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October Half Term (non Halloween) Events In and Around Hitchin

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October Half Term is fast approaching and it's always a favourite of ours as there are lots of fun events.

Not everyone wants to go to spooky events though, so this year I've created a separate Pumpkin Patches and Halloween Events Guide, so this guide focusses solely on non-Halloween events.

Don't forget we are lucky to have an amazing array of local Holiday Clubs, Camps and Playschemes, so do check out the Holiday Clubs section here.

You can find even more events, by day, in the What's On Guide here.

Please do check event/attraction details before travelling, in case things have changed since I compiled this list.

Follow my pages on Instagram and Facebook where you'll find all the latest news on the grid, and in my stories and highlights.

Hitchin, Letchworth and Stotfold Events and Things To Do



The Snowman TM Exhibition at North Herts Museum
Sat 5th October 2024 - Sun 12th January 2025 - Open Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays)
It may be a bit early to think about snow but The Snowman TM, an enchanting exhibition for all the family, comes to Hitchin from 5th October, so you can plan a visit on a wet winter weekend or October half-term holiday!
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Family Drumming Workshop at North Herts Museum
Wed 30th October 2024 10.45am, 12pm
Join us for an uplifting hour of music-making with family and friends. No experience is necessary, and all instruments are provided. Led by percussionist and Hertfordshire Music Service tutor Caz Wolfson. For adults and children (age 7+).
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Next Page Books FREE Autumn Author Events
Tue 29th October 2024
The Author will read their book and we will then have a craft activity available for anyone who wishes to have a go. Lastest titles from each Author will be available to buy and get signed! Each event approx 30-45mins. Please book your FREE place/s using Eventbrite so that we can track numbers as the shop is not very big! 
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Family Forest School at the Triangle Garden
Sun 27th October 2024 11am-12.30pm
Triangle Garden Family Forest School is for families with children aged 3-12 to get outdoors, have fun, learn new skills, and make new friends. Playing outdoors the Forest School way builds confidence, allows risk taking and encourages team building skills. All sessions are lead by a qualified Forest School leader in collaboration with Culturewood CiC.
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Swimming Crash Course at Hitchin Swimming & Fitness Centre
Mon 28th October 2024 - Wed 30th October 2024 - Various times
October Half Term Crash Courses
Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th October 2024
Stage 1 - 09:00am - 09:30am
Stage 2 - 09:30am - 10:00am
Stage 1 - 10:00am - 10:30am
Stage 2 - 10:30am - 11:00am
Please contact directly with your interest and to be added to the list. This can be done through enquiries on everyone active website or App
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Light Party at Walsworth Road Baptist Church
Thu 31st October 2024 5.30-7.30pm
Halloween is a day that can be so focussed around darkness, join us at WRBC as we celebrate the Light! There will be lots on offer for people of all ages - and you are so welcome. For children, young people and families: We'll be playing games, doing crafts and challenges and learning about what it means to celebrate the light. We encourage you to have lots of fun as a family - so we ask that at least one parent/carer stays with your children.
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Comic Art Masterclass at Broadway Gallery, Letchworth
Tue 29th October 2024 2pm - 4pm
Join us on Tuesday 29th October for a fun-filled Comic Art Masterclass with the amazing Kev F Sutherland - comic artist and writer for Beano, Doctor Who, and Marvel comics! If your children love comics and storytelling, this is the perfect chance for them to learn how to create their very own comic strip from one of the pros. Kev will guide them through writing and illustrating their own comics, sharing tips from his vast experience. At the end of the session, everyone will get to take home a comic featuring a strip by every participant and a personal caricature drawn by Kev himself!
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Letchworth Open 2024 at Broadway Gallery

