Lowestoft has plenty to keep every age busy this half term. From Halloween trails and spooky theme park nights to museum trails, cinema trips and windswept beach walks, here is our pick of what is on in and around Britain’s most easterly town.
For younger children
Boo at the Zoo, Africa Alive (Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November) Just down the road in Kessingland, Africa Alive is running Boo at the Zoo all half term, and children’s tickets are just £1 online and at the gate. Little explorers can follow the Super-Natural Scavenger Hunt and spooky stamp trail, meet minibeasts and learn about night time creatures, all alongside the giraffes, cheetahs and rhinos.
Halloween Mask Crafts, Oulton Broad Library (Sunday 25 October) Get the costume sorted early. Oulton Broad Library is laying on arts and crafts supplies so children can design their own Halloween mask to take home. Suitable for all ages.
Play with Clay, Kessingland Library (Saturday 24 October) Kick off the holiday by getting messy. Artist Lucy Wheeler leads a drop in family workshop making clay sculptures inspired by East Suffolk wildlife, past and present.
For older children and teens
Rides after dark at Pleasurewood Hills (Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November) For the first time ever, Pleasurewood Hills is staying open later over half term so visitors can ride their favourite coasters in the dark.
Killjoy’s Carnival scare maze Brave teens can take on the brand new Killjoy’s Carnival maze at Pleasurewood Chills, where the clowns are definitely not there to make you smile. Scare mazes are not usually recommended for under 12s, so check the age guidance before booking.
Biodiversity Data Detectives, Lowestoft Library (Thursday 29 October) A free drop in for curious minds aged 8 and up. The team from the European Bioinformatics Institute show how scientists use data to understand and protect the insects, plants and wildlife around us, with plenty of hands on activities.
Halloween fun for the whole family
Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October, right at the end of half term, so there is a full week of spooky goings on.
Pleasurewood Chills, Pleasurewood Hills (Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November) Lowestoft’s own theme park turns spooky for the week, with gentle frights for little ones and bigger thrills for older children. Expect trick or treat trails, pumpkin carving, face painting and creepy crafts on top of all the usual rides. The season ends with a Firework Season Finale on Sunday 1 November. Tickets are limited, so book online for the best prices.
Frights at the Museum, East Anglia Transport Museum (Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October) The volunteer run museum in Carlton Colville gives its vintage trams, trolleybuses and railway a playful Halloween twist. Saturday 31 October is also the last day of the museum’s 2026 season, so it is your final chance to ride until the Christmas lights event in December.
Halloween in Concert, Marina Theatre (Saturday 24 October) Get the week started with a Halloween themed night of music at the Marina.
Scarecrow Trail, Blundeston (Saturday 24 October to Sunday 25 October) Take a walk around the village of Blundeston and hunt for the scarecrows, which this year are on the theme of children’s characters. Pick up a booklet at the school, walk around the village and head back to the school with your completed books to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Trail booklets are £5, refreshments available along with guess the weight of the pumpkin and dont’ forget to vote for your favourite scarecrow of the trail.
Free days out and rainy day ideas
Not every day needs a ticket. Wrap up warm and take a blustery walk along the beach, then head to Ness Point to stand on the most easterly spot in Britain. Carlton Marshes nature reserve is always worth a wander, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust runs regular family sessions there, from Wild Tots for under 5s to Young Wardens for 11 to 16 year olds, so check their events page for half term dates.
If the weather turns, Lowestoft and Oulton Broad libraries are free, warm and full of books and the Suffolk Community Libraries half term programme has even more events across the county.
Have a brilliant half term
Whatever your family is into, there is plenty to fill the week in and around Lowestoft. Know of an event we have missed? Let us know and we will add it to the list.