There is SO MUCH happening over half term that we can’t possibly cover it all in one article so here’s our pick of what’ s on in Harpenden, as well as free and budget options nearby (don't worry, it's not all Halloween-themed). For everything else including your ‘big-ticket’ Halloween extravaganzas, check out our What’s On page to find them all listed either by date or by event.  You can also find information about pumpkin patches here and firework displays here (some are happening at the end of the half term week).

Half Term in Harpenden

Diwali, the Festival of Light, is celebrated next week, so on Saturday 25th October the local Hindu community invite families to drop in to the Eric Morecambe Centre to find out more about the festival in a free event with arts & crafts, games and traditional sweets and savouries. On Wednesday 29th October, Glaze Time will be in the Old Cock Inn offering Halloween pottery painting. Harpenden Library will have a book hour dedicated to everyone’s favourite graphic novel hero, Dogman on Thursday 30th October!  Places must be booked in advance at the enquiry desk. And also on 30th October, The Art Room are running a Halloween workshop (booking required).

Free Activities Nearby

Looking beyond Harpenden, there is free half-term fun on offer at the Hat Factory Arts Centre on Monday 27th October where you can design your own motif (free, but places must be booked) and at Wardown House, Museum & Gallery you can drop in on 27th & 28th October to enjoy some arts & craft inspired by headwear from Ghana.

Stockwood Discovery Centre is hosting The BIG Draw all week (25th to 31st October) – grab some paper & pencils from reception, and be inspired by your surroundings to draw something that will be used to form a giant masterpiece at the end of the week.

In St Albans, the St Albans South Signal Box will have a special Half Term Opening on Wednesday 29th October, just drop in. Or on Friday 31st October you can drop in to Grebe House for a Half Term Session in The Wildlife Garden with Herts Wildlife Trust (this activity is weather-dependent so please check before travelling)

Or a bit further afield at the Natural History Museum at Tring, also on Friday 31st October, find out all about Autumn Owls and make an owl mask.

Budget Activities Nearby (£6 per person or less)

The Walled Garden at Luton Hoo is having an Autumn Open Day on Wednesday 29th October offering crafty fun with an autumn twist (Children £5, Adults £3, under 2s Free, drop-in). In St Albans there's a chance to Climb the Clock Tower on Tuesday 28th October (£4 per participant, booking required).  And at Dunstable Downs join in the Knights Quest to beat the dragon and find the jewels - includes a craft and a trail and runs all week (25th to 31st October) (£3 per trail, drop-in, parking charges apply).

If you want to get into the Halloween mood, The Hat Factory Arts Centre Family Film Club will be showing The Addams Family 2 (PG) on Monday 27th October (£4 per person or 4 for £12).  At Burston Garden Centre you can make a haunted house frame (29th October) or a spooky door hanger (30th October) (both activities £6 per child, booking requried).

And on the day itself, you can celebrate with pumpkin carving, a trail and more activities with Mill Green (£5 per person, drop-in); enjoy Halloween arts & craft and a trail at Stockwood Discovery Centre (£4 per person, booking required), or  head to Dunstable downs after dark for some spooky fun with trail, craft stories and more (£6 per person, book ahead, car parking charges apply).

🎃🍂👻Have a spooktacular half term!