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Wakefield

Time Well Spent Festival - October 2025

Time Well Spent Festival

This October the Time Well Spent Festival is  a vibrant month dedicated to engaging mind, body, and community spirit. Visitors can attend creative activities, movement classes and enjoy our four headliner celebrations, details of which can be found below.  Led by Age Uk Wakefield it aims to bring the community together to celebrate wellbeing, creativity, and joy, where people over the age of 50 can connect with themselves and each other.

There’s plenty on offer, right across the district so please take a look at our list below, download the booklet or pick up a copy at your local library or find out more here 

The Time Well Spent Booklet 

Silver Sunday – Wakefield

📅 Sunday 5th October
🕙 10am–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 The Ridings Shopping Centre
🎉 Lots of fun, entertainment, refreshments, activities, and information about services available across the Wakefield District.

One Day at a Time – Theatre Performance

📅 Sunday 12th October
📍 Nostell Priory, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF4 1QE
🎭 Enjoy a free theatre performance at this fantastic venue.
🎟️ Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via Empath Theatre’s Eventbrite page or Facebook @Empath Theatre.
🕑 Matinee Performance: 2pm
🕕 Evening Performance: 6pm

Forever Funky – Day Disco

📅 Thursday 16th October
🕛 12pm–4pm | 💷 Free
📍 WX Wakefield Exchange
🕺 A day disco celebrating the music of our past. Get your dancing shoes on and enjoy the fun of moving to music.

