Your Guide to Halloween in and Around Ponteland 2026
From pumpkin patches on your doorstep to ghost tours in the city, here's what's happening this Halloween for families, grown-ups, and even the dog.
Halloween is almost here, and whether you're looking for a spooky afternoon out with the kids, a date night with a twist, or somewhere the dog can join in the fun, there's no shortage of things to do this week across Ponteland, Northumberland and Newcastle.
We've rounded it all up, from right on your doorstep to a short drive into the city. Dates and prices come from each organiser, so check the booking link before you set off.
Starting close to home
Little Scare-lings Halloween Tea Party, Dobbies Ponteland
- Where: Dobbies, Great North Road, Ponteland
- Cost: £15 per child, adults from £7.50
- Booking: Advance booking required
The easiest win for local families this Halloween. Young guests make potions, play with glow-in-the-dark slime, decorate their own trick-or-treat bag and sit down to a proper spooky afternoon tea. Adult tickets include tea or coffee with cake, with the option to upgrade to a full afternoon tea.
Bringing the dog? The Pup-kin Patch lets your four-legged family member sniff out their own autumn toy, tackle a mini obstacle course, play a game of "sniff or treat" and finish with a puppuccino from the restaurant. Possibly the most Darras Hall event we've ever featured.
The Great Pumpkin Party, Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
- When: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
- Times: 10am to 4pm
- Cost: Included in standard admission; English Heritage members free
For a truly spectacular Halloween backdrop, Belsay takes some beating. Around ten minutes up the road from Darras Hall, the hall and gardens are hosting a week of interactive storytelling, spooky games, a Halloween disco, themed trails and seasonal selfie spots. Come in costume, too: there's a fancy dress competition every day, with prizes up for grabs.
Booking online in advance saves 15%. English Heritage members get in free, and members can bring up to six children with them at no extra cost. At this time of year the grounds are genuinely atmospheric.
A short drive away
The Pumpkin Experience, Brocksbushes Farm Shop, Stocksfield
- When: Daily until Saturday 31 October
- Late-night session: Friday 23 October
- Entry: £3.50 per person (ages 3+) or £12 family ticket; pumpkins £1 to £10
Around 25 minutes from Darras Hall, Brocksbushes is one of the most popular pumpkin patches in the North East. The farm planted over 155,000 pumpkins this year in a huge range of varieties, including Flatso, Mellow Yellow, Polar Bear and Crown Prince.
Pick your pumpkin in the field, then head to the carving tent to get creative (carving kits cost extra). New for 2026 is a monster pumpkin castle, alongside a witches' area, marshmallow toasting and seasonal food and drink. Families with little ones should look out for the Baby Brocks Pumpkin Patch for under-fives, open 10am to 2pm each day.
Halloween Spooktacular, Whitehouse Farm Centre, near Morpeth
- When: Daily until Saturday 31 October
- Weather: Indoor pumpkin patch
- Booking: Essential, online
Another great option for families, Whitehouse Farm's Halloween Spooktacular runs right through to Halloween night. The indoor pumpkin patch means the weather is no excuse, and every full-paying child goes home with a free pumpkin. Expect live shows through the day, including Magic Merlin and the Witches and Wizards School, plus a Walkway of Terror and a fancy dress competition.
Halloween Nature Celebration, Northumberlandia
- When: Friday 30 October
- Sessions: 10:30am to 12:30pm, or 1pm to 3pm
- Booking: Book in advance
Something a little different. Around 20 minutes away near Cramlington, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is filling the woods with family nature activities with a Halloween twist. Children can build a monster den, make nature talismans to ward off ghosts, hear spooky myths and legends, and hunt for creepy crawlies. Costumes are encouraged, though wellies are wise, as the woods can be muddy.
Book a session with Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Tales from the Shadows, Seaton Delaval Hall
- When: October half-term
- Booking: Not needed
- Cost: Free with normal admission
Around 25 minutes from Darras Hall, one of the most dramatic houses in the North East is running Tales from the Shadows over half-term. The Basement and Stables are transformed into immersive scenes inspired by ghostly legends, wicked witches and giant spiders, with an interactive trail through the hall's hidden spaces and dressing-up fun on the West Wing stage.
Into Newcastle, 20 minutes down the road
Spooky Night at the Museum, Discovery Museum
- When: Friday 30 October
- Sessions: 4:30pm to 6:30pm (ages 4+) or 7:30pm to 9:30pm (ages 9+)
- Cost: £8 per child, £6 per adult, under-3s free
The museum's much-loved Halloween party is back. Come in your best costume for two hours of family thrills, including a haunted gallery after dark and a disco beneath Turbinia, the record-breaking steamship that fills the museum's main hall. Booking is essential, and every child must come with a participating adult.
More for families in the city
- Spooky Science at the Life Science Centre: hands-on Halloween-themed science sessions.
- Spooky Tales at Live Theatre: storytelling for younger children.
- Little Monsters Movie Mornings at Mr Mulligans: Halloween films in a fun setting.
- Eldon Scare at Eldon Square: a Halloween trail through the shopping centre.
- Halloween Bakery Academy at Fenwick: spooky baking with the kids.
- Spooky Special Effects Make-Up at the Laing Art Gallery: Halloween make-up skills for budding ghouls.
- It's Too Good to Be Bad Halloween Show at STACK Newcastle: live entertainment for the whole family.
- Happy Halloween on the Tyne: a river cruise with a Halloween twist.
Halloween All-Nighters, Tyneside Cinema
- When: Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October
- Who: Grown-ups
The Tyneside's legendary horror marathon returns for two nights this year, with classic and cult horror on the big screen until the early hours. One of the city's favourite Halloween traditions if you love a good scare.
More for grown-ups
- Halloween Ghost Tour at Newcastle Castle: a guided tour of one of the city's oldest buildings after dark.
- Halloween Murder Mystery at The County Hotel: dinner, drama and a whodunnit.
- Sip & Paint: Pumpkin Edition at Gino D'Acampo, Quayside: get creative with a drink in hand.
- Halloween Horror Workshops at Splatter Art Studio: gory, creative and very good fun.
- Rocky Horror Halloween Special at The Rebel Yell: a live show celebrating the cult classic.
- Pints & Pooches: Halloween Special at Wylam Brewery: a dog-friendly Halloween evening. Yes, another one for the dogs.
- Daytime Dead Disco at Times Square: a daytime Halloween party.
- Halloween Spooktacular at Boulevard: evening cabaret in the heart of the city.
Have a frightfully good half-term
Wherever you end up this Halloween, enjoy it. If your business is running a Halloween event in NE20 that we've missed, let us know at info@darrasindex.co.uk and we'll add it.
The Darras Index: connecting the Darras Hall and Ponteland community to trusted local services. Browse the directory
Details checked with organisers' own listings on 22 October 2026. Times and prices can change, so please confirm with the venue before travelling.