Your Guide to October Half-Term
- 9th Oct 2026
- Author: Elliott Langley
Halloween is just around the corner and the nights are starting to draw in, so we’re embracing the season with an extra-spooky October half-term holiday! If you’re looking for things to do in the school holidays, come and join us between 17 October – 01 November for a frightfully fun day out.
We have something for the whole family, especially those looking for something to entertain curious young minds. And if you simply fancy escaping the cooler weather outside, there is something for you too.
For this Our Space, I’ve pulled together your guide to having the best day out this October half-term, with some tips on how to get the most out of your visit and enjoy getting spooky with us.
Things Are Getting Spooky
A day out at the National Space Centre is already packed with things to do, but this half-term, we’re adding even more to discover. Our Discovery team has been busy putting together loads of additional activities to bring the thrills. Expect live talks, demonstrations, workshops and cosmic craft sessions exploring everything from mysteries, phenomena and seemingly impossible tricks. The Spooky Space activities are all included with your admission and will be happening each day of the half-term.
And, there is something else that might look a little different if you haven’t visited us recently. Our brand-new Outer Solar System experience opened this summer, taking you beyond the familiar planets and into the distant reaches of our cosmic neighbourhood. You can explore icy moons, strange worlds and enormous storms, tackle interactive challenges, create your own extremophile, and step inside our immersive room, all bringing the outer Solar System much closer to home.
If it has been a while since your last visit, there is plenty new to discover.
Meet the Discovery Team
If you’ve visited us before, there is a good chance you’ll already know our Discovery team. They’re the people you’ll find around the Centre in the iconic blue shirts, turning complicated science into something fun, surprising and (occasionally) slightly chaotic. This half-term, they’re giving things a Halloween twist with science shows, magical demonstrations, workshops, crafts and activities.
Katie, our Public Programmes Team Leader, gave me a sneak peak of what you can expect. “You’ll be able to learn about current space research with glow-in-the-dark worms, or sit back for a Tour of the Night Sky in the planetarium,” she told me. “Join us for space illusions, cosmic mysteries, and science so exciting it might just be magic. You don’t need to be a science expert to get involved. Come along, get hands-on let us show you just how mind-blowing science can be.”
Come Prepared (for a Great Time)
October half-term is always a popular time to visit; the weather is looking a bit dodgy outside, so an indoor attraction is a natural choice for families looking to entertain their kids.
If you take one thing away from this blog, make sure to book your tickets in advance to guarantee entry, and that applies to Annual Pass holders looking to book a return visit too. It’s also worth planning how you want to spend your day before you arrive. With galleries, activities, talks, our Tetrastar Spaceport experience, and a show in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium to fit in, there can be a lot to discover in one day. Check out our Plan and Explore section on our website, as well as the Spooky Space page for the details you need.
If there is anything you need to help make your visit more enjoyable, please speak to our team either in advance or when you arrive. You’ll find our friendly Space Crew team throughout the Centre, and they are always happy to help however they can.
You’re also welcome to bring a packed lunch, and don’t forget a reusable water bottle to make use of our free water refill stations in the galleries and near the Boosters seating area. A little preparation can make a big difference to your day, so that you can concentrate on the important part: having a brilliant time and making new memories.
A Sweet Autumn Boost
All that exploring can be thirsty work. Fortunately, Boosters Café is on hand when it’s time to take a break, and the Catering team are embracing autumn too.
Warm yourself up with a seasonal Pumpkin Spiced Latte, (it wouldn’t really be October without something pumpkin-flavoured), and add a Halloween cookie in for good measure to keep those sugar levels up.
We’ve got hot and cold lunch options, a kids meal deal and plenty of snacks to give yourself a cosy pitstop before heading back out to explore.
Spooky Space for Everyone
The Halloween fun doesn’t stop when we close for the day. We’ve added in some extra special events to keep the spooky vibes going.
On 24 October, our Film Club is getting creepy with a special screening of The Conjuring, bringing the atmospheric horror film to the giant Planetarium cinema screen. There are limited seats in the Planetarium, so secure yours now if you are aged 15 or over and looking for a thrilling night out.
For something considerably less terrifying, Monsters, Inc. arrives on 01 November. Released in the same year that we opened, this special early-morning screening offers families, children and nostalgic grown-ups (like me…) the chance to enjoy Sulley, Mike and Boo on the UK’s largest planetarium screen.
And if your idea of Halloween has more to do with solving the mystery of “whodunit”, there’s Crime & Dine on 30 October. This adults-only evening combines an unfolding crime investigation, forensic challenges, guidance from a retired Scotland Yard detective and a seasonal three-course dinner.
Make the Most of Your Visit
Booking online automatically upgrades your tickets to a FREE Annual Pass, so your October half-term adventures don’t have to be your only visit. You can return and keep exploring for 12 months and see anything you might have missed, or join us for the next school holiday!
And if you can’t make it to the Centre this half-term, you don’t have to miss out completely. Space Cadets Online returns on 21 and 28 October, giving children aged 7-11 the chance to enjoy science, learning and space fun from home.
Whether you’re joining us for a family day out, returning with your Annual Pass, settling in for a movie or attempting to crack a crime, there are plenty of ways to fill the October half-term with loads of fun new memories.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the National Space Centre!
