October Half Term in Cheltenham
A happy half term break brings a welcome week of super-excitement, with a calendar packed full of family-friendly events, just a scroll away! Our October Half Term Guide offers our selection of the best events in Cheltenham - we've featured 64, as well as including the usual amazing attractions and venues, as seen regularly on Cheltenham Rocks!
The full guide below, or search the site anytime here
Things to do in Cheltenham this October Half Term
The ever popular Primrose Vale Halloween Trail runs again in 2019! Suitable for children of all ages, but most enjoyed by those between 3 - 15, the trail takes you around the farm to discover various challenges, tasks and puzzles. It’s a great way to spend a few hours out in the fresh air - and there’s even a small treat for all children! With a preschool trail and a more challenging school age trail, there’s something for everyone! There’s thousands of home grown pumpkins for sale of all shapes and sizes in the Pumpkin Barn, as well as hot drinks and light refreshments available from the Potting Shed Cafe. Find out more.
There's cauldrons of spooky fun to be had Cotswold Farm Park Halloween Land! Pick your own pumpkin fresh off the farm from the pumpkin patch, then get crafty and decorate it! Children can choose which fearsome face painting design they would like too! All activities are included in the cost of admission, just show your Farm Park wristband at the entry to Halloween Land. In the Park, you'll find super furry animals, a restaurant, gift shop, picnic area and easy parking, all within an easily accessible site for pushchairs and wheelchair users! Find out more.
This Halloween, visit the exciting Enchanted Sudeley at Sudeley Castle! Find enchanted scenes hidden around Sudeley and discover the stories of the Brothers Grimm. Follow a magical trail through the Castle and its gardens, discovering scenes from a host of famous stories from Grimm’s fairy tales, including Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty. Trail is included with admission tickets, Grimm Fairy tale storytelling will also take place with the Wicked Stepmother on 1st, 2nd & 3rd November at 11:30am and 2pm each day. Find out more.
Discover what childhood was like in the Victorian times at the Holst Birthplace Museum! Take a glimpse into young Victorian lives through objects from the time, including those from Gustav Holst’s own childhood. During your visit, take the opportunity to explore Cheltenham’s historic house, the Holst Birthplace Museum, where composer Gustav Holst was born in 1874. The house is a time capsule of 19th century life with a working Victorian kitchen, Victorian bedroom, scullery and nursery. The museum hosts a range of exhibitions, events and children’s activities throughout the year; including the popular ‘Bake Back in Time’ events which use the working coal-fired range. Standard admission applies, free for children under 5. Find out more.
Looking for somewhere child-friendly for a place to meet friends or park up the pram? The Brewery Quarter, Smokey Joes, Mr Mulligan’s (with an additional amazing indoor golf experience) and Cafe Boho all offer the perfect perch for coffee and cake - with children more than welcome!
Prefer an outdoor experience with a bit of water thrown in? Cotswold Country Park and Beach (free admission during October), Cotswold Farm Park and Batsford Arboretum each provide the PERFECT place to get fresh air and exercise, with a range of family-friendly features.
Airborne Trampoline Park has fast become one of the most popular family attractions in the area. There’s a sea of trampolines, a huge airbag, ninja run, battle beam, basketball hoops and LED reaction wall! Air Time is booked by the hour and you’ll have full access to the whole arena, with the freedom to move between equipment! Have fun, get fit and test your skill at your own leisure and pace! Find out more.
The Boathouse and Pitch & Putt offer a peaceful, playful alternative to the highstreet. At the Boathouse you can set sail and explore Pittville Park’s lower lake in a range of boats depending on your group size, the Boathouse staff will provide life jackets and advise on the right type of boat. With 9 holes and no bunkers to get stuck in, no dress code and no booking required Pitch and Putt is a great way to get into golf. What’s more clubs, tees and balls are included in the price! Find out more.
Visit your local Pets at Home store for a free My Pet Pals Spooky Pets Workshop, taking place every day at 11.30am during half term. Workshops are aimed at kids aged 5-11, helping to teach them how rewarding pets can be and how to care for them. They’ll meet some friendly small furries whilst learning how to keep them happy and healthy! Find out more.
The Hedgehog Trail in Gotherington is a lovely activity for families or groups to enjoy together. It could take a few explorations to find them all, but with lovely scenery, a fab pub and local shop to visit - it’s worth the trip! All proceeds from ticket sales go to Vale Wildlife Hospital, FOGS (Friends of Gotherington School) and The Old Chapel Community Project. Find out more.
