October in Rhondda: Family Days Out, Autumn Fun & Halloween Happenings!

Welcome October, the nights are getting darker, the jumpers are coming out and suddenly every child in Wales has decided they absolutely NEED a pumpkin.

If you’re looking for things to do with the family around Rhondda, Rhondda Cynon Taf and nearby South Wales this October, I’ve been having a little nosey around to find some autumn adventures, family days out and, of course, plenty of Halloween fun!

From music and Welsh culture to pumpkins, spooky trails and Halloween nights, there’s something for little witches, wizards, monsters and parents who just want to get out of the house for a few hours!

So grab the coats, pack the snacks and let’s go…

Gŵyl Morfydd Owen – Pontypridd

📅 9th–11th October 2026
📍 Various venues across Pontypridd
💷 Prices vary depending on the event

If you’re looking for something a little different, Gŵyl Morfydd Owen takes place across Pontypridd from 9^th – 11th October.

The festival celebrates Welsh language, local history and music in memory of Welsh composer Morfydd Owen.

There’ll be clog dancing, live street music, a lampshade parade and more.

And yes… I did say lampshade parade.

Honestly, this sounds like a lovely opportunity to get the children out, experience something a little different and enjoy some Welsh culture along the way.

Some events may require booking, so check the festival programme before heading out.

THE BIG ONE: Halloween Spooktacular at Rhondda Heritage Park

📅 28th–30th October 2026
📍 A Welsh Coal Mining Experience, Trehafod
💷 From £17.50 for one adult + one child, including booking fee

Now THIS is one for the Halloween diary!

Rhondda Heritage Park is being transformed for three days of spooky family fun, and there is a LOT included in the children’s ticket.

Your little monsters can:

🎃 Pick their own pumpkin
👻 Take part in a Halloween hunt
🎭 Watch a Halloween show
🖍️ Get creative with Halloween crafts
📸 Visit spooky selfie stations
💀 Explore the abandoned mine
🎡 Enjoy two fairground rides

And if your family likes a little extra spooky with their Halloween…

There are also Twilight Sessions from 6pm-8pm!

The daytime sessions run:

10am-12pm
12.30pm-2.30pm
3pm-5pm

with the Twilight session running 6pm-8pm.

The council says tickets start at £17.50 for one adult and one child, including the booking fee, with other ticket options available.

This one sounds like a proper Halloween family day out, rather than just sticking a pumpkin on the doorstep and calling it festive.

Halloween Nights at St Fagans

📅 29th–31st October 2026
📍 St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
⏰ 5.30pm-9pm
💷 £16 | Under 2s FREE

Fancy taking the family somewhere a little spooky?

Halloween Nights at St Fagans are back from 29th–31st October.

This is specifically listed as a family event, making it a great option if your children enjoy Halloween but you’re not quite ready for the full-on terrifying stuff!

It’s running in the evening from 5.30pm until 9pm, and tickets are currently listed at £16, with under-2s going free.

So get the Halloween costumes ready and prepare for an evening of spooky family fun!

St Fagans: Halloween Ghost Tours

📅 29th–31st October 2026
📍 St Fagans Castle
⏰ 11pm
💷 £20
🔞 12+

Now, parents of teenagers…

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.

If your child has reached the age where “family Halloween” apparently means “Mum, I’m too old for pumpkin crafts” but they’re still quite happy to be scared senseless…

St Fagans has Halloween Castle Ghost Tours running at 11pm from 29th–31st October.

They’re listed as 12+, with tickets currently £20.

Definitely one for the braver members of the family!

Scream Time PG – Margam Country Park

📅 15th October–1st November 2026
📍 Margam Country Park
👧 Recommended age 5+
💷 Ticket prices vary – check booking

If your family wants Halloween without giving the children nightmares for the next six months, this could be one to look at!

Scream Time PG is specifically designed as a family-friendly Halloween experience for ages 5+, with sessions before 7pm.

Expect spooky sets, live actors, lights, music and playful scares.

There’s also a Pumpkin Courtyard and Scare Village, plus hot food, drinks, fire pits and marshmallow-toasting.

And importantly, the organisers say there are no extreme scares.

So it’s more “AHHH!” followed by giggling…

rather than “MUM, WE ARE NEVER COMING HERE AGAIN!”

The family experience runs from 15th October to 1st November, including Halloween itself.

October = Pumpkin Season!

Let’s be honest.

For children, October isn’t really about autumn.

It isn’t about seasonal change.

It isn’t even about Halloween.

It’s about one thing:

PUMPKINS

If you fancy making a day of it, there are plenty of farms and family attractions around South Wales offering autumn activities, pumpkin picking and Halloween-themed experiences throughout the month.

I’d recommend checking individual attraction websites before travelling as dates, ticket prices and activities can change.

Family-Friendly Autumn Days Out

And if Halloween isn’t quite your thing, October doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire month surrounded by fake cobwebs and children demanding sweets.

There are plenty of other things happening around South Wales too.

South Wales Makers Market – St Fagans

📅 24th October–1st November 2026
📍 St Fagans National Museum of History
💷 FREE

A lovely option for a more relaxed family day out.

The South Wales Makers Market is running from 24th October through to 1st November, with entry listed as free.

Perfect for having a wander, looking at local crafts and making a day of St Fagans.

And because entry is free…

That’s mum’s favourite price.

A Little Autumn Adventure

Of course, sometimes you don’t need a huge organised event.

One of my favourite things about autumn in South Wales is simply getting everyone wrapped up, grabbing a flask of something warm and heading outside.

There are beautiful places around Rhondda, Pontypridd and Cynon Valley for autumn walks, leaves, muddy boots and the inevitable:

“Muuuuum, I’m hungry.”

Approximately seven minutes after leaving the house.

If you’re looking for a simple family adventure, places such as Dare Valley Country Park, Clydach Vale Country Park and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park are great places to consider for some fresh air and a wander.

My October Family Bucket List

If I were putting together my own Welsh Mummy Blogs October bucket list, it would look something like this:

🎃 Pick a pumpkin
👻 Do something spooky
🍂 Go on an autumn walk
🧁 Eat something ridiculously Halloween-themed
🎭 See a show
🔥 Toast marshmallows
📸 Take a family Halloween photo
🧙‍♀️ Dress up
🍁 Jump in some leaves
☕ Drink far too much hot chocolate
😂 And survive half term!

Because let’s face it…

October with children is basically one giant countdown to Halloween followed by one giant sugar crash.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before you book…

Event dates, prices and availability can change, so always check the organiser’s booking information before travelling.

For the latest RCT events, the council’s official What’s On listings are a useful place to check what’s happening across the county.

If you’re heading further afield, it’s also worth checking the individual attraction before setting off, especially for Halloween events, as many have timed entry and advance booking.

Now…

Who’s ready for HALLOWEEN?!

And more importantly…

WHO’S READY TO STEAL THEIR CHILD’S HALLOWEEN SWEETS AFTER THEY’VE GONE TO BED?

Asking for a friend.

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