National Apple Day

  • Date: Friday 24th October
  • Time: 11am–2pm
  • Location: Appletree Community Garden, opposite Newland Street, Agbrigg Road, Wakefield, WF1 5AE
  • Cost: Free
  • Description:
    Celebrate the beauty of native fruits with fun activities in the garden.
Date Event Time Location Cost
Wed 1 Oct Chair Based Exercise 12pm–1pm Featherstone Library Free
  Qigong – Horbury 2pm–3pm Cluntergate Centre, Horbury Free
Thu 2 Oct Knit and Knatter – Hemsworth 1pm–3:30pm Hemsworth Library Free
  Qigong – Horbury 2pm–3pm Cluntergate Centre, Horbury Free
  Tea Dance – Horbury 2pm–4pm Cluntergate Centre, Horbury Free
Fri 3 Oct Mindful Movers – Wakefield 10am–12pm Thornes Park Free
  Fit and Friendly – Wakefield 10am–12pm St Swithun’s Community Centre Free
Sat 4 Oct Health Walk – Ossett 10am–11am Ossett Health Village Free
  Art Group – Hemsworth 10am–12pm Hemsworth Library Free
Sun 5 Oct Walking Fit – Ossett 8:30am Gawthorpe Academy Free
  Silver Sunday – Wakefield 10am–3pm The Ridings Shopping Centre Free
Mon 6 Oct Evolve Pilates – Walton 9:30am Walton Free
  Crumpet Club – Wakefield 10am–12pm Denhale Active Recreation Centre Free
Tue 7 Oct Lunch Club – Stanley 10:30am–1:30pm St Peter’s Church £6
  Cosy Crafting – Pontefract 10:30am–1:30pm Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre Free
  Move It or Lose It – Crofton 1:30pm–2:30pm Crofton Community Centre £5
Wed 8 Oct Poppy Making – Castleford 10am–12pm Queens Mill Free
  Chair Exercises – Featherstone 12pm–1pm Featherstone Library Free
Thu 9 Oct Pilates with Annie – Horbury 10:30am–11:30am Primrose Hall £8.50
  Game Club – Stanley 1pm–2:30pm Stanley Library Free
Fri 10 Oct Chair-Based Yoga – Castleford 10:30am Carlton Street Library Free
Sat 11 Oct Museum Meetup – Wakefield 11am–12:30pm Wakefield Museum Free
  Crafting Corner – Castleford 10:30am–12:30pm Castleford Library Free
  Seated Zumba – Wakefield 10:30am Wrenthorpe Village Hall £5
Sun 12 Oct Empath Theatre – Nostell 2pm & 6pm Nostell Priory Free
Mon 13 Oct Knit & Natter – South Elmsall 10am–11:30am South Elmsall Library Free
  Simply Leisure – Wakefield 1pm–3pm St Swithun’s Community Centre £2.50
Tue 14 Oct Walking Fit – Featherstone 6:30pm Victoria Street, Featherstone Free
Wed 15 Oct Nordic Walking – Pontefract 1:30pm–2:30pm Aspire @ The Park Free
  Cross Stitch – Wakefield 1pm–3pm St Swithun’s Community Centre £2.50
Thu 16 Oct Art Group – Wakefield 1pm–3pm St Swithun’s Community Centre £3
  Kung Fu Club – Wakefield 7pm Portobello Community Centre £3
Fri 17 Oct Creative Writing – Wakefield 10am Wakefield (unspecified) Free
  Health Walk – Nostell 10am–11am Nostell Priory Free
Sat 18 Oct Discover Family History – Stanley 10am–1pm Stanley Library Free
  Cycle Ride – Fitzwilliam 10:30am Hemsworth Waterpark Free
Sun 19 Oct Cycle Ride – Rycroft 10:30am Rycroft Leisure Centre Free
Mon 20 Oct Table Tennis – Horbury 10am–12pm Cluntergate Centre £3
  Grow Wakefield – Knottingley 1pm–3pm Community Mini Allotments Free
  Nordic Walk – Pontefract 1pm–2pm Church Lane, East Hardwick Free
Tue 21 Oct Airedale Community Workshop – Castleford 10am–12pm 44 Park Dale Free
  Crafts for All – Wakefield 10am–3pm Wakefield One Free
Wed 22 Oct Fitness – Walton 10am–11am St Paul’s Church £5
Thu 23 Oct Walking Group – Hemsworth 10am–11:30am Hemsworth Library Free
  Memory Action Group – Wakefield 2pm–4pm West Wakefield Methodist Church Free
  Chair Exercises – Normanton 3pm–4pm Normanton Fire Station £6
Fri 24 Oct Mindful Morning – Stanley 10:30am–12pm Stanley Library Free
  Jazz Club – Wakefield 8pm–10:30pm Wakefield Sports Club Various
Sat 25 Oct Parkrun – Frickley 9am Frickley Country Park Free
  Cycle Ride – Agbrigg 10:30am Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Centre Free
Sun 26 Oct Cycle Ride – Pontefract 10:30am Aspire @ The Park Free
Mon 27 Oct Jigsaw and Board Games – Ossett 10:30am Ossett Library Free
  Crafternoon – South Elmsall 2pm–3pm South Elmsall Library Free
  Walking Fit – Pontefract 6:30pm ASDA Car Park, Halfpenny Lane Free
Tue 28 Oct Lunch Club – Stanley 10:30am–1:30pm St Peter’s Church £6
  Sing for Fun – Horbury 11:30am–12:30pm Cluntergate Centre £2
Wed 29 Oct Cha Cha Chairs – Ryhill 2pm–3pm St James the Great Church Hall £4
  Walking Fit – Ossett 6:30pm Ventnor Way Car Park Free
Thu 30 Oct Chair Exercise – Horbury 10am–12pm Horbury Working Men’s Club £3
  Walking Cricket – Airedale 10am–12pm The Hut, Airedale Business Centre Free
Fri 31 Oct Grow Wakefield – Kettlethorpe 10am–12pm Standbridge Community Centre Free
  Chair-Based Yoga – Castleford 10:30am Castleford Library Free
  Halloween Rock Painting – Wakefield 10am–1pm West Wakefield Methodist Church Free
  Active Minds – Featherstone 10:30am–12pm Featherstone Library Free

1st October – Wednesday

Chair Based Exercise 
🕑 12noon - 1pm | 💷 Free
📍Featherstone Library
Gentle chair based exercise suitable for all fitness levels.

Qigong – Horbury
🕑 2pm–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, WF4 5DA
🌿 Gentle Chinese exercise combining mindful breathing and movement. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

2nd October – Thursday

Knit and Knatter – Hemsworth
🕐 1pm–3:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Hemsworth Library, Market Street, WF9 4JY
🧶 Join our knitting and crochet group for crafting and conversation.
📞 Info: 01977 722270

Tea Dance – Horbury
🕑 2pm–4pm | 💷 Free
📍 Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, WF4 5DA
💃 Enjoy dancing in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
📞 Contact Roxanne: 07742 421100

3rd October – Friday

Mindful Movers – Wakefield
🕙 10am–12pm | 💷 Free
📍 Thornes Park, Wakefield
🚶 Gentle walk around the park to enjoy nature and social connection.
📍 Meet at the tree stumps opposite Thornes Park Stadium
📞 Contact Rachel: 07742 428216

Fit and Friendly – Wakefield
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 St Swithun’s Community Centre, Arncliffe Road, WF1 4RR
🏋️‍♀️ Fun fitness sessions for over 60s in a relaxed environment.

