Pumpkin Picking & Halloween Events in the Yorkshire Dales
We love the spooky season here at Catgill Farm! And luckily for us, the Yorkshire Dales is home to all sorts of fun seasonal events for the time of year, from pumpkin fields and Halloween trails to family-friendly farm fun and fright nights for older kids, there seems to be something happening every October weekend across North Yorkshire and the Dales, as well as all week during half term!
Whether you’re staying at Catgill Farm or planning a day out in the Dales, we’ve put together a guide to as many of the best places within an hour’s drive to find your perfect pumpkin, join in some Halloween fun, and make some unforgettable autumn memories.
Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey
Distance: 2 minute walk from Catgill Farm
Literally just down the road from us, Hesketh Farm Park is a family-run farm and one of the easiest spots nearby for a relaxed morning of pumpkin picking. Each year, they decorate one of their animal barns as a Halloween grotto where you can take part in pumpkin carving workshops, and enjoy other fun family friendly Halloween activities like a Halloween trail. You can also have fun with their normal activities including feeding the animals, playing in the indoor play barn, the giant sandpit, go karts and a straw maze.
Halloween event opening dates: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November
Best for: Families with young children who want a friendly event without any scares.
Good to know: The Halloween activities are all included in the normal ticket price!
Billy Bob’s Parlour, Embsay
Distance: 10 minutes from Catgill Farm
Billy Bob’s combines retro diner vibes with a huge outdoor play area and indoor barns, making it ideal for rainy October weekends. Even better, they go all out with the American fall vibes! There are haunted trails, themed displays like Hilda (the witch’s) Hovel, a barn bounce house, a candy scramble in the pumpkin house, special Halloween ice “screams” and slushies, pumpkins for sale, and “gourd-geous” decor.
Halloween event opening dates: Saturday 27th October to Sunday 2nd November
Best for: The whole family! There’s something for everyone from toddlers to teenagers and grandparents.
Highlights: Plenty of photo opportunities with quirky autumn props and unique attractions!
Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge
Distance: 30 minutes from Catgill Farm
One of North Yorkshire’s most popular PYO pumpkin patches, Birchfield Farm has become a great Yorkshire pumpkin patch legend for its Pumpkin Festival. pumpkin wagons, tractor rides, and rows of homegrown pumpkins ready for picking. There’s loads to do with the indoor and outdoor play areas, maize maze, animals and carving barn, all as part of your farm entry fee!
Plus you just can’t leave here without trying their food options – it’s not known as Birchfield Ice Cream Farm for nothing! There are also waffles and crumbles on their signposts on Instagram, so head down there to check it out!
Halloween event opening dates:11th & 12th October, 18th & 19th October, 25th – 31st October.
Best for: Families looking for the full autumn farm experience with great food.
Good to know: You just pay for what you pick at this pumpkin farm and there’s no need to book.
Thornton Hall Farm, Skipton
Distance: 25 minutes from Catgill Farm
Thornton Hall Farm goes all out for Halloween – from their Screams! at Thornton Hall Farm evening events to daytime Halloween fun for little ones with a Halloween Toddler Party.
Every October they celebrate for the whole family with SPOOKS! – a family-friendly festival packed with pumpkin picking, tractor rides, and themed fun for all ages. Explore Trick or Treat Street, test your courage in the Ringmaster’s Challenge, or visit the School of Evil Live Show for a few cheeky scares. Kids can carve their own pumpkins, meet costumed characters, and enjoy indoor soft play while parents relax with homemade food and street-food stalls. It’s one of North Yorkshire’s most popular Halloween events, running across selected weekends from mid-October through 31st October, and tickets always sell out fast.
There’s, of course, also a proper rustic pumpkin patch which is included in your ticket price, just pay for your pumpkins. You can also enjoy all the usual fun of the farm too with indoor soft play areas, pony grooming, jumping pillows, and if you time it right, kids’ entertainment in the Secret Garden.
Halloween event opening dates: Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th October, Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th October, Saturday 25th daily until 2nd November.
Best for: Families who love themed experiences and older kids looking for a scare.
Good to know: Time slots are required for the Scream! event and tickets often sell out before 31st October!
Stockeld Park, near Wetherby
Distance: 50 minutes from Catgill Farm
Stockeld Park’s Halloween Adventure is one of Yorkshire’s biggest family Halloween events. Follow the Woodland Witches through the Enchanted Forest, tackle the Monster Maze, and hitch a tractor ride to the park’s own pumpkin fields to find your perfect pumpkin. There’s plenty for all ages, from Zombie Laser Tag and fancy-dress competitions to face painting and magical live shows.
It’s a full day of autumn fun with pumpkin picking, spooky adventures, and outdoor play areas like the Spider’s Lair and Tangle Tree Climb – the perfect mix of fresh air, laughter, and a few friendly frights.
