What's On For Halloween At Yorkshire Wildlife Park?

Looking for something properly fun to do this half-term? Well, it looks like Yorkshire Wildlife Park is planning a massive Halloween extravaganza that’s about more than just pumpkins and silly costumes. From Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025, the park is transforming into a spook-tacular world of entertainment, amazing animals, and creepy-but-cool activities. It's shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the year, with a whole week of frightfully good fun planned for the entire family.

Get ready for a spook-tacular halloween

The main event is the Scarefest, a huge celebration packed with all things Halloween. And it sounds like the team at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park has pulled out all the stops this year. There’s a brand new trick or treat trail that sounds like brilliant fun. Instead of knocking on doors, kids get to hunt for five special Halloween characters hidden in huts around the park. Find one, and they'll hand over a treat. The challenge is to find all five to complete the trail. It does cost an extra £6 per child, but it sounds like a proper adventure.

YWP’s CEO John Minion revealed:

“We are looking forward to putting on our annual Halloween event and welcoming new and returning guests to enjoy the entertainment. This year, we have organised a Trick or Treat trail. Five Halloween characters will be hiding in huts round the park. Once they have been found, they will hand out a treat. The children need to collect five treats to complete the trail.”

“It will definitely be a week filled with the usual family fun, spooky activities and things that go bump in the night. Guests can also explore our walking dead woodlands and selfie spots, whilst looking out for other the creepy costumed characters, who will be roaming round the park and woods.”

Imagine wandering through the woods and bumping into some creepy (but friendly!) characters. This Halloween extravaganza is set to be a memorable family day out at the resort.

More than just ghosts and ghouls

Beyond the trails and spooky walks, there’s a whole schedule of live entertainment and events included in the park entry price. So, you get a lot of bang for your buck. These aren't just little shows, either. There's a whole lineup designed to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.

Here’s a quick look at what’s on:

• Victor’s Halloween Adventure
• Red Riding Hood Mini Panto
• Monster Boogie Live

So you could be watching a panto one minute and then having a boogie with some monsters the next. And if that’s not enough excitement, there are also the freaky fairground rides to get the adrenaline pumping. Just remember, like the trick or treat trail, the fairground rides are an extra cost on top of your park ticket. This fantastic entertainment ensures that the Halloween events at the park offer something for everyone.

Meet the park's incredible residents

Of course, the main stars of the Yorkshire Wildlife Park are the animals. And in between all the Halloween fun, there’s a chance to see some of the world’s most incredible and endangered species. The park is home to majestic Amur leopards and towering giraffes, as well as mighty polar bears and rare black rhinos. It’s a brilliant opportunity to see these amazing creatures up close.

But there’s some extra special news about the lions. The park has just become a safe new home for three young lions who were rescued from war-torn Ukraine. Oleg, Rafael, and Shanti, who are all just one year old, had a really tough start in life, spending months in a rescue centre terrified by daily bombings. It’s a bit of a heart-breaking story, but the good news is they’re now safe. They will eventually join the other lions in the park’s massive seven-acre Lion Country. That’s where the four lions who arrived from Ukraine back in March 2024 live, alongside the famous lioness Aysa and her cubs, Emi, Santa, and Teddi. These older cubs are apparently very curious about their new neighbours!

New arrivals and famous faces

Seeing new animals settle in is always exciting. But it’s also a delicate process. The three new lions from Ukraine need a bit of quiet time to get used to their new surroundings before they’re ready to meet the public. It's super important they feel safe and secure.

Director of Animals, Dr Charlotte MacDonald, said:

“We are letting the lions settle into their new environment before they are visible to the public.”

“Halloween visitors can see our newest hyena Noubia, several new monkey infants and our magnificent Amur Tiger, Altai, who arrived earlier this year.”

Altai, the Amur tiger, is a truly magnificent sight, and seeing new baby monkeys is always a treat. The park is constantly buzzing with new life, making every visit a unique experience.

A whole resort to explore

The fun doesn’t stop at the park gates. The full Yorkshire Wildlife Resort also includes The Yorkshire Hive, a brilliant shopping, dining, and entertainment village right next door. If the October weather gets a bit chilly, it’s the perfect place to warm up and grab a bite to eat. The Evolution Experience Restaurant offers a unique dining experience for the whole family, while the Wild Café Bistro is a great spot to relax with a coffee and a tasty meal.

The entertainment village isn't just about food, though. The Hive is also home to a collection of boutique stores. They’re filled with all sorts of interesting things, from products made by local artists to cool artwork and gift ideas. And for the little ones who still have energy to burn, there's the Uproar indoor play den. It’s a massive prehistoric-themed soft play area where they can swing, slide, and stomp to their heart's content. It's the perfect way to round off a big day of Halloween entertainment and animal adventures at the park.