Free Halloween parties, £5 entry to Bristol Zoo Gardens & loads of events to keep the little monsters busy this October half-term. If, like me, you can’t believe the kids are nearly on holiday again, you might want to check out my list of 13 free & cheap events happening in and around Bristol this October half-term.
1. Sat Oct 21 to Sun Nov 5. £5 +. Bristol Zoo Gardens.
Did you know that kids get into Bristol Zoo for a fiver this half-term with every paying adult? Special events include Spooky Storytime, Halloween Parade and Creepy Encounters. Click here for more details.
2. Sat Oct 21. 11:00 to 11:45am. £2.50, Watershed.
Join local drag queen Alyssa Van Delle for a morning of stories and songs celebrating gender fluidity for all the family. This show is described as most suitable for 6 to 11-year-olds but everyone is welcome.
3. Mon Oct 21, 2pm – 3.30pm. £5 per child. Arnos Vale Cemetery.
Kids can visit Arnos Vale cemetery and make their own woolly jumper monster to take home. Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance. Recommended age 4+.
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4. Tue 24, Thu 26, Sat 28 and Sun Oct 29. Free. Avon Valley Railway.
Kids can hop on a free train ride at Avon Valley Railway if they visit in fancy dress on these dates. See the website for more information.
5. Sat Oct 28. 11:00am to 3:00pm, free (donations welcome). M Shed.
Celebrate Somali culture at this fun family day where kids can get crafty with Children’s Scrapstore, dress up and take a look at M Shed’s display on Somali heritage and culture.
6. Sun Oct 29th, 11am to 4pm. Free. Creative Workspace, Withywood, BS13.
I’ll be taking Little Miss Diva to this free Halloween event in Withywood this half-term. Kids can draw a spooky cartoon with professional animator Dan Templeton plus there’ll be games, prizes, cake decorating, face painting and spooky tunes. Check out the Creative Workspace Facebook page for more details.
7. Sat Oct 21, £3, Tyntesfield.
As part of the Bristol Family Arts Festival, there is a lantern-making workshop for kids at Tyntesfield which costs £3 per lantern. There’s also a pumpkin carving workshop from Oct 21 to 29th from 2 ‘til 4pm. You can find more information here.
8. Until Christmas Eve, Tue to Sun 11am to 6pm. Free. Arnolfini.
Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever examines masculinity, class, politics, sex, religion, popularity and art, as well as contemporary issues such as Brexit and ‘Divided Britain’. Free, but donations are welcome.
9. Until Oct 29. £5+. Wild Place Project.
During Halloween Spooktacular, kids can join in with Witch’s Story Time, make a mess in her kitchen (if you dare!), seek out her cauldron for a spooky surprise and spot mysterious beasts in the magical creature enclosure. Child tickets are £5 if you book online.
10. Wed Oct 25. Free, Blaise Castle House Museum.
Dress up in your most frightening costume and drop into the Halloween-themed family fun day at Blaise Castle House Museum. Explore the collections, encounter spooky surprises throughout the museum and get creative with wicked crafts for 3 to 10-year-olds.
11. Sat Oct 28. Free. College Green.
The 10th Official Bristol Zombie Walk promises to be better than ever. If you’ve never been before, it’s really good fun and if you don’t want to get dressed up, you can always just people watch. All you have to do is turn up at 12 noon in your Halloween costume and join the parade around Bristol. You can find more details here.
12. Sun Oct 29. Free (donations welcome). Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
The Mexican Day of the Dead fiesta is when families gather to remember their dead. Visitors can join craft workshops and add memories of loved ones to the colourful ofrenda (shrine). There’s also face painting, music and dance.
13. Tue Oct 31. Free (donations welcome). The Healing Courtyard.
Little Miss Diva and I can’t wait to check out this new look creative space in Totterdown on the Wells Rd. From 5:00 ‘til 6:00pm there will be ghost stories and Halloween fun for kids and from 7:00 til 9:00pm over 14’s and adults can enjoy ghost stories after dark.
Have we missed anything? Please feel free to share any free and cheap events on the Broke in Bristol Facebook page. Don’t forget to like the Broke in Bristol Facebook page to never miss an update!
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