October Half Term fun to keep all the family entertained

Mummies

This month saw an ancient adventure unveiled at the Dorman Museum. The Ancient Egyptians: Secrets of the Afterlife has been created in partnership with the British Museum.

The event will be open until 26 February 2023.

Exploring themes of living forever and the importance of family in both this life and the next, the exhibition will take visitors on a captivating journey from the process of mummification, to mummy masks and more.

Visitors will also learn how ancient Egyptians cast spells against their enemies.

Perfect for the whole family to enjoy, this free exhibition will offer a fascinating insight into the ancient Egyptians.

Back in time

This Halloween travel back in time over 200 years and experience the spooky side of life at sea in Hartlepool. Climb aboard HMS Trincomalee and explore all the dark nooks and crannies on board as you take part in our Halloween trail. Have you got what it takes to help Eliza complete her quest and find all of the clues on board?

If you succeed in your challenge you can collect one of our special goody bags. After you finish make sure to join in with some of our creepy craft activities.

Our craft activities are included within the price of your ticket, if you want to take part in our Halloween trail and receive a goody bag there will be an additional charge of £2.50 per person which you can pay on arrival.

Magical

A family-friendly magical performance for October half term at the Dorman Museum. Winnie the Witch and Warwick the Wizard are spell casters in training and need every opportunity to practice.

Left in charge of the Grand Master’s Magical Menagerie, they have a sneaking suspicion that one of creatures may have escaped. Filled with animatronic creatures, lights and sounds, join in the fun for a pop-up theatre performance that all the family will love!

Duration: 35 minutes

Performance times: 11.30am, 1pm or 2.30pm.

Tickets: £3.50 per person.

Buy tickets online via Ticketsource.

VR

The Virtual Reality Ride is back at the Dorman Museum this Halloween with a brand new spooky theme!

Help DASH fight FLASH and get him to safety. Featuring petrifying pumpkins, ghastly ghouls and sinister scarecrows.

The VR ride includes sights, sounds and motion. Recommended for age 5+.

The VR ride will be available 22-30 October (excluding Monday 24 October when the museum is closed.

Tickets: £4 per person or £14 for a group of four.

Buy online via Ticketsource.

Monsters 

Hartlepool is hosting Monster Museum Monday on 24 October.

Sessions are being hosted at the Museum of Hartlepool from 10am to 11am or 11.15am to 12.15am.

The event is suitable for all ages – with plenty of chance to make snappy sharks or munchy monsters. Youngsters will need adult supervision.

Hartlepool Art Gallery is also hosting Freaky Arty Friday on 28 October with openings at 10am to 11am or 11.15am to 12.15pm.

Both these sessions are free but must be pre-booked via Eventbrite here – Museum of Hartlepool Events | Eventbrite and here – Hartlepool Art Gallery Events | Eventbrite

Stockton frights 

Stockton-on-Tees Libraries are offering up some frightfully fabulous Halloween Crafts this October Half Term. Unless otherwise stated, all activities are suitable for ages 4 to 11 years.

Halloween Crafts: Have fun making Halloween crafts!

Monday 24 October, 10.30 – 11.30am at Yarm Library. Contact 01642 528152 / yarm.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Wednesday 26 October, 10.30 – 11.30am at Yarm Library. Contact 01642 528152 / yarm.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 12 October.

Wednesday 26 October, 1.30 – 2.30pm at Ingleby Barwick Library. Contact 01642 528528 / inglebybarwick.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 12 October.

Monster masks

Decorate your own spooktacular mask, become a mummy, a superhero or Frankenstein’s monster. Prepare a bag to fill with terrifying treats. Then settle down to a spine tingling book, don’t lose you place with your very own scary bookmark.

Tuesday 25 October, 10 – 11am at Thornaby Library, Gilmour Street. Contact 01642 528150 / thornaby.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Thursday 27 October, 2 – 3pm at Thornaby Central Library. Contact 01642 528117 / thornaby.central.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Halloween Creepy Crafts:

Join us and create a variety of spooky and fun crafts. Dress up in costume for a spooky surprise!

Tuesday 25 October,  2.30 – 4pm at Stockton Central Library. Contact 01642 526521 / stockton.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Thursday 27 October, 2.30 – 4pm at Stockton Central Library. Contact 01642 526521 / stockton.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Halloween in Darlington – Thursday, 27 October 11am until 3pm 

 There are some spooky goings-on in Darlington town centre this October half term – which are free for all the family.

Shops and businesses across the town centre will be offering safe trick or treating, alongside a host of Halloween-themed activities including:

• Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, Malificent and Ursula, in Darlington Town Centre
• Meet the Magical Owls from Walworth Birds of Prey, in the Imperial Quarter
• Face Painting & Balloons, at Darlington Market Hall
• Spooky Storytelling at 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm, in Darlington Market Hall
• Crafts with Yvonne Preston in Queen Street Shopping Centre
• Facepainting and Tattoos in the Cornmill Shopping Centre
• Spooky Crafts with Big Little Gigs Team in the Cornmill Shopping Centre

Don’t forget, you can take advantage of two hours free parking in most council-owned car parks. Just make sure you get a ticket from the machine!

Ghoulish Crafts:

Join us at our Halloween session and create some frightfully fabulous crafts to take home. Come along in your scariest Halloween costume (optional) and give each other a fright!

Tuesday 25 October, 11am – 12pm at Roseworth Library. Contact 01642 528098 / roseworth.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 10 October.

Thursday 27 October, 2 – 3pm at Billingham Library. Contact 01642 528084 / billingham.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 13 October.

A Double Whammy:

Come to our double themed crafts session. Celebrate Halloween with our spooky lantern and make a poppy wreath for Remembrance Day.

Thursday 27 October, 10 – 11am at Norton Library. Contact 01642 528019 / norton.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 17 October.

Friday 28 October Time, 1 – 2pm at Fairfield Library. Contact 01642 527962 / fairfield.library@stockton.gov.uk to book a free place. Bookings from 17 October.