Hallowe'en in Gwent - here's a full guide to events in your area

TORFAEN

Cwmbran animal charity, All Creatures Great and Small,will be holding a Hallowe’en event in aid of the sanctuary on Saturday, October 28, from 1pm to 5pm. Take part in their ghost hunt, get creative in a creepy craft corner, meet on-site witches, or sink your teeth into some devilish delights.

Free entry with a extra £3 for the ghost hunt. Well-behaved dogs are allowed and fancy dress is optional.

The Cwmbran Centre will be full of frightful fun and ghoulish games for all the family this Hallowe’en.

The shopping centre, the second biggest in Wales, will play host to a variety of spooks, scares, tricks and treats on Saturday, October 28.

Activities will include a children’s entertainment area, zombie craft activities and face painting. The land train will be available for spooky rides around the centre (£1 per ride), and visitors can also join special guided ‘trick or treat trails.

Activities run from 11am to 4pm and the trick or treat trails take place at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

These trails will be led by members of the customer service team in a hope to encourage a safe space for trick and treating.

Centre manager, Rikki Teml, said: “Hallowe’en is always a frightfully fun time at Cwmbran, not just for our customers but for our staff too.

“We are really looking forward to getting into the ‘spirit’ of Hallowe’en this year; we have given our land train a special spooky makeover and we are excited to launch our new trick or treat trails.

“Visitors both young and old will be guaranteed a good time, so come and see what we have in store.”

Between October 30 - 31, Cwmbran heritage attraction Llanyrafon Manor will hold its Broomstick School again due to popular demand.

Youngsters can decorate broomsticks with resident witches, experience a haunted house, Hallowe’en storytelling, a ‘slime school’ and pumpkin rolling in the meadow.

Sessions, taking place throughout the day, are £12 each and tickets are available from the venue’s tearooms or by visiting ticketsource.co.uk/llanyrafonmanor.

Blaenavon Heritage Railway’s ghost train will also return this year, running every night between October 29-31.

Trains run from the Furnace Sidings’ station from 4pm through to 9pm with the interiors bathed in mood lighting and housing surprise guests.

Children should be accompanied by an adult and tickets are £6. Pre-booking is not available and visitors should pay on the day.

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This Saturday, October 28, a Hallowe’en Spooktacular will visit the Pontypool Indoor Market with themed pumpkin carving and a town treasure hunt from 12noon.

Between 1pm and 3pm, Street-Fit Dance groups will showcase Hallowe’en themed routines to popular songs.

Explore the myths and legends of a historic former ironworks site in Torfaen this Hallowe’en.

In October and November, Blaenavon Ironworks will introduce visitors to ghost stories, spooky tales, historic folklore and ancient legends from Blaenavon and Blaenau Gwent.

Hear tales of Welsh myths and the legends of the Black Mountains, Blaenavon and Clydach area, the history of Hallowe’en and local ghost stories of the ironworks site.

The tours, on October 29 and November 1 and 3, between 7pm -9pm, will be followed by a hot drink refreshment and a mince pie.

The event is pre-booking only, is priced at £10 and aimed at adults only. Call 01495 792615 to book.

NEWPORT

Tots Hallowe’en parties will take place at the Newport Centre and the Tennis Centre this Hallowe’en.

A spokeswoman for Newport Live said: “We will have Hallowe’en themed games, face painting, party food and music.

“Fancy dress is optional. Every child will also get a free spooky goody bag.”

On Monday, October 30, the parties will be held at the Tennis Centre, in Newport International Sports Village, from 9.30am to 10.30am, from 10.45am to11.45am and from 12pm to 1pm.

On Tuesday, October 31, the parties will be held at Newport Centre, in Kingsway, from 10am to 11am, from 11.15am to 12.15pm and from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Entry is £4 per child. To book your place, ring 01633 656757.

Pumpkin Carving at Tredegar House will be held until October 31, 11am – 4pm. The price is £3 per pumpkin.

Brush up on your pumpkin-carving skills and get your spooky creation ready in time for Hallowe’en. Pick your own pumpkin and we’ll provide you with all the tools you’ll need to create your masterpiece. There will also be a Toffee Apple Bar at the venue between October 28 to November 5, 11am – 4pm, £1.85 per apple.

One of the best things about autumn is the arrival or some serious comfort food. Sweet treats are no exception to this rule and this year we are introducing a DIY toffee apple bar to our October half-term activities. Pick your apple and choose from a range of decorations to satisfy your sweet tooth.

