Are you wondering what’s on in Dorset in October? Halloween, pumpkin picking and October half term all feature during October which means there’s always plenty of things to do. You’ll also find great theatres, family friendly attractions and festivals all waiting to offer things to do. Check out things to do in Dorset in October.
Corfe Castle In October
Dates: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Take your own teddy bear (or borrow one at Corfe Castle) and send them down the fun zip wire this October Half Term. This is always a fun activity for the whole family.
You can also take part in the family quest to find the critters that call Corfe Castle their home.
Gillingham Carnival
Dates: 28th September – 4th October 2025
Carnival processions are on 4th October 2025 and there are plenty of other activities and events happening through the week.
Shaftesbury Carnival
Dates: 3rd October 2026
For over a 140 years Shaftesbury carnival has brought a variety of colour and light to the high street for one day a year. The carnival has heritage surrounding the hospital and they celebrate the carnival with a week of events.
Swanage Blues Festival
Dates: 3rd – 5th October 2025
Enjoy a weekend of open mic, Blues musicians and headline performers across multiple venues.
Weymouth Octoberfest
Dates: 3rd – 4th October 2025
Weymouth’s ever popular Octoberfest is set to make its annual return in the Ocean Room, Weymouth Pavilion with its fine seaside views. Over sixty real ales and ciders from Dorset.
Oktoberfest Shaftesbury
Dates: 3rd – 4th October 2025
Dig out your lederhosen or dirndl and visit Shaftesbury for their biggest German inspired bier festival of the year!
Weymouth Pirate Fest
Date: 3rd – 5th October 2025
The Weymouth Pirate Fest is a family friendly festival with lots of pirate shenanigans happening. You can expect live music, historic re-enactment, cannon fire, stalls and more.
Not sure where to park? Check out the best places for parking in Weymouth.
Halloween and Autumn Trail At The Walled Garden Moreton
Dates: 18th October – 2nd November 2025
Visit the Walled Garden Moreton for some fun Halloween fun this October. Complete the quiz and learn some great facts about the garden. Can you spot all the ghosts?
Halloween Trails At Minterne Gardens
Dates: 17th – 31st October 2025
Visit Minterne this Halloween and discover the spooky trails. Set around the Himalayan Garden, you’ll be greeted by giant spiders, pumpkin creatures and barmy bats.
There are treats for the children at the end of the trail and also home grown pumpkins.
Picking Patch Halloween Maze
Dates: 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th – 31st October
As well as PYO pumpkins at the Picking Patch this year you can enjoy the Halloween maze.
A land of riddles, curses, and danger awaits. You must help the witch by venturing in to discover the cause of the felines’ fate. Good luck
Sherborne Castle & Gardens Children’s Pumpkin Trail
Dates: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Why not join in the family fun trail at Sherborne Castle & Gardens this October. Follow the trail to find the pumpkins and solve the clues along the way. Fancy dress is also welcome.
Halloween At Moors Valley
Date: 23rd October – 2nd November 2025
Halloween At Moors Valley, a spectacular illuminated trail, is set to return this year, with even more thrilling installations than before.
Ghostly forest walks, possessed pumpkin patches and spooky scarecrows will line the trail, with delicious food and drink also on offer, providing Halloween fun for friends, families and couples.
Running from 23rd October to 2nd November, Halloween At Moors Valley takes place during half term, making it a perfect family activity – you can even bring along your dog!
Ghostly Games at Abbotsbury Swannery
Date: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
This Halloween Half Term enjoy –
6 ghoulish games around the grounds – from skeletons to spiders, pumpkins to messy goo… and much more!
Just £1 entry for kids with a full-paying adult
Daytime fun: 10am – 4pm
Specially designed for under 10s – age-appropriate, safe, and full of giggles!
Halloween Fun At Monkey World
Date 31st October 2025
Free entry for children in full Halloween fancy dress on 31st October at Monkey World. There’s also a free fancy dress costume too.
Halloween Half Term At The Blue Pool
Dates: 25th – 31st October 2025
Enjoy some spooky fun at The Blue Pool this October. There will be spooky trails around the pool, marshmallow toasting, and even some pumpkin carving.
Halloween Fun At Nothe Fort
Dates: 2025 TBC
You can visit the ghostly tunnels during Halloween week at Nothe Fort. All the activities are included in the standard Nothe Fort admission.
There’s also a vampire photobooth, pumpkin golf, potion school and Halloween games.
Allendale Centre Spooktacular Halloween Party
Date: 2025 TBC
The Halloween party at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne is suitable for ages 3-11 years. Between 12 – 4pm enjoy a disco, party games and prizes.
Lulworth Castle Autumn Fun
Dates: 26th – 30th October 2025
Seek out the pumpkins and find the funny bones on the autumn trails as you explore the Park. Practice your sporting skills with the themed pitch’n’putt and traditional lawn games. Get crafty at the activity table and complete your quizbooks for a prize.
The Zombie Barn is also open for those who dare to enter!
Flameburst Verwood
The Fuzzy Bit, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 6QF
Dates: 25th October 2025
There are two fireworks displays at Flameburst in Verwood as well as a small fair and entertainment. The gates open at 6pm with the junior display at 7pm and the main display happening at 8.45pm.
October Half Term At Farmer Palmers
Address: Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU
Dates: 25th – 31st October 2025
Back for 2025 is the popular Halloween schedule at Farmer Palmers.
Museum Of East Dorset Spooks And Spectres
Date: 2025 TBC
This October half term, the ghosts of East Dorset are at the Museum. Learn about the many ghostly legends of Wimborne and East Dorset on the paranormal trail, from prankster poltergeists to ghostly stagecoaches, and find where those spooky spectres are hiding! Dressing up is encouraged!
West Bay Fireworks
Date: 25th October 2025
West Bay will be hosting a bonfire with fireworks for the whole family to enjoy. Fireworks will commence at 8:00pm, and there will also be a bar, family entertainment, hot food and live music.
The evening is free of charge with any profits going towards the Christmas Tree on Harbour Green and to support local charities and groups working for the benefit of the local community.
Weymouth October Half Term Inflatable Fun Days
Dates: 2025 TBC
Bouncy Castle Kingdom will be in Weymouth this October Half Term for four days of bouncing fun. There will be 8 large bouncy castles suitable for ages 1 – 11 years. There’s also a dedicated under 5’s soft play zone too.
Highcliffe Castle October Half Term
Dates: 2025 TBC
During October half term at Highcliffe Castle you can take part in the pumpkin trail. There will also be pumpkin themed crafts on Tuesday and Thursday.
There’s also 50% off Family Admissions on 30th October.
Littledown Halloween Disco
Date: 31st October 2025
Dress to impress in your best Halloween costume for a chance to win one of many prizes at the Littledown Halloween disco. Suitable for children ages 2.5 – 8 years old.
Sessions include 1-2pm, 2:30-3:30pm and 4-5pm. Tickets £6.50 per child
Check out what’s on in Dorset in November and stay up to date with all the festivals and events through the year.