4th October – Saturday

Health Walk – Ossett
🕙 10am–11am | 💷 Free
📍 Ossett Health Village, Kingsway, WF5 8DF
🚶 Friendly walks to stay active and connect with others.

Art Group – Hemsworth
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Hemsworth Library, Market Street, WF9 4JY
🎨 Practice your art skills, try something new, and meet others in a relaxed setting.

5th October – Sunday

Walking Fit – Ossett
🕣 8:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Gawthorpe Academy, WF5 9QP
🚶 Friendly walking group that meets across the district. Walk at your own pace.

Silver Sunday – Wakefield
🕙 10am–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 The Ridings Shopping Centre
🎉 Age UK’s celebration with entertainment, activities, refreshments, and local organisations.

6th October – Monday

Evolve Pilates – Walton
🕤 9:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Walton
🧘 Mat classes and personalised sessions to support recovery and improve movement.
📞 Contact Gill: 07968 199169

Crumpet Club – Wakefield
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Denhale Active Recreation Centre, Denhale Avenue, WF2 9EF
🎯 Seated exercise through Boccia and Kurling – inclusive sports for mobility and strength.
📞 Info: 01924 372382

7th October – Tuesday

Lunch Club – Stanley
🕥 10:30am–1:30pm | 💷 £6
📍 St Peter’s Church, Lake Lock Road, WF3 4HW
🍽️ Crafts, films, games, singing, and a hot lunch in a friendly setting.
📞 Contact: 01924 835746

Cosy Crafting – Pontefract
🕥 10:30am–1:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre, Castle Chain, WF8 1QH
🧵 Make your own lamp shade using Tyvek fabric.
📞 Info: 01977 723440
🔗 Book online: bit.ly/WMandCTickets

Move It or Lose It – Crofton
🕜 1:30pm–2:30pm | 💷 £5
📍 Crofton Community Centre, WF4 1LD
💪 Fitness classes focusing on flexibility, aerobic exercise, balance, and strength.
📞 Contact Ivory: 07725 983850

8th October – Wednesday

Poppy Making – Castleford
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Queens Mill, 1 Aire Street, Castleford, WF10 1JL
🎨 Join ‘Make with B’ for a poppy-making craft session supporting the Royal British Legion. Part of Castleford Heritage Trust’s 25th Anniversary.
📞 Book: 01977 556741

Chair Exercises – Featherstone
🕛 12 noon–1pm | 💷 Free
📍 Featherstone Library, Victoria Street, WF7 5BB
🧘 Gentle seated movement in a friendly group.
📞 Info: 01977 722745

9th October – Thursday

Pilates with Annie – Horbury
🕥 10:30am–11:30am | 💷 £8.50
📍 Primrose Hall, 4 Green Park Avenue, WF4 6EG
💪 Mat-based class to improve posture, tone, and flexibility.
📞 Contact Annie: 07989 422949

Game Club – Stanley
🕐 1pm–2:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Stanley Library, Lake Lock Road, WF3 4HU
🎲 Chess, dominoes, cards, and refreshments.
📞 Info: 01924 303130

10th October – Friday

Chair-Based Yoga – Castleford
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Carlton Street Library, WF10 1BB
🧘 Accessible yoga for all levels.
📞 Info: 01977 722084

11th October – Saturday

Museum Meetup – Wakefield
🕚 11am–12:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Wakefield Museum Learning Zone, Burton Street, WF1 2EB
🏛️ Learn about local history and enjoy creative fun.
🔗 Book: Museum Meetup

Crafting Corner – Castleford
🕥 10:30am–12:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Castleford Library, Carlton Street, WF10 1BB
🎨 Bring your own project and enjoy relaxed crafting.
📞 Info: 01977 722084

Seated Zumba – Wakefield
🕥 10:30am | 💷 £5
📍 Wrenthorpe Village Hall, WF2 0NE
💃 Movement and music for over 50s.
📧 Email: zumbasez@gmail.com

12th October – Sunday

Empath Theatre – Nostell
🕑 2pm & 6pm | 💷 Free
📍 Nostell Priory, Doncaster Road, WF4 1QE
🎭 “One Day at a Time” – a moving performance shaped by real experiences of cancer.
🎟️ Tickets via Empath Theatre’s Eventbrite (available from 29th August)

13th October – Monday

Knit & Natter – South Elmsall
🕙 10am–11:30am | 💷 Free
📍 South Elmsall Library, Barnsley Road, WF9 2AA
🧶 Bring your craft and enjoy tea, coffee, and conversation.
📞 Info: 01977 723220