A children’s Hallowe’en party is taking place at Bettws rugby club, in Leach Road, in the Bettws area of Newport, on Tuesday, October 31. The party will run from 6pm to 8pm and there will be balloon making, a disco, sweets and toffee apples.

It will feature games and prizes as well as a prize for the best dressed. Entry is £5 per child.

Classic horror film, The Shining, will be screened this month at a Newport arts centre.

The iconic movie by Stanley Kubrick, based on a novel by Stephen King, follows a caretakers descent into madness and murder while staying at a remote, haunted hotel.

The extended US version will be screened at 7.45pm on Saturday, October 28, at the Riverfront Centre and will be preceded by a talk with associate editor of Wales Arts Review, Phil Morris, at 7pm.

Tickets are £5 and for more information, visit: tickets.newportlive.co.uk

Award-winning brewers, Tiny Rebel, will be hosting a Hallowe’en bash today, between 7pm and 1am.

The party will take place at their newly-built venue brewery bar in Rogerstone with a live DJ from 9pm.

The night is for 18 plus only and will include a dress up competition and plenty of beer, fear and atmosphere.

CAERPHILLY

Search for the spirit of Caerphilly Castle’s ‘green lady’ on Hallowe’en night.

The event on October 31, between 10am-4pm, includes a family trail around the castle and is likely to be a deeply atmospheric and spooky experience.

The ‘green lady’ ghost story is inspired by Princess Alice of Angouleme who, as the story goes, died of shock after her lover was executed on the orders of her jealous husband.

Her ghost, adorned in a richly woven dress, coloured green for her husbands envy, has been said to haunt the castle’s halls ever since.

Tickets for the event are priced at £7.95 with a £5.20 concession and £23.70 for a family ticket. - admission for two adults and up to three children under one

Visitors to a Caerphilly park will be able to experience some Hallowe’en wildlife fun this week.

On Tuesday, October 31, why not visit Parc Cwm Darran and take part in arts and crafts and trap some moths.

Visitors will be able to learn about moths and also have a search for bats that fly in the local area.

Arts and crafts will be on from 5pm-5.45pm.

A talk on bats will take place from 5.45pm-6.20pm.

And a bat and moths walk starts at 6.20pm and lasts until 7.45pm.

The event costs £3 per person and booking is essential.

For more information, or to book a place call 01443 864201.

Anyone attending the day is asked to wear appropriate footwear/clothing and to bring a torch.

Children can get in the spirit of Hallowe’en by joining Parc Penallta Education Centre in the woods.

On Monday, October 30, from 1pm-4pm there will be magical monster stories and terrible tales, marshmallows around the fire camp and a session where kids can make their own wooden troll face.

The charge is £3 per child and is suitable for those aged five and above.

Booking is required for this event.

For booking and more information call 01443 816853.

MONMOUTHSHIRE

Join in a Hallowe’en-themed trail at Raglan Castle for a weekend of thrills and chills this month when the “Raglan witches take over”.

Raglan’s regular Halloween-fest, with spooky friends and activities, will return between October 28 -29, between 11am -5pm.

Have a go at the terrifying trail, fiendish face-painting and meet the ghastly characters occupying Raglan for Hallowe’en.

Adult tickets are priced at £6.50 for adults with a £4.20 concession and £19.30 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children under 16).

Creepy crafts and a spooky trail awaits at The Kymin, Monmouth, this Hallowe’en.

Come and join in with lots of family Hallowe’en fun; spot the spiders in the Round House and dare to follow the terrifying trail into the woods.

The event takes place between Saturday, October 28 and Monday, October 30, 11am to 4pm.

An immersive fright-filled event billed as the “ultimate Hallowe’en horror experience” will be held at the National Diving and Activity Centre (NDAC) near Chepstow this month.

Fear-Fest Evil is a fully immersive terror attraction for people aged 16 and over, which takes place in and around an abandoned railway track, haunted quarry and nearby woodland.

Multiple scare zones – known as the “Trilogy of Horror” – will see guests hounded by armies of night creatures lurking in the darkness in authentic set-pieces.

Platform 13, formed from a historical railway platform, will be haunted by lost souls while its stationmaster will beckon visitors to journey down the dark railway track.

Gory scenes lie in the House of Horrors, with monsters lurking around every corner waiting to jump out at unsuspecting visitors.

