Ten things to do for Halloween and Bonfire Night in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, events to mark both the occasions are being planned across Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire.

From a quick trick-or-treating trip around family and friends’ houses to dazzling fireworks displays, the two events offer plenty of opportunity for family-friendly entertainment.

Attractions at Cleethorpes seafront have teamed up to offer a host of Halloween-themed activities during the half-term holidays for a fixed price, including spooky Punch and Judy shows, a fire-eater and more.

Melanie Wood, the chair of organisers Tourism North East Lincolnshire, said everyone behind the Halloween Special was looking forward to a fun couple of days on October 30 and 31.

She said: “The Halloween trail will appeal to local children and their parents stuck for something to do during half term.”

“It offers great value. We’re all looking forward to seeing plenty of people along the seafront and having some Halloween fun.”

While many people will choose to head to one of the area’s organised fireworks displays, others will be planning a party of their own, complete with bonfire, fireworks and sparklers.

Humberside Fire and Rescue have urged anyone planning to use fireworks to take the utmost care. The service says 350 pre-school children have been treated in hospital over the past five years for firework-related injuries and adds that following some simple dos and don’ts can greatly reduce the risks.

Among the advice is to store fireworks safely, preferably locked away, and to carefully read the instructions before the display.

Residents hosting their own parties should also be good neighbours and tell people living nearby they will be setting off fireworks. The service warns alcohol and fireworks don’t mix, spectators should stand well back while fireworks are lit one by one, at arm’s length and following the manufacturer’s instructions. A bucket of water should also be kept nearby for any emergencies and to douse sparklers.

The brigade’s full safety advice can be found at the website www.humbersidefire.gov.uk, by clicking on Safety and then Recreation.

With Halloween and Bonfire Night now just days away, here are 10 events in and around Grimsby filled with chills and thrills.

1) Families will find half-term Halloween fun at the seaside, where businesses along Cleethorpes’ seafront have teamed up to create a ghoulish trail for youngsters and their parents on October 30 and 31. One ticket will allow visitors to take a return journey on the Coast Light Railway, enjoy a hotdog at Kingpin Amusements on Central Promenade, a return journey on the Lollipop Train and watch a spooky Punch and Judy Magic Show, from 6.30pm. There will also be soup, music and a fire-eater at Kingsway Kiosks and goodie bags to take home. There will be a free party at McCormacks, Pleasure Island, on both nights which will include a children’s entertainer, fancy dress competition and a disco from 7.30pm.The activities will from 10.30am to 8.30pm on both days, with tickets at £3.50 per person or £12 for a family ticket on the Tuesday and £4 each and £14 for a family of four on the Wednesday. Tickets are available from the participating businesses and the Tourist Information Centre on Alexandra Road and the Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby.

Cleethorpes Seafront, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 0AQ.

2) Grimsby Rugby Club is offering spook-tacular fun for all ages with two Halloween parties. The sports club will host an event for children on October 26 from 6.30pm, while it will be the adults’ turn to enjoy themed fun the following evening from 7.30pm.

Grimsby RUFC, The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Grimsby, DN33 3JF. Tel: 01472 878594

3) Get dressed up in ghostly gear and head to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre for a fancy dress Halloween roller disco on Saturday, October 27, from 6-8pm. Admission is £4.20 including skate hire, or £3.20 for those with their own skates. Dressing up is optional but there will be a prize for the best costume.

Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 0BY. Tel: 01472 323200

4) A Halloween Experience hosted by a Cleethorpes pub will see actors bringing the spooky event to life as guests follow a haunted trail though the venue. The event is in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice and is now in its third year, moving to the Number 1 Pub where organisers promise it will be bigger and better than ever. The experience will take place over four days, with an adults-only party on October 27 from 7pm to late, and family-friendly fun on October 28 (2-6pm), 30 (4-7pm) and 31 (party from 4pm-late). Family activities will include a bouncy castle, face painting, games and food stalls, while the actors from CAST will be on hand on October 27 and 31. For more information, visit the St Andrew’s Hospice website www.standrewshospice.com or call Kevin on 07594 145374.

The Number 1 Pub, 1 Station Approach, Cleethorpes. Tel: 01472 691707.

5) It’s back to Grimsby RUFC to celebrate Bonfire Night with a bang. The club is hosting a Bonfire and Firework Extravaganza on Friday, November 2, from 5pm, at its Springfield Road grounds. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children or £5 for a family of two adults and up to four children. There will be refreshments, a bar, and fairground rides to keep all ages entertained on the night. Organisers say there is no parking on site and ask visitors not to bring their own drinks, fireworks or sparklers.

Grimsby RUFC, The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Grimsby, DN33 3JF. Tel: 01472 878594

6) It’s all aboard for a special celebration when Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway runs its Firework Specials on Saturday, November 3. The service departs from Kingsway Station at 5pm for North Sea Lane Station and leaves to return at 7pm. Passengers will be able to tuck into a barbecue and hot drinks, which are all included, while a bar will also be available for guests to purchase extra refreshments. Pre-booking is essential and tickets cost £6.

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 0AG. Tel: 01472 604657.

7) Organisers of Cleethorpes Fantastic Firework Display at Pleasure Island say visitors can look forward to fabulous fireworks and rides in the dark. The display begins at 6pm on November 3 and 4, with rides running from 2.30pm. Tickets are on sale for £3.50 per person for admission. Ride wristbands are available for £7 (small children up to 1.1 metres) and £9 (over 1.1 metres). Certain rides will close when it gets dark and the park will close at 8pm. Organisers say book early as last year’s events were a sell-out.

Pleasure Island, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 0PL. Tel: 0844 5040104 Ext 221.

8) Waltham Windmill will be hosting its ever-popular fireworks event on November 3 against the backdrop of the historic landmark. The attraction will open the gates at 5pm, with the fireworks display beginning at 7pm, which in previous years has attracted thousands of spectators. Besides the show, there will also be fairground rides and refreshments. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children. Organisers say there is no on-site car parking.

Waltham Windmill, Waltham, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN37 0JZ. Tel: 01472 752122.

9) It’s full steam ahead for a celebration as Lincolnshire Wolds Railway hosts its Fire and Steam Spectacular at Ludborough Station. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, with the fireworks display beginning at 7pm. Trains will run from 1.45-4.45pm, with a special service running from North Thoresby at 6pm, returning after the fireworks display. Hot food will be available to keep spectators warm, with admission costing £2 or free to those who can show their train ticket. Normal train fares will apply on the day. Visit www.lincolnshirewoldsrailway.co.uk for more details.

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Station Road, Ludborough, North East Lincolnshire, DN36 5SQ. Tel: 01507 363881

10) Visitors will be encouraged to dig deep for local charities as Caistor and District Lions host what is billed as the only fireworks display to allow guests admission in return for a donation instead of a fixed entry fee. The event, on Saturday, November 3, will have a “Cool Britannia” theme, with a best-dressed guy competition at 6.30pm, a junior display with no loud bangs at 6.45pm before the main event, with the bonfire lighting at 7pm and the professional fireworks display at 7.30pm. Visitors will be able to tuck into hot dogs, hot or cold drinks and toffee apples. Parking is available at Caistor Yarborough School.

South Street Park, Caistor