Winchester Brew - 23rd October '25

With pumpkins on porches and costumes creeping into view, the city is filling up with spooky fun for the kids (and plenty for grown-ups too). We’ve picked out a few of the best family-friendly Halloween events below - from ghostly trails to pumpkin workshops - but rest assured, this week’s Brew still has a good mix of everything else happening across Winchester and the surrounding villages.

So whether you’re planning half-term adventures, a night out, or just looking for something a little different, there’s plenty to enjoy over the next seven days. Take a scroll and see what catches your eye.

And if you know someone who’d love to stay in the loop, share this issue using your referral link at the bottom of the email - you’ll earn rewards for helping Winchester Brew grow. 🎃

Our featured pick of the events this week.

🎈🌳 The Crusader’s Collectible Escape Game, The Hospital of St Cross Back following a successful run during the summer, this is an immersive escape game by Clue Capers set within the stunning medieval buildings of St Cross Hospital.

Located in the Hospital itself, with a pinch of time travel to 1445, your help is needed to locate an important relic, before the Bishop of Winchester arrives for dinner! You’ll have access to the historic site including rooms not usually open to the public as you uncover subterfuge and save the day, all culminating in an escape room deep within the hospital’s ancient underbelly.

Tickets: For groups of up to 6. c£20 per person, depending on group size.

Timings: Bookings available Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

A curated list of events from the next seven days. We try to only include events that still have availability, though things can sell out quickly so best to check ahead. Cheapest adult ticket price option shown where available.

👣🎃🎈 Spooky Winch Word Hunt, Winchester Visitor Information Centre. Enjoy taking part in the FREE trail across the city and once completed enter a prize draw to win a Halloween-inspired hamper.

🎈🎃 Wizard Week, The Watercress Line, from Saturday onwards. The Watercress Line transforms into a place of magic and mischief for Halloween! We have lots of spooky activities to keep the kids entertained this October half-term.

🎭🎈 The Gruffalo’s Child, Theatre Royal Winchester, Saturday 1:30pm and 4pm and Sunday 11am and 1:30pm. Follow the Gruffalo's Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories' enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. £12

🎈🎃 Halloween Party, Bella Crafts, Saturday at 2 PM, Sunday at 10:30 AM. Join us for a magical, spooky, Halloween party! In this magical haven you will be able to, conjure charming spells, craft curious creations, brew poisonous potions and create spooky cookies! The perfect way to celebrate Halloween! £16.95

🎶🎭🎈 Baby Bear, The Nutshell, multiple shows from 10:30 AM. Join Baby Bear as she explores nature and wildlife in an uplifting, beautiful and comical theatre production. With different show times for babies and toddlers. Entry price is for 2. £18

🎪🎈 BFF Firework Display, Barton Farm Primary Academy, at 5:30 PM. Join us for an early evening fireworks hosted by The Hampshire, Surrey & Berkshire Firework Display Company. Wrap up warm for a child friendly evening of hotdogs, chocolate apples, rides, glow disco and lots more. £7

📚 Winchester: City of Kings Book Launch, P&G Wells Bookshop, at 6:00 PM. Winchester's rich heritage is brought to life in this uniquely accessible overview of the city's long and intricate physical and cultural history. Free entry.

🤝🍷Seen Social - Winchester Meet, The South Downs Social, at 6:30 PM. Hey there, Hampshire's movers and shakers in marketing, creative and entrepreneurship! Come along for a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging good ol' honest and open discussion. With Guest Speakers from outdoor-brand Passenger. £24

🎬🍷 Film Society: Nosferatu with Herradura (2004), Cabinet Rooms, at 7:00 PM. Over 18s only. Book in advance £25

🎤📚 Larry Lamb Book Tour - Q&A and signing, The Pump House, at 7:00 PM. Meet Larry Lamb in Winchester for his book launch - includes Q&A, signing & a copy of All Wrapped Up. VIP tickets available. £10

🎶 Fairport Convention, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, with 2025 being their 58th anniversary! Come and hear the band that launched British folk-rock. £35

🎶 Battle of the Bands, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Weekend Offender Records are proud to bring you a great night of live music with 4 Local Acts competing for the opportunity to have their music released on a limited run of 7” records. £10

🎶🎓 Ukulele Improvers, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 12:00 PM. Simply learn by playing songs in a friendly and relaxed environment and having a lot of fun. £13.50

🎶 Tuba Libres, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. Tuba Libres have unleashed a wave of brassy goodness on the South coast. Their fun-filled antics have got audiences moving since they formed in Southampton in 2015. Expect energetic lunges, sizzling solos and heavy hitting grooves all backed up by some fat horns. £12.50

🖼️ Awakening Creativity workshop, Quaker Meeting House, at 10:30 AM. Free up your creative expression through art with Lorna Carmen McNeill £45

🖼️🎓 Chinese Calligraphy Lessons by CultureEx, The Arc, at 2:00 PM. Come join CulturEx for a fun and interactive Chinese Calligraphy Workshop at The Arc Winchester. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this workshop is perfect for anyone interested in learning the art of Chinese calligraphy! £27

🕯️🖌️ Christmas Candle Painting Workshop with Scarlet Standen, Holy Trinity Church Hall, at 2:00 PM. In this hands-on session, Scarlet will guide you through the art of hand-painting elegant taper candles, drawing inspiration from traditional folk motifs and the soft, velvety finish of chalk-based paints – perfect for your festive table or as a thoughtful gift. £35

🖼️🌳🏛️ Public Art in Winchester Walking Tour, Visitor Information Centre, at 2:30 PM. Winchester has amazing public works of art, many of which will be seen during this tour. £12

⚽ Winchester City FC vs Brixham, Hillier Way, at 3:00 PM. Come and support the Citizens in their next home match. £13.50

🏉 Winchester Rugby vs Guildford, North Walls Park, at 3:15 PM. Come along and support the Winchester 1st XV in their next home match.

