Half-term, Halloween and Bonfire Night in Sussex
October half-term runs 26 October to 30 October 2026 for council schools in Sussex. Here are 31 autumn events we have checked, from Halloween trails to fireworks.
Everything on this autumn, by date
Ask Bramble for half-term ideas →- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival
Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill · 19 September to 1 November 2026
Tulleys bills its daytime festival as Europe's largest, with 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to pick from by wheelbarrow. New for 2026 is the Pumpkin Valley, an area of giant pumpkin sculptures and ponds.
- Price:
- Tickets are sold online in advance.
- Dates:
- Open every day from 15 October to 1 November, 9.30am to 5.30pm, after weekend-only opening from 19 September. Entry times are staggered.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Trail at Paradise Park
Paradise Park and Gardens, Newhaven · 3 October to 1 November 2026
Paradise Park in Newhaven runs a Halloween trail through October and half term, alongside its gardens, Dinosaur Safari and Playzone. It is an easy add-on to a family visit.
- Price:
- Check the website for prices.
- Dates:
- 3 October to 1 November 2026.
- Pumpkin pickingHalloween
Sompting Pumpkins
Lychpole Farm, Sompting · 3 October to 31 October 2026
A family-run pumpkin patch across 15 acres beside the A27, with free entry and no need to book. Resident sheep, tractor rides and a pumpkin-themed food menu make it more than a quick pick.
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- Tractor ride-ons are for under 5s.
- Dates:
- Daily until 31 October. Gates 10am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm.
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Tulleys Pumpkin Nights
Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill · 15 October to 1 November 2026
The after-dark version of the Tulleys festival, with lit-up pumpkin fields, two live music stages and a bar. It works as a date night or a night out with friends as much as a family trip.
- Price:
- Tickets are sold online in advance.
- Dates:
- Evenings from 15 to 18 October and 20 October to 1 November (closed 19 October), opening at 5.30pm and closing between 10pm and 11pm. One night is a fireworks finale.
- BookHalloween
Ghostly Gatherings at Preston Manor
Preston Manor and Gardens, Brighton · 16 October to 13 November 2026
An after-dark ghost tour of Preston Manor, said to be one of Brighton's most haunted houses. Guests start with a glass of wine and nibbles before an expert guide leads them through the house's secrets.
- Price:
- From £36
- Ages:
- Ages 16 and over.
- Dates:
- Friday evenings, 8pm to 11pm. The October dates were sold out when checked; 6 and 13 November were listed.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
A Spellbinding Halloween at Borde Hill
Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath · 17 October to 1 November 2026
Borde Hill's Halloween trail, The Owl Who Stole Halloween, follows mischievous owl Morticus Moonfeather as he bewitches the scarecrows in Pumpkin Patch Meadow. Children meet the enchanted scarecrows and complete games and challenges to break the spell. Over half term there are daily extras, from magic shows to wand making.
- Price:
- From £3.50
- Ages:
- The trail suits children aged 3 to 8.
- Dates:
- Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, 10am to 5pm. Activity days from 26 to 30 October.
- DetailsFireworks and bonfires
East Grinstead Community Bonfire torchlit procession and fireworks
East Grinstead High Street, East Grinstead · 17 October 2026
East Grinstead Community Bonfire's torchlit procession lights up the High Street, followed by a bonfire and fireworks. It is one of the earlier dates in the Sussex bonfire season, which runs from September to late November.
- Price:
- Check the society's website and social media for any charges and collection details.
- Dates:
- Saturday 17 October 2026, from 7pm on East Grinstead High Street.
- Fireworks and bonfires
Hastings Bonfire Night
Hastings town centre and beach, Hastings · 17 October 2026
Hastings Borough Bonfire Society's torchlit procession winds through the town before a bonfire and a grand finale firework display on the beach. Torches are brought down from the East Hill Beacon to light the procession.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 17 October 2026. Main procession at about 7.15pm, fireworks at about 9.15pm.
- Fireworks and bonfires
Seaford Bonfire Night
Seaford town centre, Seaford · 17 October 2026
Seaford Bonfire Society holds its annual bonfire night on the same Saturday as Hastings, with an evening start at 7pm. It is a smaller, local alternative to the big East Sussex processions.
- Price:
- Dates:
- Saturday 17 October 2026, from 7pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Wallace and Gromit: Fantastic Fungi Trail at Wakehurst
Wakehurst, Ardingly · 17 October to 1 November 2026
Kew's Sussex garden marks Aardman's 50th anniversary with a fungi-hunting trail, helping Wallace and Gromit record the woodland's mushrooms while dodging Feathers McGraw. It mixes hands-on challenges with real science.
- Price:
- From £3
- Ages:
- Activities suit a range of ages.
- Dates:
- Trail opens 10am. Last entry 5pm until 24 October and 4pm from 25 October.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
The Ghost Train on the Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park · 22 October to 1 November 2026
A new immersive evening for 2026, set around a mystery from 1926, with actors on the platforms and ghosts on board the train to Horsted Keynes and back. Clues hidden round the station let you piece the story together.
