As the witching hour draws closer, for many of us, thoughts turn to things that go bump in the night. Whether you're looking for a ghoulish way to celebrate Halloween or suitably PG-friendly things to do with your tinies, here are 10 ways to celebrate the spookiest time of year in Norfolk.
From parades to haunted houses, it's all happening in Norfolk this Halloween. Celebrate the night of frights in all its gory glory at one of these fangtastic events in Norfolk. Here are 10 of the best:
1) What? PrimEvil 2018: The Terror Returns
Where? Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure.
When? From October 12 to November 3.
Who is it suitable for? Children under the age of 16 must be supervised, the event is aimed at adults and those aged 12 plus, PrimEvil Extreme is for 18+ only.
What is it? There are five haunted mazes filled with a host of characters and scares including Carnevil of Terror, Forest of Fear, Mayhem Manor Hotel, The Crypt and Arachnophobia. There will also be the PrimEvil band, Thy Last Drop, and street performers.
New this year? Two nights of PrimEVIL EXTREME on November 2 and 3 for guests aged 18 and above. Haunts will be even more frightening and there will be a firework display. The showstopper will be the world's first Augmented Reality Glasses horror experience, The Zombie Holomaze (additional charge applies).
How much? Entry costs from £19.95 with additional options to upgrade to Fast Track or VIP.
Find out more: www.primevil-scare.com
2) What? The Real Halloween, run by The Fairyland Trust
Where? Bradmoor Woods in West Norfolk, close to Narborough and Swaffham.
When? October 27 from 1pm to 7pm and October 28 from 12pm to 6pm.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? Celebrate all that is magical about autumn at this gorgeous event which takes a very different look at a long-celebrated event in the calendar. Take part in the parade of animal lanterns, learn about magical folklore, engage with nature, join a workshop to make magic wands, wizard shields or witches' owls, learn how to be a wizard or witch or visit the Wildlife Hospital. Make a bouncing bat, a jam jar lantern or visit the witches' kitchen. Play Halloween games, have your face painted, visit the photo booth and dress up, send a card from the Pixie Post Office, make a veg-o-lantern, dress up in non-plastic homemade costumes, listen to music from Penny Less and King Driscolls, play musical toadstools, build fires with the fire boys, meet the Fairy King and Queen, hear stories – including The Real Halloween Story in the woods – plenty of food and drink, craft stalls and, for the grown-ups, the Good Elf Pub!
How much? Adults £9; Children £8; Under-threes free [note all activities are for children aged three and up only]. Entrance by ticket only, workshops cost from £2.50 to £4.50, drop-in activities cost from £2. Tickets available from www.creativeorchardevents.com/real-halloween.
Find out more: www.fairylandtrust.org
3) What? Puppet Making Workshop: Halloween Characters
Where? Norwich Puppet Theatre.
When? From Friday October 26, 10:30am to 12pm, family Day of the Dead Workshop on October 27, 10.30am to 12pm.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? Inspired by the puppets used in the Theatre's performances, these workshops give children the chance to get creative and enjoy making their own characters. Each session is different and a host of making materials are available to use. At the end of the workshop participants take their creations home for their own shows. Ghosts and ghouls, werewolves and vampires - what spooky Halloween character will you create? A second session, on Saturday, will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos Festival with some skull puppet making.
How much? Tickets are £9.50. Children must be accompanied by an adult during family sessions.
Find out more: Call 01603 629921 or visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk.
4) What? The Halloween Spooktacular Circus
Where? Great Yarmouth Hippodrome
When? October 18 to October 31, shows on most days at 2.30pm and 6.30pm.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? A whole new spooky adventure has been written by comedy partnership and Hippodrome favourites Jack Jay and Johnny Mac. They will be joined by an amazing cast of international acts. With atmospheric sets, incredible acts and plenty of fun family scares, this show looks set to be another fangtastic night (or afternoon!) at the circus!
How much? Prices and times vary, please check www.hippodromecircus.co.uk for more details.
