23 half term and Halloween events in Thanet October 2018

Family fun this half term

The half term school holidays are here and there are a whole lot of activities on offer with Halloween fun and frights and other events to amuse.

Here is our round up of some of the things for youngsters to see and do during the week.

Free workshops at Silver Slipper dance school

25 Westbury Road, Westgate

Free workshops, open to all.

Silver Slipper dance school, run by Charlotte Silver. Will be offering a musical theatre workshop learning The Greatest Showman songs and routines and a street dance workshop. Both are completely free and taught by industry professionals. T

Charlotte said: “his is the third year for Silver Slipper and we have gone from strength to strength. It was always my Grandad’s dream for me to have my own dance school and every day feels like a dream come true. It is important and part of our company vision to see the children grow and learn and in the current economic climate some children miss out on this opportunity,

“The free workshops are our way of giving back to the community, which has been so supportive of Silver Slipper in our fledgling years. Our first day is on October 23 – we have 8-12 year olds from 10am-12.30pm. They will be taught to sing the songs from The Greatest Showman and then taught routines to go with them. Every child will also receive an attendance certificate.

“For 13-18 year olds there are workshops in the afternoon from 1pm-3.30pm following the same formula.

“On Thursday, October 25 our second workshop is intensive street. Workshops are suitable for beginners right through to advanced students aged 8-18 and run from 10am-12pm.

“These are open to everyone and not just current Silver Slipper pupils.”

To book space email or message Silver Slipper, limited spaces, at [email protected]

Simple Simon’s New Halloween Adventure

Margate Winter Gardens, October 26

Children’s favourite Simple Simon makes a welcome return to the Winter Gardens, Margate for a new adventure show specially for Halloween!

The panto style show is packed with song, comedy and lots of joining in, especially the popular ‘Stage Spots’ where lucky children from the audience are selected at random to get up on stage and take part in games and songs to win small prizes.

The new story features Fairy Moonbeam asking Simon and his pet cat Tommy for their help against a powerful and evil wizard by the name of Digbert Dingbat who is plotting to take over the three worlds, and then the universe! He is surprised when his long-lost sister Dinah Dingbat returns to join him in the search for the two halves of a magic Talisman which will give him the power he needs.

The Talisman’s are held by two children: Jack Horner and Princess Jasmine, who suddenly find themselves in great danger and need Simple Simon to help save them!

The show is on for one performance only; Friday, October 26 at 2.30pm.

Ticket prices have been frozen at £7.50 ( £28 for family of four) but the theatre applies booking fees.

Call the box office on 01843 292795 to book in advance or click here

Halloween activities at Westwood Cross

Westwood Cross Shopping Centre will be hosting an array of Halloween-themed activities to keep families entertained this half term. From face painting to pumpkin carving, the schedule of activities is completely free.

The event kicks off on Thursday, October 25 with a Dia de los Muertos themed entertainment. The traditional ‘Day of the Dead’ Mexican holiday is famed for its colourful sugar skulls and visitors to the centre will be able to get involved with family friendly free activity.  Guests can have their faces painted and take home a free picture from the photo booth.  There will also be the opportunity to win a Westwood Cross gift card in the colouring competition.

The centre will host a pumpkin carving workshop on Friday, October 26, with skilled carvers helping to transform guests’ designs into spooky Jack ‘O’ Lanterns, there will also be games and balloon modelling.

Centre manager Francesca Donovan said: “We know keeping the children entertained over half term can be a challenge, and we look forward to treating the community to a host of free Halloween activities. As well as the pumpkin carving and Dia de los Muertos events, there are plenty of choice of Halloween costumes, sweets and treats available in the stores to help you celebrate the event in your own spooky style.

Thursday 25th October, 11am – 4pm – Dia de los Muertos

Friday 26th October, 11am – 4pm – Pumpkin carving

For more information, visit www.westwoodx.com

Shooting Star lantern workshops

Arts in Ramsgate, 18 Harbour Street

Make lanterns for the upcoming winter parade which takes place on December 8.

Drop in sessions on Saturdays, 1pm-3pm from now until December 8

On Thursdays, 4pm-6pm, from October 25 -December 6 and light switch on day (November 25)

For more details call AiR on 01843 309284

Lost Island adventure golf

October 20-31, Lost Island adventure golf, The Flamingo Arcade, Marine Terrace, Margate.

