One of Halesworth’s most popular events – the Halesworth Scarecrow Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever this year! Over 80 of our fantastic business owners and groups have nearly finished their fantastic Magic themed scarecrows, the trail will be live from Saturday 18th October with forms available from the Library & Hetty’s Little Copy Shop in the Thoroughfare and the Halesworth Bookshop in the Market Place. There are cash prizes to be won! New to the Scarecrow Festival? It’s easy, collect your trail form from one of the shops above (don’t forget to bring a pen!) then make your way around the shops of Halesworth, keeping an eye our for the letters displayed in the windows and fill them in on your sheet. Once you have all the letters and you have completed the clues, hand your trail sheets back to one of the shops above. Don’t forget to write down your favourite scarecrow!
There are three car parks in central Halesworth, plus a train station 5 minutes walk from the town centre and several bus stops. Please click the button below for further transport information. The newly installed Wayfinding Signage will help you find your way around town, as well as providing interesting stories about the town! There are public toilets located in the Town Park and the Marketplace, these can be found on the map below.
We have been working with some of our local groups and organisations to provide some other fantastic events to run alongside the Scarecrow Festival and keep the little people entertained during Half Term – we are thrilled to say that most of these events are FREE. See what we have planned below. And don’t forget if you are in need of childcare, Edgar Sewter Holiday Club, Mr Saunders Sports Camp and Sole Bay United Football Camps are available to all Primary School aged Children.
The Halesworth & District Museum, housed at the Railway Station, also have a special exhibition all about Witches running across Half Term. Open Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm and Tues & Thurs 10am-12.30pm.
Purple Pumpkin Pottery Studio, situated in the Thoroughfare is also open 10am-4pm everyday during Half Term and offers pottery painting, glass painting, keepsakes, workshops, shakes, smoothies and more, with a special Boo! Plate Workshop on Wednesday.
Saturday 18th October
Scarecrow Trail Live!
All through Halesworth Thoroughfare and Market Place. Runs until Saturday 1st November. See above for where to collect your forms
Tuesday 28th October
Catch the Scarecrow Train!
Departing Lowestoft at 11.06am, calling at Oulton Broad South and Beccles, arriving in Halesworth at 11.39am. Book tickets through Greater Anglia.
Autumn Crafts
Crafts, cakes and hot/cold drinks 10am-12 at the United Reform Church, Quay Street, Halesworth
Children’s Crafting Event
10.30am-12noon at the Magickal Emporium in the Marketplace. £5 per child.
Free Scarecrow Crafts and Refreshments
St Mary’s Church, from 12.30pm
Wednesday 29th October
Boo Plate Workshop
At Purple Pumpkin Creative Studio, 12.30pm, ages 4-10, £10 per child. BOOKING ESSENTIAL.
Halloween Disco
At Apollo Youth Centre for school years 7, 8, 9 & 10. Music, snacks and drinks available to buy. 7.15-8.45pm.
Thursday 30th October
FREE Nature Play Event
At the pond near White Bridge, Millennium Green. 10am-12.30pm. Willow weaving, natural flag making, pond dipping.
Free Family Picnic
Food and Scarecrow Crafts at St Mary’s Church from 12.30pm
Friday 31st October
Light Party
St Mary’s Church, 2-4pm an alternative celebration to Halloween – celebrate light.
If this isn’t enough to keep you busy, then the Halesworth and District Museum is also open over Half Term, based at the train station and full of interesting things including a fascinating display about witches! View the latest exhibition at the Cut Arts Centre, or explore the Malt Trail Experience upstairs to learn about Halesworth’s brewing history.
The town park and Millennium Green are a great place to take a stroll or a cycle. The Thoroughfare and Market Place are full of interesting shops and beautiful cosy cafes and pubs with open fires – all child friendly of course! And don’t forget Wednesday is Market Day.
If your trick or treating days are over but you still want to celebrate Halloween in style then Halesworth has options to suit everyone. Get yourself in an Autumnal mood by crafting your very own pumpkin at The Magickal Emporium on Saturday 25th October, 10am-12.30pm (£25 – please book).
On Friday 31st – screech & howl your way through Halloween Karaoke at the Angel Hotel with spooky shots and creepy cocktails! Grab your dancing shoes and your witches broom and head to the Rifle Hall for the first night of the Winter Beer Festival – Halloween Party, free entry with live music and plenty of beer to choose from. Catch Fright Night at the The Cut Arts Centre with a double bill of scary movies, £15 a ticket – raising funds for INK Festival.
On Saturday 1st November, party the night away at Chinny’s legendary Halloween Disco – 8.30pm – 1am.
