What’s on in Wiltshire this October? There are lots of fun events taking place – so start making your plans today. Wiltshire will welcome live music, spectacular exhibitions, festivals, family days out, special events and comedy shows this October. Plus, with half term and Halloween coming up this month, there will be lots of fun family events taking place to keep the kids happy. Read on to find out what’s on in Wiltshire this October.
Music and Comedy
Where will you go to listen to some live music this month? Pound Arts in Corsham have lots of live music planned this October including Wiltshire-based multi-instrumentalist Blake on 1 October, songwriter Chloe Foy on 15 October and Mercury Music Prize-nominated band Lanterns on The Lake on 23 October. Or at Trowbridge Town Hall you can catch acoustic singer-songwriter duo Sound of the Sirens (pictured) on 9 October and Lewis Clark performing a blend of jazz, blues and folk with a soul twist on 23 October. At Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon, you can catch leading brass band Cory Band on 10 October, folk group Leveret on 15 October, and a dramatic opera performance from English Touring Opera on 27 October.
Looking for live comedy in Wiltshire? Head to Wyvern Theatre in Swindon this October for a healthy does of laughter. Big names this month include Al Murray on 2 October, Henning Wehn on 15 and 16 October, and David Baddiel on 21 October. There's also the Spotlight Comedy Club on 22 October and the return of the 'improvised Jane Austen Novel' with Austentatious on 14 October.
Family Fun
Keep the kids happy over October half-term and throughout the whole of the month with these fun family events taking place here in Wiltshire. It's all about birds at the Army Flying Museum this October Half Term; Brilliant Birds will involve craft activities, an Eagle trail to follow, and a visit from live birds of prey on the morning of 27 October. At Salisbury Museum you can join In Print Condition on 16 October, a family art workshop giving creative folk of all ages the chance to create an eye catching art work to take home. Creative children will also love the chance to get involved with Arts Award Explore at Crofton Beam Engines, taking place from 25 to 27 October – you will need to apply on behalf of your child before 8 October for the chance to participate.
Exhibitions
Get your fix of art, crafts and history at one of these upcoming exhibitions in Wiltshire. Cutting it Fine: The Art of the British Wood Engraver comes to Salisbury Museum on 16 October, celebrating the art of printing using wooden blocks. Drawn almost entirely from a private Dorset collection, this exhibition will showcase over one hundred and twenty original prints by twenty of the leading British wood engravers of the last hundred years. Elsewhere, enjoy a glimpse into the life of Victorian diarist Rev. Frances Kilvert in the Kilvert's World exhibition at Chippenham Museum until 9 October. At Trowbridge Town Hall The Oak Tree - Reconnecting to Nature runs until 22 October, showcasing work by artist Jane Eaton inspired by the English Oak tree. And this is also your last chance to catch two exhibitions at Highworth Museum, both of which come to an end on 2 October; the Highworth Railway Exhibition and a lovely Ceramics Exhibition.
Pic credit: Gavin James
Special Events
This October, the first Marlborough Dark Skies Festival takes place, celebrating the night sky with all sorts of exciting science and art activities. Beginning on 25 October, there will be exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and – of course – stargazing! Most events at the festival are free but you will need to book a ticket in advance.
Other special and one-off events taking place in October include the Autumn Classic Historic Racing Festival at Castle Combe Circuit, a chance to step back in time for an array of classic racing series, display cars, demos, parades and more. You could also enjoy a guided walk around Cranborne Chase with Salisbury Museum director, Adrian Green, to explore some of the key archaeological sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The guided walk takes place on 9 October and pre-booking is essential.
Halloween
Ready for some spooky scares this October? There are lots of events coming up for Halloween in Wiltshire. There's a selection of fun family-friendly Halloween activities planned as part of Cholderton SCARE Breeds Farm Halloween Half Term that will keep the whole family happy. Or watch stunning, silent owls swoop through the moonlight at Owl-O-Ween on 29 October at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, just over the Wiltshire border. Children can also take part in a Halloween Quest at Stonehenge inspired by Cressida Cowell's bestselling Wizards of Once series. For something more grown up (and seriously scary) there’s a Halloween Ghost Hunt taking place in Salisbury, with the chance to stay in one of the city’s most haunted buildings on 20 October thanks to Spire Spooks Paranormal. Take a look at our Halloween in Wiltshire page for more gruesome and ghostly event inspiration.
We hope we’ve given you some inspiring ideas to keep you busy this October. If you’re planning a trip to Wiltshire this month, there is plenty to do. Visit some of Wiltshire’s stunning attractions, from ancient standing stones to contemporary art centres, or book tickets to fun activities like cookery classes, water sports, escape rooms, horse riding, skydiving and more. Start planning your Wiltshire holiday today and book your accommodation now.
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to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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Must-try games:
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Hope you enjoy these as much as I do! 🎮