To get into the spirit of things, we’ve come up with our guide to things to do and places to go over the next few days in the Mansfield, Ashfield, Worksop, Retford and wider Nottinghamshire area.
From Mansfield Museum to Creswell Crags, from Rufford Abbey to Newstead Abbey, from Sherwood Forest to Sutton Library and from Mansfield’s Palace Theatre to Retford’s Majestic Theatre, there are Halloween-themed events for the family to enjoy.
You can meet ghosts, carve a pumpkin, go on a haunted trail, enjoy a film or panto, paint your face and even dress up as your favourite scary character.
With the half-term holiday also in full swing, there’s something for everyone – and we’ve also found one or two events and activities that aren’t necessarily dripping with pumpkin juice. How about, for instance, a bit of musical nostalgia with Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton or disco queens Donna Summer, Rose Royce, Sister Sledge, Gloria Gaynor and Candy Staton?
It’s all here, but before you set off, please visit the website of your destination to check on admission prices and opening or starting times. Have a great weekend and a happy Halloween!
1. Join the Creepy Carnival Of Horrors
Go dressed as your favourite scary character at a spooky Halloween event, the Creepy Carnival Of Horrors, on Mansfield Market Place this Saturday (10.30 am to 4 pm). You can also visit the haunted house, meet Harry Potter-themed characters, enjoy wizardry activities, decorate a pumpkin, have your face painted and go on a trick or treat trail. Free witches' hats and Halloween headbands will be handed out too an event that has been organised by the Mansfield BID (Business Improvement District) group. Photo: Submitted
2. Halloween theatre for the kids
The entertainment company, Made To Measure Productions, brings its 'Halloween Spooktacular' show to Mansfield's Palace Theatre on Friday (2 pm and 6 pm). Get ready for rib-tickling laughter and lots of audience participation as you join a gang of intrepid explorers on the Halloween adventure of a lifetime. With hit music, amazing puppetry and magic, the two-hour show is guaranteed to bring a half-term smile to the faces of children of all ages. Photo: Submitted
3. Halloween cinema under the stars at Newstead Abbey
Wrap up a warm, take a blanket or a camping chair and watch classic Hollywood films on a giant screen under the stars at Newstead Abbey this Halloween. Fancy dress is also encouraged as Adventure Cinema shows 'Ghostbusters' tomorrow (Thursday) night, 'Beetlejuice' on Friday night and 'Hocus Pocus' on Saturday evening against the backdrop of a spooky soundtrack and songs specially curated for witches and werewolves, ghouls and ghosts. Photo: Submitted
4. Spectacle Of Light at Rufford Abbey
The eagerly-awaited, annual Spectacle Of Light illumination display has been switched on at Rufford Abbey Country Park with a 'Wizard Of Oz' theme. Meet characters such as the Scarecrow and the Tin Man and follow the yellow brick road through spooky woodland and a tunnel of light as you enjoy the illuminated gardens and tuck in to hot food and drinks. The display runs all this weekend, and then again from next Wednesday (November 1) until the following Sunday. Photo: Submitted