This autumn York Mumbler is crammed full of information to help make the October school holiday easy to plan. There are plenty of seasonal events going on in York, guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained. From where to pick a pumpkin to Halloween parties for kids, plus a full round-up of all the bonfire & firework displays in York, you will find everything you need to know in our autumn for kids section.
We also stay up to date with all the events happening in York so you don’t have to – all you have to do is look at our daily events calendar. We’ve done all the hard work researching so you can relax and enjoy the holidays.
Read on to find out more about the free things to do in this October half term in York!
PLUS…Enjoy cost-effective transport across York!
Travelling in from further afield? For just £3.50, three children aged 16 and under can travel for free when accompanied by an adult boarding at any of our 6 York Park & Ride sites. Put your parking money towards treating the family and get out and about with York Park & Ride!
Live closer to the city? Up to 3 children aged 5-16 can travel for free in York on our city services when they’re accompanied by a paying adult. Let someone else do the driving, whilst you prepare for the fun day ahead! Download the First Bus App to plan your journey and buy your city or Park & Ride tickets.
We’ve created a magical and mythical trail for you and your children to enjoy. On this short but magical walk around York, you’ll need to find 8 mythical creatures that are hiding. Perhaps you’ve walked past some of them before and never even noticed them?
Once you find each creature you’ll need to unscramble the clues to uncover the magical Mumbler password!
We’d love to see you out and about on our Mumbler Quest, so if you do take some photos, don’t forget to use the hashtag #MumblerMCQ so we can share the fun you are having!
We’ve also created lots of magical fun for you to print off and complete at home for FREE!
ℹ️ Download the map here or pick up a copy from the Visit York Information Centre, Museum Street, York
💷 Cost? Free to download or collect
📅 When? You can do the trail for FREE any time
📍 Where? The quest is in the centre of York
Enjoy all the usual locomotive fun at the NRM, plus:
ℹ️ See the National Railway Museum website for more information
💷 Cost? Free – pre-book tickets in advance online, Charge applies for Wonderlab
📅 When? 28 Oct – 5 Nov 2023
📍 Where? National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
3. Find all the Ghosts in the Gardens 👻Ghosts in the Gardens is back again and bigger and better than ever!
There are 39 ghosts to find in some of our city’s most beautiful gardens. York BID has partnered with local design agency Unconventional Design to create the 3D sculptures, formed from narrow gauge wire mesh.
ℹ️ See our blog for more information
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? 23 September – 12 November 2023
📍 Where? Various locations around York
It is a great time of year to go for a walk and collect some of nature’s treasures.
From conkers to fallen leaves there is lots to be discovered!
We’ve got loads of ideas of things to do with all those conkers (🤪) or why not print of our FREE Autumn Scavenger Hunt for a fun activity?
ℹ️ For ideas on where to collect & things to do with all those conkers here and FREE scavenger hunt here
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? Anytime!
📍 Where? York
There are LOADS of Halloween Parties for kids taking place in York!
We got them all listed here, plus we’ve got some great ideas if you want to host your own Halloween Party… if you dare 🤣
Get your fancy dress and face paints out and expect Halloween crafts, discos, pumpkin carving, spooky stories and much more!
ℹ️ Find out more on our Halloween Party blog here
💷 Cost? Costs vary, but many are £5 per child or less
📅 When? Various dates – see blogh
📍 Where? Various locations – see blog
Join the magical storyteller as she travels to the Firework Festival, just in time for bonfire night!
This wonderful adventure for the whole family features talking elephants, silly kings, magical creatures, and the timeless message that we all have the power to become the person we dream of being.
Based on Philip Pullman’s award-winning novel, this new intimate and fun production is inclusive and accessible for all, featuring Makaton, magic, and lots of audience participation…
ℹ️ For more information see York Mumbler.
💷 Cost? £3.50 per person / £12 family ticket (4 people)
📅 When?
📍 Where? Clifton Library, York Library, Tang Hall Library, Copmanthorpe Library, Huntington Library, Acomb Library
7. Make some memories in the North York Moors this half-termDanby Lodge has got lots going on over the October half term including The Secret Life of Hedgerows Trail, Trails & Tails Storytelling and Wildlife Club. The centre is a fabulous indoor activity in itself. FREE too! More info here
Sutton Bank has some exciting activities planned for October half term including Night time biking and Dark Skies events. Plus there are the cycle paths and the awesome pump track. More info here.
North York Moors – there is so much to explore, whether you like walking, cycling or just a drive! A trip to Goathland, Hutton le Hole, Rosedale, Thornton le Dale and the Hole of Horcum are favourites of ours. These places can be explored on a budget. A great place to start is the National Park Centres (Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Lodge Lane YO21 2NB and Sutton Bank National Park Centre YO7 2EH). More details HERE.
Dalby Forest is well worth a visit, with themed trails, adventure play areas, natural play, safe off-road cycling and lots of space to create your own woodland palace, your local woods and forests are the perfect place for a family day out. Plus they have some fabulous Halloween themed activities too. Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. You only need to pay for parking (£10 before 4pm, £5 after 4pm in October).
ℹ️ For more information see Ryedale Mumbler.
💷 Cost? Free or cost detailed above
📅 When? Various dates detailed above
📍 Where? Various locations in the North York Moors
8. Enjoy the Monster Quest in York City CentreExplore the City like never before, tracking down fun augmented reality characters at various locations as you go.
