What’s on in Stroud this week: 27 October – 2 November
The clocks may have gone back over the weekend, but with half term all week, Halloween on Friday and Bonfire Night next week Stroud’s event organisers have kicked into overdrive.
The result is plenty of fun for all the family, with the Five Valleys Fireworks on Monday, a full programme of Halloween-themed events at Stroud Brewery, and early Bonfire Night displays at King George V Recreation Ground in Bisley and Ruggers Green Barn near Nailsworth. Plus special half term trails in Whiteshill and at WWT Slimbridge.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion, use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Attend the Five Valleys Fireworks – Mon 27 Oct, 6pm
Stroud Rotary Club’s industrial-scale firework show takes over Marling School playing fields once again, for the latest iteration of an event that has been taking place for more than half a century. Entertainment will be on hand in the form of John Coneley’s Fun Fair, a Punch and Judy show and a digitally-orchestrated show from former British Firework Champions of Champions,Star Fireworks.
- Listen to Halloween tales at the Brewery – Tue 28 Oct, 7.30pm
Folklorist and storyteller Oliver Lavery and musician and songwriter Tamsin Quin present a special night at Stroud Brewery for Halloween. Expect stories and songs inspired by a rich tapestry of global folklore from Celtic Britain to Japan and Mexico featuring ghosts and fairies, shapeshifting animal spirits, river demons, and maybe even the Devil Himself.
- Carve pumpkins at the Brewery – Fri 31 Oct, 10am
To celebrate both half term and Halloween, the Stroud Brewery team invite all the family to a morning of pumpkin carving and painting. All materials will be provided, and the team will tackle the clean. The session will also include a family Halloween film playing in the background and facepainting.
- Attend Bisley Bonfire Night – Sat 1 Nov, 5:30pm
It’s all systems go at the King George V Recreation Ground in Bisley, with fireworks, a bonfire, a Guy Fawkes effigy making competition, a barbecue and hot chocolate. Plus, the Bisley Flower Show committee will be running a licensed bar with ale, lager, cider and probably your first mulled wine of the season.
- Celebrate a Halloween-themed bonfire night at Ruggers Green Barn – Sat 1 Nov, 6pm
The team at Ruggers Green Barn near Nailsworth invite us all for a free crossover family-friendly, Halloween-themed firework display and Bonfire Night event. We are told that the event will feature reasonably priced food and a bar, where kids drinks are free.
- Take the Whiteshill Scarecrow Trail – Until 2 Nov, 9am – 5pm
Pick up a map for £4 from Ruscombe & Whiteshill Village Shop and take a tour through the village, spotting homemade scarecrows, specially-created for half term. Tea, cake and toilets available at the shop.
Continuing this week
- Explore the mystical marsh at Slimbridge – Until Sat 1 Nov, 5:30 – 7:30pm
The team at WWT Slimbridge have created this special trail for half term, featuring a series of illuminated wetland creatures and an interactive bat puppet. The sessions also include the chance to get creative and make your own lantern, and meet a friendly marsh witch who will help you cast your own wish for nature in her magical cauldron.
Further afield
- Pick pumpkins at Cattle Country – Until 31 Oct
Berkeley’s biggest farm park offers a special seasonal treat for all the family as they open their pumpkin patch for another year. Take your pick of hundreds of homegrown pumpkins from a range of pumpkin varieties. Plus, enjoy all Cattle County’s usual animal encounters, indoor and outdoor play equipment and cafe for a single ticket price.
- For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