- Price:
- From £21
- Ages:
- Rated PG. Under 16s must be with a parent or guardian.
- Dates:
- Evenings 22 October to 1 November. Station opens 4.30pm, train departs 6.30pm and returns about 8.25pm.
- BookChristmas lightsHalf-term
Chichester Light Experience: Illuminating Art
Chichester Cathedral, Chichester · 23 October to 31 October 2026
Luxmuralis, the artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, turn Chichester Cathedral into a canvas of light and sound for the annual Light Experience. This year's theme, Illuminating Art, projects four centuries of art onto the architecture, from the Baroque and the Impressionists to early photography, steam and animation, before a finale in the nave. Walk round at your own pace.
- Price:
- From £8
- Dates:
- Friday 23 to Saturday 31 October 2026, evening timed entry. Your ticket shows your entry slot.
- BookFireworks and bonfiresFamily days out
Ardingly Fireworks and Funfair Spectacular
South of England Showground, Ardingly · 24 October 2026
Ardingly's showground hosts a big pyromusical fireworks night with a full funfair, street food and a DJ. A quieter early display suits small children, and the main show is choreographed to music by Illusion Fireworks. Rides cost £2 before 5pm.
- Price:
- From £12.50
- Ages:
- An earlier low-noise display at 6.30pm is aimed at younger children.
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October 2026. Car parks from 3pm, gates 4pm, low-noise children's display 6.30pm, main display 7.40pm, close 9pm.
- BookFireworks and bonfires
Firle Bonfire Night
Firle village and Firle Park, Firle, near Lewes · 24 October 2026
Firle Bonfire Society's night combines a flaming torchlit procession through the village with a grand bonfire and a large fireworks display in the park. It is a traditional Sussex bonfire in a downland village setting near Lewes.
- Price:
- From £12.50
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October 2026. Torchlit procession through the village at 7pm; bonfire and fireworks about 9pm.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Shriek Week at Drusillas
Drusillas Park, Alfriston · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Drusillas dresses the whole zoo park in pumpkins, skeletons and cobwebs for half-term. A live-action Sugar Skull Witch roams the park three times a day.
- Price:
- Check the Drusillas website for admission prices.
- Dates:
- Daily through half-term. Sugar Skull Witch performances at 12.15pm, 1.30pm and 2.55pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Fishers Farm Park
Fishers Farm Park, Wisborough Green · 24 October to 1 November 2026
The family-run adventure farm park near Billingshurst runs its Halloween event across the whole half-term. It is aimed at younger children, with seasonal shows and activities alongside the usual farm animals and play areas.
- Price:
- Tickets are sold online.
- Dates:
- 24 October to 1 November 2026.
- Fireworks and bonfiresHalf-term
Littlehampton Bonfire Night
Littlehampton seafront, Littlehampton · 24 October 2026
Littlehampton Bonfire Society returns for its 74th year with a traditional torchlight procession, bonfire and fireworks by the seafront. The evening begins with a service at the war memorial.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October 2026.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
October half-term: Plagues and Potions
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton · 24 October to 1 November 2026
The open-air museum near Chichester sets its half-term in 1665, with a village healer's potions trail and spooky games at Hambrook. Ghost stories and a Victorian schoolroom session round out the week.
- Price:
- Included with museum admission and annual membership. Book online.
- Dates:
- Daily 10am to 4pm. Most hands-on activities run 27 to 29 October.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
SUPER Natural half-term at WWT Arundel
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, Arundel · 24 October to 1 November 2026
WWT Arundel swaps frights for fungi and fairy rings this half-term, with a free logbook to guide families round the wetlands. A wizard's potions class and boat safaris add a bit of magic.
- Price:
- Included with entry; book online to save 10%. Extras: boat safari £3 per person, pond dipping £3 per group of six, owl pellet session £5 per family.
- Ages:
- Pitched at younger children, with no scares.
- Dates:
- Daily 24 October to 1 November. Wetland Wizard shows on 30 and 31 October only.
- BookHalf-termFamily days out
Characters from History at Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle and Gardens, Arundel · 28 October to 29 October 2026
Arundel Castle brings the 12th century to life for two days of half-term, focusing on its first two sieges. Families can meet a crusader, knight and archer, watch the falconer and try archery.
- Price:
- Included in all castle ticket types. Buy online or at the ticket office.
- Ages:
- Have-a-go archery is for over 8s; other have-a-go activities are for ages 3 and up.
- Dates:
- Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October 2026. The History Man also gives tours from 27 to 31 October.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween fun on the Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park · 28 October to 1 November 2026
Felix the Wizard joins the Bluebell Railway for half-term, with Halloween crafts on board and a bingo carriage with magic tricks. Children travel for £1 with a paying adult, so it is a good-value steam day out.
