Autumn in England is not just about rain. Until the end of October and in the first half of November, many towns and cities are hosting exhibitions, Halloween evenings and festivals of light. Some of them are free or inexpensive, and many are aimed at families with children. We have selected events from VisitEngland’s official autumn 2026 round-up.
Halloween: from Bath to Cornwall
- Manchester, “Halloween in the City” – 24–31 October, events in the city centre.
- Bath, “Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein” – 23–31 October.
- Eden Project in Cornwall, “Halloweden” – 24 October – 1 November.
- Hartlepool, “Spooquay: The Ghost Ship” at the National Museum of the Royal Navy – 30–31 October.
- Near Carlisle, Walby Farm Park – pumpkin picking after dark until 30 October.
Lights and Diwali in November
- Wellingborough (Northamptonshire), Festival of Lights – 31 October.
- Leicester, Diwali Village – 8 November.
- Blackpool Illuminations – the illuminations shine until 3 January 2027, with new installations.
- Kelmarsh Hall (Northamptonshire), “Forest of Secrets” – from 31 October to 2 January.
Exhibitions for a rainy day
- London, British Museum – the Bayeux Tapestry, until 11 July 2027.
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, “Secret Life of Colour” – until 31 January 2027.
- Cheltenham, The Wilson – the museum and gallery has reopened after a six-year closure.
- Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum – an exhibition on William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites.
- Colchester, The Minories – the exhibition “Out of Line: Banksy and the Art of Dissent”, until 28 February 2027.
What it means for you
If you are planning a day off with the children or a short trip, you have plenty of choice across England – not just in London. Many venues require advance booking, and tickets for popular Halloween evenings sell out quickly. For small businesses, such as transport, catering or photography firms, this is also an opportunity: big events draw crowds on specific days.
Our assessment
The best value for money comes from the large museums (permanent collections are usually free; you pay for temporary exhibitions) and city festivals of light. Halloween events are short-lived and often sell out – it is worth deciding quickly.
What to do
- Check opening hours, prices and ticket availability on each venue’s website – programmes may change.
- If travelling by train, check for engineering works and disruption on National Rail.
- Before heading out, check the weather and warnings from the Met Office.
Source: VisitEngland – Autumn 2026 news (autumn 2026).
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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