Wed 18th September 2024 - Sat 9th November 2024
Letchworth Open, Hertfordshire's largest celebration of creative talent, is back and bigger than ever! This year, the exhibition showcases the works of 455 artists, making it the largest edition to date.
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End of Half Term Party with Red (Descendents) at Belisily Kids Cafe, Letchworth
Fri 1st November 2024 13.30
Come & party with the wonderful Red! Cafe opens at 1.30 with a craft table and play area set up, Red arrives at 2pm to entertain with singing, dancing and photo opps until 3pm then you have 30 mins of finishing up your crafts and games before heading home with a goody bag per child. £10 admits one child & accompanying adult, siblings (discounted) and other adults can be added at time of booking. Counter open for drink & snack purchases throughout
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Princess Tea Party at Cultivo Lounge, Letchworth
Wed 30th October 2024 3-5pm
Calling all princes and princess. Looking for some fun for the half term?...Would your kids love to meet some real life princesses? 
Come join us at cultivo lounge, where we have some very special guests waiting to have a host a very special tea party.
Tickets £15 per child, which Includes a meal, drinks, and fun activities for the kids all profits will go towards our selected charity
Each child can pick between a pizza, sausages and chips or even our orzo pasta dish (brand new to our menu!).
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Nearby (within 30 mins’ drive)




Shuttleworth House – Open House & Tours, Shuttleworth
Sun 27th October 2024 - Wed 30th October 2024 11am - 3pm
FREE
Shuttleworth House will open to the public free of charge from 11:00 - 15:00. Free entry, no ticket required - donations welcome! Welcome to Shuttleworth House, opening its doors this October! Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Shuttleworth family at Old Warden Park, where entry is absolutely free. Explore our captivating story and delve into the legacy of this remarkable estate. Visit the Grade II* House set within the historic Lakeside Parkland. Inside, the rooms are full of original period detail, including a Victorian Grand Piano, enormous chandeliers, gold-leafed ceilings and panelled walls.
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Summerfields Miniature Railway - Running Day, Haynes
Wed 30th October 2024 10:30am - 4pm (last train approx 3:45)
The Summerfield Line will take you between Haynes End Station and Hammer Hill Station. At Hammer Hill you will have the option of taking a ride on two more of our railways - The Springfield Line from platform 2 and The Winterfield Line from platform 3 - tickets for both are sold at Hammer Hill. The picnic area at Hammer Hill will also be open for you to use, from where you will be able to watch the Garden Line in operation. At Haynes End the Station Buffet will be open for refreshments and picnic tables are available for your use on the grass outside. Steam engines will also be in action as often as we are able.
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Autumn Animals at Welwyn Roman Baths

Tue 29th October 2024 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
Make a furry Autumn Animal. Get creative using craft resources and take home a cute creature to use as a puppet...or to look after during hibernation season! Designed forages 4+ but all welcome. Little ones may need adult support. Some small parts e.g. googly eyes etc, and some mess with glue application. Activity ticket includes entry to the monument. If entering, adults must also purchase an entry ticket either online or on the door.
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Roman Chariots at Welwyn Roman Baths