Simply Leisure – Wakefield
🕐 1pm–3pm | 💷 £2.50
📍 St Swithun’s Community Centre, Arncliffe Road, WF1 4RR
🎉 Activities for mature adults including speakers, crafts, and trips.
📞 Info: 01924 361212

14th October – Tuesday

Walking Fit – Featherstone
🕡 6:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 35 Victoria Street, Featherstone, WF7 5EZ
🚶 Friendly walking group open to all.
📞 Info: 01977 722745

15h October – Wednesday

Nordic Walking – Pontefract
🕜 1:30pm–2:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Aspire @ The Park, Park Road, WF8 4RA
🚶 Join our Nordic Walking group – poles provided, all abilities welcome. Enjoy the outdoors together.

Cross Stitch – Wakefield
🕐 1pm–3pm | 💷 £2.50
📍 St Swithun’s Community Centre, Arncliffe Road, WF1 4RR
🧵 Friendly group for all skill levels. Bring your own supplies and enjoy good company.
📞 Info: 01924 361212

16th October – Thursday

Art Group – Wakefield
🕐 1pm–3pm | 💷 £3
📍 St Swithun’s Community Centre, WF1 4RR
🎨 Accessible art group for adults.
📞 Contact Ruth: 07947 836267

Kung Fu Club – Wakefield
🕖 7pm | 💷 £3
📍 Portobello Community Centre, 20 Portobello Road, WF2 7JJ
🥋 A complete workout for mind, body, and soul. No booking needed.
📞 Info: Dave – 07762 310348

17th October – Friday

Creative Writing – Wakefield
🕙 10am | 💷 Free
📍 Wakefield (location not specified)
📝 Explore storytelling, poetry, and more in a relaxed, supportive group.
📞 Contact Martin: 07540 126942

Health Walk – Nostell
🕙 10am–11am | 💷 Free
📍 Nostell Priory, Doncaster Road, WF4 1QE
🚶 Friendly walk for gentle exercise and connection. Held every Thursday and Friday.

18th October – Saturday

Discover Family History – Stanley
🕙 10am–1pm | 💷 Free
📍 Stanley Library, Lake Lock Road, WF3 4HU
📜 Explore your ancestry and uncover family stories.
📞 Info: 01924 303130

Cycle Ride – Fitzwilliam
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Hemsworth Waterpark, Hoyle Mill Road, WF9 5JB
🚴 Join Wakefield Cycle Forum for a relaxed, social ride.

19th October – Sunday

Cycle Ride – Rycroft
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Rycroft Leisure Centre, off Mulberry Avenue, WF4 2BB
🚴 Friendly social ride with Wakefield Cycle Forum.

20th October – Monday

Table Tennis – Horbury
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 £3
📍 Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, WF4 5DA
🏓 Bats and balls provided.
📞 Info: 07873 544948

Grow Wakefield – Knottingley
🕐 1pm–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 Community Mini Allotments, Headlands Road, WF11 0HP
🌱 Relaxed space to grow together.
📞 Contact Andy: 07971 098510

Nordic Walk – Pontefract
🕐 1pm–2pm | 💷 Free
📍 Church Lane, East Hardwick, WF8 3DW
🚶 Poles provided, all abilities welcome.

21st October – Tuesday

Airedale Community Workshop – Castleford
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 44 Park Dale, Castleford, WF10 2QP
🪵 Woodworking sessions supporting mental wellbeing.
📱 Contact via Facebook

Crafts for All – Wakefield
🕙 10am–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 Wakefield One, Burton Street, WF1 2EB
🎨 Informal space to share and learn new skills. Bring your own materials.
📞 Info: 01924 305376

22nd October – Wednesday

Fitness – Walton
🕙 10am–11am | 💷 £5
📍 St Paul’s Church, Walton, WF2 6JT
🏋️‍♀️ Friendly fitness classes focusing on flexibility, aerobic fitness, balance, and strength. Suitable for all levels.
📞 Contact Ivory: 07725 983850

23rd October – Thursday

Walking Group – Hemsworth
🕙 10am–11:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Hemsworth Library, Market Street, WF9 4JY
🚶 Wakefield Council’s walking group for all ages and abilities.
📞 Info: 01977 722270

Memory Action Group – Wakefield
🕑 2pm–4pm | 💷 Free
📍 West Wakefield Methodist Church, Thornes Road, WF2 8QR
🧠 Peer support and drop-in for people living with dementia and their carers. Includes arts, crafts, and fitness.
📞 Info: 01924 365394

