Discover Halloween events around Liverpool with Merseyrail (Image: Merseyrail)
Halloween is just around the corner, but perhaps more frightening than the spooky season itself is what that means to parents as half term draws closer too.
Merseyrail wants to help parents avoid any jump-scares this October, and find family-friendly events accessible by train, to keep the boredom at bay.
With frequent and reliable services to destinations across the Liverpool city region, they want to make getting around as hassle-free as possible.
You can even check which ticket options will offer the best value; their handy ticket calculator outlines the prices for any journey and highlights which is the cheapest.
So check out these events below - some of which are free to attend - for some inspiration to keep the little monsters occupied this half term.
Jewson Halloween family day - Aintree Racecourse
Taking place on Sunday, October 29, little ones can transform into their favourite monsters (Image: Aintree Racecourse/The Jockey Club)
For a spooktacular - and free - event for the family to enjoy this October, look no further than the Jewson Halloween family day at Aintree Racecourse. Just a short walk from Aintree station, the event promises a day of magic and enchantment.
Taking place on Sunday, October 29, little ones can transform into their favourite monsters at the face painting stalls, ride the ghost train, and much more.
There’s a fancy dress competition to find the best-dressed little ghoul, and children can even mingle with some of the spooky creatures roaming the racecourse -don’t worry though, they don’t bite.
The River of Light trail is self-guided, absolutely free to attend (Image: Visit Liverpool)
Situated on the Liverpool Waterfront, the illuminated art trail is back for another year due to popular demand.
The leisurely two-kilometre loop gives the whole family the perfect opportunity to explore the city and see some beautiful installations.
Open from October 27 until November 5, the outdoor gallery will be lit daily from 5pm until 9pm and will feature 11 immersive works of art that you can get up close and personal with.
Better yet, the River of Light trail is self-guided, absolutely free to attend, and easily accessible from Liverpool Central, Liverpool Lime Street, James Street, and Moorfields train stations.
Nearest station: Liverpool Central, Moorfields, James Street
Day of the Dead Family Festival - Southport Pleasureland
The Day of the Dead Festival is running between November 3, 2023 - November 5, 2023 (Image: Southport Day of the Dead Festival)
Between November 3 and November 5, 2023, Southport Pleasureland will pay homage to the Mexican traditional celebration of Día de los Muertos, in a dazzling display that friends and families alike can join in with.
Just a 15-minute walk from Southport train station, visitors will find the park festooned with brightly coloured sugar skulls, boasting a carnival atmosphere.
Those with a rider wristband can enjoy unlimited rides, but there are also non-rider tickets available for those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground. If that wasn't enough, there's plenty more entertainment to discover, courtesy of fire-breathers, dancers, DJs and more.
As in previous years, a stunning fireworks display will be the exciting finale for what promises to be an amazing night.
Just simply fill out the form here by October 27, 2023 to enter.</a> For full T&Cs, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/"https://www.merseyrail.org/tickets-passes/southport-pleasureland-day-of-the-dead-competition//">visit the website.</a></p>","sponsorshipType":"Advertiser content from","sponsorshipName":"Merseyrail","sponsorshipUrl":"https://www.merseyrail.org/tickets-passes/southport-pleasureland-day-of-the-dead-competition/","isSponsorReachDomain":false,"commercial":true,"features":{"showVpaidControls":"true","xandrPSPOutstreamPrebidEnabled":"true","lfcMailingListId":"75889","amazon.waitConsent":"true","pubmaticIdEnabled":"true","consentDate":"06/08/2021","thirtythreeacrossDisplayPrebidEnabled":"false","jwRtdEnabled":"true","prebidLibrary":"false","amp.cmpCollapsableBtn":"true","authUI":"true","mantisRecommender.useCommonAdunit":"true","taboolaNonConsented":"true","openxDisplayPrebidEnabled":"false","navWithArticle.enabled":"true","useNewPreferenceCentre":"true","enableInternalRecaptchaValidation":"true","pubmaticIdDisabled":"false","cmpHostName":"liverpoolecho.co.uk","fbia.mantisRecommender":"true","RRET-227.cutOffDate":"2020-06-30T10:30:00","blackFridayWidget.linkUrl":"https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/black-friday","prebidUseTestRuntime":"true","bookmarksBaseUrl":"https://5yc6ykd9ei.