Cadw has announced a full programme of seasonal events at historic sites across Wales for Halloween, offering families a range of spooky activities throughout the half-term break. Events will run at castles, abbeys and ancient landmarks in north, south, mid and west Wales, combining family-friendly daytime activities with atmospheric evening experiences.
Spooky Trails and Family Quests
Highlights include a chilling children's quest at Caerphilly Castle, Wales' largest castle, complete with a surprise prize. The event, running from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November between 11:00 and 15:00, also features gruesome medieval medicine and spooky crafts on 24-25 October, plus spellbinding bubbles and face painting over Halloween weekend.
Castell Coch's Creepy Quest challenges families to follow clues in the castle's fairytale surroundings, with face painting and creepy crafts adding to the fun over Halloween weekend. The event runs from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November, 11:00-15:00.
At Chepstow Castle, families can take part in Mini Pumpkin Decorating, starting in the castle's spooky prison where each participant selects a mini pumpkin before heading to the decorating station. Pens, stickers and gemstones are provided to create a mess-free Halloween keepsake, with sessions running from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November, 10:00-16:00.
Ghost Stories and Interactive Theatre
An Evening of Ghost Stories at Chepstow Castle invites guests to settle into the castle's old pantry as storytellers recount local legends and ghostly tales. Visitors are welcomed with a complimentary hot drink at this intimate, adults-only evening, with sessions on Thursday 29th October from 18:30-19:30 and 20:30-21:30. Booking is essential.
Ceridwen Theatre Company presents The Mystery of the Plas Mawr Murder, an immersive theatrical event set on All Hallows' Eve 1585. Participants can question the household, examine rumours of witchcraft and supernatural activity, and uncover the truth. The event takes place on Saturday 31st October, 18:30-19:45 and 20:15-21:30, with booking required.
Earlier that day, Halloween at Plas Mawr offers daytime visitors the chance to step inside one of Britain's finest Elizabethan townhouses as historical characters share local folklore and reveal sixteenth-century Welsh superstitions, running from 10:00-15:00.
More Events Across Wales
Other events include a Spooky Halloween Trail at Denbigh Castle on Saturday 31st October, 10:00-16:00, featuring creepy crafts, face painting and chocolate prizes. Live History – In Time Unlimited at Castell Conwy transports visitors back to 1283 to help build the castle through an immersive live-action experience, running from Tuesday 27th October to Friday 30th October, 10:00-16:00.
Spooky Halloween at Beaumaris Castle on Saturday 31st October, 10:00-17:00, features gruesome figures, resident witches in a creepy craft room and a challenge for a chocolate prize. Halloween Trails at Kidwelly Castle (Monday 26th October to Sunday 1st November, 09:30-17:00) and Laugharne Castle (Saturday 31st October, 11:00-16:00) offer puzzle-solving adventures, while Children's Activity Days at Strata Florida Abbey on Thursday 29th October, 10:00-12:00, explore Cistercian monastic life and the area's industrial landscape in Welsh or English, with booking essential.
Dr Kate Roberts, Chief Executive of Cadw, said: "Halloween is a wonderful time to experience Wales' historic places in a different light. Many of our sites have fascinating stories, myths and legends connected to them, making them the perfect backdrop for seasonal events."
A Cadw membership offers free entry to events and unlimited access to more than 130 historic places across Wales. Children go free with adult memberships. Some events have limited capacity and require booking; details are available at cadw.gov.wales/halloween.
