Trick or treating usually means dark streets, knocking on strangers’ doors and hoping someone’s home. This half term, there’s a better way. From Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October, Brewery Square is turning into Brewery Scare, and the whole Square is in on it.
How to take part
There are three things to do, and you can do them in any order.
1. Trick or treat around the Square
- Look out for the trick or treat posters in business windows. A poster means that business is taking part!
- Head inside and say “trick or treat!”
- Get a sweet treat or a spooky surprise.
- See how many posters you can find. Every business is a little different, so you never know what’s waiting.
- No map needed. Just have a stroll around the Square and look out for the posters. Here is how to take part:
2. Vote for the spookiest window
Cobwebs, creepy crawlies and a skeleton or two. Our businesses have gone all out turning their windows into Halloween scenes, and there are a handful to hunt down around the Square.
Follow the window display posters, check out every spooky scene, then vote for the one that gives you the biggest fright (or the biggest grin). The public has the deciding vote, so your pick really counts. Voting is easy: scan the QR code on the window display poster with your phone camera and pick your favourite. It takes less than a minute.
3. Snap a selfie with our scarecrows
Local schools, charities and community groups have built their very own scarecrows for Scare in the Square. Find them all gathered together and grab a Halloween selfie with your favourite.
Then scan the QR code on its plaque to vote. The winning scarecrow wins £100 for a local charity or cause, so your vote really makes a difference.
Tips for the best trick or treat
- Dress up! Costumes aren’t a must, but they make it twice as fun (and the photos twice as good).
- Bring a bag or bucket for collecting your treats.
- Check before you eat. Treats vary between businesses, so grown-ups should check ingredients if anyone has an allergy.
- Come early in the week. Treats are given out while stocks last.
- Share your photos and tag us on Instagram or Facebook.
Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October, 10am to 3pm, Brewery Square, Dorchester
Make a day of it
It’s half term, so why stop at sweets? Burn off the sugar at Nikki’s Little Play Café, catch a film at the Odeon, or treat everyone to a sundae at Creams Café. Read our half term guide for more ideas.
And for the grown-ups on Halloween night, Saturday 31 October, Santos + Co has live music from Jack Daniels from 7pm.
Getting here
Dorchester South station is right in the Square, and Fairfield car park is just across Weymouth Avenue. See our getting here guide for parking prices and bus routes.
Quick questions
When is Brewery Scare? Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October 2026, from 10am to 3pm.
Is it free? Yes. Trick or treating, voting and the scarecrow display are all free.
How do I know which shops are taking part? Look for the trick or treat posters in their windows.
Do we need to wear a costume? No, but we would love to see them.
How do I vote for a scarecrow? Scan the QR code on the plaque next to your favourite.
Gather your ghosts and ghouls, and we’ll see you at Brewery Scare!
