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!
. Weekend guide
The half-term holiday is in full swing and Halloween is on its way. So sit back and enjoy our guide to things to do and places to go this weekend in your area. Photo: Submitted
. 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
. 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
. 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
. 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
. After-dark tour of Creswell Crags cave
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the discovery of the historic witch marks in Robin Hood Cave at Creswell Crags. So on Saturday (various times), the museum and heritage centre team is opening the cave for one day only to allow visitors to see the marks for themselves. Then, on Sunday (3.30 to 5.30 pm), visitors can delve deeper into the world of witch marks with a spine-tingling, after-dark tour of the cave to celebrate Halloween. Photo: Submitted
. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton tribute show
Leave your '9 to 5' worries at the door and, for one night only at Mansfield's Palace Theatre on Saturday, celebrate the music of the king and queen of country music, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. 'Islands In The Stream' is a thigh-slapping tribute show that features many of the charismatic duo's favourite hits, including also 'Jolene', 'Ruby', 'Here You Come Again', 'Lucille', 'Coward Of The County' and 'I Will Always Love You'. Enjoy a superb score and supreme musicianship from a live band. Photo: Submitted
. Pumpkin-carving workshop for the family
Mansfield Museum gets into the Halloween spirit tomorrow (Thursday) when it hosts three pumpkin-carving workshops for all the family. The workshops have been scheduled for 10.30 am, 11.30 am and 12.30 pm, with all materials provided. Lots of fun is guaranteed, but advance booking is essential and adult supervision is required at all times. Photo: Submitted
. Wicked Halloween panto at the Majestic
Magical illusions and things that go bump in the night form the essential ingredients for a wicked Halloween pantomime at Retford's Majestic Theatre on Sunday afternoon. 'Hocus Panto', presented by Talegate Theatre, is a story about three witches you love to hate, and the plot is sure to delight youngsters and adults alike. The theatre says: "It's the perfect treat for Halloween, and will leave you spellbound." Photo: Submitted
. Haunted Halloween trail at Sherwood Forest
Explore the mysteries of Sherwood Forest on a spooky, family-friendly Halloween trail that is perfect for adventurers of all ages -- from the tiniest trick-or-treaters to the wisest of elders. Starting at the visitor centre at Edwinstowe, the trail leads you through the ancient forest to find the creepy things that dwell there. At the end, you can collect your reward. The trail takes place every day from 11 am to 3 pm until Sunday, November 5. Photo: Submitted
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