Those lucky enough to come unscathed will then face the Tales of the Dark in the woods, where Mr Gacy the clown entertainer, the demented bride and her children of the night await.

And those with enough adrenaline left in their veins are invited to try out the 700m Death Slide over the quarry’s murky depths.

The Hangman’s Swing hoists riders 50 feet up in the air and pulls them back to launch them into a terrifying drop into the darkness.

Amidst all of the chaotic carnage there will also be the CarnEvil of the Bizarre, a 20-minute freak show with acts from the infamous Circus of Horrors.

A psychic medium will also be on hand to give readings at an event billed by organisers as the “biggest” in the NDAC’s history.

Three separate experiences - including the Live Show Only (£9.99 per person) and the Standard Scare Package (£34.99pp) - will be on offer for visitors at various prices.

The Premium Extreme Package (£59.99pp) offers everything from the Standard Package, food and drink, the opportunity to ride the 700m Death Slide or giant Hangman’s Swing and an optional upgrade to stay the night.

Accommodation at one of 14 onsite wigwam units starts from £70 for two people.

There will also be a barbecue, cocktails and a fully licenced bar plus trader stalls.

Due to the setting having uneven and muddy ground, attendees must be able to walk un-aided and have good levels of health and fitness to take part in this event.

It will take place until October 31 at 4.30pm-11.00pm.

Booking is essential, with time slots and more information on the event available at fearfest-evil.co.uk

BLAENAU GWENT

A horror film marathon event has been launched by a Blaenau Gwent community cinema to mark Hallowe’en.

The 123-year-old Market hall Cinema in Brynmawr will show five films in succession tonight.

The event follows several other spooky themed screenings this month and will include five cult horror films from the 1970s and 1980s. They include: The line-up starts with Clive Barker’s visionary classic Hell Raiser (1987), followed by cannibal flick The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and supernatural comedy House (1985).

The festival will close with horror fantasy Phantasm (1979) and slasher The Burning (1981).

The event is for over 18s, priced at £10 and runs from 10pm until dawn. For more information, visit: markethallcinema.co.uk or call 01495 310576.

A Hallowe’en-themed family fun day will take place at a social club in Ebbw Vale this month.

The Badminton, in Beaufort Terrace, will host an event between 2pm-5pm on Sunday, October 29.

There will be guest appearances by some of your children’s favourite characters with party games, a fancy dress competition, disco and much more.

A licensed bar will be available for the adults and tickets are priced at £3 each or £10 for a family ticket.

For more information, call Encore Theatre Academy on 07837 943724.

On Monday, October 30 at 2pm, The Met venue will hold invite visitors into Crafty’s Creepy Castle for a interactive show.

The show is full of popular children’s songs and visitors are encouraged to wear their scariest costume and join the adventure to find the hidden treasure.

They can also meet “Crafty” afterwards to receive a special trick or treat present.

Tickets are £8.50 per adult, £6.50 per child and £25 for a family ticket,

Call the box office on 01495 355945 or book online at aneurinleisure.ticketsolve.com/shows

Craft workshops will take place at Parc Bryn Bach on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, from 10am– 4pm, where visitors can make spooky lanterns and masks.

For young thrill seekers, adventure activities - including canoeing, bush craft, climbing, archery, caving and gorge walking - will also be on offer.

The activity days are suitable for ages 8 - 12 years and cost just £15 per person. For more information call 01495 355920 or visit www.parcbrynbach.co.uk

Bedwellty House and Park will host several spooky themed events this half term from Spooky Trails and Tales with Louby Lou on Tuesday, October 31, to a Hallowe’en-themed Mini Movers Messy Play for parents and toddlers on Wednesday, November 1.

For older children, ages 7 plus, two fun workshops will take place on Thursday, November 2, where they can make their own flights, kites and rockets or build their own fairy or pixie garden.

Call 01495 353397 or visit www.bedwelltyhouseandpark.co.uk for information.

Sports centres in Blaenau Gwent will be getting involved in Hallowe’en fun with an under 10s Hallowe’en Party at Abertillery Sports Centre on Monday, October 30, 10am-1pm. Tickets are £7 per child. Call 01495355958 to book.

An Aqua Hallowe’en Party will also take place at Tredegar Sports Centre on Friday, November 3, 10am-12pm. Tickets are £4.15 per adults and £2.65 per child and the event will include orange water, snakes and spiders.

For more information, visit www.bglife.co.uk.