Lowestoft is gearing up for a frightfully good October half term. From pumpkin carving and scare mazes at Pleasurewood Hills to nocturnal wildlife trails at Carlton Marshes, there’s plenty to keep brave souls of every age entertained. Little ones can hunt for treats, meet characters on the seafront and dance the afternoon away at family discos, while grown-ups can browse a gothic market or dig out their best fancy dress for a night of dancing and drinks.
Here’s our pick of what’s on around town.
Boo at the Zoo, Africa Alive: Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November
Africa Alive is going batty for half term. Families can take on the Super-Natural Scavenger Hunt, get up close to minibeasts & nocturnal creatures and join a special Halloween talk. Children’s tickets are just £1, available online or at the gate.
Seafront Characters, Pinky’s & Tides Reach: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Keep your eyes peeled along Lowestoft seafront this half term. Pinky’s Lowestoft and Tides Reach Ice Cream are welcoming a different special character every day, so there’s a new face to meet whenever you visit. Pop by for a photo and treat yourself to an ice cream while you’re there.
Pleasurewood Chills: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Pleasurewood Hills takes on a spooky twist, with all your favourite rides and attractions joined by pumpkin carving, creepy crafts and immersive scare mazes. Brave souls can venture into the Creepy Cave to meet its eight-legged resident, while Hob, the mischievous troublemaker of Hob’s Pit will be lurking around the park ready to add a few extra surprises.
Fright Fair, Hatfield Hotel: Saturday 24 October
Oh My Goth YouTube Channel and OMG Fayres bring their gothic indoor market to the Hatfield Hotel from 11am to 3pm. Browse stalls full of dark art, alternative fashion, occult curiosities, homeware, jewellery and pieces from independent makers. Entry is free, and visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their finest goth attire.
Bubbles n Boos, The Boulevard, Nicholas Everitt Park: Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
The Boulevard is putting on a family Halloween event for little ghosts and ghouls, with all its usual attractions given a spooky makeover. It closes at 4pm on most days, but on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October it stays open until 7pm, so you can enjoy the lights and spooky delights after dark.
Monster Mash Halloween Party, East Point Pavilion: Monday 26 October
Children’s entertainer Barrie Thornton is back to turn East Point Pavilion into a spooktacular party venue from 4.30pm. Expect party games and a fancy dress competition for the children, followed by a disco for the whole family. The party games are best suited to children aged 5 to 11.
Frights at the Museum, East Anglia Transport Museum: Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October
Climb aboard for some vintage Halloween fun. Visitors can enjoy a free vintage bus service, rides on trams and trolleybuses and trips on the East Suffolk Light Railway, plus face painting and a pumpkin hunt for children. Those looking for a scare can brave The Terror Tram: After Dark aboard tram 634.
Return to Ghoul School, Seagull Theatre: Thursday 29 to Friday 30 October
Dust off your pointy hats, as the Seagull Theatre’s annual Halloween show heads back to Ghoul School. The witches are polishing their broomsticks, the wizards are cleaning out their cauldrons and the pumpkins are being carved, all in preparation for the spookiest celebration of the year.
Wild Halloween, Carlton Marshes: Thursday 29 October
Suffolk Wildlife Trust invites families to explore Carlton Marshes after dark from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Follow a self-guided trail of nocturnal activities including bat detecting, a skull quiz, storytelling, nature crafts and stargazing, then warm up around the campfire with optional s’mores. The café hatch will be serving seasonal treats and hot drinks.
Halloween Soirée, Adventure Island: Thursday 29 October
Adventure Island hosts a Halloween Soirée for all ages from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. DJ Chris Stafford will keep the party going, joined by Gaming Parties 2 U and Selfie Pods 2 U, with free face painting for every child. There are games, prizes, a free raffle on entry and best dressed competitions for boys, girls and adults. The soft play will be open for anyone brave enough to venture in, and the café is open all evening.
Halloween Party, Lord Nelson: Friday 30 October
Dig out your fancy dress and head to the Lord Nelson from 6pm for a night of good drinks, great company and spooky goings on. There’s a free buffet, shots, karaoke and a raffle, so come along to eat, drink, sing and be scary.
Spooky story time, Waterstones : Friday 30 October
Half Term fun with Spooky Story Times! Free entry, just drop in at 11am or 1pm and join them to share some spooky stories perfect for the little ones. Dressing up is optional but some members of staff may be sporting a cool cape, just so they can swirl it.
Light Party, Saint Margaret’s Church: Friday 30 October
Saint Margaret’s Church on Hollingsworth Road is hosting a Light Party from 3pm to 5.30pm. This safe and fun celebration offers families an afternoon of food, music, games, crafts and activities. Everyone is welcome and entry is free.
Discover Lowestoft Trick or Treat Trail: Saturday 31 October
Get your costumes ready for a free day of spooktacular fun in Lowestoft town centre! Follow the Trick or Treat Halloween Trail around town, collecting treats from local businesses and admiring their spooky displays along the way. There’s food, entertainment, face painting and plenty more for the whole family to enjoy.
Kids’ Trick or Treat, Lord Nelson: Saturday 31 October
The Lord Nelson’s annual Kids’ Trick or Treat returns from 4.30pm until the treats run out. Little witches, ghosts, skeletons and spooks of every kind are invited to come along in costume for sweets, treats and spooky fun. Everyone is welcome, but get there early before the cauldrons run dry.
Re-utilise on Tennyson Road: Saturday 31st October
Halloween Family Ceramic Painting and Pumpkin Carving Workshop on Saturday 31st October 2026 from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Get creative together as a family, painting your own ceramics and carving a spooky pumpkin ready for Halloween night. Everyone is welcome and tickets are £15 per person. Places are limited, so be sure to book early.
Halloween Party, Lowestoft Town Football Club: Saturday 31 October
Lowestoft Town Football Club is throwing a spooktacular family night out from 5pm to 8pm. Get your costumes ready, as there are prizes for the best dressed adult, teen and child.
Halloween Party Disco, Oulton Community Centre: Saturday 31 October
Tricky Twister presents two hours of Halloween fun for children aged up to 10, from 2pm to 4pm. The party disco is packed with magic, balloon twisting, plate spinning, games and a fancy dress competition.
Halloween Hunt, Dinky Town: Saturday 31 October
From 10am to 12pm, little ones can start their session by hunting for eggs around Dinky Town and through into Enchanted Kingdom, checking inside each one for Halloween treats. Collect the set number of eggs to claim a trick or treat, then enjoy playtime for the rest of the session. Fancy dress is welcome.
Halloween Night, Hatfield Hotel: Saturday 31 October
The Hatfield Hotel is getting spooky. Pull together a costume, round up your friends and get ready for a night of dancing to throwback anthems and party favourites, with Chica DJ on the decks.
Halloween Night, The Venue: Saturday 31 October
Expect tricky beats and spooky vibes all night long as DJ Webster and DJ Stuey Chase serve up a mix of house, dance, trance and club classics. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged, so dig out your scariest outfit and dance the night away.
If you know of any other Halloween events that others migth be interested in please send the details or a link to the event to [email protected].