This year Halloween falls within the start of the autumn half term and there's plenty events in and around the Valleys to keep the whole family entertained. From unique theatrical performances to terrifying experiences, guided tours at popular venues and ghost hunts, there's an activity for everyone.
We've compiled a list of spooky experiences on offer in the Valleys and some entertainment to keep the little ones busy all week. Got an event you'd like us to add in? Email angharad.thomas@walesonline.co.uk. You can also find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What's On newsletter here. Here's what's happening in and around the Valleys and Bridgend this Halloween:
READ MORE:The best pictures as monsters take over Zip World Tower for a terrifying Halloween event
READ MORE: Halloween 2023 and half term events in and around Cardiff this autumn
Hocus Pocus Live Experience in Merthyr Tydfil
A live performance of witchy fantasy Hocus Pocus is the perfect play for the whole family to enjoy. The live experience, including songs from the film, will be at Clwb Crown's Halloween Village on Sunday, October 29. The whole family can also take part in a Halloween costume competition and compete for best dressed.
Families are also encouraged to bring blankets, deckchairs, etc for this show on a frightful night. The event starts at 4pm
Where: Clwb Crown, Penry Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1BA
When: Sunday, October 29 at 4pm
Dark Run at Cyfarthfa Castle
A light-up run in the dark is taking place in Cyfarthfa Castle on Saturday, October 28. You can run, jog or walk, join with friends, take your family, or do the 2.5k fun run solo. You'll take in stunning views of the lake, the gardens, wooden country park and fancy dress is optional but strongly encouraged. The money raised from the event will be donated to Ty Hafan. Find out more and get your tickets here.
Where: Cyfarthfa Castle, Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE
When: Saturday, October 28
Stranger Things Experience at Rhondda Escape Rooms
You can immerse yourself in the '80s nostalgia this Halloween at Rhondda Escape Rooms. In the Stranger Things room you will be transported to Upside Down and the room captures the essence of Hawkins, Indiana, and its supernatural secrets. This is the perfect place to work together with a group of friends or family to uncover hidden clues, solve puzzles and uncover mysteries.
Where: Rhondda Escape Rooms, 1, Crown Building, Rhondda, Tonypandy CF40 1QF
When: The escape rooms are be open every day from 10am to 10pm and it is best to book online, which you can do here.
Zip World's Monsters of the Mine
The whole family can try and escape the underground monsters and take part in a thrill-seeking zip line at Zip World Tower. The Welsh tourist attraction embraces the horror at Halloween and you can take a look at the terror on offer and book tickets, here. You can also read our review of Zip World's Monsters of the Mine here. There are four different night passes available for the ultimate scare fest
from just £25. More information and tickets here here.
Where: Zip World Tower, Zip World Tower, Treherbert Road, Hirwaun, Aberdare, CF44 9UF
When: From October 13 to November 1.
Halloween spooktacular at Rhondda Heritage Park
There's lots of spooky fun for your little ones at Rhondda Heritage Park between October 30 to October 31. From wandering around a Pumpkin Patch to search for your perfect pumpkin, to venturing down to the abandoned mine and enjoying the fun fair rides. Three time slots are available on October 30 and October 31, 10am - 12pm, 12.30pm - 2.30pm and 3pm – 5pm. Tickets are on sale here.
Where: Rhondda Heritage Park, Coedcae Rd, South Wales CF37 2NP
When: Monday, October 30 to Tuesday, October 31
Halloween afternoon at Parc Slip
Enjoy an afternoon of Halloween creepy crafts, cake, lunch and story writing at Parc Slip Nature Reserve on Saturday, October 28. The event costs £10 per child and booking is essential due to limited places. To book email Bev: b.dickens@welshwildlife.org.
Where: The Nature Centre, Fountain Rd, Aberkenfig, Tondu, Bridgend CF32 0EH
When: Saturday, October 28 between 1.30pm - 3pm
Spooktacular Halloween Disco
Poppelwood Playcentre is hosting a Halloween themed disco, which will be full of party games, fancy dress competition, story telling and goodie bags. One ticket (£28 a ticket) includes one table reservation with entry for a maximum of four guest per table. Walk ins won't be accepted for this event, so to avoid dissapointment, you can find out more information and book your tickets here.
Where: Poppelwood Playcentre, Unit 19, Trecenydd Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 2RZ
When: Saturday, October 28, between 5pm - 7.30pm and Tuesday, October 31, between 5pm - 7.30pm
Coch’s Creepy Halloween
There's an adult-only event at Castell Coch this Halloween which explore the fairytale castle after hours. You can wander around the gothic castle and listen to chilling tales of ghostly episodes from their expert guides. The tour is subject to weather and guests are advised to wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Tickets are £22 and you can find out more here.
Where: Castell Coch, Cardiff, CF15 7JS
When: Saturday, October 28, between 6pm - 8pm or 8.30pm - 10.30pm and Tuesday, October 31, between 6pm - 8pm or 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Pumpkin Picking at Pencoed Fach Farm
There are many places across Wales offering pumpkin picking this October and it's an event the whole family can enjoy. This organic farm in the Caerphilly borough has been popular this spooky season and some events are already sold out. There's some pumpkin picking events still available on Monday, October 30 and Tuesday, October 31. There will be loads of pumpinks in the fields and some pre-picked for people to enjoy.
Where: Hoel Y Cefn, Bedwellty Rd, Blackwood, NP12 0BQ
When: Monday, October 30 and Tuesday, October 31. Find out more here.
For the rest of half term:
Welsh Museums Festival
The Welsh Museums Festival is back, with Halloween very much at the centre of its celebrations this half-term, alongside other activities. Taking place in museums across Wales, the festival’s brand-new activity pack is full of fun facts about the history of Halloween in Wales and across the world.
The free booklet is also packed with ghostly games and activities to keep the kids entertained, so parents and carers are also free to enjoy what your local museum has to offer. The museums taking part include Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Big Pit National Coal Museum, and Chepstow Museum. The festival is running from Saturday, October 28 until Sunday, November 5 and you can find out more here.
Visit Caerphilly Castle
One of the iconic sites in Wales and a place where you should take all your friends and family to enjoy a slice of Welsh history. The Caerphilly Mountain walk is an easy hike for those who fancy stretching their legs. There are numerous mapped walks and trails where you can walk with family and friends or take the dog out for a big walk. If you get a bit peckish, you can also enjoy a burger at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar.
Creepy Critters at the Royal Mint Experience
Children will have a great time at the Royal Mint Experience this October half term. On November 3, the ZooLab Rangers will be visiting with their creepy critters. - including a chance to hold snalis and tarantulas. Advance booking is recommended, fiind out more here.
Where: The Royal Mint Experience Llantrisant, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF72 8YT
When: Open November 3
The Eden Centre
Enjoy hours of fun at the Eden Centre with a variety of games to choose from. Children aged five to 12 years old will be entertained with an a 4m high Astra slide, a climbing wall, a cool ball blaster cannon arena, ‘Sky glide' zip wire, a 4m high tube slide and many bridges, rollers, tunnels, and other obstacles to complete. The Eden Centre has three sessions a day available between Mondays and Saturdays, adults and under one's get in for free and children aged one to four costs £5.45 and children aged 5+ costs £6.45. Find out more here.
Take a step back in time in Llancaiach Fawr Manor
This half term enjoy a horrid history day out at Llancaiach Fawr Manor. Between October 31 and November 3, children can take part in the jury of the witch trials in the Manor. Normal admission price applies. Find out more here.
Where: Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Trelewis, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6ER
When: Between October 31 and November 3
