BOLTON is in for a fright as the town goes all out to celebrate Halloween this year.

From Halloween pumpkin carving to the UK's 'sickest' attraction, there are loads of events across the area for every kind of fan of the spookiest time of the year.

Over the next few weeks, the area will be riddled with ghosts, ghouls and creepy crawlies at venues across the region and we have a round up of highlights to sink your vampire teeth into:

Halloween Hauntings at Middlebrook

Where: Middlebrook Retail Park

When: Sunday, October 28

 

There are lots of spooky goings on down at Middlebrook Retail Park this Halloween.

From 11am till 4pm on Sunday, October 28 there will be a host of free family-friendly activities.

The cursed castle will entertain children (and adults) while craft workshops will take place at the shopping centre.

A fancy dress competition is also being held with the winner being named at 3pm. First prize is a stay at Last Drop Village.

Throughout the day there will be a magical wizard, glitter tattoos and balloon modelling at the site.

Halloween pumpkin carving

Where: The Hive At Moss Bank Park in Bolton

When: October 27 - 28

 

Pumpkin hunt, pumpkin carving, pumpkin prizes, pumpkin bowling, oh my!

First you must solve the clues to reveal the path through the ghoul filled gardens and terrifying tunnels.

Only then will you receive your magical Halloween pumpkin.

The spooky fun begins at 10:00am until 2:30pm.

Entry cost £6.50 and the day will conclude with a family game of pumpkin bowling.

For the Love of Horror

Where: BEC Arena in Trafford Park, Manchester

When: October 20-21

 

A spine-chilling horror movie convention is coming to the area on October 20-21.

The event includes a host of spine-chilling attractions, including having guests run the gauntlet of zombies, wraiths, aliens, killer clowns even demonic dolls.

There will also be a chance to meet famous Horror movie stars, including Hollywood hardman Danny Trejo, known for movies like Robert Rodriguez’s Machete, From Dusk Til Dawn, Heat, Con Air and Spy Kids.

Other big horror names include Tyler Mane, who played Michael Myers in the 2007 Halloween reboot from director Rob Zombie.

For the Love of Horror takes place at the BEC Arena in Trafford Park on October 20 and 21. Tickets cost £22 for a day ticket or £35.20 for the full weekend. You can buy tickets at http://fortheloveofhorroruk.com/tickets

Spooktacular – Mess Around Halloween Event

Where: Queens Park Cafe, Bolton

When: Sunday, October 14

Calling all witches, devils, cats and bats!

Mess Around’s creepy, crawly, gruesome Spooktacular party has landed. Little ones can squelch, mix, pour, dig and explore, from soap mud monsters to gory goo. Hear their cackles of delight as they get ghoulishly messy.

Fuel your child‛s senses at our multi-sensory, messy play Halloween event. Watch and join in while having lots of messy fun. The event contains a minimum of 13 messy activities to enjoy and explore.

The event is suitable for children aged 6 months to 5 years, older siblings up to the age of 10, can participate in the Big Kids Create and Make Area.

Entry fee is £10 for a single child with max 2 adults / £5.00 for siblings

Halloween funfair, bonfire and firework Spectacular

Where: Last Drop Village

When: Sunday, October 28 from 4pm

 

It’s a firework frenzy at The Last Drop Village in Bromley Cross.

Along with a dazzling firework display there will also be a themed bonfire and a ghoulish funfair set to scare and surprise. Visit the Penny Farthing Suite before and after the fireworks and join in with a spooky family mini disco and fancy dress competition.

Take a trip down on Sunday, October 28 from 4pm. Entry is £5 for adults and £3 for children.

Halloween Ghost Trains

Where: East Lancs Railway, Bury

When: October 26, 27 and 31

 

Are you brave enough to board the Halloween Ghost Train? Take a ride to Rawtenstall and back alongside a host of hideous ghosts and giggling ghouls.

This steam train offers eerie entertainment, frightening fancy dress and a creepy crafts workshop. Fancy dress is encouraged, and families are welcome.

The train will depart Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

Tickets are £15.50 for adults and £9.50 for children.

Rock n' Roll Dreams Came True

Where: The Albert Halls Bolton, Bolton

When: Wednesday, October 31

Rock and Roll Dreams Came True is an epic theatre show tribute based on rock's most Halloween friendly star - Meatloaf.

Following the recent revival of one the most popular and iconic entertainers of the last 40 years, this two-hour extravaganza features all of Meat Loaf’s classic hits, from the epic 'Bat Out of Hell', to the timeless 'I'd Do Anything for Love.'

The show is from 7.30pm and tickets cost £20-£23.

Family Halloween Party

Where: Holiday Inn, Bolton

When: Saturday, October 27

Eat, drink and be scary at Holiday Inn's Family Halloween Party.

With spooktacular entertainment, it’s a great event for the whole family. The price includes a buffet, children’s entertainer, party games and disco.

Entry prices are £15.95 per adult and £8.95 per child. Families of four get a 10% discount.

After Dark Walk

Where: The Hive At Moss Bank Park in Bolton

When: Friday, October 26

Feeling brave this Halloween? Head along to this after dark walk to discover spine-tingling tales and signs of nighttime creatures.

If you are brave enough to survive the walk you will be rewarded with a campfire with roasted marshmallows and hot soup with bread rolls.

From 6pm to 7.45pm, the event costs £8 per adult and £4 per child.

Not suitable for children under four.

Scare Kingdom Scream Park

Where: Hawkshaw Farm Park, Longsight Road, Blackburn

When: From October 5 - November 4

 

Scare Kingdom Scream Park is one of the UK’s top rated Halloween attractions, combining live scare actors, special effects and heart-pumping thrills, across seven all-new scare attractions and experiences.

Prepare yourself for a ‘short sharp shock’ as you enter the Death Chamber, where a perfectly executed fright welcomes you to Scare Kingdom Scream Park.

Check in for an appointment with fear at the infamous High Hopes Hospital, where a new infestation pervades The Sickness – Zombigeddon!

Meet the macabre showman, Voodini, as his spectral sideshow rolls into town to present a supernatural spectacular in Manormortis – Carnivale.

The secretive Order of Crimson Wax are preparing for The Waxing, their diabolic annual ceremony, and you are their sacrifice in Black Mass.

The world-renowned scare entertainment experience Psychomanteum returns with an all-new one-on-one assault on the senses.

The Streetmosphere characters roam the park providing interactive encounters with guests.

For more information visit https://www.scarekingdom.com/