TL;DR: Ascarium: Tricks & Treats brings Halloween activity trails to participating SEA LIFE attractions across the UK, primarily for families with children aged 10 and under. Dates vary by venue, spanning 26 September to 8 November 2026. The event is included with general admission; prices vary by venue. Book admission for your chosen attraction and date.
| Dates | Where | Price | Best for | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 September to 8 November 2026, varies by venue | 9 SEA LIFE venues across the UK | Included with admission; prices vary by venue | families with children aged 10 and under | Book online in advance; prices vary by venue |
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What is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats?
Ascarium: Tricks & Treats is a Halloween adventure through the aquarium, combining a themed activity trail with spooky challenges. Along the way, children learn about marine life and how to care for the ocean.
The underwater discoveries include jellyfish, rays, turtles, sharks and other marine species. Meanwhile, the trail gives young explorers tasks to complete as they move through the aquarium, bringing a seasonal theme to their visit.
Activities vary between attractions. Some ask children to help protect sea creatures, while Birmingham sends families hunting for missing potion ingredients. Activity sheets, visual games, photo opportunities and completion rewards feature at selected venues.
Halloween characters include Serafina the Sea Witch and a resident Warlock, with appearances on selected dates during weekends and October half term. If meeting a character is your child’s priority, check the appearance schedule for your chosen visit.
Where is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats on?
| Venue | Dates | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| SEA LIFE Blackpool | 12 October to 2 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Birmingham | 10 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Brighton | 3 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth | 3 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Hunstanton | 3 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Loch Lomond | 10 October to 31 October 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Manchester | 26 September to 8 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Scarborough | 4 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
| SEA LIFE Weymouth | 3 October to 1 November 2026 | Book tickets |
Participating SEA LIFE attractions stretch from Brighton to Loch Lomond, with nine venues listed below. To find a Halloween event near you, start with the location that suits your journey, then compare its dates and activities.
SEA LIFE Blackpool: Ascarium dates and what’s on
SEA LIFE Blackpool runs Ascarium: Tricks & Treats from 12 October to 2 November 2026. Included with admission, its immersive trail asks children to help the Sea Witch keep sea creatures safe and care for the ocean. Check the official event page before you go.
Children complete challenges to join the Sea Defenders and discover the tricks of marine creatures while earning Halloween treats. Serafina the Sea Witch appears on selected dates during weekends and school holidays.
SEA LIFE Birmingham: Ascarium dates and what’s on
From 10 October to 1 November 2026, SEA LIFE Birmingham hosts Ascarium: Tricks & Treats. Its trail sends families searching for the witches’ and warlocks’ missing potion ingredients, with treasure hunt activities and spooky photo opportunities. Check the official event page before you go.
The trail leads to the Witch’s lair, where a spell opens a treasure chest to reveal a reward. Children can meet the Sea Witch or Warlock there to receive their treat on selected character dates.
At SEA LIFE Birmingham, standard admission starts from £19 per person when booked in advance, compared with £28 on the day. Children under 2 go free. Booking includes entry at a chosen 10-minute arrival slot, so choose one that fits your journey.
SEA LIFE Brighton: Ascarium dates and what’s on
Ascarium: Tricks & Treats takes place at SEA LIFE Brighton from 3 October to 1 November 2026. Children help the Sea Witch and Warlock care for their ocean home by completing challenges throughout the aquarium. Check the official event page before you go.
An activity sheet helps them record their progress as they work towards joining the Sea Defenders. Photo opportunities are part of the event, alongside Sea Witch or Warlock appearances on selected dates.
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth: Ascarium dates and what’s on
The event dates for SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth are 3 October to 1 November 2026. Here, the Sea Witch and Warlock need help looking after their ocean home and fellow sea creatures. Check the official event page before you go.
Children fill in an activity sheet while tackling challenges to join the Sea Defenders. There are also photo opportunities and chances to meet the Sea Witch or Warlock on selected dates.
SEA LIFE Hunstanton: Ascarium dates and what’s on
Families can visit Ascarium: Tricks & Treats at SEA LIFE Hunstanton from 3 October to 1 November 2026. The event is included with admission and combines an aquarium activity trail with visual games. Check the official event page before you go.
Challenges invite children to join the Sea Defenders, while photo opportunities give families something to capture along the way. Sea Witch or Warlock appearances take place on selected dates.
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond: Ascarium dates and what’s on
At SEA LIFE Loch Lomond, Ascarium: Tricks & Treats runs from 10 October to 31 October 2026. The Sea Witch’s challenges encourage children to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants. Check the official event page before you go.
Young visitors fill in an activity sheet as they solve challenges around the aquarium and work towards joining the Ocean Defenders. These activities are included with SEA LIFE admission.