- Price:
- From £1
- Dates:
- 28 October to 1 November. Crafts on the 10.30am and 1pm departures from Sheffield Park and the 11.30am and 2pm from East Grinstead.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Haunted Happenings: a ghost tour for young people
Preston Manor and Gardens, Brighton · 30 October 2026
A daytime half-term ghost tour of Preston Manor designed for teenagers. It gives 13 to 16 year olds their own version of the manor's adult ghost evenings.
- Price:
- From £10
- Ages:
- Ages 13 to 16. Over 13s can attend unaccompanied.
- Dates:
- Friday 30 October 2026, 11am to 12pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at the Weald and Downland Living Museum
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton · 31 October 2026
On Halloween itself the museum adds extra characters and makes to its half-term programme. Highlights include a woodland spell-jar workshop and a wise woman's cottage full of strange cures.
- Price:
- Included in museum annual membership. Booking required.
- Ages:
- Family event for young explorers and budding witches and wizards.
- Dates:
- Saturday 31 October 2026, 10am to 4pm.
- BookFireworks and bonfiresMusic
Fireworks Night at Leonardslee Wine Estate
Leonardslee Wine Estate, Lower Beeding, near Horsham · 5 November to 6 November 2026
Leonardslee's wine estate stages fireworks over two nights around Bonfire Night, with live music from The Violet Jive and local street food. General admission covers the display and music, and you can add a glass of Leonardslee sparkling wine. The VIP option adds canapés, a two-course dinner in The Vineyard Kitchen and hot chocolate during the show.
- Price:
- From £7
- Dates:
- Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November 2026, 5pm to 9pm.
- BookFireworks and bonfires
Lewes Bonfire Night
Lewes town centre and society fire sites, Lewes · 5 November 2026
The UK's most famous bonfire night sees six Lewes societies march torch-lit processions through the narrow streets before heading to separate fire sites for bonfires and fireworks. It is held on 5 November itself, with visiting societies from across Sussex.
- Price:
- Processions are free to watch. Most fire sites are ticketed and must be bought in advance from the societies; Visit Lewes lists most at £10, with some free.
- Ages:
- Very noisy and crowded, with firecrackers and flaming torches. Some children find it overwhelming.
- Dates:
- Thursday 5 November 2026. Roads into Lewes close from 4.45pm.
- Fireworks and bonfires
Lindfield Bonfire Celebrations
Lindfield village, Lindfield · 5 November 2026
Lindfield Bonfire Society marks 5 November on the night itself in the village near Haywards Heath. For many in Mid Sussex it is the local alternative to travelling to Lewes.
- Price:
- Dates:
- Thursday 5 November 2026.
- Fireworks and bonfiresFamily days out
Worthing Bonfire Night fireworks
Worthing Pier, Worthing · 5 November 2026
Worthing Lions set off a free fireworks display from the end of the pier on Bonfire Night, best watched from the promenade. There is no procession or bonfire, just a straightforward seafront show.
- Price:
- Free
- Dates:
- Thursday 5 November 2026, fireworks at 7.30pm.
- Fireworks and bonfires
Battle Bonfire
Battle High Street and Abbey Green, Battle · 7 November 2026
Battel Bonfire Boyes run one of the oldest bonfire celebrations in Sussex, starting with a maroon at dawn and ending with a torch-lit procession, bonfire and fireworks. The daytime arrival of the Oldest Guy in the World on Abbey Green is a gentler way to see it.
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- The organisers say it is not suitable for young children or those of a nervous disposition.
- Dates:
- Saturday 7 November 2026. Daytime events from 10am, procession about 7.30pm, bonfire about 9pm and fireworks about 9.30pm.
- BookFireworks and bonfiresMusic
Cuckfield Charitable Bonfire and Fireworks to Music
Cuckfield Park, Cuckfield · 7 November 2026
A family-friendly bonfire and fireworks to music in the grounds of Cuckfield Park, raising money for local charities and schools. The earlier timings suit families with younger children.
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- Open to all ages.
- Dates:
- Saturday 7 November 2026. Gates 5.30pm, bonfire lit 6.45pm, fireworks 7.30pm.
- DetailsFireworks and bonfires
Barcombe Bonfire Night
Barcombe, Barcombe, near Lewes · 21 November 2026
Barcombe Bonfire Society holds one of the last bonfire nights of the Sussex season, with the society confirming Saturday 21 November 2026. Expect the traditional mix of procession, bonfire and fireworks in a village setting near Lewes.
- Price:
- Check the society's website for any charges.
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 November 2026. Times and site details are published by the society nearer the date.
- DetailsFireworks and bonfires
Robertsbridge Bonfire Night
Robertsbridge, Robertsbridge · 21 November 2026
Robertsbridge Bonfire Society's night closes the Sussex bonfire calendar in the High Weald, on Saturday 21 November 2026. The society publishes its procession and fireworks timings on its website.
- Price:
- Check the society's website for any charges.
- Dates:
- Saturday 21 November 2026. Full details and timings are on the society's website.
Term dates from the council's published school term dates. Academies and independent schools may differ.
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