Halloween event opening dates: Every October weekend and daily from 25th October to 2nd November 2025.
Best for: Families with children of all ages – there’s something for everyone!
Extra info: The Halloween ticket price is a little more than your usual general admission, but the only additional cost is the pumpkins you buy!
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
Distance: 40 minutes from Catgill Farm
This year Mother Shipton’s Cave is transforming into a wonderfully weird world of Creepy & Kooky characters inspired by a delightfully dark family. Meet live actors like a gruesome grandma, mysterious mother, and dashing darkly-dressed gentleman as you wander the haunted woodland trail beside the River Nidd.
Families can explore themed displays, take spooky photos, and visit the famous petrifying well, where objects turn to stone by natural magic. With gothic photo ops, marshmallow toasting at the fire pits, and even prizes for the best fancy dress, it’s one of North Yorkshire’s most unique Halloween events – spooky enough for older kids but still fun for the whole family.
Halloween event opening dates: 25th October to 2nd November 2025
Best for: Families who love folklore, myths, and scenic walks with a little mystery.
Booking: Tickets must be booked in advance for specific time slots.
The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
Distance: 50 minutes from Catgill Farm
This October, The Forbidden Corner, known for its twisted fairytales and labyrinth of tunnels, brings double the Halloween magic, one for families, and one for the brave!
Kids can enjoy the Halloween Adventures event with spooky decorations, a haunted garden trail, a hunt for missing skeleton bones, and a fancy-dress competition on 31st October, all included in the regular entry price. It’s packed with light-hearted Halloween fun that makes exploring the labyrinth even more exciting for little adventurers, just with a few extra creepy goings-on!
For grown-ups and (much!) older kids, The Forgotten Corner takes over on selected nights. This adults-only horror experience transforms the gardens after dark into a nightmarish maze of live scares and eerie surprises, followed by food and drinks in the White Goose Bar. Whether you’re after family-friendly frights or a truly spine-chilling evening, The Forbidden Corner is a must-visit this spooky season.
Halloween event opening dates: 5th October to 2nd November for Halloween Adventures. 17th–18th, 24th–25th, 31st October & 1st November for the Forgotten Corner.
Best for: Families with confident explorers or adults who love quirky attractions.
Tip: Dress warmly and book ahead – tickets for Halloween nights go quickly!
Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale
Distance: 1 hour from Catgill Farm
Autumn at Thorp Perrow is breathtaking anyway, but when October half term comes around, they add to the spooky factor with spooky trails winding through the trees. The annual Halloween trail includes fancy dress competitions, face painting, and storytelling in the woods.
Little ones can spot spooky creatures, tombs, and skeletons along its Halloween Trail. Trail sheets cost £2.50 and include a small gift, making it a lovely, low-cost option for families with younger children.
During half term, little witches and wizards can enjoy creepy crafts at the free crafting stall by the bandstand, face painting, and a slice from Bute Pizza, which pops up on select dates. With stunning autumn colours, daily bird of prey flying displays, and plenty of sweet treats and hot chocolate, Thorp Perrow offers the perfect balance of gentle Halloween fun and seasonal countryside charm.
Halloween event opening dates: 5th October to 3rd November
Best for: A calm day out exploring gorgeous autumnal scenery with a few small spooks along the way.
Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail
Distance: 10 minutes from Catgill Farm
Running daily from 9am to 4pm, the Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail is a local favourite for families with little ones. Enter through the giant spooky gates of Strid Wood and follow the trail of giant pumpkins, solving clues hidden in mystery boxes along the way to complete the puzzle.
The walk begins at the Cavendish Shop and winds through the beautiful autumn woodland beside the River Wharfe, making it perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and dogs on leads. The event is included in the estate car park fee, and it’s best to pre-book the Riverside car park to start right at the trail’s beginning. Expect fresh air, beautiful scenery, and plenty of gentle Halloween fun for the whole family.
Halloween event opening dates: Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
Best for: Younger children and families staying at Catgill who want something nearby and low-cost.
Yorkshire Pumpkins, Cundall
Distance: 55 minutes from Catgill Farm
This PYO pumpkin patch isn’t technically in the Yorkshire Dales, but it’s worth the trip out for one of the most photogenic pumpkin fields in Yorkshire! You can grab a pizza or hot drink in the barn, enjoy playing pumpkin bowling or let little ones run free on the pedal tractors and hay bale mountain before selecting from the best pumpkins in Yorkshire. It’s a bit of a hidden gem among locals!
Halloween event opening dates: 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th and 23rd-31st October.
Best for: A great value pumpkin patch with a wide variety (over 53 types!) of pumpkins.
Good to know: Book your tickets in advance to make sure you’ve got a slot – it costs £2 per person to visit.
