October Half-Term in Chelmsford 2026: Things to Do With the Kids
Looking for things to do with the children in Chelmsford during October half-term 2026? From Halloween adventures and pumpkin picking to dinosaurs, science experiments, swimming, sport and live theatre, there's already plenty planned across the city and surrounding area.
The main week of half-term activities in Chelmsford runs from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October 2026, although several of the biggest autumn attractions begin earlier in the month and continue through Halloween weekend.
We've rounded up some of the best confirmed activities for families in and around Chelmsford.
We'll continue updating this guide as more October half-term events are announced.
Last updated: 16 September 2026
Hylands Fear Fest
📅 16 October – 1 November 2026
📍 Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
👨👩👧 Spooky Trail: ages 7+ | Fear Fest Extreme: ages 15+
One of Chelmsford's biggest new Halloween attractions for 2026 is coming to Hylands Estate.
Hylands Fear Fest will transform the estate after dark with two very different Halloween experiences.
Families with younger children can tackle the Fear Fest Spooky Trail, which winds through the gardens with playful ghouls, friendly characters, interactive encounters and gentler spooky surprises.
For older teenagers and adults there's Fear Fest Extreme, a much more intense outdoor scare experience featuring live actors, immersive sets, soundscapes and unexpected encounters.
The Spooky Trail finishes with a fairground, with food and drink also available to purchase.
The event runs every night throughout half-term and includes Halloween itself on Saturday 31 October.
Read our full guide to Hylands Fear Fest 2026 for dates, age guidance and ticket information.
Marsh Farm Halloween Festival
📅 October weekends and half-term
📍 Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
🎃 Pumpkin picking, Halloween entertainment and family attractions
Marsh Farm's popular Halloween Festival returns for 2026, with the attraction transformed for spooky season.
Families can dress up and explore the decorated farm, enjoy funfair rides, tackle the adventure play areas and giant inflatable pillows and visit the Pumpkin Village.
There will also be Halloween-themed shows, spooky character meet-and-greets, a Trick or Treat Trail and Halloween Silent Disco during the main festival.
Entry to Pumpkin Village is included, although pumpkins themselves are purchased separately.
Dinosaur Adventure is also included with Halloween Festival admission, giving young visitors the chance to encounter some rather larger creatures during their day out.
The main Halloween Festival runs on selected October weekends and throughout the school half-term period.
Marsh Farm Halloween Toddler Takeover
📅 19–23 October 2026
📍 Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
👶 Designed especially for younger children
Parents with little ones can get in on the Halloween fun before the main half-term week.
Marsh Farm's Halloween Festival Toddler Takeover runs from Monday 19 to Friday 23 October.
It's a gentler version of the Halloween experience aimed specifically at younger children, with character meet-and-greets, themed shows, Trick or Treat fun, farm rides, animals and entry to Pumpkin Village.
It's particularly worth considering for families who like the idea of a Halloween day out but don't necessarily want anything too frightening.
Chelmsford Science Festival 2026
📅 20–28 October 2026
📍 Venues across Chelmsford
🔬 Free and ticketed events
The Chelmsford Science Festival returns during October with events covering science, technology, engineering, health, the environment and the arts.
Organised by Anglia Ruskin University, the 2026 festival has the theme Future Worlds: Earth, Space, You.
Events run from 20 to 28 October, meaning much of the programme overlaps with the school half-term period.
There are activities and events for different ages across the festival, with a mixture of free sessions and paid headline events.
If you've got a child fascinated by space, experiments, technology or how the world works, it's well worth checking the programme before half-term begins as some sessions require advance booking.
Dinosaur World Live at Chelmsford Theatre
📅 29–31 October 2026
📍 Chelmsford Theatre
🦖 Family show
This one could be a huge hit with younger dinosaur fans.
The Olivier Award-winning Dinosaur World Live comes to Chelmsford Theatre for three days during half-term.
The interactive stage show takes families into a prehistoric world populated by remarkably lifelike dinosaurs including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus.
There's also a special meet-and-greet after the performance where children can meet one of the dinosaur characters.
Performances run from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Alice in Wonderland at Chelmsford Theatre
📅 Sunday 25 October 2026
📍 Chelmsford Theatre Studio
👧 Recommended for ages 2–12
🎟️ Tickets £13.50–£17.50
Just before the main half-term week begins, Let's All Dance Ballet Company brings Alice in Wonderland to Chelmsford Theatre Studio.
The family production features the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter alongside colourful costumes and ballet.
It's designed particularly for children aged 2 to 12, including children with special needs, and there will be an opportunity to take photographs with the dancers after each performance.
Wizard Stories at Chelmsford libraries
📅 Friday 30 October 2026
📍 Chelmsford, Great Baddow and Broomfield libraries
👧 Ages 4–11
🎟️ £3 per child
Essex Libraries is bringing some inexpensive Halloween entertainment to three local libraries during half-term.
Wizard Stories combines interactive storytelling with Halloween-themed crafts and is designed for children aged 4 to 11.
Sessions take place on Friday 30 October at Great Baddow Library, Chelmsford Library and Broomfield Library.
Tickets cost just £3 per child, while accompanying adults don't require a ticket.
Booking is required and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Chelmsford City Sports half-term camps
📅 26–30 October 2026
📍 Chelmsford leisure centres
🏃 Ages vary by activity
Chelmsford City Sports has a substantial programme running during the school holidays.
Its Mini and City Camps provide half-day and full-day activities for children, including games, sport, creative activities and Halloween-themed fun.
Camps at Riverside Leisure Centre run from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, while Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre has camps from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 October.
The council says the camps are Ofsted registered, with childcare voucher payment options available.
An early-bird discount is available until 11 October, so this is one parents may want to book ahead rather than leave until half-term begins.
Try parkour during half-term
📅 28–29 October 2026
📍 Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre
🎟️ £21.90 per session
Children looking for something rather more energetic can try a dedicated parkour and free-running holiday course.
A junior session for younger children takes place on Wednesday 28 October, followed by another session on Thursday 29 October.
The courses use specially designed soft parkour equipment to develop agility, balance, coordination and climbing skills.
Advance booking is required.
Science School at Dovedale
📅 Thursday 29 October 2026
📍 Dovedale Leisure Centre
🧪 Ages 5–12
🎟️ £5.50
Young scientists can also try a dedicated Science School session at Dovedale Leisure Centre.
Children will take part in experiments and interactive activities during the hour-long session on Thursday 29 October.
At £5.50, it's also one of the cheaper bookable half-term activities currently announced.
Halloween swimming fun in South Woodham Ferrers
📅 26, 29 & 31 October 2026
📍 South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre
South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre is getting into the Halloween spirit with special family swimming and inflatable sessions.
There will be Halloween-themed floats and spooky music, while older children can take on the centre's twin-track inflatable obstacle course.
The inflatable sessions take place on Thursday 29 October and Saturday 31 October and cost £7.30.
Participants using the inflatable must be aged eight or over and able to swim 25 metres unaided.
Halloween family fun swimming sessions are also scheduled for Monday 26 October and Saturday 31 October.
More October half-term activities coming soon
More events and activities are likely to be announced as October approaches, so it's worth bookmarking this page.
We'll continue adding Halloween events, free activities, family shows, workshops, outdoor attractions and things to do around Chelmsford as they're confirmed.
Whether you're looking for a full family day out, something to occupy the children for an hour or an inexpensive activity during the school holidays, we'll keep this guide updated with the best options we find.
Know about an October half-term event in Chelmsford that we've missed? Get in touch with Chelmsford City Hub and let us know.