There’s something about autumn in Yorkshire that just feels right. Crisp morning walks, golden leaves, muddy wellies, roaring fires and the first excuse of the year to order something wonderfully comforting from the pub menu.
And then there are the pumpkins.
From picking your own in a muddy field to spooky Halloween trails, October half-term adventures, heritage steam trains and spectacular fireworks, Yorkshire really comes into its own as the seasons change.
So, if you’re planning a Yorkshire getaway this autumn, here are some of the events and experiences we think are worth putting in the diary.
Spilmans Pumpkin Festival
Sessay, near Thirsk, 26th September – 30th October 2026
Is it even autumn without a pumpkin-picking trip?
Spilmans really goes all-in for pumpkin season, and its 2026 festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Alongside the pumpkin picking itself, there are tractor rides, spooky walks, giant slides, pumpkin carving, corn cannons, bale mountains and plenty of photo opportunities.
There’s even a brand-new Wizfords Academy: The Great Fortune Flop show and a Halloween fancy-dress disco with Skelebones.
And if daytime pumpkin picking isn’t quite atmospheric enough, the Pumpkin Nights offer twilight picking beneath festoon lights, with live music, a fire show, food, marshmallow toasting and pumpkins to pick by moonlight.
For something even extra spectacular, the Pumpkin Festival fireworks take place on 28th and 29th October.
Find out more and book Spilmans Pumpkin Festival 2026
Halloween at Stockeld Park
Wetherby: 3rd–4th, 10th–11th, 17th–18th & 24th October–1st November 2026
Stockeld Park is one of our go-to family days out, and autumn is when things get particularly magical.
The Halloween Adventure includes the Enchanted Forest, a Monster Maze, six outdoor play areas and, of course, the Pumpkin Patch complete with a tractor ride to get you there.
There are woodland witches, spooky goings-on and the option to add the Laser Zombie experience if your little ones are feeling brave.
Fancy dress is encouraged too.. because obviously.
Find out more about Halloween at Stockeld Park
October Half Term at Harewood
Harewood, Leeds: 24th October – 1st November 2026
For many schools, October half term falls towards the end of October, making it the perfect opportunity for a few days away in Yorkshire.
Luckily, Harewood is embracing autumn with plenty of spooky family fun during half term.
And if you’re after something a little more grown-up, there are also some wonderfully atmospheric outdoor cinema evenings taking place.
The Lost Boys screens on 23rd October, Hocus Pocus on 24th October, and Scream on 25th October – all beneath the autumn night sky.
Wrap up warm, bring a blanket and settle in for a very Yorkshire sort of cinema experience.
See what’s on at Harewood this Halloween
The Addams Family Musical
York: 27th–31st October 2026
For something a little different during half term, head into York for The Addams Family musical at Theatre@41.
Running right across Halloween week, this family-friendly musical promises gothic glamour, comedy, dancing and plenty of wonderfully macabre Addams-style chaos.
It sounds like the perfect excuse to combine a York city break with a little Halloween theatre.
Find out more and book tickets for The Addams Family Musical
Mad Alice’s Ghost Train
North Yorkshire Moors Railway: 18th & 25th October and 1st November 2026
Now, this one is for the brave.
Step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after dark for Mad Alice’s Ghost Train, an immersive Halloween experience led by the infamous Mad Alice.
There are evening departures on 18th and 25th October, plus 1st November, making this a particularly atmospheric way to experience the North York Moors.
Find out more about Mad Alice’s Ghost Train
Pendennis Castle at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering, North Yorkshire Moors: 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th October 2026
Steam train enthusiasts will want to make a note of these dates.
No. 4079 Pendennis Castle will be hauling special return services from Pickering through the spectacular North York Moors over two October weekends.
Built in 1924, this celebrated Great Western locomotive has quite the history and seeing it steaming through the autumn landscape should be something rather special.
Find out more about Pendennis Castle’s 2026 services
Light Night Leeds
Leeds City Centre: 28th–29th October 2026
If you fancy swapping the countryside for a city evening, Light Night Leeds is one to look out for.
The city centre is transformed with spectacular installations, light projections, performances and interactive artworks.
It’s free to attend and makes for a brilliant evening of wandering around Leeds with plenty to discover along the way.
This year’s event takes place on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th October – right in the middle of half term.
Find out more about Light Night Leeds
Ilkley Literature Festival
Ilkley: 2nd–18th October 2026
For something combining culture and cosiness, autumn is also a wonderful time to visit Ilkley.
The Ilkley Literature Festival returns throughout October, bringing together authors, speakers and literary events across the town.
It’s the perfect excuse for a slower Yorkshire weekend: a morning walk on Ilkley Moor, a good book, perhaps lunch somewhere cosy and an evening event to round things off.
Very autumn. Very Yorkshire.
The festival runs from 2nd to 18th October this year.
Explore the 2026 Ilkley Literature Festival
Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival
Yorkshire Dales: 9th–18th October 2026
Autumn and cheese were practically made for one another.
The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival returns in October, celebrating the county’s brilliant cheesemakers and all the delicious things that go particularly well with cheese.
Across the Dales you’ll find special menus, tastings, workshops, demonstrations, guided walks and opportunities to meet the producers behind some of the region’s fantastic food and drink.
Honestly, we can’t think of many better reasons to put on a jumper and head for the hills.
Explore the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival 2026
Easingwold Fireworks
Easingwold: 7th November 2026
The following weekend, head to Easingwold for its annual fireworks spectacular.
Gates open at 6pm, with fireworks at 7.30pm, plus hot and cold food and refreshments available.
A classic Yorkshire bonfire-night evening so wrap up warm, grab something tasty and prepare to look skywards.
Find out more about Easingwold Fireworks
Filey Lions Bonfire & Fireworks Spectacular
Filey: 7th November 2026
Or why not make a night of it on the coast?
The Filey Lions Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular takes place on 7th November, giving you the perfect excuse for a bracing autumn walk along the beach before settling down to watch the fireworks.
It’s one of several organised bonfire events taking place across North Yorkshire this year.
See Bonfire Night events across North Yorkshire
Autumn Walks, Cosy Pubs & Golden Yorkshire
Of course, you don’t always need a ticket to enjoy autumn in Yorkshire.
Sometimes the best autumn day out is simply a pair of walking boots, a flask of something hot and a beautiful stretch of countryside.
Head to the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors or Yorkshire Wolds and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for a crisp autumn walk. Look out for turning leaves, misty valleys and those beautiful golden landscapes that make this time of year so photogenic.
And afterwards?
Find a cosy country pub, order something hearty and settle in beside the fire.
That’s our kind of itinerary.
Make a weekend of it
With so much happening across Yorkshire this autumn, why not turn your day out into a proper Yorkshire escape?
Whether you’re planning a family October half-term break, a cosy weekend for two, or a group getaway with friends, autumn is one of our favourite times of year to stay in Yorkshire.
Imagine returning from a pumpkin-picking adventure to your own cosy holiday cottage. Or coming back from a windswept walk across the Dales and sinking into a hot tub as the evening draws in.
Bliss.
Take a look at our Yorkshire holiday homes and start planning your autumn escape.
*Please Note: Event dates and details are correct at the time of writing but can change, so we recommend checking with the event organiser before travelling. Advance booking is essential for many of the experiences mentioned above.
