IT’S not long now until Halloween – that fun time of year when the shops are full of ghosts and ghouls, and when we stick sheets over our heads and light candles in hollowed-out pumpkins.

There’s always plenty going on in Yorkshire for Halloween. Zombies, ghosts, witches and goblins –you’ll find them all at events across the region. So sharpen your fangs, grab your broomsticks, and polish up your spells for a fright-night out.

Lightwater Valley has changed its name to Frightwater, with terrifying live-action horror mazes and hair-raising frightmare zones, as well as gruesome Halloween shows and blood-curdling inhabitants. Watch light turn to dark as the valley becomes shrouded in a menacing cloak of the supernatural!

For eight nights only, York Maze becomes your worst nightmare. Hallowscream is an advance ticket-only night-time event for teenagers – and adults who should really know better!

Halloween is York Dungeon’s favourite holiday. The Master of Tricks will take up residence in the Dungeon to ensure a Halloween full of scary fun, mischief, tricks and treats, gripping storytelling, jump-through-the-roof surprises and pumpkins aplenty.

There couldn’t be a better time to visit the eerie Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well. If you aren’t turned to stone first, enjoy the fun with creepy crafts and activities with the witch in the woods.

In addition to the theme park and zoo, there are a whole host of themed events, tricks and treats for you to enjoy each day. Demonstrate your pumpkin-carving skills or try your hand at some devilish arts and crafts. Meet the meerkat mascots, Wizard Mylo and Mia the Witch down at Mischief Mansion. And, over at Riverside One, they’ve created a truly terrifying live show.

The Deep has some amazing ghoulish crafts and activities to keep your little critters entertained this half-term.

Stop by the Amazon Explorers Den between 11am and 4pm for some freaky face-painting, visit the Cool Seas area for some craft activities, including making a spooky key ring, a scary spider to take home – or colour in your own creepy critters colouring-in sheet.

Stockeld Park is packed with special spooky events, including bewitching tales in the forest, wizard and witch training and a very scary fright night only for the brave-hearted. The Wizard and Magic Hatter will also be appearing over the Halloween season, with magic and stories to tell.

Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park is the most extreme Halloween entertainment park and scare attraction, combining special effects and live actors to provide a terrifying encounter which will leave the audience screaming for more. This attraction is one huge multi-element scare experience.

Eureka! is well and truly getting into the Halloween spirit this October half-term. Join the witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls for a week of Halloween fun.

Fly down to the Royal Armouries Museum over half-term if you dare, and prepare to be scared by a host of spooky horrors – from vampire-slaying tales to a thrilling stunt-riding horse show and what’s set to be the biggest Halloween party in Yorkshire.

Factfile

  • Lightwater Valley, Ripon: Frightwater October 31-November 2
  • York Maze, York: Hallowscream by Night October 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31-November 1
  • York Dungeons, York: until November 2
  • Mother Shipton’s Spooky Trail, Knaresborough: October 25-31
  • Halloween Half Term at Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton. October 25-November 2
  • Halloween at The Deep, Hull: October 25-November 2
  • Halloween at Stockeld Park, Wetherby: on now
  • Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park, Wakefield: October 17-November 1
  • Hubble, bubble, toil & trouble at Eureka! Halifax: October 25-November 1 Hallowe’en events at Royal Armouries, Leeds, October 25-November 2