Whether you are looking to embrace Halloween or perhaps avoid it altogether this half term, here’s what's going on in Harpenden, and nearby.

If you want to get creative, Harpenden Library are holding a family Junkenstein’s Monster session where you can  create your own spooky Junkenstein's creature!

Glaze time have three half-term pottery painting sessions running at The Cabin in Southdown on 26th October (booking required), Inn on the Green on 30th October and The Old Cock Inn on 31st October (these two are both drop in, though you can book to guarantee a space).

If your children fancies a bit of a party, then drop-in to the Halloween Party upstairs at Darlish Ice-cream Parlour on 31st October, where they will have lots of activities on offer. The Little Gym Halloween Party also on 31st October, is open to members and non-members, but be quick as this one books up quickly. Or little ones (and older siblings) can enjoy some Spooky Science at special Mini Professors sessions on 30th and 31st October.

For something not Halloween-themed, drop-in to High Street Methodist Church on Friday 1st November for a Stay & Play session for under 5s and older siblings.

If you want to end the week with a bang, Harpenden Rugby Club are holding their annual Fireworks Display on Sunday 3rd November. Other firework displays are available both that weekend and the following, and you can find full details in our fabulous Fireworks article.

Elsewhere during half term, St Albans Cathedral are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the St Albans Film Festival, with The Alban Film Week and will be showing a range of films, including family-friendly ones, all week.

You might like to combine that with a visit to the St Albans South Signal Box, which will be holding a special half-term Open Day on the Wednesday.

Verulamium Museum have a Totally Chaotic Museum History Trail running now until 2nd November, celebrating the release of the book of the same name by historian Greg Jenner. This is a drop-in event and is included in museum entry.

And there’s also a free digital Halloween Trail running in the City Centre organised by St Albans BID.

For older children and teens, if you missed it during the summer, or loved it so much you want to go back, Game On: The Evolution of Video Games exhibition is back at Stockwood Discovery Centre next week.  Read about our visit during the summer here.

As well as all of the above, you can find lots more activities listed on our What’s On page including arts and craft activities at St Albans and Verulamium Museums, Mill Green Museum, Welwyn Roman Baths, Burston Garden Centre and Aylett Nurseries, and theatre performances at the Alban Arena, Stockwood Discovery Centre and the Hat Factory Arts Centre in Luton, plus much more further afield.

For an at-a-glance rundown of pumpkin-picking options and other bigger days out that include some pumpkin and Halloween fun check out our Pumpkin Picking article.