Wrexham Half Term 2026: Halloween Trails, Spooky Trains and Two Big Away Days
The clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October, and the very next morning Wrexham half term starts. That's five days of shorter afternoons, kids who've been up since six, and a Halloween that lands on the Saturday straight after. Here's where I'd take them, and where I'd sneak off to myself.
Wrexham half term dates and the clocks going back
Wrexham County Borough Council schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. If you're in Cheshire or a neighbouring county, check your own school, because the dates don't always line up across the border.
The clocks go back an hour on Sunday 25 October, so you get a lie-in on paper. In practice the dog and the kids won't have read the memo. The upside is lighter mornings for the school run when they go back. The downside is it's properly dark by teatime, so plan the outdoor stuff for the middle of the day.
Erddig: pumpkins, wishstones and a proper autumn walk
Erddig is my first pick, and it's on our doorstep. The National Trust is running Calan Gaeaf, the old Welsh winter's eve, from 17 October to 1 November, with family trails, seasonal crafts, bilingual storytelling and marshmallow toasting.
During half term there's wishstone making from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October, 11am to 3pm. On Halloween itself, Saturday 31 October, there's pumpkin carving from 11am to 3pm at £3 a pumpkin while stock lasts, plus lantern decorating.
Normal admission applies. A garden ticket is £13.20 for an adult with Gift Aid (£12 without) and £33 for a family of two adults and up to three children. National Trust members get in free. If the house matters to you, a whole-property ticket costs more, so check before you set off.
Chirk Castle and its Halloween after dark
Twenty minutes down the A483 and A5, Chirk Castle has its own Calan Gaeaf trail through the gardens from 17 October to 1 November. It's a self-guided folklore trail with activity stations for younger ones. There's no extra charge and no booking, you just pick it up at the ticket office.
Admission is £20.90 for an adult with Gift Aid, £10.50 for a child aged 5 to 17, and £52.30 for a family. The garden closes at 4pm at this time of year, so don't turn up at half three expecting a full afternoon.
The one that caught my eye is Calan Gaeaf: After Dark on Saturday 31 October, 6pm to 8pm. It's billed as mystical characters and eerie encounters in the castle grounds, it's aimed at ages 14 and over, and booking is essential. A good one for teenagers who reckon they're too old for pumpkin carving.
Spooky trains at Llangollen
Llangollen Railway is running Spooky Trains on Halloween, Saturday 31 October, from Llangollen to Corwen and stopping at every station. The first 100 children on board get a free Halloween party pack, so get there early if that matters to your lot.
For the grown-ups, the Halloween Ales from Wales train runs that evening. Live music starts at Llangollen station from 5pm, the train leaves at 7pm, and tickets are £30. Fancy dress is encouraged, there's a Welsh real ale menu, and it stops near the Berwyn Tunnel, which is about as spooky as the Dee Valley gets. Book online, because these go.
Rainy days in Wrexham city centre
It's October in North Wales. It will rain. When it does, Xplore! on Henblas Street is the obvious shout, and it's holding a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday 31 October. Last year's party was capped at 200 guests, so book it this week if you're keen.
Tŷ Pawb is worth an hour too. Freely Chosen, a photography exhibition by Wrexham Playworkers made for Ffoto Cymru 2026, runs until 31 October, and so does Anthony Shapland's MURMUR. Grab some food in the market while you're there.
If you haven't been yet, the Football Museum of Wales is a good rainy afternoon. I wrote our visit guide last week.
Wrexham AFC over half term
Before the break, Wrexham host Preston at the Racecourse on Saturday 17 October. Then it's two away days. Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday 24 October is the last game before half term starts.
The big one is Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday 30 October. It's been moved to an 8pm kick-off for Sky. That means a late drive home if you're travelling, and a Friday night in front of the telly if you're not. Either way, it sets up Halloween nicely if we come back with three points.
Tell us where you're heading
What have I missed? If there's a pumpkin patch, a haunted pub or a Halloween disco in your village that deserves a shout, I want to hear about it. Text MARCHER plus your message to 88440, or comment on our Facebook post, and I'll read the best ones out on the Breakfast Show. You can listen online or on DAB across Wrexham and Chester.