Wed 30th October 2024 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
Fine tune your crafting skills with this Roman chariot model kit Use a kit to create a Roman Chariot, complete with Roman soldier racer! Designed for ages 7+ but all welcome.
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WGC vegan market on Stonehills Square, Welwyn Garden City
Sat 26th October 2024
Welwyn Garden City Vegan Market event takes over Stonehills Square, right in the centre of the town (between John Lewis and the Howard Centre), on just two Saturdays throughout the year.
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Mr Sleepybum at The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Sat 26th October 2024 11:30am and 2:00pm
Do you have stupid and silly dreams at night? Well, Mr. Sleepybum does, and he's going to reenact them all for you in this high-energy, silly comedy show for the whole family. Mr Sleepybum awakes in his bed to find a room full of parents and children. A circus of silly sketches and dream scenes ensues. From swimming with Sharks to solving the mystery of a stolen chocolate cake to being chased by a frog dressed as a snail, Mr Sleepybum's imagination is limitless. Mr Sleepybum premiered at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2023 and was nominated for Best Kids Show. The show embarked on a run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 and sold out the whole run. The show received rave reviews from the press and audiences. Photography: Igor Emerich
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The Great Big Dinosaur Show at Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Mon 28th October 202411:30am and 2pm
Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for a family show full of poems, raps and songs about all your favourite prehistoric protagonists (and some you haven't heard of yet!). Expect some spine-tinglingly funny scares and get your groove on to some Jurassic Classics! The show is inspired by Simon Mole's 4th book; A First Book of Dinosaurs. Aimed at families and young audiences of 3-11 years old.
£9 plus £1 booking fee.
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Family Film Club: The Princess And The Frog at Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Tue 29th October 2024 10.30am
Join the club! Handpicked titles for the whole family to enjoy, screened at The Hat Factory Arts Centre.
Film: The Princess And The Frog
A waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.
Running Time: 1 Hour 35 minutes
Tickets: £4 or 4 for £12
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Soft Or Spiky? at Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Fri 1st November 2024
11am, 1pm & 2:30pm
Discover a wonderful world of soft or spiky with your baby. This playful and interactive new show is full of shapes, sounds, textures and words exploring different ways to connect and understand each other. Inspired by heartfelt conversations with new parents, this humorous production explores the multiple ways we communicate, ensuring that no one is left out. What question would you want your baby to answer? What would you like them to ask you? In a world full of astonishing unknowns and surprising possibilities, how do you find the right answers or questions? At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session where audiences can enter the sensory landscape of the production. £9 plus £1 booking fee. Suitable for ages 6 - 18 months.
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African Drumming and Rhythm Workshop at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Tue 29th October 2024 11:30am & 2pm
Unlock your creativity with an authentic African rhythm and drums workshop in the vibrant surroundings of Stockwood's Mossman gallery. This energetic and dynamic workshop will get your hands pounding and heart racing.
Running Time: 1 hour. Parents to stay with children during workshop.
£7 + £1 Booking Fee.
Suitable for ages 6+
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Game On! The Evolution Of Video Games at Stockwood Discovery Centre
Sat 26th October 2024 - Sun 3rd November 2024 
10:30am, 12:20pm and 2:30pm
Embark on a nostalgic odyssey through the pixelated past and into the high-definition future at our interactive exhibition, "Game On: The Evolution of Video Games". This immersive journey unfolds across the decades, showcasing the rich tapestry of gaming history. From the rudimentary blips of the Magnavox Odyssey and Pac-Man to the sleek sophistication of the PlayStation and Mobile Gaming, visitors will experience firsthand the technological leaps that have defined each era.
As you take in the exhibit, engage with the actual consoles that sparked revolutions in living rooms worldwide. Feel the tactile joy of a joystick, the click of a cartridge, and the camaraderie of couch co-op. Interactive displays invite you to play iconic titles, while ambient soundscapes of 8-bit tunes and triumphant fanfares transport you through gaming's golden ages. A chronological journey from the birth of video gaming.
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All Aboard! Ship Inspired Carnival Costume Making 24 at Wardown House, Museum and Gallery
Wed 30th October 2024 - Thu 31st October 2024 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Join the UK Centre for Carnival Arts for fun and creative ship inspired carnival costume making! Make your ship carnival headdress celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Windrush or walk the plank with a Caribbean pirate ship! Fun for all the family, all ages welcome. £4 per child. A Culture Trust Luton and UK Centre for Carnival Arts partnership. Running Time: 1 hour per slot.
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Cirque - The Greatest Show at The Alban Arena, St Albans
Sat 26th October 2024 2pm & 6pm
Where Musical Theatre Meets Circus. It's time to step into the light. Escape with us for a night like no other, where we take you into a world where the very best of musical theatre showstoppers meets jaw-dropping circus spectacular. A world that explodes into colour as everyone's favourite West End and Broadway hits combine with breath-taking, amazing performances, incredible contortionists, and thrilling feats of agility and flair. It's the brand-new variety spectacular everyone is talking about . . welcome to Cirque: the award-winning, smash-hit sensation that is fun for all the family. 
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Charlie Cook's Favourite Book at The Alban Arena
Fri 1st November 2024 - Sat 2nd November 2024 10.30am & 1.30pm 
Based on the original book Charlie Cook's Favourite Book - written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Charlie loves reading.  Especially books about pirates.  But his sister hates it - it's boring!  Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun?  Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight... Come and delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book...
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Further Afield



