Find out what's going on at The Reader this Halloween

The Reader is hosting a series of hair-raising Halloween activities in Liverpool including its first Frankenstein Deep Read, children’s picture book inspired Fangtastic Family Feast and Twilight Heritage tour.

Calderstones Park in South Liverpool is the spooktacular seasonal setting for some fright-filled family fun organised by The Reader on and around Halloween on Thursday 31 October.

Tickets currently released for two children’s fancy dress Monster’s Ball Halloween parties have sold out. There is also limited availability for Halloween at the Storybarn, Saturday 26 October – Thursday 31 October and Pumpkin Picking Parties every weekend from Wednesday 2 October to Sunday 27 October between 9.30am and 11.30am.

Pumpkin Picking Parties will start off with a cosy reading of Patricia Toht’s rhythmic seasonal children’s picture book, Pick a Pumpkin, inside the Storybarn then families will venture outside to pick a pumpkin to carve into a lantern to take home. Best suited for four to nine-year-olds. Younger siblings welcome. Under 1’s free.

Scare your little ones silly at a fun new spooky event. The charity’s first Fangtastic Family Feast, an immersive retelling of Mickey Please’s debut picture book, The Café at the Edge of the Woods, in collaboration with Harper Collins Children’s Books.

Lemony Snicket meets Jon Klassen meets Grimms’ fairy tales in this outrageously original story, published in September 2024. During this immersive retelling of the story, children will take a trip to the Café at the Edge of the Woods, meet our head chef and create a ghastly potion. Wellies and waterproofs advised.

Rene’s dreams have finally come true. She has opened a café beside an enchanted wood, and with the help of a newfound waiter, Glumfoot, she is ready to serve the finest cuisine. But the locals seem to favour a most peculiar palette, requesting all sorts of disgusting things. Two sittings will take place inside the Grade II listed Mansion House on Saturday 2 November at 11am and 4pm. (Tickets available).

All sorts of culinary curiosities will be dished up for adults and children including Truffle Stew with Slugs (truffle infused, slow cooked beef stew with crispy mushrooms and a Vegan option of truffle infused vegetable stew, with crispy mushrooms), Maggot Fondue (Orzo pasta in cheese sauce with vegan option) and Monsters Eyes (Chicken and vegan nuggets, filled with olive and pimento).

Kara Orford, Associate Director of Programme Delivery at The Reader, said:

“Expect stories, games and crafts but remember, this is no ordinary café, it doesn’t take regular money, so the guests must take part in a treasure hunt led by our Storyhunters to find golden nuggets required to foot the bill.

“This is just one of the many ways to celebrate Halloween at our spooky picture book-themed events where fancy dress is encouraged.”

There are plenty of spooky, child-friendly celebrations on Halloween itself, as well as over the weekends before and after including:

Halloween at the Storybarn, Saturday 26 October – Thursday 31 October – a one-and-a-half-hour session where children can show off their frightful fancy dress, play ghostly games, and create a spooktacular craft to take home. Best suited for four to nine-year-olds, younger siblings welcome.
Spooky Incy Wincy Rhymers, Monday 21 October – Fri 25 Oct – Incy Wincy nursery rhyme sessions served with a spooky twist for one to four-year-olds.

Kara added: “Forget tricks – we also have some seasonal treats for adults this Halloween from Autumn Wreath Making foraging for foliage with local florist Booker Flowers to craft a seasonal hanging door wreath, with refreshments, from 10am to 1pm on Sunday 6 October.

“Also new this autumn are our atmospheric Twilight Heritage Tours of the beautiful Mansion House after hours, between6pm and 8pm, on Thursday24 October. These will be led by our highly knowledgeable Heritage Volunteers, beginning in our brand-new bookshop cafe with a complementary drink and light bite.”