This Halloween, step behind the scenes at the National Library of Wales for a spine-tingling tour full of ghostly tales and hidden histories, take a spooky train ride in Corris or Talyllyn, meet scary scarecrows at Llanerchaeron and take a peak at Plas Glyn y Weddw frighteningly fun activities.
On Saturday, 31 October at 3pm, join storyteller Owen Staton and the National Library in Aberystwyth.
He will bring to life eerie Welsh ghost tales while you explore the library’s mysterious corners and remarkable collections.
Discover the history, mysteries and legends that linger within the walls of the Library in a unique Halloween experience that combines storytelling, heritage, and a touch of the supernatural.
Age recommendation: 16+. Tickets cost £3.
For younger children, earlier that day, go on a mysterious and fun adventure with Lowri Siôn as we try to solve the Mystery of the Black Cat!
The library session combines storytelling, music, movement to create a fun and interactive Halloween experience. The children will have the opportunity to use their imagination, move, search for clues and help solve the mystery.
The session has been designed to introduce the magical and exciting atmosphere of Halloween in a fun and child-friendly way, without being too scary!
This interactive session lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Child tickets cost £2 and include cake and a soft drink.
Parents/guardians must have their own ticket(s) for this event and remain with the children in their care throughout the English language event for children 3-7 years old.
From 29 October-2 November, you can walk around Llanerchaeron’s scarecrow trail.
‘Trick or Treat Trains’ at Corris Railway offer thrills, chills and sweet treats await passengers on the journey along the Dulas Valley this Halloween, with trains running from 1.30pm to 6pm on 31 October.
Things are set to go bump in the night on the Talyllyn Railway this Halloween as steam trains head into the darkness for two evenings of family friendly frights.
Steam ’n’ Scream returns on 29 and 30 October, taking passengers from Tywyn Wharf on a spooky steam journey to Dolgoch Woods after dark.
Once the train reaches Dolgoch, passengers leave the safety of their carriage and head into the woods, where pumpkins, candlelight and some decidedly suspicious characters will be waiting among the trees.
Previous visitors have encountered skeletons, zombies, ghosts and witches along the route, although exactly what will be lurking in the woods this year is being kept safely under wraps.
Those who make it through can climb back aboard for the steam hauled journey to Tywyn.
The evening begins rather more sedately with a two-course meal at Tywyn Wharf before passengers set off into the darkness.
“There is something about travelling behind a steam engine in the dark which completely changes the atmosphere of the railway,” said Lorraine Simkiss, General Manager – Commercial.
“Then you arrive at Dolgoch and have to head into the woods, where you never quite know what is going to be waiting around the next corner.
“It is designed to be Halloween fun for families rather than genuinely terrifying, although we can't promise there won't be a few screams along the way,” she added.
There are two Steam ’n’ Scream departures each evening, at 4.30pm and 6.30pm, with passengers asked to arrive at Tywyn Wharf 30 minutes before departure.
Tickets include a two-course meal and steam train experience.
Dress for the weather as there is little shelter in the woods and bring a torch for the walk.
On 28 October, 10.30am-12pm for children aged 6-10, artist Jŵls Williams will be at Plas Glyn y Weddw for an exciting, hands-on art workshop focused on inventing Creatures of the Night.
From nocturnal owls and shadowy bats to fantastical monsters lurking in the woods, children will use their imaginations using a rich blend of painting, printmaking, and collage techniques. Working with scrap paper, reclaimed card, non-toxic paints, and using printmaking tools and techniques, young artists will experiment with textures, layering, and patterns to bring their mysterious nighttime beasts to life on paper.
On 29 October at the same time for the same age group, artist Luned Rhys Parri for a fun, hands-on eco-craft workshop designed especially for children. Perfect for young eco-warriors and budding artists, this workshop blends imagination with an important environmental message: creating impressive Halloween art doesn’t have to cost the Earth nor be made out of plastic! Children will learn clever techniques to cut, construct, and layer cardboard, packaging, and scrap to bring their unique monstrous masterpieces to life—ready to display at home or wear as part of a Halloween costume.
Adult to accompany the child for the session
On 30 October, 5pm-6.30pm, the venue will host a free Halloween event of woodland discovery, creativity and Welsh folklore.
Decorate a stone with a forest-inspired design, walk through the Winllan with UV torches to discover how plants and fungi appear in unexpected colours, gather in a circle to talk about the woodland as winter approaches and hear about Yr Hwch Ddu Gwta, the tailless black sow of Welsh folklore. Swap stones, place them within a marked area, and return to the circle before using your torch to find your own creation.
The last finder has a playful encounter with the black sow, and everyone receives a Welsh sweet treat and takes their stone home.
UV torches will be provided for the bilingual session for those aged 7+, with children accompanied by an adult.
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