Fancy some spooky Halloween fun and outdoor adventures in Barnsley this half-term holiday?
There’s loads going on around the borough to keep you and your family busy both indoors and outdoors during the autumn break.
Goldthorpe is the place to be for a Halloween Trail on the high street alongside a special Halloween Market from 10am to 2pm 31 October at the Horse and Groom Square in the heart of Goldthorpe, with market stalls and family entertainment.
The trail, which runs from 24 to 31 October, is being coordinated by Dearne Area Team and our markets team. Pick up a trail sheet from Community Shop on Barnsley Road to be in with a chance to win a Halloween hamper.
There’s also an Autumn Market at the Goldthorpe Embankment from 10am to 2pm on 29 October. There will be pumpkin carving activities, stalls and refreshments.
Our South Area Team are working with the Friends of Wombwell Park to host some spooky fun at the park’s pavilion from 11am to 1pm on 30 October.
Join them for creepy crafts, hotdogs, games and a fancy dress competition.
This free event is funded by Wombwell Ward Alliance.
The Residents of Cudworth group are hosting Creepy Cudeth – an afternoon of Halloween fun at Cudworth Park.
Running from 3pm to 5pm on 30 October, this event is supported by Cudworth Ward Alliance.
Our libraries also have a busy programme of events and activities for families this half term and there’s so much to discover at our museums, too.
These include a Peculiar Pumpkins Trail at The Cooper Gallery and Experience Barnsley Museum from Saturday 26 October to Saturday 2 November and a Forbidden Forest Trail from Saturday 26 October until Sunday 3 November at Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens.
Library activities include a Skeleton Crafts session at Worsbrough on Monday 28 October and the chance to make paper pumpkins and bats at Mapplewell on Wednesday 30 October.
There are also loads of self-guided walking trails to help get your legs moving and your brain learning at the same time.
If you are shopping in or visiting Penistone, look around for the friendly faces of the Penistone Sheep art trail, which celebrates local landmarks in a fun way.
The trail, funded by our Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme, features a roller-skating sheep, one riding a cycle and even a woolly bookworm. There’s an online map of all the sheep’s locations - each red pin is where you can find a sheep.
Alternatively, why not take a wander around Cudworth with the town’s History and Heritage Trail?
The trail highlights public artworks, local legends like Sir Michael Parkinson and Olympic runner Dorothy Hyman, important historic buildings and beauty spots around the town.
Over in Goldthorpe, the Dearne Community Story Trail lets you put yourself literally in the picture.
There are 16 photo scene boards around Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and the Dearne you can pose with. Each has a QR to scan to listen to stories and conversations from the community groups who help make the Dearne such a vibrant place to live.
The trail is coordinated by the Dearne Community Arts Festival team and funded by the UK Government’s Towns Fund through the Goldthorpe Town Deal Board.
Download a map from the trail website or see the large map in Goldthorpe’s Horse and Groom Square for details of where to find all the illustrated boards.
Some venues are only open by arrangement so remember to check and ring ahead if necessary.
Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “Whether you fancy something spooky, want to get crafty or are simply keen to get outdoors and get moving, there are lots of activities and events that you can get involved in across our local towns and centres this half term.
“We’re committed to helping our communities and high streets thrive and our Stronger Communities staff play a key role in bringing our communities together.
“I’d encourage everyone to check out what’s on offer and join in with some half-term fun.”
Cllr Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “There is so much going on at our libraries and museums all year round and this October half-term is no different.
“Whether you want to want to get crafty or explore the outdoors, we have it all here in Barnsley.”
Head to the Visit Barnsley website for a comprehensive list of Halloween and half-term events and make sure you follow your local Area Team on social media to keep up with what’s going on locally.
