sunday in October
Admission: Free
Gullivers Farm will open its pick-your-own pumpkin field from 10 October. Families can explore the field and choose pumpkins in different shapes, colours and sizes, paying separately for those they take home.
Every Saturday and Sunday in October, Pumpkin Fest will add children’s crafts, games, family entertainment, live music and seasonal food and drink.
Corfe Castle October Half Term
Dates: 24 October-1 November 2026
Times: Generally 10am-4.30pm
Admission: Activities included with normal admission
Booking: Not required
Families can explore Corfe Castle through a new quest inspired by folklore, mystery and superstition.
The popular teddy bear zip-wire will also return. Children can bring a teddy or borrow one from the castle before sending it travelling down the zip wire beside the keep.
A seasonal pumpkin display will provide a suitably dramatic photograph location in front of the ruins. The event is free with castle admission and free for National Trust members.
Plan an October half-term visit to Corfe Castle.
Gruesome Tales at Corfe Castle
From 27 October until 1 November, Corfe Castle’s spooky storyteller will share stories about horrible heroes, vile villains and the more unpleasant parts of medieval life.
The storytelling offers a slightly darker addition to the family half-term programme without turning the visit into a full horror attraction.
See all upcoming Corfe Castle events.
Studland’s Wicked Wildlife Trail
Where: Studland Bay, near Swanage
Dates: 24 October–1 November 2026
Times: 10am-3pm
Booking: Not required
The Wicked Wildlife Trail takes families across Studland’s beach, dunes and woodland.
Children can complete activity stations, discover nocturnal creatures and learn about the wildlife living around the coast. Participants build up a wizarding activity passport as they explore, with Halloween costumes encouraged.
The outdoor route covers natural and potentially uneven terrain, so dress for the weather and check conditions before travelling.
Check the Wicked Wildlife Trail details.
Swanage Railway Halloween Ghost Trains
Dates: 30–31 October 2026
Tickets: Adults £25; children £15
Booking: Required
Swanage Railway’s family-friendly Halloween Ghost Trains combine a heritage train journey through Purbeck with Halloween characters, mysterious encounters and onboard entertainment.
Passengers leave the train at Corfe Castle Station for additional crafts and activities, including slime making, before continuing their journey.
The experience is intended to be entertaining rather than terrifying, making it suitable for families wanting something atmospheric without intense horror.
Book Swanage Railway Halloween Ghost Trains.
Lulworth Castle Autumn Half Term
Dates: 25-31 October 2026
Admission: Normal castle admission applies
Lulworth Castle’s autumn half-term programme includes a new seasonal trail, an autumn display inside the castle and pumpkin-themed games on the lawn.
Families can also explore the castle, climb the tower and visit the woodland playground during their day out.
Adventure Cinema will hold six outdoor screenings at Lulworth Castle from 23-25 October. Check the separate cinema programme before booking, as film certificates and suitability will vary.
Halloween Half-Term Fun at Nothe Fort
Where: Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UF
Dates: 24 October–1 November 2026
Times: 10am-4pm
Admission: Included with normal fort admission
Nothe Fort will hold its final major family event of 2026 during the October half-term holiday.
Daily activities will include a Halloween Mouse Hunt, wand-making, pumpkin golf, Ghosty Boo Bowling, fiendish games and creepy crafts. Spooky Bingo will take place at 11am and 2pm.
Family ghost tours will explore an additional tunnel within the fort. Tour dates and times are still to be confirmed, and places will be limited to ten people per tour. Free places must be reserved at the shop desk on the day.
Standard admission costs £11 for adults, £9.50 for concessions and £4.50 for children aged five to 16. Children under five enter free. Family tickets are also available.
Plan your Halloween visit to Nothe Fort.
Nothe of the Living Dead: The Freak Circus
Dates: 30–31 October 2026
Times: Bookable slots from 6pm-11.40pm
Tickets: £25 per person
Minimum age: 16
Nothe Fort’s adult Halloween experience returns with a new Freak Circus story for 2026.
The hour-long event combines immersive theatre, live actors, jump scares and escape-room-style puzzles. Participants enter a sinister travelling circus and complete challenges while trying to avoid becoming its next permanent attraction.
The minimum age is 16. Anyone under 18 must take part with a paying adult, and advance booking is essential.
Encore's Haunted Halloween
Where: Trinity Club, Dorchester
Date: 31 October 2026
Time: 6pm-8pm
Tickets: £5 per child
Encore is holding a children’s Haunted Halloween event in Dorchester on Halloween night.
The evening will feature a Halloween disco and dancing in a family setting. Tickets are already available, so advance booking is recommended.
Additional museum activities and community events may be announced nearer October. We will add these when the organisers publish confirmed dates and booking information.
Children’s Autumn Pumpkin Trail at Sherborne Castle
Dates: 24 October-1 November 2026
Opening time: 10.30am
Last admission: 3.30pm
Closing time: 4.30pm
Admission: Normal admission charges apply
Children can search the gardens at Sherborne Castle for hidden pumpkins and solve clues to earn a prize.
Fancy dress is welcome, and the trail runs throughout the October half-term holiday. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance, while online booking is also available.
The opening weekend, 24 and 25 October, coincides with Sherborne Castle’s Autumn Colours Weekend.
Plan a visit to Sherborne Castle’s Pumpkin Trail.
Blandford, Shaftesbury and Gillingham
More community parties, workshops and children’s activities are expected around Blandford Forum, Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Sturminster Newton.
Several organisers have not yet published their 2026 programmes. Events will be added only when dates, venues and booking details can be verified.
Families near Blandford can also check the pumpkin patch at Gorcombe Farm, which plans to open from Tuesday to Sunday throughout October.
Images: Unsplash
Brambly Hedge Trail at Abbotsbury Swannery
Families visiting Abbotsbury Swannery can follow an interactive trail inspired by Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge stories.
The trail includes stamp points, questions and characters to discover while visitors explore the swannery and learn about its birds. It provides a gentle October half-term activity for younger children, although it is autumnal rather than frightening.
Check the attraction’s seasonal opening dates and admission prices before travelling.
Images: Unsplash
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