17–25 October 2026
October half-term with kids in Market Harborough
Pumpkin picking, Halloween crafts, witches and wizards at Kelmarsh, and a free Fright Fayre at Foxton Locks. Here are some local plans for the kids this half-term, including activities you can drop into and days out to book ahead.
By Harborough Digest · Details checked .
Leicestershire’s half-term is Monday 19 to Friday 23 October. We’ve included the weekends either side, too. Check your own school’s dates, as some schools and inset days differ. See the council’s term dates ↗
Foxton Fright Fayre: a free Halloween day out
Foxton Locks is putting on a Halloween fayre with traditional games, falcons and family crafts. The locks will be turning green, with spooky creatures to spot beneath the surface. This is a good option if you want a family outing without buying admission tickets for everyone.
- Where
- Foxton Locks, Gumley Road, Foxton, LE16 7RA.
- Cost and booking
- Entry is free, with no tickets or advance booking needed. Parking charges apply; check the cost of individual craft activities separately.
- Make a ghost wind catcher
- There is also a drop-in craft session at the Welcome Centre during the fayre, with materials provided and an adult required to stay with each child. The booking summary says free, but the activity description says pay on the day, so confirm the craft charge and age guidance with the organiser.
Foxton Fright Fayre: organiser’s details ↗ · Ghost wind catcher: activity details ↗
Pick a pumpkin at Windmill Farm Park
The farm’s Halloween programme includes pumpkin picking, potion-making, crafts and trails, alongside its indoor and outdoor play areas. A pumpkin is included for each paying child, so this is worth considering if you want the picking and the rest of the outing in one place.
- Where
- Windmill Farm Park, Langton Road, Kibworth Harcourt, LE8 0PR.
- Dates and cost
- The official calendar lists the Halloween event daily throughout 17–25 October, from 10am to 6pm. It continues until 31 October. Check the booking calendar for ticket prices and availability for your chosen day.
- Plan ahead
- Book online and bring outdoor shoes and layers. There is indoor play, but the pumpkin patch and parts of the event are outdoors.
Windmill Farm Park: Halloween details and tickets ↗ · Check the daily calendar ↗
Build something at the museum’s Construction Club
A straightforward afternoon option in town: the museum and library have a LEGO Construction Club listed for half-term Wednesday. You can combine it with a look around the museum or time choosing library books.
- Where
- Harborough Museum and Library, The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT.
- Planning
- The museum lists this as a drop-in session. Museum admission is free; check with the museum if you need age guidance or confirmation of any activity charge.
Make a Halloween lantern at Foxton Locks
Make a stained-glass-style Halloween lantern at the Foxton Locks Welcome Centre. It gives children something to make as well as a reason to get out for a walk by the canal afterwards.
- Where
- Welcome Centre, Foxton Locks, Gumley Road, Foxton.
- Cost and planning
- The organiser’s Eventbrite page lists tickets from £7.06. Check the ticket options and availability before travelling; parking is extra.
- Who it’s for
- The Canal & River Trust describes its Halloween workshops as suitable for children aged six and over, accompanied by an adult.
Foxton Locks: lantern-making and booking ↗ · Organiser’s Halloween programme ↗
A witches and wizards morning at Kelmarsh
Enchanted Kelmarsh is a themed morning in the hall’s gardens and grounds, with activities and trails for children. Dressing up as a witch, wizard or magical creature is welcome.
- Where
- Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, NN6 9LY.
- Cost
- £20 per child. Adult tickets are free. Advance booking is requested.
- Useful to know
- Choose the Thursday 22 October event when booking. There is also a separate event on 27 October, after Leicestershire’s half-term week. Ask the organiser about suitable ages or access if needed.
Make a Halloween mask at Harborough Museum
Colour a mask and decorate it with the museum’s craft materials. This is a drop-in activity, so it makes a handy short outing if you don’t want to commit to a full day.
- Where
- Harborough Museum, The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT.
- Cost and booking
- £2 per mask; no advance booking is listed for this drop-in session. Admission to the museum itself is free.
For the weekends either side
These fall outside the Monday-to-Friday school break, but give you a few more options before school starts again.
Railex ’26 at Harborough Indoor Market
If someone in the family likes trains, the council lists a weekend of railway exhibitions, layouts and traders at the indoor market, Northampton Road, LE16 9HB. The council’s listing does not state an admission price, so check before going.
Coyote vs ACME at Harborough Cinema
Visit Harborough lists this PG film at Harborough Cinema, Church Square. It is an evening screening, so bear the finish time in mind with younger children. Check the cinema for current ticket prices and availability before setting off.
Film date: Visit Harborough listing ↗ · Cinema programme and booking ↗
Autumn Fayre at Welland Park
Visit Harborough lists an Autumn Fayre in Welland Park on the final Sunday of the break. Check the latest event details for the programme and any charges before making plans around a particular activity.
Take the sculpture trail at Foxton Locks
For a day without a timed booking, look for the 14 wildlife sculptures around Foxton Locks. You can ask for an activity map at the welcome centre at the top of the locks, or simply make a walk of it and see how many you spot.
- Where and cost
- Foxton Locks, near Market Harborough. The site is free to visit; parking and extras such as a trail map or a museum visit may cost more. Use the official visitor page for directions and current parking arrangements.
- Useful to know
- This is a permanent attraction, not a special half-term session. There are slopes and uneven surfaces, and the paths run beside water. Plan a route that suits your family and keep children close by the locks.
If the weather changes your plans
Our rainy-day family guide has the museum, library, soft play, pottery painting and swimming options, with links to opening times and booking. For half-term visits, check availability rather than relying on the usual term-time timetable.
Dates and details above were checked on 16 October. Tickets can sell out and plans can change, so use the organiser links before travelling. Let us know if something needs correcting.
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