Enjoy spooktacular family fun at Colchester Museums with a thrilling line-up of events perfect for the whole family this October half term. From 24 October to 1 November, Colchester’s three museums will be transformed into hubs of spooky activities providing frightfully fun family days out.
Event highlights include:
- Spooky Castle Trail – follow clues, uncover werewolf secrets and enjoy a fang-tastically fun adventure under the spectacular Museum of the Moon installation.
- Spooktacular Family Fun Night: Join us for a night filled with ghostly games, creepy crafts, goody bags and more!
- Knightzzz at the Museum: A roar-some family sleepover within the Castle's historic walls! Meet the mighty, 150 million year old dinosaur, pitch your campsite, and join our friendly rangers for hands‑on dinosaur activities.
- Creepy Creatures: Meet tarantulas and other creepy creatures at the Natural History Museum this Halloween in a thrilling mobile zoo experience for brave visitors.
- Spooky Dino-Hunt: Take on a spooky dinosaur hunt at Hollytrees Museum, with hidden prehistoric creatures waiting to be discovered.
- Gruesome History: Family Tours: Discover the darker side of history with family-friendly castle tours packed with gruesome tales, grisly facts and spine-tingling stories from the Castle’s past.
- Dark Tours: Explore Colchester Castle’s haunted history with spine-chilling guided tours after-hours (suitable for ages 16+).
Exhibitions
Alongside the half-term events programme, visitors can experience two spectacular exhibitions at Colchester Museums. At Hollytrees Museum, Discover: Museum Wonders showcases extraordinary finds from across Colchester's history, including the world debut of Juliasaurus, a 150-million-year-old real dinosaur skeleton and the first to ever be displayed in Colchester!
Meanwhile, at Colchester Castle, visitors can marvel at Luke Jerram's breathtaking Museum of the Moon, a stunning six-metre illuminated sculpture suspended within Europe's largest Norman keep. With the installation ending on 31 October 2026, October half term offers one of the last opportunities to experience this remarkable artwork in its unique historic setting.
Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Environment, said: “October half term is one of the most exciting times to visit Colchester Museums. With spooky trails, creepy creatures, after-hours tours and even the chance to spend a night in the Castle, there's something for every age to enjoy. Combined with the spectacular Museum of the Moon installation, these events promise a memorable and magical experience for families this Halloween.”
Plan your visit
To find out more and discover the full programme of October half-term events, visit colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events.