This year’s York Quest is called ‘Monster Quest’. The app can be found via app downloads on mobile devices and uses AR (augmented reality) to bring parts of the city to life through your phone.
💷 Cost? Free to download
📅 When? The trail is available until 5th November 2023
📍 Where? York City Centre
Take a wander around York as a family and try to capture all the best family photo spots in York!
We’ve listed 12 fabulous places for great photos and we’ve even added a few little challenge shots and some creative tips for you at each place! Plus there is a handy Google map to help you find them all!
ℹ️ For more information see York Mumbler.
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? Anytime!
📍 Where? Various locations in York
Maybe it’s time to visit a new (to you!) park or play area in York?
We’ve updated our list of parks and play areas in York for 2023 and it now features 25 parks, play areas and green spaces in York for you and your family to enjoy!
There is even a handy map to help you on your way!
ℹ️ For more information see York Mumbler.
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? Open year-round
📍 Where? Various locations in York
Getting everyone out on a family walk can sometimes be a challenge, especially as the weather gets cooler. To help you out, we’ve listed some great walks with cafes nearby so you can include a lunch stop or coffee (and cake!).
If you want even more walk inspiration or something further afield then we’ve got over 50 family-friendly walks here.
And finally, if you need a few more ideas to make walking with kids more fun, we can help you with that too! Find out more here.
Or if cycling is more your thing, check out our new post with some family-friendly cycle route ideas!
ℹ️ For more information see York Mumbler
💷 Cost? Free (excluding the cafe bit of course!)
📅 When? Open year-round
📍 Where?Various locations in York
The Ghost Merchants will once again be hiding ghosts around the city of York for Ghost Week.
You can search for little Ghosts Monday 30 – Thursday 2 October around the atmospheric streets surrounding York Minster. With 125 to find each evening as twilight turns to night, don’t forget to bring along your touch!
Maps will be available from The York Ghost Merchants or to download from their website.
ℹ️ For more information see The Ghost Merchants website
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? Monday 30th October – Thursday 2nd November ( inclusive ) 6pm – 8pm only
📍 Where? Streets surrounding York Minster
Try to find the four specially created Ghosts which are haunting buildings across York. You will see them in four windows of historic empty shops. This year’s Ghosts may have been made by ghostmakers Mr Ord and Ms Bet – or they may have been salvaged from a sunken galleon, dug up from a Northumbrian field or handed down through multiple generations of a fortunate family
You can bid for these splendid limited editions, larger York Ghosts and 95% of the money raised will go to charity.
There are no prizes for finding all four Ghosts, but you have fun exploring the city while you look. The Ghost Week map which will be available ahead of the event will guide you in the right direction.
ℹ️ For more information see The Ghost Merchants website
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? 28th October – 5th November 2023
📍Where? Various locations in York city centre
14. Various Events, Explore Libraries, York📚There are always plenty of great (and often free) events going on at your local library.
ℹ️ To find out more go to the Eventbrite page, visit the website or pop into your local library.
💷 Cost? Free, unless otherwise stated
📅 When? Various dates over October half term.
📍 Where? Various Explore Libraries
15. Foss Fairy Trail Hallowe’en Event 🧚♀️Join us for some Hallowe’en fun! All welcome.
Story telling – meet scary Hallowe’en characters!
Hallowe’en costume catwalk for children, prizes for all.
Please bring your torches/lanterns as it will be dark (no naked candles please).
ℹ️ For the latest information, please see the Foss Fairy Trail facebook page. Please note that if the weather is atrocious this event may not go ahead, so fingers crossed!
💷 Cost? Free, but donations are appreciated.
📅 When? Saturday 28th October 2023, 4-5pm
📍 Where? Meet at the picnic area by Monk Bridge (YO31 8RP) at 4pm prompt.
Visit Curlew Field Dairies for some Hallowe’en fun!
ℹ️ Sessions are run as drop-in, so you can come and go as you please. Please pre-register interest by text to Lynn on 07581 222423
💷 Cost? £5 per child, including a single ice cream of choice. All craft materials supplied.
📅 When? 30 October 2023 11am – 3pm: Hallowe’en theme & 3 November 2023 11am – 3pm: Bonfire Night theme
📍 Where? New Road, Hessay, York YO26 8JS
Come down if you dare and find all the cauldrons to win a prize. Our witch will be making her special brew and cakes if you dare to take a bite!
💷 Cost? Entry is £2 per quiz sheet.
📅 When? Saturday 28th October 2023, 11am – 4pm
📍 Where? New Earswick Nature Reserve, off 4th, Alder Way, New Earswick, York
18. October Half-Term Events at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate
19. Wigginton Squash Club – Squash Coffee and Cake Session raising funds for SNAPPYIdeal for families. Open during daylight hours. PLUS free activity sheet -find the pumpkin with a letter on each hole, rearrange the letters to spell a word and win a treat!
Visit the spooktacular stalls at Appleton Roebuck school playground: hot dogs – hog roast – cake stall – gin shack – trick or treat bottle tombola. Trail is also available around the village.
💜👻💜 We hope you enjoy some of these free things to do this October half-term in York and have lots of fun out and about! 💜🎃💜
PS
If you want even more ideas of things to do in York for free, then visit our year-round section, crammed full of ideas to have fun for free in York! You can have such a fun day out in York for free, that we even made a video about it to inspire you! 💜
Watch our video to plan your perfect free day out in York with kids!
Last updated 19 October 2023