Every child tackling the course will get a free trick or treat bag.

The jungle-themed, adventure golf course has features including monkeys, a dinosaur in a cage, running water, Tiki shack, Easter Island heads, an Olmec head and even a cauldron, all nestled in tropical foliage with atmospheric lighting.

The play is interactive with sound effects incorporated into the holes, activated when the player gets their ball successfully putted.

There are 18 holes of varying complexity and a bonus 19th hole where players can win free game entrance with a ‘bullseye’ or tickets for arcade prizes for putting in the ‘secondary’ area.

Lost Island is open 7 days a week, Monday-Thursday from 10am to 8pm and Friday-Sunday from 10am to 9pm

For ticket prices and more details click here

Get Spooked at Dreamland

Get Spooked is back at Dreamland Margate this half-term, with seven days of frightfully good fun by the sea for families to enjoy at the amusement park. Get Spooked in a slippery slime factory, put your craft skills to use in a Halloween-themed costume workshop, get jumpy in a spooky games arena or lost in a puzzle hedge maze.

There will also be a character appearance from children’s TV superhero favourites, PJ Masks on Wednesday, October 24.

Get Spooked takes place between Noon-4pm on:

  • Wednesday 24 October
  • Thursday 25 October
  • Friday 26 October
  • Saturday 27 October
  • Sunday 28 October

The amusement park will be closed on October 22- 23 October.

Indoor areas including the vintage arcade, roller disco and children’s soft play area, the Octopus’s Garden, will be open daily.

As well as a host of fun and entertainment, there are Dreamland’s new rides to enjoy, as well as the much-loved Dreamland Ark, where animal lovers can enjoy a special creepy crawlies experience as they climb aboard to meet spiders, reptiles and much more.

Jess du Preez, event producer at Dreamland, said: “Families looking for fun this half-term should head to Dreamland to enjoy a whole host of Halloween-themed activities. Those brave enough can try out our thrilling new rides too, so visitors can experience an action-packed day out! There’s seven days of family fun at Get Spooked, or seven nights of fear at our scare festival, Screamland, for those who dare!”

More information can be found at www.dreamland.co.uk

Magical Beasts

October 22,26-28, Ramsgate Micro Museum, Church Hill, Ramsgate, 1pm-4pm

Themed games event. There will be (videogame) dragons and other magical beasties at museum.

Adult £5
Child £4
Family (1 or 2 adults and 1 or 2 children) £10
Children 14 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult

Hornby Hobbies October half term fun

October 22-26: £2 entry to the Visitor Centre or free if you come in fancy dress

Let’s Get Messy!

October 23-26, 11am-12.30pm and 1:30pm-3pm in Gallery 6 of the Powell Cotton Museum at Quex estate, Birchington

Make your own mask out of clay. Learn techniques and see some of our amazing masks from around the world. Find out what masks are used for in other cultures as you put your new skills to the test to produce a stunning mask to keep and take home.

Please wear/ bring along appropriate clothing for working with clay. Suitable for children aged 5 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please note children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Child £4
Child Member £3.50
Adults free
(Please note cost does not include museum, house and garden entry)

More details here

Pumpkin Party

October 26, noon until 3pm, free but tickets must be booked

Head to the Windmill Community Gardens, Dane Valley Road, Margate, for an afternoon full of fun with

  • Pond dipping
  • Pumpkin Carving
  • Bug Hunt
  • BBQ
  • Children’s Gardening

Tickets available from Millmead Children’s Centre (Dane Valley Road, Margate Monday – Friday, 8:45am – 5pm) or Windmill Community Gardens (Dane Valley Road/College Road)

Broadstairs Halloween Party

October 28, open 3pm-6pm, The Pavilion, Harbour Street, Broadstairs

Children’s Halloween party for youngsters up to 11 years. Party games and music.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and both must have tickets to be admitted

This is a very popular event and usually sells out in advance so you are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Adults and Children £3. Tickets on sale from Expressions and Malcolms in the High Street, the Bottleneck in Charlotte Street and the Pavilion.

