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!
9. 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
10. Ghost tours at historic house
Newstead Abbey, the ancestral home of the poet, Lord Byron, has had lots of interesting residents over the course of its long history. Now it is reputed to be housing resident ghosts too! Find out if this is true on a family ghost tour of the abbey this Saturday and Sunday (3 pm). Special evening ghost tours, for over-18s only, are also taking place at the abbey next Monday and Tuesday (7.30 pm and 8.30 pm). Photo: Submitted
11. Create a world of make-believe
Head to Sutton Library with the kids this half-term to create a world of make-believe, using paper cut-outs, a torch and a blank wall. 'Small World Cinema: Shadow Play And Film' is an event taking place in the main children's library next Wednesday at 2 pm. It will also include a selection of short films, featuring shadows and paper cut-out animations, including a fairytale by silhouette artist Lotte Reiniger. Photo: Submitted
12. Shake your body down for 'Disco Inferno'
It's time to dance, shout and shake your body down when the good-time 70s' dance music stage show, 'Disco Inferno', comes to Mansfield's Palace Theatre tomorrow (Thursday) night. It's a two-hour touring spectacular that packs in the biggest hits from the likes of Village People, the Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, Abba, Barry White, Donna Summer, Rose Royce, Kool and the Gang, Billy Ocean, Weather Girls, Candi Staton,Sister Sledge and many more. Photo: Submitted