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/prod/api","enableSlideInSkinnySignUp":"false","amazonTagEnabled":"true","mantisRecommender.recommenderMaxMpuNumber":"10","mantisRecommender.autoplayInterval":"5000","hideAndSeekEnabled":"false","videoPlaylistEnabled":"true","domain":"liverpoolecho.co.uk","profileMenu":"true","ampVideoCacheBuster":"true","adHiddenLoading":"true","xandrPSPNativePrebidEnabled":"false","primisGeo":"true","mantisRecommender.enableOnErrorPages":"true","blackFridayWidget.cssLink":"https://get-latest.dev.convrse.media/black-friday/css/black-friday-widget-v2.css","sovrnDisplayPrebidEnabled":"false","video.header.bidding.enabled":"false","authUI.default":"true","webPushNotifications.appKey":"s2ymrpBqS82Sgjt_sEel2g","newslettersURL":"https://communicatoremail.com/IN/DCF/AUKluj1Iue8RBalaN%7eK7eP/","mantisRecommender.underimageSlot":"false","adServedMastheadStripEnabled":"true","taboolaOutstreamSection":"true","article.metaRobots":"max-image-preview:large","flagsFromDataLayerForFBIA":"true","irisClientToken":"MN28D99SD1","openxVideoPrebidEnabled":"false","amp.stickyAdRefresh":"90","ixVideoPrebidEnabled":"true","globalTrayEnabled":"true","criteoVideoPrebidEnabled":"true","mantisRecommender.limit":"20","jwRtdAuctionDelay":"250","delayAdsUntilCMP":"true","preloadFonts":"true","PWA.enable":"true","replaceMobileNativeWithAdSlot":"true","mantisRecommender.bottomRedesign":"true","readNextEmbeds":"true","removeSSO":"true","tripleliftDisplayPrebidEnabled":"false","video.ctpFloatAndPark":"true","felix.endpoint":"https://feliz-amp.data.tm-awx.com/config.json","convoStarterEnabled":"true","mantisRecommender.stopPageSwipes":"true","adFixedMobileBottomSticky":"true","xandrDisplayPrebidEnabled":"false","consentText":"We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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Otterspool Adventure will be offering plenty of spine-tingling treats for kids this spooky season (Image: Otterspool Adventure)
A short eight-minute walk from Aigburth train station, Otterspool Adventure will be offering plenty of spine-tingling treats for kids this spooky season.
Ottersghoul 2023 sees the return of the popular tombstone trail in the hallowed grounds of Old Burial Hill, and the pumpkin party parade with all the friendly ghosts and ghouls.
New this year, however, is ‘Villainous’ - a family-friendly show starring some of the most infamous villains of all time. Join the likes of Cruella DeVil, Captain Hook, Ursula and the Evil Queen as they take over the park with their wicked ways - and it’s up to you to put a stop to their dastardly plot.
Liverpool ONE is hosting a Halloween extravaganza from October 28 to October 29, 2023
Centrally located in the city, and accessible from many of the central train stations - including Liverpool Central, Liverpool Lime Street, James Street, and Moorfields - Liverpool ONE is hosting a Halloween extravaganza from October 28 to October 29, 2023.
On October 28, drumming group Katumba will be kicking the takeover off, with their ‘flash mob’ style parade, that celebrates both Black History Month and the spirit of Carnival Arts and their link with Hallows Eve.
On Sunday, you can join Radio City Breakfast Show presenters Leanne Campbell and Scott Hughes as they judge the fancy dress competition to find the best-dressed monster.
There’ll also be zombie dancers from MD productions, a Halloween parade, and a cast of creepy characters taking over the streets around Liverpool ONE.
Make sure this half term is one to remember with a trip on Merseyrail, to some of these spooktacular Halloween events in and around Liverpool.
Additionally, if your little ones are train-mad, why not treat them to some Merseyrail merchandise, which includes the iconic soft and wooden toy trains.
If your little ones are train-mad, why not treat them to some Merseyrail merchandise (Image: Merseyrail)
Products are available in all four Mtogo stores, found at Liverpool Central, Southport, Hamilton Square and Liverpool South Parkway station, or online via Mtogo Shop on the Merseyrail website.
Avoid traffic and parking this October half term, and plan your journey to find the cheapest train ticket at the Merseyrail website.
*Day Savers are valid for unlimited travel from 9.30am Mon-Friday and anytime on weekends and Bank Holidays.
**Terms and conditions apply; 2 X Family of 4 FOC, no monetary/cash value, nontransferable, only valid on date specified, height/age restrictions may apply on rides/attractions, winners will be sent QR tickets via email prior to November 2, 2023. For full T&Cs, visit the website.
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