What’s on in Chester this Halloween Half-Term

October half term is just around the corner and Cheshire West and Chester Council has a full programme of frightfully fun events planned to keep families and little pumpkins entertained during the holidays.

The borough’s museums have free fun on offer with their ‘Frankenstein’s Museum’, Halloween-themed activities throughout the half term and suitable for all ages.

Also the Deadly Museum Trail at Grosvenor Museum from 8 October to 5 November – a tour of deadly items at the museum. Examples of exhibits include mercury in hat making, toxins used to create taxidermy, lead in wigs, objects connected to the great plague, Victorian mourning and many more. Though not specifically aimed at children, it is light-hearted enough to be family-friendly.

Grosvenor Museum is also hosting a Children’s Ghost Walk on 29 October – book your place at the museum.

Halloween comes to the Lion Salt Works on 1 November with their annual Halloween party with free spooky crafts, haunted stories and a trick or treat trail. Suitable for ages 4+ but younger pumpkins welcome. Dress to spook! Then the Northwich Explorers session on 1 November will use chemistry to make an organic ‘milk-plastic’ Halloween keyring.

There are lots of fun events planned at libraries including Halloween Bingo, Pumpkin Decorating, as well as regular rhyme and story sessions.

Many libraries are offering craft activities involving everything from terrifying tea light holders (30 October at Upton Library), to monster masks (31 October at Tarvin and Neston Libraries) and spooky ghost craft (31 October at Tarporley Library). Not forgetting Bonfire Night will soon be here with a fireworks craft session at Frodsham Library on 1 November.

This half term a group of volunteers on the City Walls will also be hosting medieval surgeon Godfrey Garland at Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower between Saturday 26 and Thursday 31 October, between 11am and 3pm – call in to see him if you dare!

The Council’s school holiday webpage includes details of other activities across the borough including holiday clubs, events at Brio Leisure, Chester Wizard School, Blakemere and Theatre Porto.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health, Mental Health, Libraries and Culture), Councillor Lisa Denson said:

“The Council has also pulled together a useful webpage of all the fun activities happening across the borough, not just at Council venues, during the October half term.

“There is so much going on from craft sessions to ghost walks, have a look on-line and find out what’s happening near you.”

For information about all library events sign up to their eNewsletter or follow libraries on social media: Facebook: @cwaclibrary, X @cwaclibraries and Instagram @cwaclibraries.

There are 22 libraries across Cheshire West and Chester, a Mobile Library and Home Library Service. It is free to join and books can be borrowed from and returned to any library.

You can access computers and wi-fi for free or join in with a wide range of events and activities for all ages. There are also thousands of free eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines to borrow.