Terrific Tuesday: Diwali at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Tue 29th October 2024 10am - 5pm
This October half-term, our Terrific Tuesday will be looking at Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance" and the festival takes place each autumn. With dancing, dressing up, storytelling and craft activities, all the family can join in the celebration. The crafts will include making Diyas - candle holders that are a traditional part of Diwali celebrations, and Rangolli designs - a multi-coloured decoration that symbolises wealth, joy, and prosperity, as well as thanksgiving to deities.
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Land of Lights at Gullivers Land Theme Park Resort, Milton Keynes
Fri 1st November 2024 - Sun 3rd November 2024 - 5pm onwards
Welcome to Land of Lights Mystica, the lantern festival where myths and legends come alive in a spectacular display of light and color. Journey through an enchanting landscape illuminated by glowing creatures, majestic monuments and mystical surprises. Discover huge lanterns across multiple realms and let your imagination soar. Perfect for families, couples, and adventurers.
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Half Term at Babylon Park, Camden
Fri 25th October 2024 - Sun 3rd November 2024 10am-10pm
Babylon Park is an outer-space-themed amusement park in London, UK. By integrating online games and connecting gamers via our app, families can partake in a whole host of games. The park is set over two giant floors, and hosts a huge range of activities, rides and games, as well as a restaurant. Entrance to Babylon Park is free! You control how much you want to spend on games, rides and food. The park functions as a completely cashless experience. Tokens for all the amusements come in the form of coins, purchased through Babylon Park's mobile app - you can buy coins ahead of time, allowing you to head straight in (entrance to the park is free) and jump straight on the rides! 
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Come and meet Peppa Pig at Woburn Safari Park
Sat 26th October 2024 11:30am - 4pm
Every child's favourite little piggy, Peppa Pig, is visiting Woburn Safari Park on Saturday 26th October! The lovable character will be appearing to meet her fans at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm - don't forget to bring your cameras for a great photo opportunity with Peppa herself! See some of your favourite wild animals in the Road Safari, before you head down to the Safari Hangout in the Foot Safari to meet Peppa Pig. You can see Peppa Pig at no extra cost to your standard admission - book your event ticket online now.
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Come along and meet Bluey at Woburn Safari Park
Thu 31st October 2024 11:30am - 4pm
Hooray! Bluey will be visiting all the way from Australia and appearing at Woburn Safari Park at intervals on Thursday 31st October to celebrate Halloween! Head off on a safari adventure to see an array of animals from lions and bears, to giraffes and rhinos, among others, in the Road Safari. Then head down to the Safari Hangout in the Foot Safari to meet your favourite Blue Heeler, Bluey. The energetic Australian pup will be appearing to meet fans at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm! 
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And if that wasn't enough...

The Things to Do section is packed with ideas to do at home, getting out and about locally, and a whole host of attractions nationwide if you fancy an adventure!

Like to read reviews of places to go before you try them? Then have a look through my Tried and Tested reviews.

Looking for a great club, camp, holiday workshop or play scheme for your child? Then check out the Holiday Clubs section.

If you fancy a break from cooking over the Holidays, the Food and Drink section has lots of local takeaways, pubs, restaurants and cafés.

The holidays are a great time to get everyone together and capture special memories, so have a look through the list of local photographers if you'd like a family shoot.

And finally...have a great half Term!

If you've found this guide useful, then please do share with friends and family, it would mean a lot x


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