What’s On This Halloween in the Lake District, Cumbria

Written by:Alex

Date posted: 23rd October, 2025

With its ancient castles, stately homes, and eerie forests, Cumbria is a magnet for ghosts, ghouls – and brave visitors! Whether you’re after family-friendly fun or spine-tingling scares, there’s something for everyone this Halloween in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Halloween Festival at Muncaster Castle

Celebrate Halloween at one of Britain’s most haunted castles! Muncaster’s legendary Halloween Family Festival (25 Oct - 2 Nov) includes costume competitions, a scary maze, pumpkin patch, and the entertaining Sherlock Holmes and the Curious Case of the Girt Dog show.
Feeling brave? Scarecaster (30 Oct - 1 Nov) turns up the fear factor for ages 16+, featuring a chilling maze and live music in the Stable Yard Sanctuary.

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Scaryport Beer & Cider Festival, Captain Nelson Maryport

Raise a glass to Maryport’s first Scaryport Beer & Cider Festival (31 Oct - 2 Nov), with German biers, real ales, great food, fancy dress, live music and more at the award-winning Captain Nelson.

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Arachnophobia at Zip World Windermere

Bounce through cobwebs and giant spiders at Zip World’s Treetop Nets (25 - 31 Oct) at Brockhole on Windermere. This family-friendly adventure suits ages 3+. Combine it with Brockhole’s Pumpkin Passport Plus for over 20 additional spooky activities.

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Pumpkin Picking at Walby Farm Park

Pick your perfect pumpkin between 4 - 31 Oct and enjoy a day of fang-tastic fun at Walby Farm Park - from pumpkin carving and corn cannons to photo ops and a spooky interactive disco show.

For grown-ups, Pumpkin Picking After Dark (17, 18, 24 & 25 Oct) features live music, food & drink, and - of course - pumpkin picking! There are sessions for families as well as grown-ups only.

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Halloween at The Swan Hotel & Spa

Join the Monster Mash Halloween Party (31 Oct) for food & drink, games, and a mini UV disco, or unwind at the adults-only Halloween Spooky Spa-rty with cocktails and 3 hours of spa access.
Plus, experience a spine-chilling evening of haunted tales with An Evening of Ghost Stories (25 Oct & 1 Nov).

Halloween with the National Trust

Across the Lake District, National Trust properties are hosting frightfully fun events - from pumpkin carving at Allan Bank to creative crafts and spooky stories by the fire at Wordsworth House in Cockermouth.

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Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Whinlatter

Swing through the trees after dark at Go Ape Whinlatter’s Sundown Adventures sessions (17 Oct - 9 Nov). Their thrilling treetop course will be illuminated by glowing lights for the ultimate adventure with epic forest views to match.

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Halloween at Dove Cottage, Wordsworth Grasmere

Enjoy hot chocolate, gingerbread, and Twilight Tales in Dove Cottage (22, 23, 29 & 30 Oct) - ghostly stories told in Wordsworth’s old home.
For something different, After Dark at Dove Cottage: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (23 & 30 Oct) offers spooky readings and a glimpse of a first edition of this gothic classic.

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History Meets Halloween at the Roman Army Museum

Head to the Roman Army Museum this Halloween half term for a closer look at some of the Vindolanda Trust’s animal bone collection. This family-friendly event (25 Oct - 2 Nov) is included with entry to the museum and offers an insight into life over 2,000 years ago.

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Pumpkin Festival at Hillcroft Park

Celebrate the magic of autumn at Hillcroft Park near Ullswater. Their Pumpkin Festival (25 - 31 Oct) includes pumpkin patch, face painting, delicious food & drink, a bouncy castle, marshmallow toasting and plenty more.

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Spooktoberfest at The Royal Barn

The Royal Barn in Kirkby Lonsdale mixes Halloween and Oktoberfest (24 Oct - 2 Nov) with local beer, live music, pumpkin carving, a retro movie night and so much more.

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Halloween Shows at The Old Laundry Theatre

Enjoy Halloween entertainment in Bowness-on-Windermere:

• Hauntings (24 Oct) - classic ghost stories told by award-winning Gerard Logan.
• Hallowbean (25 Oct) - a musical comedy for ages 3–10.
• The Witch Who Couldn’t Sleep (30 Oct) - a heartwarming tale for little ones.

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Creative Halloween Fun at Blackwell – The Arts & Crafts House

Enjoy a family day out with a Halloween twist, with self-led creative activities at Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts House. Plus, 30 Oct sees spooky storytelling in the Main Hall.

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Explore After Dark

Embrace Cumbria’s dark skies this Halloween with the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival (from 24 Oct), featuring activities like guided night time walks and starlit canoeing beneath some of England’s darkest skies.

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Top tip: several of these attractions are easily reached by train or bus! Go car-free this Halloween and make the journey part of the experience.