Welsh Museums Festival opens with free and low-cost half-term activities

More than 60 museums and galleries across Wales are taking part in the Welsh Museums Festival from 24 October to 1 November 2026, with many activities free or low-cost. The half-term programme combines local history, crafts and Halloween traditions, giving families a way to explore their area without committing to an expensive day out.

This year’s theme, Sustainable Hwyl, encourages venues to use natural and reused materials. There are bilingual activities too, alongside seasonal stories linked to Calan Gaeaf. The festival is organised by Museums Federation Cymru with Welsh Government support.

Free outings without advance booking

At the Museum of Cardiff, in the Old Library on The Hayes, the programme includes a free screening of WALL-E on Monday 26 October at 11am. No booking is required.

Families can also drop in to make spooky decorations on Wednesday 28 October, 11am–3pm. On Thursday 29 October, Flossy & Boo lead free recycled-material zine workshops, 11am–12.30pm and 1pm–3pm. Materials are included and children must be accompanied by an adult. The museum normally opens Monday–Saturday, 10am–4pm, and is closed on Sundays.

In Brecon, y Gaer Museum has a free self-guided trail and craft area during its opening hours throughout the festival period. The trail looks at bats, spiders, snakes and owls, connecting Halloween creatures with facts about wildlife. No booking is needed for these activities.

The museum’s separate storytelling tours through its historic basement cells do require advance booking: adult sessions, for ages 16 and over, are on 27 October; children’s sessions, for ages five and over, are on 29 October. Follow the council’s event links to check remaining places.

Folklore, pumpkins and a spooky school

Carmarthenshire Museum in Abergwili has natural potion-making, broom-making, recycled bat crafts and local folklore tours on Thursday 29 October. Parc Howard Museum in Llanelli follows on Friday 30 October with gardener Adam Jones exploring the pumpkin’s life cycle, including carving. Check each session’s listing for times, booking and any charge.

On Anglesey, Oriel Môn’s Creative Halloween session runs on Friday 30 October, 10.30am–12.30pm. Children aged four to nine can join stories and songs and help create Ysgol Arswyd, a spooky school. It is free, but booking is essential and an adult must accompany each child.

Check the venue before setting off

The festival is not a blanket free-entry offer. Some museums charge their usual admission, and individual workshops may have fees, age limits or limited places. Opening days, access arrangements and the language used in activities also vary.

Use the official programme to find nearby events, then confirm the details with the venue. For more ideas throughout the year, see Babylon’s UK cultural-events guide.

Image: Welsh Government, Crown copyright, Open Government Licence