Yolk Farm, Boroughbridge
Distance: 50 minutes from Catgill Farm
Again, Yolk Farm isn’t technically in the Dales, but it’s an excellent day trip to a family favourite farm. Browse the farm shop for seasonal produce before picking out your pumpkin, and there’s also a petting zoo and play barn!
Halloween event opening dates: 4th/5th/11th/12th/18th/19th October then daily throughout half term 25th-31st October
Best for: Families and couples who love food, photos, and friendly animals.
Blooming Sheep Pumpkin Patch, near Skipton
Distance: 35 minutes from Catgill Farm
For something a little different this spooky season, Blooming Sheep combines pumpkin picking with the chance to meet their adorable Valais Blacknose sheep, all dressed up for Halloween! Families can wander the pumpkin patch, snap photos at the farm’s Instagram-worthy displays with plenty of photo opportunities, and book a 30-minute cuddle session with the “spooky sheep” in their haunted paddock.
You can also pre-order a Halloween afternoon tea or treat box from Mama Doreen’s Tea Emporium, featuring ghostly bakes and pumpkin-themed cakes, perfect for a cosy picnic after your visit. It’s a family-run farm with plenty of charm, making it a lovely, relaxed way to celebrate autumn with younger children or as a fun, seasonal day out near Harrogate.
Halloween event opening dates: Check the website for opening times during October.
Best for: Families looking for a quiet, personal pumpkin-picking experience with a twist.
Good to know: Entry is free, but you need to pay for experiences such as meeting the sheep at £15 per person, and the afternoon tea.
Ilkley Pumpkin Trail
Distance: 20 minutes from Catgill Farm
The Ilkley Pumpkin Trail returns on Saturday 1st November, bringing a day of free, family-friendly fun to the Riverside Memorial Gardens. Run by the Addingham Scouts, this community event features games, activities, and plenty of pumpkins to spot along the riverside.
It’s completely free to join (with a suggested £2 donation) and runs from 10am to 4pm, raising funds for local scouts heading to Peru in 2026. With a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful riverside setting, it’s perfect for families with young children looking for a low-key way to enjoy the spooky season.
Halloween event opening dates: This is only on 1st November!
Best for: Families staying nearby who love small-town charm and local events.
Tip: Combine it with a visit to Bettys Tea Room for the ultimate Yorkshire treat!
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Distance: 30 minutes from Catgill Farm
During half term week, RHS Harlow Carr celebrates autumn with its Halloween Pumpkin Festival, a week of family-friendly activities exploring the secret life of pumpkins. Follow the pumpkin trail through the gardens to see spooky scarecrows, seasonal displays, and a giant pumpkin sculpture carved right before your eyes!
Little explorers can enjoy crafts, storytelling yoga, and Garden Detective sessions, while the brave can meet snakes and spiders in the Zoolab creepy-crawly encounters. With hot chocolate, colourful autumn foliage, and activities included in garden admission, Harlow Carr is a lovely, gentle day out for families with younger children this half term.
Halloween event opening dates: 25th October to 2nd November 2025
Best for: Families with younger children and anyone who loves a mix of nature and creativity.
Bonus Stops (if you’re travelling from further afield)
If you’re travelling to or from Catgill and want a stop along the way, here are a few pumpkin patches and Halloween festivals worth stopping at:
- Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley – massive pumpkin festival!
- Farmer Copleys, Pontefract – another huge pumpkin festival, with tractor ride, live music, fancy dress competitions and more.
- Spilmans Pumpkin Patch, Thirsk – a family favourite pumpkin patch with additional activities including barrel train, corn cannon, tractor ride, and even fireworks!
- Monk Park Farm, Thirsk – family-friendly PYO pumpkin patch with friendly animals and heaps on fun in the playgrounds.
- Mainsgill Farm Shop, Richmond – known for its local produce and great photo spots.
- Grange Farm Pumpkin Festival, Low Moor – small, friendly patch with traditional carving pumpkins and a great café.
- Bolton Castle, Wensleydale – Halloween trail with live actors, spooky stories, and the chance to learn about Mary Queen of Scots. Plus you can see the castle at night too!
- Stump Cross Caverns, near Pateley Bridge – Halloween fun underground, with spooky stories and UV lights in the caves.
Plan Your Pumpkin Adventure
Whether you’re looking for ghostly fun, gentle family-run farms, or full-on haunting grounds, there’s no better way to celebrate October in the Dales. From traditional carving pumpkins and face painting to live shows and spooky trails, every site offers something a little different – and each is just a short drive (or walk!) from Catgill Farm.
So find your perfect pumpkin, get your scare on, then come back to Catgill to light the fire pit, warm up with a drink, and share stories under the stars – the better way to end a day of autumn adventures.