Saturday 26th October
Children age 6 and below are welcome to the free Spooktacular Skull Decorating children's workshop, thanks to John Lewis Cheltenham! Decorate spooky skulls and make them into stick masks! This is a drop in session with no registration required, however materials and spaces will be on a first arrival basis - so best to be early! Find out more.
All welcome to the free, Prestbury Library Magic and Illusion drop-in craft event! Learn about Cheltenham's famous Victorian magician J.N.Maskelyne, with a history treasure hunt and magical crafting for 4+ years! Just drop-in any time until the craft materials run out, no booking required! Find out more.
Suitable for ages 5-11, this free, Girls Football Festival includes skills, drills, games and fun! Email ctladiesyouth@gmail.com to book your daughter's space prior to attending. Find out more.
Join colleagues in your local Hobbycraft store to make your very own Halloween Spider Squishee! During the course of the workshop you will make a spider squishee using a range components, activities suitable for children ages 4+, a small booking fee is required. Find out more.
With a mixture of food and drink stalls that will appeal to all tastes, enjoy having a look around the family-friendly Hewlett Arms Market, organised by Create Cheltenham. Sample some delicious offerings and enjoying the fresh local produce on offer! Find out more.
The annual Stoke Orchard Halloween Family Disco is back with fun for all! There will be a disco, bar, tuck shop and catering until 8pm and the disco will continue until late! Tickets on sale at the Stoke Orchard Community shop now. Find out more.
Come along after-hours to The Ox Shed at Cotswold Farm Park for live music this Saturday evening, with a performance from Laura Davis! Free entry, food and drink available, and stunning views from the terrace – what more can you ask for? Find out more.
Sunday 27th October
Visit The Bottle of Sauce for the Create Cheltenham Sunday Market this Sunday, to support local, independent makers and small businesses! You can find anything from vintage, local makers and artists, all across the site with lots of stalls to explore! At 1pm you and your children can join Bookie Monster's Library for story time on some comfy bean bags! The market is of course child-friendly, dog-friendly and absolutely free! Find out more.
The Suffolks Sunday Market is back with a Halloween, harvest twist! Buskers, street food and over 80 stalls offering arts and crafts goods, vintage clothes, accessories and food! Faithful House is also hosting Cheltenham Connects’ Village Fair in their garden, where there will be cake baking and largest pumpkin contests, flower arranging, jam making, children’s Halloween Fancy Dress and more! Find out more.
Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November
Bridge Football Academy will be delivering drop in football sessions for school children during the October half term, in partnership with Hesters Way Community Partnership. Free of charge and no need to book, come along, drop in and have some fun with other local kids, without the burden of fees! Find out more.
Explore Learning Workshops aid to create fearless learners ages 4-14! These fantastic, free workshops will be held at John Lewis Cheltenham this week, and will help to improve your child's development in phonics, comprehension, maths and english. Only 12 spaces available per workshop, register in advance for your chosen age-appropriate session. Find out more.
Cotswold Clubhouse is hosting the spooky, soft play ‘Creepy Clubhouse’ this week, offering creepy crafts, colouring, face painting, slime-making, lots of soft play and lots of treats! Find out more.
Join Hobbycraft colleagues in your local store for Halloween Slime Making! They’ll show you how to make your very own batch of textured Halloween slime, choosing from a range of colours and textures! This workshop is free but requires booking, and is suitable for ages 4+. Also running Wednesday 30th October and Friday 1st November. Find out more.
Throughout October half term, Play Rangers will be attending the Half Term Halloween Playscheme; active and creative play days in urban and rural communities across Gloucestershire. Sessions are aimed at school aged children, young people and their families, providing adventure, friendship and fun! Sessions are open access, running from 10am - 4pm, and free for those attending! Find out more.
Join the Court Farm Shop for the exciting Halloween Farm Tour this week! Entertainment includes a 25 minute trailer ride towed by ‘Kevin the Kubota’, and a visit to the Pumpkin Patch, where children aged 2 - 16 get to hand pick a pumpkin of their choice to take home and carve! You’ll also get a chance to visit the cattle, sheep, pigs and hens! Admission rates apply, under 2's get in free! Find out more.
The zombies are coming! Battlesports Glos is running a special Zombie Takeover (zombie themed laser tag) this October half term! First game at 11am, last game 3pm, hourly throughout the day. Simply turn up and play! Running Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the school holidays, open to adults and children age 7+. Find out more.
Monday 28th October
The Colour Club is running a tasty Hallowe’en Icing Class at Cafe Boho this afternoon! The Session costs £20 for 6 biscuits in the hour and a half session, which includes a drink and a portion of their fabulous pancakes! Sessions can get a little messy so a spare set of clothes or a big old shirt to wear on top is a good idea. Spaces are limited and booking is required. Find out more.
