Have Yourself a Spooky Halloween at Your Local Museum!

30 October 2024 |

Still looking for Halloween activities?

With Welsh Museums Festival now in full swing, we’ve a thrilling line-up of family-friendly events across Wales up until the end of half-term for you – many free and where you can just drop in! Museums from North to South Wales are hosting activities that embrace local folklore and spooky storytelling – perfect for all ages!

Whether the little ones are into dragons, lantern-making, or Halloween hunts, there’s an adventure waiting for them at their local museum.

Free Halloween Activity Booklet

Almost all museums participating in the Festival have copies of our Calan Gaeaf / Halloween booklet, written by children’s author Casia Wiliam. Discover our past Halloween traditions, like turnip lanterns, dirty blackberries, the ‘Cropped Black Sow’, and ‘Magic Mash’, which will keep kids entertained while you can take a breather and enjoy the museum’s exhibitions.

Watch Casia’s warning about post-Halloween blackberry picking

Check listings for booking details before going!

North Wales Adventures

  • Penmaenmawr Museum’s Legends and Lanterns Trail up until 1 November, challenging young explorers to find hidden lanterns and claim a Halloween goodie bag
  • Sir Henry Jones Museum will have free Halloween Art with Wendy Couling on 31 October and 1 November – dressing up recommended for 100% fun
  • Oriel Môn offers an enchanting craft day on 30 October, though only one session remains available (2-3pm) at time of writing, which involves making your own mask!
  • Conwy Culture Centre is celebrating Halloween on 1 November with storytelling and a Lantern Craft Session (using natural materials and plant art)
  • Storiel will host a range of creative Halloween craft sessions between 30 October and 1 November with Elen Williams and Catrin Williams, includingpuppet making
  • Yr Ysgwrn will offer a warm welcome to Halloween costume wearers and invites you to create an autumnal forest to celebrate Halloween in the company of artist Nerys Jones on 30 October.
  • Ruthin Gaol will open its doors on 2 November for a spooktacular end to half-term
  • Bangor University’s Brambell Natural History Museum, will be open to the public on 2 November between 11am and 3pm – a rare treat!

Mid & West Wales Thrills

  • Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will have lots of face painting, badge making and more up until 1 November (10am-4pm)
  • The Egypt Centre is open until 1 November and has a “Curse of Anubis” challenge for children aged 6 to 11 years, where kids solve puzzles to break a curse placed by the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, making for an exciting and educational day out. (£20 per child, per day)
  • Carmarthenshire’s CofGar has a jam-packed Halloween Half-Term Schedule at its venues, including spooky activities until 3 November at Carmarthenshire Museum and a movie and mask making event at the Museum of Land Speed.
  • Tenby Museum and Art Gallery has been busy throughout half-term, and will be delivering a full day’s Calan Gaeaf celebration on 30 October – you can turn up any time to take part in activities.
  • Dylan Thomas Centre on 1 November will host a range of family workshops, one designed to be autism and neurodivergent friendly and another a drop-in session, where you can create a spooky spell.
  • Rhayader Timescape has dancing and singing sessions from midday until 5pm on 31 October – Halloween dress essential!
  • Ceredigion Museum has lots of activities on offer, with a lego challenge on 31 October as well as Calan Gaeaf Stories with Peter Stevenson on 1 November.
  • Swansea Museum has a Batty Bats workshop on 31 November – just drop in!

South Wales Spooktaculars

  • Kids at Rhondda Heritage Park can embark on a Halloween hunt, pick pumpkins, and navigate the abandoned mine, where surprises await around every corner! (10 for participating children and £3.50 for adults)
  • Cyfarthfa Castles Happy Haunts is perfect for families seeking a fun-filled day with themed crafts and games up until the end of half term.
  • Torfaen Museum will offer lantern making and storytelling on 1 November with Tamar Eluned Williams, with sessions suitable for aged 4+ years.
  • Pontypridd Museum has arts and crafts all day on 30 October – just drop in!

There’s so much more – check out your local museum website or go here