🎶 Festival of Folk, Christ Church, at 6:00 PM. Traditional Tunes from Britain and Beyond Through toe-tapping rhythms, rich harmonies, and timeless melodies, Esprimo presents Festival of Folk - a joyful celebration of traditional music from across the UK and around the globe. £15

🎶🎭🎗️ Bollywood Evening - A Celebration of Culture, Colden Common Community Centre, at 7:00 PM. From the graceful storytelling of classical Indian dance to the joyful rhythms of folk celebrations from across India… experience a night of beauty, energy, and unity – all in support of the Mayor’s Charities! £28

⚽ Winchester City Flyers FC vs Gwalia United, Charters Community Stadium, at 2:30 PM. Come and support the Flyers in their next home match. £5

🎬🍷 Film Society: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Cabinet Rooms, at 3:00 PM. Over 18s only. Book in advance £14

🧘‍♀️☕ Evening sundown yoga with Sophie House, Elevate Fitness Studios, at 5:00 PM. Think relaxed Ibiza evenings, think relaxing yoga, think about time after class with your community. Finish your weekend by joining us for a calming yoga session followed by chilled socials. £10

🎃🎈🏛️ Winchester Ghost Stories, Winchester City Museum, at 5:15 PM and 6:30 PM. Ever wondered who….or what haunts Winchester? Here is your chance to find out with Winchester Ghost Stories, an interactive tour taking place at the Winchester City Museum. £7

🎭🎈 Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, and brand new for 2025, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to Winchester bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world! £12.50

🎈👣🏛️ Children’s Winchester History - Walking Tour, Visitor Information Centre, at 2:30 PM. Explore Winchester during the children's holidays to see what you can spot to decode the city's history. This is a 60 minute walking tour. £8

🎬🎃 After Dark - Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Winchester Planetarium, at 5:30 PM. Are you ready for a completely unique cinema experience? Grab a seat, sit back and relax as  Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit plays out under the stars of The Planetarium. £8.50

🎭🎈 The Zoo That Comes To You, The Nutshell, at 11:00 AM. The Zoo That Comes To You follows the impassioned attempts of two animal enthusiasts to share their love of and concern for animals with the world. Featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters, Scarlet Oak Theatre welcomes you to join the conversation about animal conservation. £16

🎈🎃🖌️ Halloween Half Term! Paint a haunted house on canvas for ages 7+, The ARC, at 2:00 PM. As autumn shadows grow longer and Halloween draws near, join us to paint your very own haunted house on canvas. Each participant will have brushes of different sizes, sponges, and palette knives to create moody skies, glowing windows, and mysterious silhouettes. £12

⚽ Winchester City FC vs Bishops Cleeve, Hillier Way, at 7:45 PM. Come and support the Citizens in this upcoming home match. £13.50

🎬 Winchester Film Society: Nickel Boys, Winchester Science Centre, at 8:00 PM. The film chronicles the powerful friendship between two young black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. This is an immersive cinematic experience that confronts systemic racism with unflinching honesty and artistic brilliance. The performances are as captivating as the story! £8

🪩🕺🏽🎓 Dance Yourself Dizzy Jive Class, Guildhall Winchester, at 8:00 PM. Dance Yourself Dizzy is re-opening at Winchester Guildhall for class nights every Tuesday from 28th October 2025! Spread the word, bring your friends & spread the Modern Jive love! £10

🎈🎃🖌️ Halloween Half Term! Build & decorate a dancing wooden skeleton puppet for ages 6+, The ARC, at 10:00 AM. As autumn shadows grow longer and Halloween draws near, join us to build and decorate a wooden skeleton puppet that really dances! We will start by exploring how puppet joints bring characters to life: and then get to work building your very own skeleton, ready to rattle and jig to its own bony beat. £12

🎈🎃🎭🎓 The Show of Spooky Science, The ARC, at 2:00 PM. For this time of year, what could be better than a science show filled with seasonal spookiness. Pumpkins and potions, sparks and spectres, of demonstrations and of the dark. £12

🎶🎃🎈Halloween UV Pumpkin Party, Winchester Science Centre, at 6:00 PM. Come along to Winchester Science Centre after dark this Halloween and enjoy a night of UV fun. Your ticket includes entry to the party with a live DJ, glowing face painting, unlimited squash, and a sweet treat to take home. Plus, you’ll get to explore two floors of interactive exhibits and snap some spooky shots in the photobooth. £12.50

🎶 The Undercover Hippy, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. The Undercover Hippy is bringing their unique fusion of reggae, hip hop, and lyrical activism to stages across the country. From Penzance to Edinburgh to Dover - and everywhere in between - the band promises an unmissable night of music, mischief, and meaningful messages. £19

Got an event we should feature in the Winchester Brew? Click the button below and add your event details!

Could your home be their happy place?

Every week we’ll recommend a walking or cycling route in or near the Winchester area.

A bit of froth to end on…

Did You Know? The Lockburn - an ancient culverted branch of the River Itchen running below some of the city - served as part of Winchester’s drainage network and parts of its route remain visible today through pavement gratings near Abbey Gardens and Colebrook Street.

Riddle Me This: I weigh nothing, but I can sink the biggest ship. What am I?

Brain Teaser: What’s the pattern in this sequence of digits: 8, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 3, 2, 0? Last week’s answer: 312211 - it’s the look-and-say sequence: 111221 is “three 1s, two 2s, one 1.”

Till next time,