Halloween is #HappeningInSunderland during the Autumn Half Term from 25 October to 4 November!
When the kids are off school, it can be a chore to find plenty of things to keep them occupied.
We have pulled together this guide for you, jam-packed with city-centre activities and events which are spooky fun for the whole family.
Spooky Selfie Experience
The Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett Street
28, 29, & 30 October - 10 AM - 9.30 PM
Step into the eerie world of our haunted gallery and capture your spookiest moment with a chilling backdrop! From ghostly figures to flickering candles, this immersive display is perfect for your Halloween-themed selfie. Whether you're decked out in costume or just feeling the spooky vibes, strike a pose and share your frightfully fun photos with us. Remember to tag us using #GalleryGhostSelfie for a chance to be featured on our page and win a £50 Sunderland Gift Card! Dare to take a selfie… if you’re not afraid of what might appear behind you!
Guided Ghost Tours
The Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett Street
28, 29, & 30 October - 7 PM - 8 PM or 8:10 PM - 9:10 PM
Happy Deathday!… Join Atlas Theatre Company for your first day in the land of the dead. Step into the shadows and walk with them through Sunderland for a thrilling night with restless spirits. Come to The Moving Gallery on Fawcett Street for a refreshment and a Spooky Selfie Experience before we set out through the city with our lovely ghost host and learn some of the eerie stories of Sunderland…All while you come to terms with your recent passing! RIP. Remember, comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate attire are recommended. Feel free to bring a flashlight (you may need it!). Costumes are always welcome! Bring your friends and courage, and prepare for a night you won’t forget.
Fun Pumpkin Sessions
The Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett Street
28, 29, & 30 October - 10 AM - 12 PM or 2 PM - 4 PM
(£5 PER PUMPKIN or £8 PER FLOWER PUMPKIN) Get creative at our pumpkin decorating sessions, where kids and adults can enjoy the magic of Halloween! All materials are provided, and there's no limit to the fun we can have! So come down, and let's make your pumpkins come to life - no tricks, just treats!
Spooky Storytelling
The Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett Street
28, 29, & 30 October 12 noon - 2 PM
Step into our dimly lit gallery, where flickering candles set the mood, and let your imagination run wild as you hear eerie tales of ghosts, mysteries, and strange happenings. Perfect for kids and adults, these bone-chilling stories will indeed send shivers down your spine! Whether you're listening to classic ghost tales or spine-tingling ones from our Spooky Story Competition Winners, it’s a thrilling way to experience the magic of Halloween. Dare to listen… if you can handle the fright!
Halloween Face Painting
The Moving Gallery, 27 Fawcett Street
28, 29, & 30 October - 11 AM to 3 PM
(FROM £4 PER FACE) Transform yourself into a spooky masterpiece. Our talented artist will bring your Halloween look to life with intricate designs and vibrant colours. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s the ultimate way to complete your costume or add seasonal flair to your day.
Brought to you by Atlas Theatre Company, The Art Cafe & Sunderland BID
Festival of Light
Mowbray Park
25 October - 24 November 2024
A stunning light projection and sparkling lighting installations are set to brighten the dark nights in Sunderland this autumn as our annual Festival of Light returns! Good news, you can use your Sunderland Gift Card to pay for tickets -> BOOK NOW
Brought to you by Sunderland City Council
Halloween Musical Theatre Workshop
30 October
Musical theatre workshop inspired by spooky shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, Beetlejuice and The Addams Family.
This workshop is suitable for young people aged 9-18. BOOK NOW
Halloween Theatre Tour
31 October
A trick-or-treat-themed tour of the building with spooky creative activities and tasks to complete along the way, appropriate for families with children under 11. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tours last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and involve a number of stairs. If you have any access needs please do get in touch before you visit via email. BOOK NOW
Brought to you by Sunderland Empire Theatre
Conjuring at the Castle
Hylton Castle
26 October - Various times
Step into an immersive experience at this infamous site, where the spirits of the past haunt every room, eager to share the chilling tales of their demise. Enter the twisted world of "The Asylum," where the walls echo with the whispers of the deranged and the lost. At Hylton Castle, we delve deep into the darkness, summoning the restless souls of the forsaken. Prepare yourself for a night where sanity slips away, and the horrors of the asylum come to life in one HELL of an evening. In partnership with Southpaw Dance Company. BOOK NOW
Brought to you by Sunderland College
Spooky Ships Trail
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
19 October - 9 November
What creepy creatures and cargoes are hiding aboard the spooky ships? Follow the trail to uncover strange stories of rats, bugs, pirates and more! Answer the questions and try the challenges to claim a prize sticker from the museum reception. £1 per trail. BOOK NOW
Pumpkin Arrangement Workshop
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
26 October
Want to learn a new skill? Well, get ready to unleash your inner florist! Join Sarah, from the Emporium of Flowers and get creative at a step by step, friendly and informative workshop and make your very own autumn pumpkin arrangement. £38, 2 hours. All materials and refreshments are provided. BOOK NOW
Spooky Science Parties
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
28 October
Join the Big Science Team as we get hands-on experience with fabulous science demonstrations and experiments. £4 per child. BOOK NOW
Grow Your Own Pizza
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
30 October
Make your pizza with Jo from Raising Dough and her pizza oven! We will harvest herbs and salads from the community garden to enjoy with your pizza! Choose your own toppings and make your own salad dressing using the garden herbs! There will be tomatoes, basil and salad seeds to take away and grow for your own pizza toppings at home, too. £4 per child BOOK NOW
Rangoli Flowers
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
1 November
Take inspiration from the Winter Gardens as we make a giant rangoli flower design to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Come to one of the drop-in sessions from 11 AM—12.30 PM or 1.30 PM—3 PM; pre-booking is unnecessary.
Brought to you by Sunderland Museum
LUSH Product Making
LUSH Bridges Sunderland
Various dates & times
Come party with LUSH Sunderland! Our aim is to not only provide you with the ethical, handmade cosmetics you know and love and the 5 * customer service we are well known for but also bring you entertaining, educational and eclectic events! BOOK NOW
Brought to you by LUSH Sunderland
Atlantis Mega Inflatable
Sunderland Aquatic Centre
Sundays
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 5 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER (5/6/7 YEAR OLDS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS WITH AN ADULT), BE COMFORTABLE IN DEEP WATER (2m) AND BE ABLE TO SWIM 25M UNAIDED WEARING ONE OF OUR BOUYANCY AIDS. £7.35 per person per session. Book by calling 0191 514 4300.
Brought to you by Everyone Active
Teenage Take Over
Pop Recs
29 October - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tim Burton-style portraits
The Art Room, Mackies Corner
31 October - 10:30 AM
What a way to start Halloween by creating your own Tim Burton-style portraits using charcoal and pastels! Perfect family activity to do together or Halloween art that even teens will do! Suitable for all ages - children must be accompanied by an adult.
Halloween Arts & Crafts
The Art Room, Mackies Corner
31 October - 1 PM to 2 PM
Brought to you by The Art Room
Halloween Dance Camp
DanceJAM, Villiers Street
30 October - 10 AM to 3 PM
£15.00 each. Prizes for best dressed, plus loads of fun Halloween dance routines, arts and crafts and games. Open to all ages. Email to book [email protected]
Brought to you by DanceJAM