Trentham Halloween Festival leads a packed autumn of spooky family fun
Trentham Halloween Festival returns this October as the headline event in a packed autumn programme featuring after-dark entertainment, Halloween Half Term activities, Shaun the Sheep and Gandeys Circus.
Taking place on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, the Trentham Halloween Festival will see the Gardens come alive after dark from 5pm until 9pm.
Visitors can enjoy live performances inspired by Michael Jackson, Meat Loaf, KPop Demon Hunters, KATSEYE and the Sanderson Sisters, alongside roaming characters including circus performers, haunted trees, dancing mummies, Beetlejuice and some rather unusual mad scientists.
Pumpkin Corner will take on a new atmosphere after dark, while other activities include fairground rides, face painting, axe throwing, archery and make-your-own slime.
The Trentham Makers Market will also form part of the evening, with independent traders joining a selection of food, drinks and seasonal treats.
Tickets cost £12 for adult members and £5 for child members aged 3–15, or £14.50 for non-member adults and £6.50 for non-member children aged 3–15. Children under three go free.
Additional charges may apply to selected activities.
Halloween Half Term in the Gardens
Before the Festival begins, Halloween Half Term will bring a programme of daytime activities to Trentham Gardens.
A highlight will be Pumpkin Corner, featuring scenes created by professional pumpkin carvers. Four displays will be in place from 24 October, with six more added on 28 October, when visitors will also be able to see live carving taking place.
There will also be a family-friendly Halloween pantomime, live seasonal music, vintage fairground rides and the chance to enjoy the wider Gardens, including the lakeside walk, adventure playground, maze and Barefoot Walk.
Families can also take on the Fairy Quest trail and discover the Shaun the Sheep Find the Flock Trail during their visit.
Halloween Half Term activities are included with standard Gardens admission and are free for Trentham members, with additional charges applying to selected activities.
Shaun the Sheep Returns to Trentham
From 18 September to 1 November, Shaun the Sheep returns to Trentham Gardens as Find the Flock brings 12 supersized sculptures to the estate.
Created in collaboration with Wild in Art and Aardman, the trail arrives in time to celebrate Aardman’s new Shaun the Sheep movie, The Beast of Mossy Bottom.
Each 160cm-tall Shaun has been individually hand-painted by local and regional artists, with visitors invited to collect a free activity pack from the Trentham Visitor Centre before setting off to find the whole flock.
The trail also arrives during a special year for Aardman, as the animation studio celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Find the Flock is included with standard Gardens admission and is free for Trentham members.
Gandeys Circus Halloween Spooktacular
From 23 October to 1 November, Gandeys Circus returns to Trentham with its Halloween Spooktacular.
The themed Big Top production combines circus acts, large-scale production numbers, comedy and Halloween surprises in a family show designed to deliver plenty of thrills and laughs.
Tickets are available from £9.99.
Save on a visit to Trentham Gardens
Visitors can save 15% on Trentham Gardens admission tickets when booking at least 48 hours before their visit date.
For those planning to visit more often, annual membership starts from £70, with Pay in 3 available on selected memberships.
Membership includes year-round access to Trentham Gardens, alongside a range of additional benefits and free access to activities including Halloween Half Term and the Shaun the Sheep Find the Flock Trail.
Kerrie Pope, Head of Events & Marketing, said:
“Halloween is always a really exciting time at Trentham, and this year there’s even more for families to enjoy across the autumn.
“Visitors can explore Pumpkin Corner, find the Shaun the Sheep flock, enjoy Half Term activities and experience Gandeys Circus before the season finishes with two nights of Halloween Festival entertainment.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming families for a brilliant few weeks of autumn fun.”
For full event information, admission and tickets, visit trentham.co.uk.