Experience a spellbinding adventure for all the family
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When
24 October - 01 November 2026
In line with gardens opening hoursTicketing information
Tickets on sale soon
Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)
This October half term, gather your little witches, wizards and adventurers for a spellbinding day out at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
Discover Halloween at Hillsborough
Explore 100 acres of enchanting gardens and visit the pumpkin patch to choose your own pumpkin to take home and transform into a spooky Halloween creation.
Follow a whimsical Halloween trail to help a crash-landed witch find the perfect broomstick, while discovering charming scarecrows and spooktacular displays.
Little adventurers can enjoy outdoor workshops, magical storytelling and classic autumn games, from conker duels to welly-tossing.
With something new happening every day, there's always more to explore.
Upgrade your garden ticket to visit the famous castle, and uncover fascinating stories for all the family.
Pick, create, and scare!
Wander through our Walled Garden pumpkin patch and choose your perfect pumpkin. Then take it home and transform it into a frightfully fun Halloween masterpiece!
Pumpkins are just £5 and can be booked in advance.
Autumnal Craft
24 and 25 October
11:00, 12:00, 13:30. 14:30 and 15:30.
Get creative with a hands-on mask decorating activity inspired by autumn harvest celebrations, folk tales, and carnival traditions. Experiment with colour, texture, and decorative embellishments to bring your design to life.
This workshop is separately ticketed.
Tickets on sale soon
Autumn outdoor workshops
Join a family-friendly workshop to satisfy all budding adventurers. With different autumnal workshops happening across Halloween there's plenty of new fun skills to learn and experience.
These sessions will be tailored to your group and are suitable for families of all ages. No ticket required; workshop spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
26, 27 and 28 October: Potion class
11:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:30.
Young witches and wizards in training are invited to step into a world of magic and imagination. Participants will create their own bubbling magical potions before embarking on a guided sensory walk around the lake to forage for natural materials and craft their very own wand. Classes are approximately one hour.
Meet at the Pinetum, a capacity of 30 participants per time slot.
29, 30 October: Nature art workshop
11:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 14:30.
Join us for a hands-on workshop where kids can get creative with natural materials and connect with the outdoors through art. Meet at the Pinetum, a capacity of 30 participants per time slot.
29, 30 October: Wild Walk
11:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 14:30.
Come along on a fun wild walk and discover the amazing trees, plants and creatures around us while exploring the wonders of biodiversity. Meet at the lower visitor centre, a capacity of 30 participants per timeslot.
Step into Irish folklore with the Armagh Rhymers
On 31 October and 01 November, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 14:30, be enchanted by renowned Irish folk theatre group, The Armagh Rhymers. Experience performances that blend together myth, music and drama, performed in iconic straw costumes to celebrate Irish folklore for all the family.
Cosy up and listen in our Core Learning Centre. Included in your admission ticket; no additional ticket required.
Cast a spell on your ticket
Continue your unforgettable day out, with a visit for all the family to the castle. Discover the famous Throne Room, Red Room and listen to the fascinating history behind Northern Ireland's only royal residence.
Upgrade your ticket to membership for a whole year of extraordinary days out. See the stunning gardens change throughout the seasons and join unmissable events - from seasonal garden trails to our Christmas event and more.
Explore what's on
- Things to see
- Families
The Imaginary Menagerie
Enjoy a day out discovering our interactive play trail - the Imaginary Menagerie.
- Dates: In line with gardens opening hours
- Location: Hillsborough Castle
- Ticket type: Included in all admission tickets (Members go free)
- Events
On the road to the Fleadh
Join us and celebrate the Fleadh Cheoil coming to Belfast for the first time with live music in our café from 12:00 - 14:30 on selected dates at the start of August.
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Dates:
01 - 02 August and 08 - 09 August 2026
- Times: 12:00 - 14:30
- Location: Hillsborough Castle
- Ticket type: Free
- Families
- Events
Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Join 100 acres of total time travel trouble this summer holidays. Kids go free!
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Dates:
Until 31 August 2026
- Times: In line with gardens opening hours
- Location: Hillsborough Castle
- Ticket type: Included in all admission tickets (Members go free, no pre-booking required)
Browse more history and stories
The story of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
‘The Grandest House in County Down’
Art at Hillsborough Castle
Hillsborough Castle has become a place in which to see amazing art
Historic hauntings at Hampton Court Palace
Centuries of ghosts and grim tales
Shop online
Official Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Guidebook
Descriptive, informative, authoritative - this superb guidebook is the best way to learn all there is about Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
£4.99