🎃 North West England – Free Half-Term & Halloween Events 2025

Free and family-friendly events across Manchester, Liverpool and the wider North West. Always check the event page for final timings and any free ticket requirements.

Manchester

• MCR Monsters – Giant Inflatable Monster Trail — City Centre
  Sat 25 – Fri 31 Oct 2025
  Rooftop & street monsters return as part of Halloween in the City with free family fun all week.
  Cost: FREE
  Event info
• Dino Hunt Trail – Manchester Museum — Oxford Road
  Over half term
  Self-guided dino hunt in the free museum (check dates/times).
  Cost: FREE
  Museum site

Liverpool

• River of Light 2025 – Waterfront Light Trail — 3km route across the city
  Fri 24 Oct – Sun 2 Nov 2025 (nightly)
  Ten large-scale light artworks along the waterfront & city centre.
  Cost: FREE
  FAQs & dates · Liverpool ONE info
• Liverpool ONE Halloween Party — City Centre
  Sun 26 Oct 2025
  Free family entertainment & spooky characters (check schedule).
  Cost: FREE
  Event page

Blackpool & Fylde Coast

• Blackpool Illuminations 2025 — Promenade
  Fri 29 Aug 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026
  The famous free seafront spectacle; perfect for half-term evenings.
  Cost: FREE
  Official listing
• Lightpool Festival 2025 — Town Centre & Promenade
  Wed 15 Oct – Sat 1 Nov 2025
  Award-winning free programme of light art, live performance & projections across the town.
  Cost: FREE
  Visit Blackpool · Festival site

Southport & Sefton

• Southport Town Centre 3D Halloween Trail — Various locations
  Sat 25 Oct – Sun 2 Nov 2025
  Follow the map, scan QR codes and watch spooky 3D characters come alive.
  Cost: FREE
  Trail info

Chester & Cheshire

• Chester BID Halloween Trail — City Centre
  Sat 25 Oct – Sun 2 Nov 2025
  Family clue-hunt around local businesses with prize draw entry.
  Cost: FREE (trail sheet required)
  Trail details
• National Waterways Museum – Half-Term & Halloween Activities — Ellesmere Port
  Mon 27 Oct – Sun 2 Nov 2025 (various times)
  Family crafts, ghost tours & trails (museum entry applies; check for free elements/days).
  Cost: Mixed (some FREE activities)
  Event page

Lancashire & Nearby

• Pendle Sculpture Trail — Aitken Wood, Barley
  Open year-round
  Free witch-themed woodland trail with sculptures, bats & folklore — a perfect spooky walk.
  Cost: FREE access (parking charges may apply)
  Official info
• Blackburn Town Centre “Saturday Spooktacular” & half-term free events — Blackburn with Darwen
  Half-term week (check schedule)
  Free workshops, performances and pumpkin activities in the town centre.
  Cost: FREE
  Council news post
• Bury Market – Halloween Family Fun Day — Mill Gate Square area
  Sat 1 Nov 2025, 11:00–15:00
  Crafts, face-painting and spooky fun in the market area.
  Cost: FREE
  Event listing
• Bolton – Free family Halloween activities (libraries / town centre) — Various
  Throughout October & half-term
  Free toddler storytelling and seasonal family sessions via Culture Bolton / Libraries (check local listings).
  Cost: FREE
  Events page
• Preston – The Harris (Free Museum & Galleries) — City Centre
  Open daily during half-term
  Free entry cultural hub with family activities & exhibitions (check What’s On for any Halloween-themed sessions).
  Cost: FREE entry
  What’s on · Visit Lancashire

Halton (Widnes & Runcorn) & Warrington

• Halton – Free Halloween community events — Widnes, Runcorn & libraries
  October & half-term
  Free workshops, spooky stories and family sessions across libraries & community hubs (check listings).
  Cost: FREE
  Round-up

Tip: Some events use free timed tickets for crowd control — book early where links are provided.