Welsh Museums Festival returns this Halloween half-term with a greener twist

Museums and galleries across Wales are getting ready for a planet-friendly Halloween celebration.

If you’re looking for a fun, affordable and seasonal way to keep the family busy this October half-term, Welsh Museums Festival is back — and this year it comes with a greener twist.

Running from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, museums and galleries across Wales will be opening their doors for a week of trails, workshops, storytelling and family-friendly activities inspired by Halloween, autumn and the natural world.

A Halloween half-term that’s kinder to the planet

This year, the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales is putting sustainability centre stage. Instead of relying on glitter, single-use decorations and plastic props, the festival is encouraging museums, galleries and visitors to celebrate Halloween in a way that makes better use of what autumn already gives us.

That means more autumnal trails, natural materials, woodland-inspired crafts and spooky storytelling — activities that still bring the seasonal magic, but with less environmental cost.

Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan welcomed the festival’s return, saying: “I’m very pleased to announce the return of Welsh Museums Festival this year. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going to be on offer from the scores of local museums and galleries taking part. I welcome the Festival’s approach to celebrating Halloween in a greener and more sustainable way, and it is also a great way for families to participate in their local culture and heritage, for little to no cost.”

More places to explore across Wales

More museums and galleries than ever are expected to sign up this year, with venues across North, South, Mid and West Wales planning activities throughout the week. Last year, 52 museums and galleries took part, giving families plenty of opportunities to discover what is happening locally.

Carly Davies, of the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales, said the focus is on helping venues embrace a greener Halloween: “Our revamped Halloween resource is all about cutting back on glitter and steering activities towards more natural materials instead, so families can enjoy the spooky season without the environmental cost.”

She added that discovering a local museum or gallery — often with free entry, or free events included with admission — is “a really lovely way to spend time with your children over the October half term, especially if we get our traditional rainy half term!”

Plan your visit

Welsh Museums Festival runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. For full details and participating venues, visit Welsh Museums Festival.