Half term needn't be a boring week with the SPTM Big Local Spooky Doodle Sessions! Running Monday 28th October at On The Green St Peter's Square and Wednesday 30th October at Cheltenham Saracens FC Hut! Sessions are free with materials and refreshments provided! Find out more.
Calling Princesses everywhere! PIYP is having a Princess Party this October half term and you're all invited! Meet and greet two princesses from Everlasting Entertainment, paint your own pottery princess to treasure forever, enjoy enchanting singing, dancing, games and interactive storytelling! This event is free for parents and for non-painters under 2 years! Find out more.
Cheltenham Animal Shelter Experience Days give young people aged 5 – 15 years a chance to attend the shelter during the school holidays, to learn about richly rewarding, responsible pet ownership and other animal-related issues. The ‘Dog Session’ Animal Experience includes the opportunity to gain some hands on experience with dogs in the rescue environment. Sessions are booked in advance depending on availability, also running the following Wednesday and Thursday. Find out more.
Tuesday 29th October
Pop along to this Drop in Garden Autumn Event this morning for free, fun, seasonal activities, including making conker animals, bird-feeders from pine cones and the chance to plant some bulbs to take home! Find out more.
Explore Learning is visiting Prestbury Library to host a free, spooky story workshop this morning, Suitable for children over 4. Find out more. Can’t quite make it to Prestbury? Explore Learning will be visiting Charlton Kings Library to deliver another free, spooky story workshop in the afternoon! Find out more.
Celebrate Diwali and Holst’s love of India at The Holst Museum Children’s Diwali Craft drop in session! Make a clay candle holder and colourful decorations for your home, activity just £1 per child plus general admission. Find out more.
Little Howlers comedians will be pitching their comedy to a far younger audience in ‘Comedy For Kids’ this afternoon; rest assured it will all be good clean fun! Suitable for children aged 8-12 years, advanced booking is advised. Find out more.
Wednesday 30th October
Smokey Joe’s is hosting an exciting Children's Halloween Craft Morning; book your space and pop down for a morning of spooky crafts! Design your own 'trick or treat', reusable cotton bag, and make monster masks! All materials and equipment are provided, sessions suitable for children age 5+. Find out more.
The Regent Arcade is celebrating Halloween in magical style this afternoon! Join in all day for safe trick or treating in participating stores; pick up your sweet collection map from the activity area to start your adventure around the Arcade and all the free sweets you could ask for! Take part in the free Professor Snape's Potion Workshop, the perfect class to brush up on those skills in the Defence Against the Dark Arts (registration required). Find out more.
All are welcome to the free, SPTM Halloween Hunt! Search Elmfield Park for spooky clues to answer the riddle and win a treat! Hot chocolate and cake just 50p (donations go towards the Christmas Party)! Find out more.
Come and join The Motherhood Society for the Halloween Colour & Craft Party; a morning of colouring and crafting! It wouldn’t be a Halloween party without a pumpkin or two, so why not decorate your own paper pumpkin decoration? Or how about a recycled toilet roll monster? A spooky stone to hide on your next walk?! With coffee, tea, some special sweet treats and prize for the best costume! Find out more.
The Wilson Art Gallery Holiday Craft session involves various craft activities to learn, along with painting and drawing animals or artefacts from the museum collection. Suitable for a variety of skill levels, while tactile for little ones. Find out more.
All are welcome to the Explore Learning Haunted House Workshop For Children! Join Winchcombe Library this afternoon for the children's haunted house workshop; create your own haunted house story with a spooky story behind! All materials and templates are provided, suitable for ages 4 and over. Find out more.
Join Miniature Music for a foot-stomping, live sing-a-long of all your favourite Julia Donaldson songs, with plenty of opportunities to sing, join in and shake things! Meet The Fox & The Crow, The Dog With His Bone, let a Little Ladybird whisper in your ear, and meet the Gruffalo! This session is aimed at ages 3 - 7 years, older and younger siblings welcome. Find out more.
Thursday 31st October
This Halloween, In The Park will be playing host to the wonderful ‘Niggles The Magicial’, bringing you two, hour long spook-tacular magic shows! All children under the age of 4 must be accompanied. Find out more.
Little ones are welcome to this Spooky Storytelling Adventure session at Smokey Joes, with Vickie from Party Bugs, who will whisk the children off on an imaginary broomstick adventure! Help the witch and her friends create a truly magnificent broom, and come dressed up in your best costume! This session aimed at children aged 3-6 years due to the chosen story, all attending children will need a ticket. Find out more.
