Subscribe to our newsletter
Be the first to hear about our upcoming exhibitions, events, workshops and news!
Wakefield Museums and Castles
October half term guide 2025
Tuesday, October 07, 2025Sorry if that gave you a fright! But yes, October Halloween half term is almost here. There’s so much to do at our sites this autumn.
Entry to our sites is free all year round. Most of the activities we offer during the school holidays are no-cost or low-cost too!
From tots to teenagers, we’ve got something for all the family this October half term in Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield.
Colour Chemistry from Nature's Rainbow
Monday 27 October - 10am (SEND session) and 1pm
Pontefract Castle Activity Zone
Ages 5+
£2.50 per child, accompanying adults free. Booking required
Did you know that there are so many amazing colours that can be created from plants?
Join us for a series of workshops to investigate natural dyes, inks and stains.
In this session, we’ll learn about natural colours used in food. Have a go at decorating biscuits using naturally coloured icing sugar.
These STEM workshops are funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Medieval monsters pop-up books
Monday 27, Tuesday 28, Thursday 30 and Friday 31* October - 10am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
We've got another free fun family activity for October half term at Castleford Museum!
Step into the medieval mythology of Thomas de Castleford. Discover the monsters and legends in his poems.
Create your own stories and turn them into a fantastic pop-up book.
Let your creativity loose. Be inspired by objects in the museum to create unusual poems of your own.
*Friday 31 October is a SEND session. These have more open-ended activities and a relaxed atmosphere.
Animal masks and legends
Tuesday 28 October - 10:30am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
We've got another free fun family activity for October half term at Wakefield Museum!
Discover fascinating facts and fantastic folklore about our native species.
Follow a trail and discover the myths and legends about badgers, birds and foxes. Make an animal mask and tell your own stories.
Witches and Wizards week
Wednesday 29, Thursday 30, Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November
Bookable SEND sessions 10 am to 10:45 am
Drop-in 11 am to 3 pm
Ages 5+
Free – booking only required for SEND sessions
It's the return of our frighteningly popular October half term Witches and Wizards week at Pontefract Castle!
Take part in witchy outdoor activities. Learn to mix magical potions. Magic up fun themed crafts.
Join our resident witches on the bandstand for potions demonstrations! Sessions at 11:15, 12:15 and 13:30.
Dressing up not required, but always encouraged!
Fairytale fun
Wednesday 29 October - 10:30am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free – no booking required
We've got another free fun family activity at Pontefract Museum this October half term!
Visit our family-friendly for a last look at the Oh Yes it Is! exhibition. Join in with activities inspired by the magic of pantomime.
Help our fairytale characters find the missing pieces of their story in a treasure hunt with a difference.
Build a fabulous fairytale castle. Make a sparkling magical wand to take home.
Woodland Tales (ages 2 to 5)
Wednesday 29 October - 10:30 am and 1 pm (relaxed session)
Wakefield Museum Learning Zone
Ages 2 to 5
£2.50 per toddler, accompanying adults free – booking required
Join us for a special woodland story for your little bookworms.
Play with animal puppets. Explore magical crafts and activities all about nature in Wakefield.
Cosy bird houses (ages 12 to 16)
Thursday 30 October - 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Wakefield Museum Learning Zone
Ages 12 to 16
£2.50 per teenager - booking required.
Get creative and make a difference!
Felted bird pods are a cosy home to keep birds warm through the winter. Learn how to make felt and shape it to create something special.
Let’s Make Autumn Bunting
Friday 31 October - 10:30am and 1:30pm
Wakefield Museum Learning Zone
Ages 5+
£2.50 per child, accompanying adults free – booking required.
Learn new handy skills together as a family and celebrate autumn!
Explore how natural forms, patterns and colours have been used to decorate old objects.
Learn basic sewing and embroidery skills to design your own pieces. Create special seasonal strings of bunting inspired by nature together.
Dungeon Tours and Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Dungeon Tours 10:45 am to 11:30 pm
Explorer Tours 2 pm to 2:45 pm
Learn about history where it happened on a tour at Pontefract Castle.
Book advance tickets online for all dates, or buy your tickets from the Gift Shop on the day.
Explore all upcoming events
Browse all of our upcoming events on our What's On page. There's something for everyone! Where will your next adventure take you?