Things to do this October Half-Term in Wakefield

Head out on a pumpkin adventure this half term on a fun autumnal trail in the gardens at Nostell. Challenge your family to a game of pumpkin tic-tac-toe and mini pumpkin toss, head into the kitchen garden to see what’s growing as you complete your harvest scavenger hunt and explore the apple orchard. Before you make your way to the house, make sure you pause at the pop-up pumpkin patch and strike a pose under the pumpkin selfie arch.

When: 26 October – 3 November, 11am – 5pm
Where: Nostell, National Trust, Wakefield, WF4 1QE
How Much: £4 – £8
How to Book: No booking required, just drop in

In a verdant valley ringed by mountains, a young orphaned child is reluctantly taught their hunting duties by their older sibling. But in this land where Dragons are real, they will soon learn of the dark magical cycle at the heart of their world and what the true price of living in paradise is… Dragon is a visually stunning, fantasy genre puppetry show for families and children aged 7+, taking audiences on an exhilarating 70 min adventure, mixing cutting edge projection and digital animation with beautiful live puppetry, performed by a cast of 3 to a soaring original score.

When: 1 November, 1:30pm
Where: The Grove Hall, South Kirkby, WF9 3QF
How Much: £5
How to Book: Tickets can be booked from Theatre Royal Wakefield.

Something wicked this way comes this Halloween half term… all aspiring little sorcerers are invited to Witches and Wizards at Pontefract Castle! Take part in witchy outdoor activities, learn to make magical potions, and make fun themed crafts. Meet the bandstand on the bailey from 10am ​where the magic will begin.

When: 30 October – 2 November, 10am – 3pm (SEND session from 10am – 11am)
Where: Pontefract Castle, Pontefract, WF8 1QH
How Much: Free
How to Book: Booking is only required for the SEND sessions, otherwise just drop in

It’s not spooky season without Farmer Copleys‘ legendary Pumpkin Festival! Pick your perfect pumpkin and enjoy tractor rides, bird of prey shows, archery, face painting, fancy dress competitions and loads more.

When: 28 September – 31 October, 10am – 4pm (sessions every 15 minutes)
Where: Pontefract, WF7 5AF
How Much: £6 (tickets do not include a pumpkin – pumpkins can be purchased on the day and are priced by size)
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

It’s great to wind down with a board game. The Romans thought so too! Join Castleford Museum for some (very) old-fashioned board games and learn to play the ancient Roman way. Explore the real Roman game pieces on display – can you work out what they are made of? Make your own boards and counters to take home and play again and again!

When: 28 – 29 October and 31 October – 1 November, 10am – 3pm (Friday 1 November is an SEND session but all are welcome)
Where: Castleford Museum, Castleford, WF10 1BB
How Much: Free
How to Book: No booking required, just drop in

With a variety of pumpkins of different shapes and sizes there is something from everyone at Horncastle Farm‘s Pumpkin Festival! Make memories with special photo props to catch the perfect Hallowe’en insta shot. With hot food, including breakfasts for the morning sessions, the witches brew serving up hot drinks, carving barn, animal experiences (including a cuddle with Oliver!!) and fun activities including tractor rides, fair ground ride, archery and our “witches hat toss” there is something for everyone to enjoy.

When: 12 – 13, 19 – 20 and 26 – 27 October, 9am – 4pm (sessions every hour)
Where: Wakefield, WF4 2HN
How Much: £5 (tickets do not include a pumpkin – pumpkins can be purchased on the day and are priced by size)
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Take part in a whole coalshed-load of activities this October Half Term at the National Coal Mining Museum for England! Hear tales of the 1926 strikes from Uncle Fred and Auntie Brenda, get creative in the Maker’s Shed, Caphouse Creators and Family Lantern Making Workshops, and explore the Museum site with a variety of tours delving into its history as a working mine! Plus, ride the paddy train, watch demonstrations and – of course – take an Underground Tour with a former miner.

When: Saturday 26 Oct – Sunday 3 Nov, activity days vary, and not every activity takes place on the same day.
Where: Overton, WF4 4RH
How Much: Activities vary in price from free to £10 per family.
How to Book: Tickets for bookable activities can be booked here.