Halloween in Margate Old Town

October 27

Competitions, candy and the highly anticipated Halloween Dogs Parade is back!

4.30pm Trick or Treat Trail – Tickets on sale now until Friday, October 26th at Little Bit, 1 Duke Street. £2 per child (to ensure enough sweets for all participants please buy tickets in advance – proceeds go to the RNLI)

5pm Halloween Dogs Parade in Market Square, Old Town. Dress your furry friend in their most fearsome attire. Prizes to be won! Free to enter, just turn up with your pooch! Kindly sponsored by Hiro & Wolf.

6.30pm Old Kent Market hosts a fancy dress competition for tiny humans and their adults. Come in your most fearsome attire for your chance to win some prizes!

Totally Wired 13th Halloween party

October 26, 9pm – 2am, last entry 11pm

Hall By The Sea at Dreamland

Totally Wired’s 13th annual Halloween party in Margate

DJ’s Fragile and Orlandimus will be playing all the latest and greatest in Indie, rock, metal, pop punk, alternative and more. Kicking the party off with a special guest set from Rosie D

Tickets from £8 + booking fee in advance.

This is an 18+ event.

Book here

Binglo

October 24 Binglo with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack

October 31, Halloween Binglo with The Rocky Horror Show

Beacon Bingo, Marine Terrace, Margate

Wednesday night Binglo, starting at 9.30pm with showtime, followed by three pages of Glow In The Dark Bingo worth £200.
Cost £5
18+ (Photo |ID required if under 25 and joining)

Find the event page here

Halloween children’s disco

October 27, 6pm to 9pm, Newington Community Centre, Princess Margaret Avenue, Ramsgate

Fancy dress competition, fun, games, spooky disco. Tickets £2 from the community centre. Disco for those aged 3-16, children must be accompanied by an adult

Smallfoot (U)

Palace Cinema Broadstairs

An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist – a human.

News of this Smallfoot throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

Monday 22 October, 3.00pm
Tuesday 23 October, 5.30pm
Wednesday 24 October, 3.00pm
Thursday 25 October, 3.00pm and 5.00pm
Friday 26 October, 3.00pm
Saturday 27 October, 3.00pm
Sunday 28 October, 2.00pm
Call 01843 865726 or click here

Shell Grotto Halloween fun

Grotto Hill, Margate

Children’s entry free every day from today, until Sunday, October 28. The Halloween decorations up and the Grotto has a design your own Jack-o’-lantern competition sheet for the children.

Open 10am-5pm. More details here

The Greatest Show

October 25-27, Theatre Royal Margate

A selection of the finest and best-loved songs from the most successful West End and Broadway musicals of all time. From renowned producers, Regency Productions, join them on this toe-tapping journey – guaranteed to leave you singing in the aisles!

Featuring hit songs from Hamilton, Les Mis, Dreamgirls and MORE do not miss out on your chance to see Thanet’s best talent dazzle with their ingenious choreography and unrivalled harmony production.

Thursday 25 October – 7:30pm
Friday 26 October – 7:30pm
Saturday 27 October – 7:30pm
Tickets
Full Price £15
Concessions £13
FOMT £14 (Thursday only)
Restricted View £12
Booking fees – £1 per ticket in person/phone. £2 per ticket online
Call 01843 292795 or click here

The Matthew Robins Show -Halloween Special

October 27, Tom Thumb Theatre, Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville

The Matthew Robins Show is a  variety show with songs, shadow-puppets, live-animations, made-up games, and competitive audience craft participation.Matthew is a west-country artist and musician and performs stories and songs about monsters, the sea, love, death and animals. Come and hear about Flyboy (he’s half fly and half boy), his friend Mothboy, the Wicker Cat, Evaporina (she sat too close to the radiator), and Walter Knitty.

And as it’s Halloween there is semi-optional fancy dress – come as your favourite puppet and you might win a prize for best costume!

There will also be an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia from Whitstable’s famous End of the Pier Show, in the upstairs bar, plus the Pete Burns Tombola and an opportunity to buy a special W.Anchorage calendar!

Doors and Whitstable ANchorage Klub sideshows at 7pm – show at 8pm.

