Luton's October half term runs 26 to 30 October 2026. A free pumpkin patch in Hat Gardens on the 28th, Halloween crafts from £4.50, kids' shows at £10.

October half term in Luton is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 for the council’s community schools and most academies. One big exception: Cardinal Newman Catholic School breaks a week earlier, from Monday 19 October, and Challney High School for Boys closes to pupils on Friday 16 October for a staff day.

The week itself has a free pumpkin patch and free Halloween storytelling in the town centre, cheap craft sessions at all three Culture Trust venues and a run of children’s shows at the Hat Factory. Everything below comes from the organisers’ own listings, checked on 25 September 2026.

The quick answer

Half term is 26 to 30 October 2026. The two free council events are the Pumpkin Patch in Hat Gardens on Wednesday 28 October, 10am to 4pm, and Spooky Storytelling on the Steps on Friday 30 October at 1pm and 2pm. Stockwood Discovery Centre is free and opens on the Monday and Tuesday of half term specially.

Which schools are off when

School Pupils off
Luton community schools (council calendar) Mon 26 to Fri 30 Oct
Cardinal Newman Catholic School Mon 19 to Fri 30 Oct (two weeks)
Challney High School for Boys Fri 16 Oct (staff day), then Mon 26 to Fri 30 Oct
The Stockwood Park Academy, The Chalk Hills Academy Mon 26 to Fri 30 Oct
Luton Sixth Form College Mon 26 to Fri 30 Oct

Sources and the rest of the year’s dates are on our Luton school term dates page.

What’s on in Luton over half term

Listed in date order. Prices are the organisers’ own, per ticket unless stated.

  1. Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest, Super Stupid Show, Sunday 25 October, 11.30am to 12.30pm, Hat Factory Arts Centre, £10. Children’s comedy from the author and comedian, the weekend before half term starts (Explore Luton).
  2. Make Your Clay Creature, Monday 26 and Wednesday 28 October from 11.30am, Stockwood Discovery Centre, £9.50. Luton-based Lugus Ceramics helps children sculpt a creepy clay creature to take home (Explore Luton).
  3. Red Robin’s Winter Song, Monday 26 October, 11.30am, Hat Factory Arts Centre, £10. A gentle winter play for young children by Manjeet Mann, from Tutti Frutti Productions (Explore Luton).
  4. Dance in the Dark, Tuesday 27 October, 11.30am, Hat Factory Arts Centre, £10. A dance and music show for ages 3 and up; children are invited to come in pyjamas (Explore Luton).
  5. Pumpkin Patch in Hat Gardens, Wednesday 28 October, 10am to 4pm, free. The council turns Hat Gardens on Bute Street into a pumpkin patch, with mini barrows for children to pick a pumpkin; it says more details will follow (Explore Luton).
  6. Little Bushcrafters: Fires, Dens and Woodland Crafts, Wednesday 28 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm, £4 plus an Eventbrite fee. The Wildlife Trust BCN runs fire lighting, den building and marshmallow toasting in Hay Wood for ages 5 to 11 with a parent; the listed venue is Inspire Sports Village, LU2 8DD (Explore Luton).
  7. Halloween Creative Make and Take, £4.50, ages 3 and up, at three venues: Wardown House on Wednesday 28 October from 11.30am, the Hat Factory on Friday 30 October and Stockwood Discovery Centre on Saturday 31 October, both at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm (The Culture Trust, Wardown; Hat Factory; Stockwood).
  8. WiFi Wars: Halloween Special, Wednesday 28 October, 2pm to 3.30pm, Hat Factory Arts Centre, £15.40 adult and £13.20 child. The whole audience plays games and quizzes on their own phones (Explore Luton).
  9. Dame Dolly’s Spooktacular Pirate Show, Thursday 29 October, 2pm to 3pm, Luton Library Theatre, £10 (Explore Luton).
  10. Spooky Storytelling on the Steps, Friday 30 October, shows at 1pm and 2pm, Hat Gardens, free. Halloween stories, games and puppets from A Children’s Story, with a small treat for children in fancy dress while stocks last (Explore Luton).
  11. Luton junior parkrun, every Sunday at 9am in Wardown Park, including 25 October and 1 November, free. A 2km run for ages 4 to 14; register once beforehand and bring your barcode (Explore Luton).

For older children and adults, Tim Burton’s Universe by Mystery Ensemble is a candlelit concert of film music at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 31 October at 6.30pm (Explore Luton).

Free museums, and opening hours that change for half term

  • Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, LU1 4LX: free entry and free parking. It is normally open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, but opens on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October for the school holidays. The British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition is on until 31 October (The Culture Trust).
  • Wardown House, Museum and Gallery, Old Bedford Road, LU2 7HA: free entry, normally Sunday to Thursday 11am to 5pm and closed Fridays and Saturdays. The Culture Trust says its Inventory Team Treasure Trove display is open every day during school holidays (The Culture Trust).

Holiday clubs and free school meals

Luton’s council-backed Energise Luton holiday camps with a free lunch for children on free school meals do not cover October half term. The council says the camps run for one week at Easter and Christmas and four weeks in summer (Luton Council).

Still to be confirmed

  • Pumpkin Patch details, such as whether the pumpkins are free to take home. The council says more information is coming.
  • Bonfire Night falls the week after half term. Luton’s fireworks display is on Saturday 7 November: see our Luton fireworks page.

Sources