As the Halloween season continues to grow bigger every year, it feels like some of the smaller autumn events have quietly disappeared from the UK theme park calendar.
That’s why it’s genuinely refreshing to see Wicksteed Park bringing back its Oktoberfest celebration this October.
Taking place on 3 October 2026, the evening event promises more than 90 minutes of live entertainment from a Bavarian-themed party band, followed by a disco, giving guests something completely different from the usual scare mazes and family Halloween attractions.
Not Every Autumn Event Needs to Be Halloween
Don’t get us wrong—we love Halloween at UK theme parks.
Fright nights, scare attractions, pumpkins and spooky entertainment have become a huge part of the season, and for good reason. They attract thousands of visitors and have become some of the biggest events in the calendar.
But somewhere along the way, many parks quietly dropped their Oktoberfest celebrations.
Just a few years ago, beer festivals, live music, street food and a more relaxed atmosphere were becoming increasingly popular at attractions across the UK. They offered adults and groups of friends another reason to visit outside the school holidays without relying on scares or horror themes.
That variety is something we’ve started to miss.
A Different Audience
Events like Oktoberfest appeal to a different crowd.
Not everyone wants to spend October walking through scare mazes or being chased by actors. Some people simply want a fun evening with live music, good food, drinks and a unique atmosphere.
Offering a mixture of events also helps parks spread their appeal. Families can enjoy daytime attractions, thrill-seekers can look forward to Halloween, while adults have another reason to return for an evening out.
The more reasons people have to visit, the better.
Smaller Parks Can Stand Out
One thing we admire about Wicksteed Park is its willingness to offer something different.
Rather than trying to compete directly with the UK’s biggest Halloween events, it’s creating an experience that feels unique to the park. That’s often where smaller attractions can shine—by offering memorable events that don’t try to copy everyone else.
It’s also a reminder that seasonal entertainment doesn’t always have to involve zombies and jump scares.
We’d Love to See More Parks Follow
Hopefully Wicksteed Park won’t be the only one.
Imagine enjoying a German-style beer festival at more UK attractions, complete with live Oompah bands, themed food, entertainment and perhaps even selected rides open into the evening.
It would add even more variety to what is already an exciting time of year for theme park fans.
Autumn should be about choice.
Whether you love Halloween, fireworks, harvest festivals or Oktoberfest, there’s room on the calendar for all of them.
We often talk about new rides and roller coasters, but seasonal events are just as important. They give people fresh reasons to visit and help parks create lasting memories beyond the attractions themselves.
So here’s hoping Wicksteed Park’s Oktoberfest is a success.
Because if it is, perhaps more UK parks will once again raise a stein and remember that October doesn’t always have to be spooky.
Prost!
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