WHATS ON THIS OCTOBER

Looking for things to do in West Berkshire this October? With Halloween and half term just around the corner, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Here’s a round-up of a mix of family fun, cultural happenings, seasonal events, and local highlights. (Note: always check the event’s website before heading out — details can change.)

ARTS AND CULTURE:

Arts Award in a Morning: Museum, Corn Exchange and Library

Achieve your Arts Award Discover in a morning, in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues! Thursday 30th October - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. £6.50

Start your journey at West Berkshire Museum with a craft and museum trail before moving on to Newbury Library for a story-based session. Finish at the Corn Exchange with a drama session, and you will also have an opportunity to complete your ‘Discover’ level Arts Award (Arts and Culture Passport) there.

CORN EXCHANGE:

The Corn Exchange is hosting a varied program through autumn, with great theatre performances, fun family cinema shows and Halloween Activities. Highlights include:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show  - 10th–12th October - £16.25 per person

• Stickman - 28th-30th October - £18.25 per person

• Childrens Halloween Mask Making -31st October - £10 per child

  
  

THE BASE:

There are loads of fun arts and craft activities going on at the Base. Highlights include:

• Young Curators (14 - 18 yrs) 2nd October -13th November (Thursdays)

• Little Artists Afterschool Club (7-11 yrs) - 2nd October - 4th December (Thursdays) £8 per child per session

• Halloween Trick or Treat Bag - 26th of October - £38 per child

  
  

CITY ARTS:

Get creative this Autumn and Halloween at City Arts, Newbury

• Children’s Nature T-Shirt Printing - City Arts - Saturday 18 October 10:30am to 12:30pm , £15 + bring a t-shirt

• Children’s Halloween Linoprint - Sunday 26th October– 2 to 4pm – £16

• Halloween Easy Printing - City Arts -27th October – 12:30 to 2 pm – £12

• Halloween Doodles - Drawing workshop with Tim Furr-Tuesday 28th October 1:30 to 3pm, £15 per child (one adult per child joins for free)

• Halloween Heads in Clay - Ceramic workshop with Katherine Kingdon - Thursday 30th October 10:30 am TO 12:30 pm, £17.50 + £2/person firing charge on the day

  This workshop is for children 8 years old and over.

• Children’s Glass Fusing – Halloween - Thursday 30th October – 1:30 to 2:30pm – £24

  This workshop is aimed at children 5 – 11 years old

• Trick or Treat Stamp and Repeat - Spooky Block Printing Workshop for Kids! - Friday 31st October 2025, 1:30 to 3:30pm – £15

  This workshop is for children of all ages

SHAW HOUSE:

• Fairy Door Trail - Monday 27th October - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Explore the grounds to find the fairy doors. Additional magical craft and colouring will be available in the Activity Room.

• The Shaw House School of Enchantment - 31st October

• Hickory Dickory Dock - The mouse ran up the clock! 28th October - 11am & 1pm - Adults £10, Children £7 (under 2s free)

• Family Activity Day: Monsters Rock! - 29th October - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM -join Shaw House for this spookily good craft making a monster from a painting stone and acrylic paint pens.

BUCKLEBURY FARM:

See our Halloween Guide for all the details.

COBBS FARM:

See our Pumpkin Picking Guide for the details

SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Thatcham Festival - 10th - 19th October With comedy, theatre, music, dance, history, author talks, outdoor nature and music festivals, photo and art exhibitions whatever your interest, Thatcham Festival has it covered with over 35 separate events all taking place over 10 packed days.

• Roman Family Fun Day - West Berkshire Museum

• Spectacle of Light” - Welford Park -17 October – 9 November (selected dates) An illuminated trail experience through gardens and woodland

• Museum Explorers- West Berkshire Museum - 28 October, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm A relaxed morning for children with additional needs and their families to enjoy the Museum when there is less hustle and bustle

Have a wonderful October!