This week in Horsham: fireworks, fungi and a ghost hunt

Why bother? Horsham Sports Club’s big fundraising night: fairground rides, food stalls and a bar, then the sky lights up.

When: Saturday 24 October, 5–8pm; gates open 5pm, fireworks around 7:30pm

Where: Horsham Sports Club, Cricketfield Road, RH12 1TE

Price: Over-5s £8 early bird or £11 advance, depending on which tickets are still on sale; under-5s still need a ticket

Good to know: Online booking fees may apply, so check the total at checkout. There’s no parking at the club or in Cricketfield Road, which closes from 4:30pm. Under-16s must be with an adult; no dogs, sparklers, glass, or your own food and drink.

Why bother? The West End family musical on tour, with Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan. Expect to be humming “Tomorrow” all the way home.

When: Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October, 7:30pm; matinees Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 October, 2:30pm

Where: The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ

Good to know: Ages 6+; under-16s must be with an adult. The Saturday matinee is BSL-interpreted and captioned, and had few seats left when we checked. Check seat prices on The Hawth’s page.

Why bother? A Halloween stamp quest, the Little Boo Barn and four indoor play barns, so the day still works if it rains.

When: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 10am–5pm; continues to 1 November

Where: Fishers Farm Park, Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, RH14 0EG

Good to know: Little Boo Barn is aimed at younger children. Check prices on Fishers’ page; booking online takes £3 off each ticket.

Why bother? Follow the bunnies from the picture books around the garden, stopping for hoopla, a broomstick race and stepping stones.

When: Tuesday 20 to Sunday 25 October, 10am–4:30pm; continues to 1 November

Where: Nymans, Handcross, RH17 6EB

Good to know: No booking needed. Children collect a sticker at the end.

Why bother? Grab a wheelbarrow and choose your own from 1.5 million pumpkins. There are roaming characters, music and the new Pumpkin Valley too.

When: Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October, 9:30am–5:30pm; Sunday 25 October, 9:30am–5pm

Where: Tulleys Pumpkin Festival, Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, RH10 4PD

Price: Adults (14+) and children (2–13) £12.95–£21.95 each, depending on day and arrival time; pumpkins extra, £1–£25

Good to know: Book an arrival time. Under-16s must be with a paying adult.

Why bother? A relaxed afternoon painting stones and glass to take home. No artistic talent required.

When: Tuesday 20 October, 1:30–3pm

Where: Trafalgar Road Baptist Church, Trafalgar Road, Horsham, RH12 2QL

Price: £18

Good to know: Materials, tea, coffee and biscuits included. Booking closes at the start time; no refunds.

Why bother? Hunt for wild mushrooms in the Leonardslee woods with someone from the gardening team who knows which is which, then warm up with a hot drink.

When: Wednesday 21 October, 11am–12:30pm

Where: Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, RH13 6PP

Price: £25; Leonardslee members £15; garden entry and a hot drink included

Good to know: Suitable for children. Wear sturdy boots, as paths can be wet. Repeats on 29 October and 3 November.

Why bother? Get your bike safety-checked and the small niggles fixed by an expert mechanic before the dark evenings set in.

When: Saturday 24 October, 10am–3:30pm

Where: Cycle Workshop, 17 Blatchford Close, Horsham, RH13 5RG

Good to know: No need to book; just bring your bike. Sessions are about 30 minutes, first come, first served, so arrive early. Adult bikes only.

Why bother? Andrew Wickens and friends play classical and modern music of their own choosing, all in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières.

When: Saturday 24 October, 7:30–9:30pm

Where: Horsham Unitarian Church, Worthing Road, Horsham, RH12 1SL

Good to know: Retiring collection for MSF; wine and canapés at the interval.

Why bother? The man behind Roy Grace talks to Chris Humphreys about his new Brighton thriller at the Petworth Literary Festival.

When: Sunday 25 October, 7:30pm

Where: St Mary’s Church, Petworth, GU28 0AD

Price: Adults £19; under-18s £10; booking fee included

Good to know: The festival says this one is selling fast. The clocks go back that morning.

Why bother? The Land of Roar author gets the audience up and acting out her brand-new dragon story.

When: Saturday 24 October, 11am

Where: Leconfield Hall, Petworth, GU28 0AH

Price: Adults £10; under-18s £7; booking fee included

Good to know: Ideal for ages 8+. The venue is card only.