Chair Exercises – Normanton
🕒 3pm–4pm | 💷 £6
📍 Normanton Fire Station Community Room, Princess Street, WF6 1FB
🪑 Chair-based exercise for adults aged 50+.
📞 Contact Amanda: 07779 870039

24th October – Friday

Mindful Morning – Stanley
🕥 10:30am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Stanley Library, Lake Lock Road, WF3 4HU
🎨 Watercolour painting, adult colouring, puzzles, and refreshments.
📞 Info: 01924 303130

Jazz Club – Wakefield
🕗 8pm–10:30pm | 💷 Various
📍 Wakefield Sports Club, Eastmoor Road, WF1 3RZ
🎷 Live jazz every Friday night featuring top artists.
📞 Info: 01924 365007

25th October – Saturday

Parkrun – Frickley
🕘 9am | 💷 Free
📍 Frickley Country Park, Westfield Lane, WF9 2EQ
🏃 Friendly 5K walk, jog, or run every Saturday morning.

Cycle Ride – Agbrigg
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Agbrigg & Belle Vue Community Centre, Montague Street, WF1 5BB
🚴 Social ride with Wakefield Cycle Forum.
📧 Email: rides@cycling-wakefield.org.uk

26th October – Sunday

Cycle Ride – Pontefract
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Aspire @ The Park, Park Road, WF8 4RA
🚴 Friendly social ride with Wakefield Cycle Forum.
📧 Email: rides@cyclingwakefield.org.uk

27th October – Monday

Jigsaw and Board Games – Ossett
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Ossett Library, Town Hall, Market Place, WF5 8BE
🎲 Relaxed setting for games and meeting new people.

Crafternoon – South Elmsall
🕑 2pm–3pm | 💷 Free
📍 South Elmsall Library, Barnsley Road, WF9 2BP
🎨 Friendly crafting session with materials provided.
📞 Info: 01977 723220

Walking Fit – Pontefract
🕡 6:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 ASDA Car Park, Halfpenny Lane, WF8 4BW
🚶 Weekly walking group – your pace is our pace. Free parking available on Crab Hill.

28th October – Tuesday

Lunch Club – Stanley
🕥 10:30am–1:30pm | 💷 £6
📍 St Peter’s Church, Lake Lock Road, WF3 4HW
🍽️ Crafts, films, games, singing, and a hot lunch.
📞 Info: 01924 835746

Sing for Fun – Horbury
🕦 11:30am–12:30pm | 💷 £2
📍 Cluntergate Centre, WF4 5DB
🎶 Led by Bob with songbooks provided.
📞 Info: 01924 565859

29th October – Wednesday

Cha Cha Chairs – Ryhill
🕑 2pm–3pm | 💷 £4
📍 St James the Great Church Hall, Nostell Lane, WF4 2DB
🪑 Fun, chair-based exercise in a friendly social group.
📞 Contact Chris: 07796 960162

Walking Fit – Ossett
🕡 6:30pm | 💷 Free
📍 Ventnor Way (Banks Yard) Car Park, WF5 8NT
🚶 Weekly walking group – inclusive and welcoming to all. Your pace is our pace.

30th October – Thursday

Chair Exercise – Horbury
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 £3
📍 Horbury Working Men’s Club, Cluntergate, WF4 5DB
🪑 Sit Down and Flex – gentle movement to music in a friendly setting.
📞 Info: 01924 565859

Walking Cricket – Airedale
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 The Hut, Airedale Business Centre, Kershaw Avenue, WF10 3ES
🏏 Turn up and play walking cricket with Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
📞 Info: 01226 270800

31st October – Friday

Grow Wakefield – Kettlethorpe
🕙 10am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Standbridge Community Centre, Standbridge Lane, WF2 7NP
🌱 Build your gardening skills in a relaxed, friendly space.
📞 Info: 01924 242229

Chair-Based Yoga – Castleford
🕥 10:30am | 💷 Free
📍 Castleford Library, Carlton Street, WF10 1BB
🧘 Gentle seated movement to boost flexibility and wellbeing.
📞 Info: 01977 722085

Halloween Rock Painting – Wakefield
🕙 10am–1pm | 💷 Free
📍 West Wakefield Methodist Church, Thornes Road, WF2 8QR
🎃 Spooky rock painting session to unleash your creativity.
🔗 Book: bit.ly/3HLbiHf
📞 Info: 01924 365394

Active Minds – Featherstone
🕥 10:30am–12 noon | 💷 Free
📍 Featherstone Library, Station Lane, WF7 5BB
🧠 Weekly quiz and social session.
📞 Info: 01977 722745

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