Because they’re Halloween obsessed, that’s why, and there are lots of fun last-minute events with a spooky theme.
Here are six favourite activities you can easily reach by Stagecoach bus.
And the best bit? Under-fives travel free, and the maximum single fare is £3 per journey.
Pumpkin picking, Greenlands Farm Village, Carnforth
Bus route: 555
Bus stop: Longlands Hotel
Carve out a few hours at Greenlands Farm Village and your kids will have Halloween’s most important prop sorted – plus you’ll avoid a house covered in pumpkin mush.
You enter the pumpkin patch and pick your own, load it onto a wheelbarrow, then create a Jack-o’-Lantern at the carving station.
A ticket also gets access to the farm attraction with its 150 animals which include everything from rabbits to reptiles. On every day until Halloween – to book, visit https://www.greenlandsfarmvillage.co.uk/event/pumpkin-picking/
Paper Lantern Decorating, Lancaster City Museum
Bus route: Multiple services
Bus stop: Bus station
Get your children to make a paper lantern and they could feel a warm glow for at least a week by using it for Halloween and the annual Light Up Lancaster festival the following weekend.
There’s no rules about how a lantern should look and mums and dads can have a go too.
Sessions are run on October 29 and 30 during time slots from 10.30am to 3pm. To book visit https://lancasterandmorecambebay.com/whats-on/paper-lantern-decorating
Showtown Lates, Showtown museum, Bank Hey Street, Blackpool
Bus route: 42, 61, 68
If you’re taking the family to see the Illuminations this half term, duck out for an hour or two and visit the Quack Doctor for magic and illusion at Showtown.
Dorothy, the 1950s dance teacher, also has urban street moves to show you, and you’ll be challenged to take on the Ringmaster’s Tightrope Challenge.
With timed entry every 30 minutes from 5.30pm to 9pm until October 31, the event at the entertainment museum costs £5 for adults and children go free. To book visit https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/events/showtown-lates-2026
Creepy Before Christmas, Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood
Bus route: 1, 74, 75
Bus stop: Fleetwood
Who says Halloween and Christmas can’t mix? Affinity Lancashire is serving up free family fun all week as part of Creepy Before Christmas. Meet the Spooky Sisters and get messy in
Boogie’s Glitter Goo Lab on October 29, then try Nevermore’s School of Spells and Secrets and Boogie’s Silent Halloween Bash on October 30.
On Halloween itself, meet the Peculiar Gothic Family and the Creepy Before Christmas crew, with free face painting and the Spooky Cod Club. For details visit https://affinitylancashire.com/creepy-before-christmas-update/
Halloween Spooky Trains, Ribble Steam Railway, Chain Caul Road, Preston
Bus route: 61
Bus stop: Preston Docklands/Riverside
All aboard the ghost train! On Halloween, Ribble Steam Railway invites families to dress as their favourite ghostly character and hunt for spooks in the museum and on board the trains.
Running from 10.30am to 4.30pm on October 31, tickets are valid on every train that day and cost £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children or £32 for a family. To book visit https://rsr.hops.org.uk/tickets/products/spooky-trains or pay on the day.
Halloween crafts, Fishergate Shopping Centre, Preston
Bus route: Multiple services
Bus stop: Preston Bus Station
Looking for a spell-binding bargain? Fishergate Shopping Centre has free drop-in fun on October 30 from 11am to 3pm, with no need to book.
Would-be witches and wizards can enjoy wizard training with a magical duo, decorate their very own witch’s hat and brew up a magical potion. For details visit https://www.shopfishergate.co.uk/events/
5. Fishergate, Preston
Fishergate, Preston is holding Halloween crafts. Photo: contributed
6. Ribble Steam Railway
Catch a Halloween spooky train at Ribble Steam Railway. Photo: contributed