Parcs

If the Ber months are your favourite, then enjoy them with an autumnal staycation. These holiday parks will be offering lots of themed fun in October and beyond including Halloween celebrations

While parents have only just waved the kids back to school, we all know how quickly October half term sneaks up on us, and if you’re looking to book a staycation, now is the time.

Holiday parks across the UK will be offering special October half-term breaks, including themed activities and entertainment, so here’s a breakdown of what some of the major brands will be doing for the spookiest month.

Butlin’s – from £205

Butlin’s will be offering a range of Spooktober breaks midweek through October and during half term, which kick off with a welcome party that’s “full of Halloween hits and spooky surprises”. Its fairgrounds are being turned into Scaregrounds, with fog machines, atmospheric lights, and lots of scary monsters lurking in dark corners, while some rides will operate after dark for extra thrills.

The evening entertainment, usually known as Nights at Reds, will become Frights at Reds, billed as: “Think spine-tingling singalongs, killer party dances, ghoulish games, DJ sets that’ll raise the dead, and our brand-new Eerily Silent Disco.” There will also be daytime activities, and of course, you get access to Butlin’s waterparks and all the other fun things you’d expect from its breaks.

Book October half-term breaks now at Butlins.com

Haven – from £85

Haven is offering a range of Halloween breaks across its parks for October 2026, including half-term dates, with parks offering a variety of spooky entertainment and activities, depending on location and date.

You can enjoy a Halloween Parade at selected parks, and the usual Haven entertainment with a cute autumn edge, such as a Halloween version of the Seaside Squad Let’s Dance show. Once you’ve booked your break, you can add extras such as pumpkin carving, Halloween Make a Bear, or themed slime workshops.

Find out more about Haven Halloween breaks and book online.

Center Parcs – from £829

Center Parcs’ lodges are the perfect backdrop for an autumn break, and its parks will also be offering a range of Halloween activities for those visiting during half term. Parents can book their kids into a Halloween Bash, a party that includes games and crafts, or fun sessions such as broomstick making.

You can also enjoy the crisp autumn weather with a forest stroll, or enjoy the parks’ playgrounds, and of course, there’s the subtropical swimming paradises, which are always popular with families visiting Center Parcs.

Book Center Parcs breaks for half term online.

Parkdean – from £169

Parkdean will be running Halloween activities in 59 of its parks from October 2 to November 1, promising “live entertainment and thrilling activities”. Depending on the date you visit and the park, you could enjoy a Creepy Disco, watch a Halloween-themed show, Disturbia, or take part in a kid-friendly ghost walk.

Kids can take part in pumpkin crafts, Halloween-themed slime workshops, sand art, or pottery, and some parks will host a Monster Ball with competitions, fancy-dress, live performances, and more.

Find out more about Parkdean’s breaks and book online for October.

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CENTER Parcs is introducing new rules when it comes to bookings at their resorts.

The policy change means all guests will now have to pay £5 per person to reserve restaurant bookings, in a bid to to prevent no-shows.

The new rules are being introduced on all holidays from November 16.

The rule change has been praised by families who say they hope it opens up more bookings.

One customer said: “I’m glad they are bringing this back as it stops people making unnecessary reservations. 

“I’ve really struggled to book what I wanted this year whereas previous years with the deposit there has been plenty of choice.”

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Another added: “Too many people not showing up and leaving restaurants empty. This ties you in unless you can afford to lose it.”

A third former guest pointed out the policy had previously been in place at Center Parcs in recent years, and he had appreciated the chance to spread the cost of the meal.

He said: “Great news, I loved paying the deposit, once the bill came it had £25 off… felt like I was winning.”

If a guest cancels 48 hours before the time of the booking they can get their deposit back, although some people felt the notice period should be less than two days.

Center Parcs has a broad range of restaurants across its five UK villages, including Huck’s American Bar & Grill (all sites), Rajinda Pradesh (all sites), The Pancake House (all sites) and Foresters’ Inn, at Longleat and Elveden. 

It is also possible to just turn up and hope a table is available, although there are no guarantees.

Some have raised issues with the new charge, in that not all of the restaurant menus shown online have prices displayed on them.

Many are arguing they should know the cost of a meal if they were partly paying in advance. 

A commenter said: “Surely you can’t take a deposit which is non-refundable on the day/day before if you don’t publish the prices of the meals?”

Center Parcs announced on its website: “To help us provide the best possible experience for our guests and make sure our restaurants are available for as many guests as possible, all restaurant bookings now require a deposit at the time of booking. 

“This will come into effect for all breaks starting from 16th November 2026 onwards.  

“If your plans change, you can cancel more than 48 hours before your reservation, and we’ll refund your deposit in full. If you cancel within 48 hours of your reservation, the deposit is non-refundable.

“Please note that restaurant bookings have their own cancellation terms, which are different from those for activity bookings.”

Sun Travel has contacted Center Parcs for additional comment.

Other new rules have been rolled out in recent months, including the scrapping of its creche service earlier this year.

Last summer it also changed its pool opening hours from 9am to 10am, while closing at 8pm instead of 10pm.

Check in times also changed last summer, depending on your lodge time – here is everything you need to know.