SEA LIFE Manchester: Ascarium dates and what’s on
SEA LIFE Manchester welcomes families to Ascarium: Tricks & Treats from 26 September to 8 November 2026. Its immersive trail centres on helping the sea witches and warlocks care for marine creatures and their ocean home. Check the official event page before you go.
Children complete themed challenges to join the Sea Defenders. The event is included with admission, and Manchester’s date range gives families options beyond October.
SEA LIFE Scarborough: Ascarium dates and what’s on
For SEA LIFE Scarborough, the event runs from 4 October to 1 November 2026. Children tackle challenges and complete an activity sheet to help the Sea Witch and join her Ocean Defenders. Check the official event page before you go.
On selected appearance dates, the Sea Witch can be found in her lair or roaming the aquarium. Photo opportunities and the themed activities are included with admission.
SEA LIFE Weymouth: Ascarium dates and what’s on
From 3 October to 1 November 2026, Ascarium: Tricks & Treats is on at SEA LIFE Weymouth. Admission includes an activity trail, visual games and challenges throughout the aquarium. Check the official event page before you go.
Children work towards joining the Sea Defenders and receive a reward for completing the activities. There are also photo opportunities, so keep your camera handy as you follow the trail.
When is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats on in 2026?
The listed events span 26 September to 8 November 2026, but each attraction has its own dates. Manchester starts first and finishes last, while Loch Lomond’s event ends on 31 October 2026.
For a Halloween half term outing, match your family’s school holiday dates with the venue’s event dates. Character appearances have a separate schedule, with selected dates during weekends and October half term.
If you’re choosing between nearby attractions, use both the event dates and your journey to narrow the options. Then check your chosen venue’s character schedule before booking, especially if your child hopes to meet the Sea Witch.
Is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats included in general admission?
Yes. Ascarium: Tricks & Treats is included in general admission at all participating SEA LIFE locations. Prices vary by venue, so select your attraction and visit date when comparing admission options.
Book aquarium admission for the day you want to attend. Keep the venue’s event dates alongside the booking page, so you can choose a visit that includes the Halloween activities.
If you’re travelling with another family, agree on the attraction and date before purchasing. Where the booking asks for an arrival slot, coordinate that too, so you can follow the trail together.
Is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats a suitable Halloween event for kids aged 10 and under?
Yes. Ascarium: Tricks & Treats is designed primarily for families with children aged 10 and under. It combines Halloween activities with learning about marine life, making ocean discovery part of the seasonal fun.
For families comparing Halloween events for kids, the trail format gives children something specific to do as they explore. Activity sheets at venues such as Brighton and Loch Lomond let them record their progress.
If your child feels unsure about costumed characters, explain the Sea Witch and Warlock theme before you arrive. Let them choose whether to approach a character, and focus on the animals and trail when they prefer.
- Read each challenge together, then let your child suggest the answer.
- Pause the trail when an animal catches their attention rather than rushing to the next task.
- For siblings, take turns spotting clues and completing the activity sheet where one is provided.
- Ask children which sea creature they would like to learn more about after the visit.
What should we check before visiting Ascarium: Tricks & Treats?
Before booking, check your chosen venue’s event dates, admission options, character appearances and any access arrangements your family needs. Keep those details together with your booking confirmation for the journey.
Keep the family plan simple
- Save your booking confirmation somewhere you can reach easily on arrival.
- Allow room in your travel plan for getting everyone ready and finding the entrance.
- Charge your phone if your children want photos at the themed photo opportunities.
- At venues with an activity sheet, keep it handy so children can fill it in as they go.
- If a completion reward matters to your child, choose a venue that lists one, such as Weymouth or Birmingham.
For children who like knowing what comes next, describe the visit as an aquarium trail with Halloween challenges. Afterwards, use their favourite animal or challenge as a starting point for talking about caring for the ocean. For opening times, prices and the latest updates check the official visitsealife.com site.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats?
Ascarium: Tricks & Treats is a Halloween adventure at SEA LIFE aquariums. It includes a themed activity trail with challenges and encourages learning about marine life and ocean care.
When is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats on in 2026?
The event dates vary by venue across the UK, generally running from 26 September to 8 November 2026. Check specific SEA LIFE locations for exact timings.
Which SEA LIFE venues are participating in Ascarium in 2026?
Nine SEA LIFE venues are participating: Blackpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Loch Lomond, Manchester, Scarborough, and Weymouth.
Is Ascarium: Tricks & Treats included with admission?
Yes, Ascarium: Tricks & Treats activities are included with general admission to the participating SEA LIFE attractions. Admission prices vary by venue.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Ascarium?
Yes, it is recommended to book admission online in advance for your chosen SEA LIFE attraction and date. Prices for admission vary by venue.