Off with your kids over half term? Me neither. I’ll try squeezing in some mini jaunts to quell the FOMO beast but here are some of my top spots for this incredibly Halloween saturated week ahead.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Abominable Friday 25 October – Saturday 2 November (various times) from £3.50 in advance
Animation from the makers of How to Train Your Dragon about Yi meeting a Yeti and going on a quest to Everest.
There are loads of showings which include an Autism Friendly Screening on Tuesday 29 October at 11am for a more relaxed environment with the lights kept on low, the sound not quite so loud and a breakout quiet space.
Little Shop of Horrors Wednesday 30 October (4pm) £3.50 in advance
An amazing cast including Steve Martin and John Candy star in this 80s comedy musical about a plant with a taste for human flesh. Before the film they’ve got Halloween crafts in the café from 3.15pm.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Thursday 31 October (3pm) £3.50 in advance
Dress up in your Halloween gear for this Tim Burton animation about Jack Skellington. Before the film they’ve got Halloween crafts in the café from 2.15pm.
Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Friday 1 November (2pm) £7
I saw this lovely play in Edinburgh a few years ago and I’m so glad it’s coming to Barry. It’s about a puppy and uses songs and puppets. At the end the children can meet the performer and get to play with the puppets.
National Museum, Cardiff
Dippy on Tour Saturday 19 October – Sunday 26 January (10am – 5pm) FREE
It’s only bloody Dippy the Diplodocus from the National History Museum. He’s in Cardiff for a few months but this half term is the first chance to catch him here. There are some cracking Dippy themed events coming up like a Museum Sleepover on 16 November and a family friendly HUSH Silent Disco on 30 November.
Cosmeston Medieval Village, Penarth
Medieval Hallowe’en Event Thursday 31 October (10am – 3pm) £5 per child
Discover where the Monsters of Mayhem are hiding. For ages 5-12, accompanying adults are free.
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Halloween Nights Tuesday 29 – Thursday 31 October (6-9pm) £13 adults, £10 children
We went to this last year and had I loved that the event tapped into the opposite of the overly Americanised plastic crap Halloween filling up supermarket aisles nowadays. There were traditional ghost stories steeped in Welsh history, folk traditions and ghostly guests. Suitable for ages 4-12 and their grown ups.
Pumpkin Picking Patch, St Nicholas
Pumpkin Picking Friday 18 – Thursday 31 October (9.30am – 4pm) parking and entry FREE, Crafts from £4.50, pay for your pumpkins
I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that this will be incredibly busy with instagrammers, I fear that the best pumpkins have already gone and there’s potential for a mini squash flavoured Fyre Festival but PYO veg has that irresistible wholesomeness about it. I’ve not been but with the closure of Hendrewennol, there’s an appeal to a local pumpkin picking patch. Let me know what you think.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
The Mystery of the Raddlesham Mumps Thursday 31 October (7pm) £8
A dark and witty mix of storytelling and poetry from the BBC 6 Music Poet in Residence, Murray Lachlan. Bizarre and hilarious death stories told by a butler to a boy. Halloween outfits encouraged. From 6pm there’s a unique Virtual Reality prequel to the show. For ages 7+.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
I Wish I Was a Mountain Tuesday 29 October – Friday 1 November (11am all days and 7pm on Tuesday) £7
Written and performed by former Glastonbury Poetry Slam Champion, Toby Thompson. Based on a fairy tale of a man who wishes to be turned into a mountain. Creatively translated into BSL by deaf poet Donna Williams at 7pm on 29 and 11am on 30 October. For ages 6+.
Central Park, Barry
Pumpkins in the Park Saturday 26 October (12 – 5pm) £2 for pumpkin carving
Online bookings have sold out but limited slots available on the day. Expect pumpkin carking, bouncy castle, fun fair, crafts and even a dog fancy dress show.
Scream Your Heart Out Saturday 26 October (7pm) £5
For adults only, this screening of the classic horror film Scream for over 18s is in the park, in the dark. Not a family friendly event, obviously.
Amelia Trust Farm, Barry
Pumpkin Patch Trail Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 November (10am – 4pm) £2.50 plus entrance fee
Buy your trail leaflet from the café, solve the clues to find the pumpkin faces .
Creepy Crawly Shows Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 October (2pm) £3.50 plus entrance fee
Brave enough to meet rats, snails and snakes? Meet the creatures in these ticketed shows. For ages 1+.
These aren’t the only events and shows on this half term but it’s a starter. We can’t do everything and it can all get a tad overwhelming at times. This list is for when you’re looking for a treat.
Vale of Glam Mam 