Experience an unforgettable trip back in time at Beamish Museum with a series of exciting autumn events.
With the Beamish Museum Unlimited Pass, visitors to the award-winning County Durham open air museum can pay once and spend a whole year exploring the past, with daytime events included.
Visit Beamish Museum during October Half Term, 24th October to 1st November, to explore energy in all its forms, from coal, electricity and renewable energy sources to the social and cultural energy that mining communities generated.
Working alongside Durham University and East Durham Artists’ Network (EDAN), the museum will have special cinema showings in the 1950s cinema, children’s mining banner workshops, rapper dancing, and energy-themed quizzes and activities. See an art exhibition by EDAN in The 1900s Pit Village school, Monday, 26th October to Sunday, 1st November.
See rapper sword dancing on Saturday, 24th, Tuesday, 27th, Wednesday, 28th, and Thursday, 29th October. Take part in mining banner workshops on Sunday, 25th and Saturday, 31st October and enjoy interactive energy-themed activities on Monday, 26th, Tuesday, 27th, Friday, 30th October and Sunday, 1st November.
Plus, Beamish is preparing to become the Un-living Museum of the North with some spook-tacular events. Enjoy an evening of horrors at the 1950s Grand cinema with a showing of the original version of Nosferatu (1922) on 17th and 18th October. This Halloween classic will be accompanied by a live score played by Stuart Angus. Tickets for this cinema event must be booked in advance and are available from beamish.org.uk.
Step back in time and get ready for a night you’ll never forget. Keep a watchful eye as you visit Pockerley Old Hall, the oldest original building on site, with many a curious tale or two in its history. By day The 1900s Pit Village is known for its community spirit, but by night you may find other spirits have come out to play.
The cobbled Edwardian street is home to more than just our townspeople at Halloween, meet the newest inhabitants and enjoy some spooky entertainment. Don’t forget to visit the Fairground for a spin on the rides (additional charge applies)!
Watch your step as you enter the frightening 50s Town, the folk there might not be as friendly as they seem. Plus, no tricks here, just delicious treats from our catering outlets.
Tickets for Halloween Evenings must be pre-booked online (subject to availability) and will not be available to buy at the museum. Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for evening events.
As well as exciting events, visitors can travel through time to discover the story of life in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s, as they experience the unforgettable sights, sounds, smells and delicious tastes of the past. Visitors can stroll through the stunning 1820s Landscape and sample Georgian delights at the Drovers Tavern, take an underground tour of a coal mine in The 1900s Pit Village, brave a visit to the dentist in The 1900s Town and have their photograph taken in the Edwardian photographers’ studio (extra charge applies). There’s also chance to meet the 1940s Land Girls and Home Guard, take a trip to the 1950s cinema and toy shop, explore The 1950s Farm and so much more!
Beamish is the North East’s most visited attraction and was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.
For full event listings, opening times and ticket information, visit beamish.org.uk.
Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG. Tel. 0191 370 4000, email [email protected] or visit beamish.org.uk.
About Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, which was founded in 1970, brings the region’s history to life at 1820s Pockerley, 1900s Town, 1900s Pit Village, 1940s Farm, 1950s Town and 1950s Spain’s Field Farm.
The museum is the North East’s most visited attraction. Visitors to the award-winning open air museum, in County Durham, meet costumed staff and volunteers and discover fascinating stories of everyday life in the North East through time.
Beamish was named as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize. Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, annually shortlists five outstanding museums for Museum of the Year.
Beamish is a self-reliant charity and independent museum, and income from its much-valued visitors and supporters helps to maintain the museum, develop new and exciting exhibits and support its work to preserve North East heritage for future generations, while supporting today’s communities, including through our health and wellbeing and education work.
For latest information about visiting the museum, please go to beamish.org.uk.
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