The Northern Echo:

Spooky crafts, trail and face painting, Sage Gateshead, on all week, 11-2pm

Choose your own spoooooky craft kit, will it be a sand art pumpkin picture, a stained glass spider window or other spooky crafts?

The choice is yours for just £2 per craft kit. Are you feeling brave? Why not help us solve the curse of Harry the Spider, as you take on the self guided challenge around the building.

A spooky map is available from our shop for £2. Tel: 0191-4434661.

Micro-Shakespeare, Crown Street Library, Darlington, on until Saturday, 12-4pm

A unique and creative Shakespeare experience, presented by Laitrum Teatre, is set to engage the people of Darlington. Micro-Shakespeare, is a collaborative interactive installation, casting the audience as a performer or viewer in an intimate, eight-minute performance.

Members of the public will be welcomed to join one of five pop-up, micro theatres, put on some headphones and follow the instructions to transform into amazing puppeteers. Those who don’t wish to perform are invited to grab some popcorn, pull up a seat and enjoy up to five mini-Shakespeare classics, including condensed versions of Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest. Tel: 01325-405405.

Halloween Spooktacular, Northdale, Northallerton, on all week, 10-4pm 

Halloween fever has hit Northdale – we have lots going on this year, starting with spooky half-term fun. This includes creepy trails, play area and Halloween crafts. Then on Saturday 28th October from 2pm to 6pm we have our Halloween Festival, including creepy trails, crafts, bouncy castle, face painting, BBQ and the famous Scare Zone. Tel: 01609-770269.

The Northern Echo:

Halloween crafts, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle on Wednesday/Thursday, 10.30-12noon and 1.30-3pm

Be brave and take part in fun Halloween themed craft activities. Booking required on 01833-690606. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom normal admission applies.

The Northern Echo:

Illuminated Abbey, Whitby Abbey, from Wednesday, until October 31, 6.30-9.30pm

Cast light on a dark history this Halloween! See Bram Stoker's inspiration in a new light as Whitby Abbey is bathed in dramatic illuminations once again.

Have your camera at the ready as you explore the gothic splendour of the ruins lit up with all the colours of the rainbow. Meet a Victorian undertaker and let our Resurrection Man introduce you to the darker side of the past with a spine-chilling tale or two about grave robbing. And of course it wouldn't be Halloween without the Count!

See the story of Dracula brought to life before your very eyes within the abbey ruins all aglow, with a twist on our usual show. The show will start at 8pm each evening.

Stop by the historical traders' market to warm up with a bite to eat and a hot drink or treat yourself to a spooky souvenir to take home.

And whatever you do, watch out, we've heard that there might be some spooky happenings about…

The Northern Echo:

All Hallows' Walk, Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland on Friday/Saturday, 5-8pm 

All Hallows’ is an event that remembers those that have gone before. Daisy Arts’ inspiration is of people from our past, our history, our County, bringing their stories to life over two nights, to startle and regale those attending our guided walks.

All Hallows’ is for everyone, with earlier time-slots for families and younger children and later times for older groups, as the night becomes darker and the walk more surprising!

A thrilling 40min family friendly torch lit trail meandering through The Deer Park, setting off in groups from the Castle every 20mins between 5pm and 8pm each night.

  • Adults £6/Under 16s £4 Booking is essential – please email bookings@aucklandproject.org or call 01388-743 797. Plenty of layers, warm coats and walking shoes or wellies essential and please bring a bright torch too! 

Halloween Fancy Dress Party, Spectrum Leisure Centre, Willington, on Friday, 2-3.30pm

The annual spooktacular Halloween fancy dress disco! Halloween decorations and spooky music. £3.00 per child (adults and children under 18 months go free). No need to buy tickets, just pay on the door. There will be games and prizes. Tel: 01388-747000. 

Monster Saturday, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Saturday, 10.30-2.30pm

Team invite you to dress up in your scary clothes and costumes and enjoy some live spooky street entertainment. Watch out for scary stilt-walkers and zombies!!

Inside the Newgate Shopping Centre it's ‘Trick and Treat’ with Iain Jay - enjoy a variety of spooky themed magic, illusion and circus performances from 11:00am till 12:00pm and again from 1:15pm till 2:15pm.

Children can get their faces painted for free! Enjoy some spooky dancing from the Sandra Welsh School of Dance in the Market Place at 11:30am and 1:00pm.

Bishop The Boar will be making guest appearances throughout the day. Dress up in your spooky costumes and join in our ‘Pumpkin Parade’ Starts in the Newgate Shopping Centre at 12:15pm. Prizes for the best dressed. Tel. 01388-609852.

The Northern Echo:

Riverford's Pumpkin Day, Riverford on Home Farm, Newby Whisk, on Saturday, 11-4pm

If you’re after some quirky Halloween fun this year then get wellied-up and head for Riverford’s Farm in Northallerton for their annual Pumpkin Day.

A family-focussed celebration of all things autumnal, this legendary event is full of lively activities, tasty food, and a good dose of fresh farm air. Children’s activities include pumpkin carving, face painting, seed potting, worm digging and much more.

There’s fun for all the family too; with live music, cookery demos and organic wine and beers on offer, everyone will be in full autumn spirit. There will be plenty of organic food and drink available to buy, and all are welcome.

Tickets are £3 and include a pumpkin for all children. Tickets and more information available at http://www.riverford.co.uk/pumpkinday 

Please bring cash for refreshments as there are no card payment facilities or cash machines on site.