Things to do at Shakespeare's Globe this October half term

  As half term creeps around the corner, we’re bringing you our best suggestions to get the kids out and about

5 minute read

Looking to keep little monsters entertained this Halloween? Here at the Globe, we have a host of activities for all the family to enjoy this October half term.

Our family festival, Telling Tales, is back and packed full of exciting events, including Storytelling Sessions, Family Workshops, and On Stage Workshops for budding young actors! You can also explore our wooden ‘O’ on a Family Guided Tour, encounter fairies in the woods with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and feast on sumptuous delights in Swan Bar and Restaurant.

An adult and child clapping whilst watching a storytelling at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Whether you’re only here for an hour or are looking for somewhere to spend the day together, you’ll find plenty of options at the Globe to create the perfect day out.

 Uncover the magic of Shakespeare in a Storytelling session (5-12 years)

There’s never a boring story told when we’re around. Our Storytelling Sessions are delivered by our expert team of Practitioners, who bring Shakespeare to life and ensure an immersive experience for the whole family. Join us for music, costumes and laughs. Choose from Shakespeare’s epic tales The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Julius Caesar.

Two children on their feet swing their arms in an interactive workshop

Our Storytelling & Workshop sessions offer a fun and immersive introduction to Shakespeare for young people.

 Dive into Shakespeare’s plays with our Family Workshops (5-8 & 9-12 years)

Take part in our interactive Family Workshops in our very own rehearsal studios at the Globe. Through a range of activities and games, you’ll be able to unearth the magic of Shakespeare’s language, characters and themes in The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Julius Caesar. 

 Perform on our Globe Theatre stage

Jump in and explore some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays Macbeth (5-8 years & 9-12 years), Hamlet (15+ years) and Othello (15+ years) on our very own Globe Theatre stage in our On Stage Workshops this half term. These in-depth sessions are perfect for aspiring young actors!

 Explore our Bankside home in a Family Guided Tour

Have you always wanted to know about what the theatre was like in Shakespeare’s England? Or, how about how much a ticket would have cost to the theatre? Our Family Globe Theatre Guided  Tour is ideal for those with children aged 7-11 years old. Step into Shakespeare’s world and discover our secrets as our Guides take you back in time to Elizabethan London to hear more about the man himself, his city and his theatre.

Two parents and two young children walk through the archway into the Yard of the Globe Theatre: pointing up at the painted heavens of the roof above the wooden stage.

Find out how much it would have cost you to go to the theatre in Shakespeare’s England.

A young boy wears traditional grey and red doublet and hose, a red cape over one shoulder.

Doff your hat like a real Elizabethan!

  Get dressed! (Like an Elizabethan woman)

What did we do in a world before Velcro? What was the equivalent of ‘nice top and jeans’ in Elizabethan times? Now you’ll get to find out. Bring the family out to see our Family Dressing Demonstrations, where you can see how Elizabethan women got dressed – whether it was for a party, work, or just to sit around. Try on the clothes of a gentleman courtier, or a ne’er do well about town, learn to bow, ‘make a leg’ and doff your hat like a real Elizabethan!

 Fight off the half term scaries with a Sword Fighting Demonstration

Did you know the Globe has its very own Fight Team? Have you ever wondered how the fights on Shakespeare’s Stage compared to the fights on the streets of 16th century London? Or the difference between a rapier and a smallsword? Well, wonder no more! Our Fight Team will answer these questions and more in our nail-biting Sword Fighting Demonstration.

Join us for a demonstration of Early Modern stage combat, learn about historical sword fighting, handle the weapons, and even get your photo taken with the swords we use for our Exhibition fights!

 

Two people hold swords in a sword fighting demonstration.

Prepare to be on the edge of your seats in our Sword Fighting Demonstrations.

An actor wears a costume made of bright colours and materials, including a cone-shaped hat with cartoon-like eye and green ribbons sprouting from the top of it

Watch out for those mischievous fairies this October!

 Watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Twelfth Night

Summer is coming to an end, but there’s still just enough time to squeeze in one of our Summer 2021 performances. Immerse yourself in a world of fairies, fun, and glitter with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or enjoy some music, madness and mistaken identity in Twelfth Night, both playing in our Globe Theatre until 30 October.

Fancy a movie night in instead? If you can’t make it in person but don’t want to miss out on the fun, you can watch a live stream of Twelfth Night from the comfort of your living room. Catch us in Illyria on 23 October at 7.00pm (BST).

  Fill rumbly tummies in Swan Bar and Restaurant

Don’t forget if you’re visiting us as a family, our friends at Swan Bar and Restaurant are open and have a wonderful children’s menu with tasty favourites including beef burgers, fish and chips, ice cream and chocolate brownies – yum!

A child eats a strawberry ice cream sundae

Our friends at Swan Bar and Restaurant have lots of tasty treats to enjoy.

A shop inside a theatre is brightly lit and decorated with lots of merchandise, the word ‘shop’ can be seen written vertically up the wall

  Treat thyself with a souvenir from our Shop

Our Shop is now open Monday to Friday during the day to treat thyself and take a little slice of the Globe home with you. From a little book of Shakespeare insults, to games, wooden daggers and flower crowns, there’s a Shakespeare memento for everyone!

FINIS.


Telling Tales runs onsite at Shakespeare’s Globe from 24 to 30 October 2021.

Buy 2 or more events and a discount of 10 – 20%* will be added automatically to your basket.

*Buy 2 events and save 10%. Buy 3 events and save 15%. Buy 4 or more events and save 20%.

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