Are you looking for something to do with the family this October half-term? There’s lots to do in Andover from exhibitions and shows, to crafts and storytelling.
The Angel in the House - Exhibition by Marian Obando
A solo exhibition exploring how we remember others and how we relate to our memories through experimental animation, dance, and mixed media.
After completing her MA in Character Animation at Central St Martins, Marian began pursuing an experimental approach to animating fine art materials. She has created animated films using watercolour, charcoal, oil pastels, acrylic paint, scratch on film, origami paper, pixilation, video, found objects, found footage, and other mixed media. 'The Angel in the House' will be her first solo exhibition.
Dates: 3 to 31 October (the gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday)
Time: 11am to 4pm
Location: Chapel Arts Studios
Cost: Free
More information: Marian Obando: The Angel in the House Exhibition
Samhain Family Activity Trail
Before Halloween, Britons celebrated a festival called Samhain and many of our modern traditions were inspired by this ancient festival. Journey through the Iron Age with the museum team and add to your own Samhain mask as you explore the past. Activities include: bonfire eyebrows, mistletoe crowns, Iron Age animals, Ancestor offerings, autumn leaves.
Craft your own unique mask and receive a spooky treat as a reward!
Date: Saturday 24 October
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Iron Age Museum
Cost: Free with annual ticket to Museum of the Iron Age - prize on completion
More information: Samhain Family Activity Trail | Hampshire Cultural Trust
Huge Haunted Halloween Happenings
Activities, games, wicked workshops and creepy crafts throughout the spookiest of half terms - do you dare to join?
Dates: 24 October to 1 November
Location: The Kitten’s Emporium, George Yard
Cost: £1 to £6.95
More information: Events | TKE
The Eras Experience: Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna
Step into the unparalleled world of Taylor Swift in this enchanting tribute show featuring the incredible Xenna as Taylor. A celebration of the iconic pop sensation's music, style, and unrivalled stage presence. Whether you're a die-hard Swiftie or simply love great music, this is the ultimate homage to one of the biggest stars in the world. Get ready to relive Taylor Swift's greatest hits in a show that's as close to the real thing as it gets!
Date: Tuesday 27 October
Times: 2pm and 7pm
Location: The Lights
Cost: Standard ticket - £25, VIP/meet and greet - £30
For more information and to book: The Eras Experience: Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna 2026
Experimental Animation for 12 to 16 year olds
Inspired by Marian Obando’s exhibition The Angel in the House, this playful workshop invites children and young people aged 12 to 16 to explore hand-created animation. Participants will use curiosity and imagination to experiment with movement, materials and changing images. This is a space to try new things, make mistakes and discover unexpected creative possibilities. Everyone will create their own artwork and help produce a collaborative experimental animation. No previous experience is needed.
Date: Tuesday 27 October
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Chapel Arts Studios
Cost: Free
More information: Experimental Animation ( 12-16 year olds)
Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories: Room on the Broom
A magical hour of interactive Room on the Broom storytelling from Amanda Kane-Smith of Merry-Go-Round Storytelling! Children (ages 2+) and their grown-ups will enjoy the story together, then get hands-on making their own mini broomsticks (and possibly a wand) from hazel twigs and branches gathered in the wood.
Water and craft activities provided.
Date: Tuesday 27 October
Time: 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Harmony Woods (meet at the cabin)
Cost: £8 per child with accompanying adult, £2 per additional sibling. Free for Andover Trees Members.
More information: Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories - Room on a Broom
Wednesday Craft Club
Get creative every Wednesday of the Hampshire school holidays with the Museum of the Iron Age! Perfect for little makers and budding artists, our relaxed, drop‑in sessions offer a fun mix of hands‑on crafts inspired by history, nature, and the museum’s collections. Come along, get stuck in, and enjoy a creative mid‑week moment in the heart of the museum. No need to book, just drop by and make something wonderful!
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: Iron Age Museum
Cost: £2 (get your fifth craft free!)
More information: Wednesday Craft Club | Hampshire Cultural Trust
Andover Anarchy
Open to all aged 11 to 18, Andover Anarchy is crashing into The Lights this October with a line-up that’ll blow your mind, rock your ears, and shake your world. There will be a huge variety of music from established punk, rock and pop bands, as well as solo artists.
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 4pm to 10pm
Location: The Lights, Andover
Cost: £5
More information: Andover Anarchy | Eventbrite
Back to the Iron Age with the Time Detective Agency!
This summer, Back to the Iron Age is being taken over by the Time Detective Agency! Running at HCT museums across Hampshire with different time traveling adventures, collect four mission complete stickers to earn your TDA button badge!
Date: Thursday 29 October
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: Iron Age Museum
Cost: Free with ticket to the museum
More information: Back to the Iron Age with the Time Detective Agency! | Hampshire Cultural Trust
Andover High Street Trick or Treat Party
A spooktacular Halloween celebration in Andover High Street! Children can enjoy trick or treating around the night market and participating local businesses, collecting treats along the way before heading to the Halloween disco. With fancy dress, music, dancing and plenty of family fun, it's a safe and exciting event that brings the community together for a memorable Halloween experience. Bring your pre-carved pumpkins for the best pumpkin competition and your spooky dancing shoes!
Date: Saturday 31 October
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Location: Andover High Street
Cost: Free
More information: Andover High Street trick or treat party
Museum by Torchlight Presents: The Ghastly Funfair
On Halloween night, Andover Museum of the Iron Age transforms into a marvelously macabre funfair, filled with ghostly games, frightful fun and mysterious surprises around every corner.
Collect your tokens and try your luck at our spooktacular fairground stalls. Test your skill, win gruesome goodies and remember... it's a prize every time!
Meet peculiar characters, discover curious treats and enjoy a delightfully eerie evening as you wander through the museum by torchlight.
Date: Saturday 31 October
Time: 4.30pm to 7pm
Location: Iron Age Museum
Cost: Free Entrance with tokens to purchase and exchange for games
More information: Museum by Torchlight Presents: The Ghastly Funfair | Hampshire Cultural Trust
Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories: Awesome Autumn
Celebrate the wonders of autumn and get spooky this Halloween! Children (ages 2+) and their parents and grandparents will enjoy interactive seasonal storytelling from Amanda Kane-Smith of Merry-Go-Round Storytelling, carve their own pumpkins and enjoy some Halloween fun!
Games and refreshments are included. Places are limited, so please book your tickets via the link below.
Date: Friday 30 October
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Harmony Woods (meet at the cabin)
Cost: £10 per child with adult (includes pumpkin), £2 per additional person, £1 per extra pumpkin. Free for Andover Trees Members.
More information: Tall Tales & Seasonal Stories - Awesome Autumn
Bats and Blasters
Swap chilly streets and endless door-knocking for an evening of exclusive missions and spooky fun. Get ready for unlimited Laser Tag, spooky music, a delicious pizza buffet, squash and a Halloween goodie bag - plus a FREE Laser Tag membership for even more laser-firing fun after the event. All for just £12 per child.
Dates: Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October
Time: Arrival from 5pm
Location: Riverside Activity Zone, 22-30 Bridge Street
Cost: £12 per child
More information: Riverside Activity Zone