5) What? Trick or Tweet at Pensthorpe
Where? Pensthorpe Natural Park.
When? October 18 to 28.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? A Halloween-themed extravaganza is packed with spooky craft-making activities and a creepy-crawly trail weaving through the ancient woodlands and wetlands of the reserve. Discover the grim and gruesome side of nature, hear creepy tales from the Pensthorpe wardens and find critters lurking around every corner!
How much? Adults, 11.95, children aged three to 16, £10.95, senior citizens, £10.95.
Find out more: www.penthorpe.com or 01328 851465.
6) What? Halloween Specials, Norwich Ghost Walks.
Where? In the Cow Tower Park (beside the Adam and Eve pub, Norwich)
When? At 7pm on October 28, 29, 30 and 31 and at 9pm on October 28 and 31.
Who is it suitable for? The suggested age guide is for those aged 10 and above.
What is it? Join the fabulous Norwich Ghost Walks team for a fun and scary evening of entertainment in Cow Tower park, featuring re-enactments of some of the most haunted stories from Norwich and nearby parts of Olde England. Join The Shadowcaster and his entourage: dress warmly and dress up! Best costume wins a prize.
How much? Booking essential, all tickets £10 plus booking fee.
Find out more: www.ghostwalksnorwich.co.uk.
7) What? The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade
Where? BeWILDerwood.
When? Saturday October 13 to October 31.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? Explore the magical woodland, meet the BeWILDerbats and see the spooky decorations in the park. Stay for dusk when the real fun begins and the park will glow in a magical light extravaganza. See the woods in a whole new light, and as all the inhabitants come out celebrate the Glorious Glowing lantern parade! Get creative in the Big Hat and craft a beautiful lantern for a Slitherigrub to live in, which will guide your way through the dusty gloam. Wear your best spooky costumes and visit the Face Painting Pavilion.
How much? Advance price tickets are available from £15.50 for those taller than 105cm (and under the age of 65!).
Find out more: www.bewilderwood.co.uk.
8) What? The Horror Train
Where? The Mid Norfolk Railway in Dereham.
When? Twice every evening from Monday October 22 to Wednesday October 31.
Who is it suitable for? Adults only.
What is it? Produced by some of America's top Halloween Scare Attraction experts, LOCO Horror Train is the UK's first extreme live scare trip (train) experience. Running in Norfolk for 10 nights of petrifying performances, Loco will push the boundaries on all levels (and platforms. With a scare crew and cast team of almost 70 and more than 20 miles of available terror-stricken track, how long your journey lasts before interruption is vague but definitely inevitable. Not for the faint-hearted!
How much? From £25 per person.
Find out more: www.horrortrain.co.uk.
9) What? Murder Mystery Night.
Where? The Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth.
When? Saturday November 3.
Who is it suitable for? Adults.
What is it? A fun Halloween-themed dinner experience with a murder mystery to solve with the choice of a one or two night stay for guests, and a package which includes spooky extras such as a guided Halloween-themed Heritage Walk in Yarmouth.
How much? Room rates start from £100 per person for a classic room with the Murder Mystery dinner, a night's stay and a full English breakfast. Other rooms and packages are available.
Find out more: www.imperialhotel.co.uk or call 01493 842000 to book your space, full payment required at time of booking.
10) What? Spooky City parade.
Where? Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich.
When? October 31, 6pm to 8pm.
Who is it suitable for? Families.
What is it? As the fright-filled day itself rolls around, what better way to celebrate than with thousands of others from the creepy community as they take part in Norwich's Spooky City Parade. Don your finest fancy dress and prepare for an evening of tricks and treats. Starting from Chapelfield Gardens, the procession will make its way down Theatre Street to Gentleman's Walk, Goal Hill and finish at St Peter Street, where a range of entertainment will be on offer in front of The Forum. No booking is required for this fangtastic event, simply turn up and take part.
How much? Free.
Find out more: City Council will post details nearer to the time.
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