IT’S approaching the time of year when we ‘fall’ back into Autumn.

The nights are certainly darker and this weekend we will be turning back the clocks but as we head through October we also cast our minds to the annual ‘celebration’ of the darkness - oh yes, Halloween is only days away...

Pumpkins are already aplenty along with other spooky-related stuff - the usual fancy-Halloween themed outfits; sweet-filled cauldrons and confectionary bedecked with iced bats and spiders brimming from supermarket shelves and stores as we prepare for the onslaught of the trick-or-treat season.

Here is a compilation of some of the Halloween-inspired activities and events.

From today (Saturday October 28) until Monday (October 30) Kirklees Light Railway, based in Park Mill Way, Clayton near Huddersfield, will take on the guise of a ghost train.

The haunting trip transports visitors along the 15” narrow gauge track through the South Pennine foothills to the haunted woods.

Young visitors to Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Discovery Road, Halifax, can join a gathering of ghosts and ghouls during the half-term Halloween fun running until November 5.

Bolton Abbey, near Skipton, is hosting a week of ‘spooktacular fun’. Visitors can follow a trail of over-sized pumpkins on a stroll through Strid Wood and discover the clues behind the mystery doors hidden among the trees to unravel the witches magical spell. Free event, although the estate’s vehicle admission applies. Runs until Tuesday (October 31).

Hawortheen comes to Haworth this weekend. Today and Sunday visitors are encouraged to don spooky costumes and get into the Halloween spirit for Saturday’s Dragon Day parade and Sunday’s Parade of Ghouls in Main Street. There will be pumpkin competitions too. Haworth Ghost and Graveyard Tours are also running in the village until November 1. For more information, or to book, call 01535 642329 or visit haworthghosttours.co.uk.

Kids can get crafty with a series of spooky activities at Kershaws Garden Centre, Halifax Road, Brighouse. Sessions run from 10am until noon until Friday November 3. Monsters and witches, bats and webs are among the creepy creations.

Visitors to Knaresborough’s famous Mother Shipton’s cave attraction are warned to be aware of the curse of the Black Pearl as they hunt for clues on a creepy trail - best Halloween costumes are compulsory. Runs until tomorrow. For more information visit mothershipton.co.uk or follow the attraction on Facebook at facebook.com/mothershiptons.

Over in York, the city’s Chocolate Story is hosting a Trick or Treat walking tour of the city. The appropriately-christened Ghoulish Count Fectionary will be handing out spooky samples as he recounts terrifying tales as part of the city’s SHOCKolate story. The tour starts in St Andrewgate and runs until November 5. Prizes are available for the best costume. For more information, or for tickets, visit yorkschocolatestory.com or call 01904 527765.

And Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween without Hallowscream! Yes, it’s the time of year when the home of York Maze becomes a spooktacular haunt for all things fearsome including dare devil performers and a world record breaking chainsaw juggler. Hallowscream isn’t recommended for the under 14s.

The Spen Valley is getting in on the spooky action too as Oxfam, in Northgate, Cleckheaton, hosts a Halloween Hunt from 10am until 3pm today. Participants can collect their word sheets from the shop and hunt for clues in shop windows around the town.

On October 31 Keelham farm shops are inviting kids to visit both its shops in Thornton and Skipton in their creepiest costumes for a haunting Halloween Dress Up Competition.

Everyone who dresses up will receive a tasty treat, and the best-dressed will win a packed Keelham goody bag. Proceeds from the event are for Cancer Support Yorkshire.

Celebrating his 15th year as the Skipton ghost walker, Malcolm Hanson is hosting a special Halloween Walk and party on October 31.

Creepy tales include subjects such as crime and punishment and there will be some ghost stories too.

For tickets, or to find out more, call 01756 798730.