If you’re looking for Halloween activities in Preston this year, there’s plenty to get excited about. From pumpkin carving and woodland adventures to spooky steam trains and after-dark tours of a historic hall, Preston and the surrounding Lancashire countryside have something for families, couples and anyone who enjoys a little Halloween magic. With October half-term approaching, it’s a great time to plan a seasonal day out. Here are some of the best Halloween events taking place in and around Preston in 2026, with dates and details checked against the organisers’ current listings.
1. Get Creative with Pumpkin Carving at Brockholes Nature Reserve
Dates: 24–31 October 2026
For a classic Halloween activity, head to Brockholes Nature Reserve, just off Junction 31 of the M6. Its pumpkin-carving sessions give you the chance to choose a pumpkin from a themed patch before creating your own spooky design.
The activity takes place between 10am and 3.30pm, with indoor carving stations, so you can enjoy the experience whatever the autumn weather brings. Tickets are listed at £10.50 and include a pumpkin, carving facilities, a cookie and a drink. There’s also a cosy Halloween display on the floating visitor village, making it a lovely spot for seasonal photographs.
It’s a good choice for families, but adults can join in too. Booking a half-hourly time slot in advance is recommended.
You can find details and tickets here.
2. Enjoy a Halloween Woodland Adventure at Brockholes
Dates: 28 and 30 October 2026
If your children love dressing up and getting imaginative, Wild Magic at Brockholes Nature Reserve offers something a little different from the usual Halloween activities.
This outdoor woodland adventure invites young witches, wizards and little monsters to create enchanted cloaks, make broomsticks, mix magical potions and choose a wand. Sessions run from 10am to 11.30am and 1pm to 2.30pm on 28 and 30 October.
Tickets are listed at £9 per participating child, with accompanying adults admitted free, although adults still need to book a ticket. Fancy dress is welcome, but remember to bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear. You can find out more here.
For another outdoor option, the reserve’s Halloween Xplorer Challenge runs from 24 October to 1 November. Follow a map, find markers around Brockholes and complete a family-friendly trail. There are two courses, including a pram-friendly route, and advance tickets are listed at £5.50. You can find out more here.
3. Discover Halloween Magic Shows at Brockholes
Date: 31 October 2026
For a Halloween treat aimed particularly at younger children, Brockholes is hosting magic shows and workshops with entertainer Billy Sparks on Halloween itself.
The programme includes live entertainment, interactive games and a workshop where children can learn some magical tricks. The workshop also includes an Xplorer Challenge pack, adding an outdoor adventure to the day.
The advertised show times are 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm, with the magic workshop running from 1pm to 1.45pm. Children’s tickets are listed at £9.99, while adults and children under two can attend free with a ticket booked in advance.
The activities take place indoors, making this a useful option if the October weather turns wet. Find out more here.
4. Visit Samlesbury Hall for a Halloween Pumpkin Fest
Dates: 26–30 October 2026
For a mix of history and Halloween fun, make your way to Samlesbury Hall, a historic building just outside Preston with a reputation for ghost stories.
Its 2026 Halloween Pumpkin Fest turns the courtyard into a seasonal pumpkin spot, where you can choose a pumpkin to take home and carve. Inside, visitors can take part in a pumpkin hunt and Halloween quiz, explore spooky rooms and discover the hall’s ghost room and witches’ garret.
Fancy dress is encouraged, and refreshments are available from Maria’s Tea Room, making it easy to turn the visit into a relaxed autumn outing.
Pumpkins are sold individually and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving earlier may give you a better choice. Find out more here.
5. Take a Spooky Train Ride with Ribble Steam Railway
Date: 31 October 2026
For a Halloween day out with a difference, head to Ribble Steam Railway on Preston’s riverside. Its Halloween Spooky Trains event combines heritage railway rides with ghostly goings-on in the museum and on the trains.
Children can dress as their favourite spooky character and help hunt for ghosts as they explore. It’s a fun way to combine a little local history with Halloween excitement, and the railway’s route offers views along the River Ribble and across Preston’s dockland surroundings.
The event is advertised for 10.30am–4.30pm on 31 October. Listed prices are £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children and £32 for a family day-rover ticket.
You can find out more here.
6. Explore Samlesbury Hall After Dark
Date: 30 October 2026
If you prefer your Halloween activities with a more atmospheric edge, Samlesbury Hall is also advertising Halloween torchlight tours on 30 October.
Exploring a historic building after dark by torchlight offers a different experience from the daytime pumpkin festivities. It’s an option to consider for adults, older children and anyone fascinated by haunted places and local history.
The organiser lists the event between 6pm and 11.30pm, but specific tour arrangements and ticket availability should be checked before travelling. You can find out more here.
If you’re thinking of visiting Preston this Halloween, staying in a city centre hotel in Preston, like the No.10 Preston, is a great option. We offer luxury and boutique accommodation for solo travellers, couples, families and groups, so you can relax and unwind in peace. Why not take a look at what we can offer today?