There are some spooky goings on at Crickley Hill cafe, join in with the Halloween Hoot, if you dare! Enjoy a morning of frightfully-fun crafts and wildlife-themed activities. All ages welcome, just remember to bring along your grown ups kids! Find out more.
If you’re off out for trick or treating, make your first stop the spooky Plough Prestbury Halloween Grotto! Drop in from 4pm - 6pm to have your face painted by Cheltenham Face Paints, with additional Halloween crafts! Find out more.
The Bacon Theatre invites you to enjoy the Halloween Film screening of Little Shop of Horrors (PG). Meek flower shop assistant Seymour pines for his coworker Audrey. During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey II, which feeds only on human flesh and blood..but what happens next?! Come along and find out, advance booking is advised. Find out more.
Friday 1st November
Room on a Broom tells the tale of witch's hat which has been stolen by a witch-eating dragon - time to learn how to ride your broom, before setting off to get that hat back! The entertaining Pyjama Drama Cheltenham interactive performance, suitable for children ages 3 - 7, is sure to take your little ones on a non-stop adventure! Find out more.
Join the Cleeve Common Trust for Family Fun Friday; a creative afternoon of willow weaving! No artistic talent or previous experience required, fun for everyone! Make a willow bird feeder and fat ball to hang in the garden as winter approaches, followed by a nature walk on Cleeve Common, taking in the autumn sights and sounds! Pre-booking required prior to attending. Find out more.
The annual Cheltenham Cricket Club's Fairview Fireworks Party starts the seasonal celebrtions off with a bang, taking place this evening from 5pm; hosting not one, but two displays (one without bangs)! With plenty of food, a bar, raffle, glow sticks, and live music all onsite for everyone to enjoy! Find out more.
Science and silliness abound for ages seven to 107 in ‘Unbelievable Science’ at the brilliant Bacon Theatre! Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family, science extravaganza! Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method. Suitable for children age 7+, advance booking required prior to attending. Find out more.
Hosted at the Bottle of Sauce, the Doolallytap Clothes Swap Party is somewhere you can donate preloved clothes and swap them for something else! You will also have the chance to customise the clothes you bring in or take away with Victoria from @ChinaBambi. Free to attend, registration is required. Find out more.
Saturday 2nd November
Explore Learning is running free 11+ Grammar Workshops in John Lewis this afternoon, creating fearless learners ready to get back to school! Only 12 spaces available per workshop, registration is required prior to attending. Find out more.
Take part in the biggest charity gaming day of the year with the Extra Life Game Day! Join Proud Lion for a day full of gaming fun, including over 200 different board games, role playing games, collectable card games, cosplay, and a gaming quiz! Children under 10 are free (must be accompanied by a paying adult).
There are some exciting fireworks displays going on this evening; the Leckhampton Scouts Bonfire Night, the St Edward’s Family Fireworks Night and the Cheltenham Racecourse Fireworks! Read our Firework Displays Guide for more information about each display here.
Sunday 3rd November
From fun embellished characters to elegant table favours, the Meri Meri team will bring everything you need (and the knowhow) to create your very own festive crackers in this Meri Meri Cracker Workshop! All proceeds from this event are being kindly donated to the Cheltenham Design Foundation. Find out more.
Join Cheltenham Design Festival for the Creative Juice Taster Session; a free interactive workshop for 8-16 year olds on creative thinking and the process of generating ideas. Practicing design professionals will introduce you to the process and practice of design disciplines and how to solve problems with creative thinking. This event is free but booking is required prior to attending. Find out more.
Cheltenham Design Festival is bringing LEGO to the Wilson Gallery for some hands-on creative fun with The Big Cheltenham Lego Build! You will get to take part in the big Cheltenham LEGO Build and recreate local landmarks, houses, shops, cars and much more. Find out more.
Children ages 4+ are welcome to join store colleagues in your local Hobbycraft store for this Kids Poppy Making Workshop; learn how to make your very own poppy badge for Remembrance Sunday. During the course of the workshop you will make one spinning wheel poppy badge using a range of core components. This workshop is £2 per person with £1 going to The Royal British Legion. Find out more.
All are welcome to the exciting, child-friendly Halloween Film Club: Hotel Transylvania (PG). Doors open at 4pm and the movie will start at 4:30pm, the shop will also be open for snacks, drinks and popcorn! Find out more.
Join CACSSA for the annual Fireworks Display, which promises to be a fun and exciting event for all the family! A selection of food and drink will be available to purchase, with fairground rides and other activities, plus music from resident DJ! Gates open at 4:30pm, fireworks display at 6:30pm. Find out more.
