28/10/2026
Hello!
We would love to invite you to a special Halloween gathering in the beautiful Rivington Terraced Gardens and at our coffee house, Fika, at the foot of Rivington Pike, Bolton.
📅 Saturday 31st October
📍 Lower House Car Park, Rivington
🕚 11am
🎟️ FREE EVENT – EVERYONE WELCOME!
Come dressed as witchy or warlocky as you like (dogs included!) as we walk together through the magical Lost Gardens to celebrate Halloween and the ancient Pagan festival of Samhain.
🌙 SAMHAIN & THE THINNING VEIL
Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) is an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally seen as the darker half of the year.
But Samhain is about much more than the changing seasons.
Within Pagan traditions, it is believed that a veil exists between our world and the spirit world throughout the year, but at Samhain this veil becomes its thinnest.
It is believed to be a time when the worlds of the living and those who have passed are closer together, making it a particularly meaningful occasion for remembrance and honouring our ancestors.
A time to think about those who came before us, the loved ones we have lost, the memories we carry and the connections that remain.
It is also a time of letting go of what no longer serves us, reflecting on the year that has passed and welcoming the next chapter as nature prepares for winter.
This Halloween, we are delighted to be joined by a local Pagan Moot gathering from Bolton, who will walk with us through the gardens and share their knowledge of Samhain, Pagan beliefs and ancient traditions.
They will talk about the meaning of the thinning veil, why our ancestors are so important within these traditions and some of the ways people can honour and feel connected to loved ones who are no longer with us.
Whether you follow Pagan traditions, are spiritually curious or simply want to learn about something different, everyone is welcome to listen, ask questions and experience this special gathering.
THE FIVE LOST WITCHES OF RIVINGTON
For our little witches and warlocks, we have a magical adventure waiting!
We'll begin with a special fictional story about the Five Lost Witches of the Gardens.
Children will receive a potion bottle and a magical map before setting off through the gardens to find all five lost witches.
Along the way, they'll collect magical ingredients to create their own potion.
Once they reach Fika, they'll cast a special spell to awaken their potion and help bring the magic of the gardens back to life!
Each child will receive a special token for their magical work.
SAMHAIN ANCESTRAL DRUMMING CEREMONY
When we arrive at Fika, our Pagan guests will lead a special Samhain ancestral drumming ceremony.
Drumming has long been used within different spiritual traditions as a way of bringing people together through rhythm and connection.
This ceremony will be an opportunity to honour our ancestors and remember loved ones who have passed.
A peaceful and meaningful moment to experience the traditions of Samhain together.
HALLOWEEN AT FIKA
Fika will be serving with our special Halloween drinks menu, including:
Baileys Hot Chocolate
Baileys Coffee
Mulled W**e
Warming autumnal teas
Plus lots of special drinks (tried and tested) and treats for the little witches and warlocks!
We'll also have cakes, paninis and treats for our four-legged friends.
HALLOWEEN RAFFLE
We'll have some lovely raffle prizes up for grabs too!
Potion making kit from The Potion Lab (photo)
Loose leaf tea hamper from The Rivington Apocothery (photo)
Dog treat hamper prize for winner of best dressed dog from Rivington Chews
A HALLOWEEN WITH A LITTLE MORE MEANING
Whether you're joining us for the children's witch hunt, to learn about Pagan traditions, to honour someone special, an excuse to dress up or simply to enjoy an autumn walk surrounded by nature and community, we'd love you to be part of it.
A day of magic in the beautiful Rivington Gardens.
Fika Rivington 🖤