Find more details here

Fun day at Ramsgate library

Ramsgate Library will be holding a fun day on Friday 26 October from 10.30am- 3.30pm

There will be free rock painting, face painting, messy crafts and a story and puppet workshop (booking required).

They will also be having a Macmillan Coffee Morning!

For more information contact Ramsgate Library on 03000 41 31 31 or [email protected]

Screamland at Dreamland

The seven interactive scare mazes are at Dreamland amusement park for seven nights from Saturday, October  13 to October 31  and promise a hair-raising and terrifying after dark thrill experience.

New scare mazes include the Dreamland Sleep Experiment, Mary Decomposed and Upside Down, along with firm favourites such as Dead and Breakfast. With animated actors and top scare creators working across the production, prepare to be scared witless!

Dates

Screamland takes place between 6-11pm on: Thursday 25 October, Friday 26 October, Saturday 27 October and Wednesday 31 October.

Tickets

Standard – access to each of the 7 scare mazes and unlimited rides.

Fast Track – access to each of the 7 scare mazes via the fast tracked queue lane and unlimited rides (limited numbers).

No Scare – for the scaredy cats! This includes access to the park and unlimited rides.

Groups – believe in safety in numbers? Opt for our group ticket for groups of 10 and over.

More information and tickets can be found here

Quextreme

Quex Park in Birchington and Nail in the Coffin productions have created three scare adventures for QuExtreme Terror 2018.

The adventures will be within the eerie surroundings of Quex Park’s forest areas, maize field and woodland trails.

The mazes:

The Harvest – A stroll through the cornfield has never been so dangerous!!! The Raven Family return to wreak havoc once more. Reports of groups disappearing within the corn continue but hey…. you’re brave aren’t you? They won’t be able to remove you from the group without anyone noticing will they?!…. If you have the guts to enter a cornfield full of the serial killer scarecrows, the smell of blood and the noise of power tools followed by tortured screams, we look forward to meeting you….

Contagion: Safe Zones, the areas that sprung up when our civilisation was threatened by the Typhon Zombie Virus, have now become visitor attraction in their own right. Although their actual locations are still top secret, tours around the old facilities are welcomed. You may even get to see some of the old inmates who are kept there in the utmost security and definitely can’t suddenly escape!

Sinister-.A Demon has arisen in Quex Park, experts have managed to contain the being within a consecrated area of the grounds but cracks around the area are beginning to show and worries about the beast escaping are increasing. Dare you venture through the chapel and into the catacombs to face this terrifying shapeshifter?

QuExtreme is for those aged 12 and over. The event will also include facepainting with Face Me Fabulous and hot food will be available

Dates and times

October 26-28. Gates open at 6.30pm, last entry is 8.30pm.

Tickets and booking

Standard entry tickets in advance will be £17.50.

Book here  

Margate Madhouse

Photo Margate Madhouse.

The Mad House was staged at Westgate Pavilion for the first time in 2016 and received rave reviews from visitors and ScareTOUR reviewers.

It also scooped a top honour from ScareCON, which hosts annual awards recognising attractions and those working in the ‘scare’ industry.

Westgate Pavilion director Lee Williams is the brains behind the terrifying maze based on the fictitious St Mildrith’s Waterfront Institution -nicknamed The Mad House – a cross between a hospital and a prison where doctors performed outrageous experiments.

Mazes

Waterfront Studios

Waterfront Studios has a long dark history. The 100 year old building was made famous for producing some of the best original horror films to ever be shown on the silver screen. However it has now become infamous for many murders and reports of people going missing.. All cases that have never been solved.. Whilst the film studios itself has been closed for many years now the building and its contents remains untouched..

However there have been reports of old employees taking members of the public for St St Mildrith’s Catholic Institution

St Mildreth’s is an old historic Catholic school that was closed down by the government many years ago after the children that attended (and lived) there all mysteriously died. The building has been derelict for nearly a decade now but reports have come in that Squatters have broken into the main building. There have been a security firm hired in to watch the building over night as preservation of the site is paramount as investigations into the mass homicide were never concluded. However investigations came to a halt when detectives claimed to have seen Nuns and children roaming the halls.. However none of them were able to speak in details about what they witnessed.. But the building needs protecting and someone has to do it

The mazes are open on October 25,27 and 28 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are £15.

Book here