Join Aspire Kidz Club for a fun-filled day of games, activities, and learning for kids aged 8 – 12 years. With multi-sports sessions, creativity workshops, and learning through play, each day is designed to keep kids moving, thinking, and laughing – plus they’ll even take care of breakfast, lunch and snacks!

When: 28 October – 1 November, 8am – 4pm
Where: Pontefract, WF8 4RA
How Much: Limited Free School Meals places, or £28 a day (includes breakfast, lunch and snacks)
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Star Walk is back this Halloween! Heroes and villains will swap the big screen for Trinity Walk‘s malls in Wakefield this half term as the massive, free cosplay event returns. Expect to see everyone from Batman, Belle and Bumblebee to Deadpool, Darth Vadar and Maleficent. Plus The Mandalorian will be here too! Grab a picture with the Harry Potter platform 9 ¾ photo opp and point your lens at the Game of Thrones seat, for winter is coming.

When: 26 – 27 October, 10am – 4pm
Where: Wakefield, WF1 1QS
How Much: Free (donations welcome for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice)
How to Book: No booking required, just drop in

Join Pugneys Light Railway for their Halloween Spooktacular, a round trip through the spooky woods at Pugneys Country Park. With creepy goings on all along the route, be careful… you might find things that go bump in the night!

When: 30 October – 1 November
Where: Pugneys Country Park, Wakefield, WF2 7EQ
How Much: £6
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Join Tileyard North this Halloween for the Trick or Treat Trail! Grab a map, follow the clues – there may be treats waiting for you… Trail the courtyard at Tileyard North, picking up clues, solving riddles and meeting some larger than life characters along the way!!

When: 28 – 31 October, 10am – 4pm (sessions every hour)
Where: Wakefield, WF1 5FY
How Much: £4
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Step into the wizarding world at Jasmine Pottery Studios‘ sorting hat lantern workshop! Enjoy a magical two-hour session where you’ll craft your very own sorting hat. Dive into the art of hat-making as you sculpt and shape your Sorting Hat masterpiece. With expert guidance from skilled instructors, you’ll bring these iconic hats to life, ready to add a homemade touch to your spooky Halloween display.

When: 26 October, 1:30pm
Where: Wakefield, WF1 1US
How Much: £20
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Have you ever wanted to visit a planetarium but don’t want to travel for hours in a car? Then visit the Pop Up Planetarium in The Ridings Shopping Centre for an unforgettable experience! Enjoy an exciting journey through the wonders of the universe and the human body! Get ready to explore the mysteries of space and the human body and expand your knowledge about our fascinating world.

When: 26 October, 10am – 3:40pm (5 sessions throughout the day)
Where: Wakefield, WF1 1DS
How Much: £5.50 – £5.95
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Get creative at The Art House this October half term with a fun range of creative workshops for children! This Half Term Art Club for children aged 7-16 is designed to help budding young creatives develop artistic skills. From creating recycled crafty cacti to screen printing a tote bag, there’s something for all your budding artists.

When: 29 October – 1 November, various times
Where: Wakefield, WF1 2TE
How Much: £15
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

Blacker Hall Farm‘s pumpkin patch is back for Halloween! Come and enjoy their small pumpkin patch – choose your perfect shape, colour and size, then take your pumpkin to the painting station and create your own masterpiece. Visitors are also encouraged to wear fancy dress – and spot prizes will be offered by the Blacker Hall Farm team to those who have made a special effort. Ticket price includes entry into the Little Farmers Trail where you can meet and pet the lovely farm animals.

When: 12 – 31 October, 10am – 4pm
Where: Wakefield, WF4 3DN
How Much: £5.50 (tickets do not include a pumpkin – pumpkins can be purchased on the day and are priced by size)
How to Book: Tickets can be booked here.

There’s no denying the magic of the sights and sounds of fireworks whizzing and bursting into dazzling colour overhead! See the traditional fireworks display at Thornes Park in Wakefield. The evening will feature a low-impact firework display first, for those that don’t enjoy loud noises, before the spectacular main event a little later.

Please note, that this display will not feature a bonfire. Sparklers and personal fireworks are prohibited.

When: 2 November, from 4:30pm
Where: Wakefield, WF2 8QE
How Much: Free
How to Book: No booking required, just drop in