Halloween is fast approaching, so I have done some research on what's happening in Bournemouth this year so that you don't have to. I have also soft launched some additional winter activity ideas for you and your housemates at the end!
It’s safe to say you have an abundance of choice for seasonal activities at uni here on the South Coast. I have picked out a few suggestions but there is definitely more going on, and I couldn't include them all. Word of mouth is great for finding out what others are up to and what you can get in involved in. Your second-best friend is Instagram for finding the lowdown on all the spooky-themed events happening.
A slightly less intense autumn-themed day out is, of course, pumpkin picking! Around AUB, we have a couple of choices for location, all open until the end of the month. The top ones I have seen so far are: Sopley Farm (just on the outside of the New Forest), The Cat & Fiddle (towards Christchurch) and Gulliver's Farm Shop (Ferndown direction). All three options are about 20/25-minute drive from the Bournemouth area.
Pumpkin picking with your friends or housemates will definitely get you in the autumn mood. I went to the Cat & Fiddle last year and Sopley Farm this year. I found both locations had amazingly priced pumpkins, paying around £3 for the medium-size pick. The atmosphere is always friendly and wholesome, with kids having fun and lots of photo opportunities. I always like to make the day out slightly longer with a hot drink and sweet treat to enjoy the moment, especially if the weather is nice and you're with your friends. Usually, they have music playing too! This year at Sopley Farm there was also a small farm shop and bakery to look round, which was a lovely addition.
Going up a notch, there are different pub quizzes or seasonal-themed events. Barbara's Bier Haus is hosting not only one but two nights of Halloween quizzes (25 October and 1 November). Alternatively, The Sun is hosting a Halloween quiz on Sunday 1 Nov too. Either round up two loads of mates and try both or take your team to both and create some rivalry to see who does it best!
Next up, you can't miss the Halloween special music bingo hosted at Barbara's Bier Haus too – Monday 26 October at 20.00 – be there or be square!
If bingo and quizzes aren't really your thing though and you prefer some good tunes, The Sun has you covered again with a special live music night on Halloween itself. It's kicking off at 20.00, and free to enter.
On the main night, town will be bustling! If you haven't already secured tickets for Lolliween or Fright Night at the Old Fire Station, or the Barbara's Halloween party then there are plenty of other options, or you can join the waitlist and cross your fingers for tickets.
A few ideas to check out is the Twisted Carnival happening in Bar So, the Dia De Los Muertos party at Lost, or three different events at Aruba between 30 October and 1 November for you to party the season away at! DYMK are also putting on Halloween drag with special drinks like jelly shots to get involved in. Obviously, these ideas aren't exhaustive either and Bournemouth is sure to be a busy town that weekend. Get dressed up and get involved; just remember to have fun and look after one another!
Halloween weekend is sure to be an exciting one, and we are spoilt for choice here on what to do across the weekend. But don't forget to start planning ahead.
Fireworks Night will be here before you know it after Halloween and there's lots going on then too. The popular Poole fireworks at the Quay return for free if you fancy an evening adventure on the bus, but equally I'm sure you will see some from your back garden. Remembrance Sunday isn't too far past this either and there's always a ceremony in Bournemouth Gardens that’s open to everyone.
As we put the spooky season to bed and begin preparing for arguably one of the best times of the year, Christmas is a great time to get out with your friends and enjoy being wrapped up and warm. Poole and Bournemouth town centres both usually have fantastic light displays to enjoy after dark, opening from mid- to late November usually, so there's plenty of time to visit before assignments are due and you head home for the holidays.
Whatever you decide to get involved with, and whoever you decide to do it with, I hope you have the best time and enjoy it. Make sure to plan ahead, keep you and your friends safe and make the 2026 celebrations one to remember.
