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  • Halloween at Gulbenkian!

    • Halloween at Gulbenkian!

    16 Sep 2025

    Once upon a midnight dreary, the world turns eerie, the days grow shorter, the nights creep longer and Halloween is just around the corner!

    As the leaves turn, the students return and the scent of pumpkin spice lingers in the café, we are thrilled to have spooky month upon us! The October atmosphere is alive at Gulbenkian – whether you are yearning for a warm drink and a cozy study space, a scary movie, a spooky theatre show, or you are ready to kick off the new season with a music gig, there is something for all to enjoy in our program.

    For those in the mood for theatre with a twist, we have The Paper Cinema joining us on Fri 24 Oct and Sat 25 Oct at 7.30pm with their otherworldly storytelling. The Paper Cinema create extraordinary, magical worlds with vivid pen and ink drawings, puppetry, and a treasure trove of acoustic and electronic sounds. Their short tales of ghosts, dreams and the supernatural will transport you through Halloween classics such as Edgar Allan Poe’s King Pest. The show can be enjoyed by all age 8+ and is sure to immerse you into the quirky, spooky atmosphere we all crave this time of year.

    Those seeking theatre in its purest form are invited to an intimate staging of Krapp’s Last Tape on Fri 31 Oct – Sat 1 Nov. Starring David Westhead, this production lets you fully revel in Samuel Beckett’s classic play which will transport you to a land of joy, sadness, love, madness and hope. To ensure the close-quarter atmosphere of the performance, limited seating is available.

    Film lovers need not look far for a scary movie thrill as Gulbenkian Cinema is kicking off October with Radiohead X Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, an imaginative new take on a classic. On Halloween, will be showing The Conjuring: Last Rites – the final adventure for paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they tackle one last terrifying case. Our family spooky screening will be the classic Casper, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year!

    We are very lucky to have University of Kent as our home and for anyone looking for a quiet autumnal walk with beautiful views of Canterbury, we cannot recommend a better place. The library is always there for all wanting to cozy up with a book and Gulbenkian Café is fully stacked with delicious food, great coffee and sweet treats.

    The programme for our 25/26 Season is filled with thrills, awe-inspiring theatre, unforgettable music gigs and exciting family shows. All tickets can be booked online or through our box office.

    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    Providing workshops, support, and performance opportunities, Generate is where creativity gives voice to young perspectives whether in theatre making, film media, music, visual arts and more!

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25
    Gulbenkian Uncovered image 03

    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

    Square Pegs 1

    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
    A selection of images arranged on a wall

    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

    Young People - Screen31 ARTY31

    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

    Film tickets

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