Celebrate community spirit this October half-term with some spooky fun across Barnsley

Barnsley is bursting with Halloween activities for families to enjoy this half-term. From creepy crafts to haunted hikes, there’s a spooky offering for everyone to sink their teeth into!  

Hunt the sky for sightings of bats at St Leonards Church in Wortley on Thursday 23 October from 6pm. This free event enables fun education, games and refreshments.  Supported by Greenotes and Penistone Area Team.    

Join the free Halloween party at Loxley Community Gardens in Wombwell on Thursday 23 October from 4pm! Enjoy games, food, and make spooky lanterns—just bring a clean milk carton. Fancy dress is welcome. This event is supported by Barnsley Council’s South Area Team and Berneslai Homes. 

There’s a family friendly Halloween Drop-In at Kirk View Community Centre in Hoyland on Tuesday 28 October from 12pm. There will be plenty of food, games and themed activities to do. Bring your clean plastic milk cartons to make a spooky lantern! This has been funded through Pride of Place funding and organised by Barnsley Council’s South Area Team. 

Thanks to Great Childhoods Ambition funding, Thurnscoe will have plenty of monstrous fun in store on Thursday 30 October at its Halloween Hike. Start with Halloween fishing at 11am, grab your scavenger hunt and spooky scarecrow trail sheets, then head to St Helens Church Hall for a treat once you’ve completed them.  

Join the Friends of Wombwell Park for free spooky fun on Wednesday 29 October from 11am.  

With crafts, games, snacks, and a prize for best costume, this event is funded by Wombwell Ward Alliance and supported by our South Area Team. 

Creep on down to Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall for a Children's Halloween Disco on Friday 31 October from 5pm to 7pm.  Tickets cost just £1. Phone 01226 381006 to book. 

Darton East Ward Alliance have funded loads of thrilling things over half term. Highlights include Boos and Brews for monsters aged 12 and over at The Wentworth Arms in Mapplewell on Wednesday 29 October from 4pm and the Fright Van at Staincross Methodist Church on Friday 31 October from 1pm.  All activities cost £1 on the day.  Just email northteam@barnsley.gov.uk to book. Find more details at Barnsley North Area Team Council on Facebook  

 Why not challenge yourself at YMCA Barnsley’s free Wickedly Good Bake off on the Tuesday 28 October at 12pm?  Spaces will fill up fast, so get a wriggle on and book early! 

Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “It’s exciting to see our neighbourhoods coming together this Halloween to build stronger communities through some weird and wonderful events.  

 "Barnsley is built on pride and community. The Love Where You Live programme shows what we can achieve together.  

“This half-term, we invite families to shake off the cobwebs and get involved in their communities — from lantern-making to clean-ups.” 

Barnsley’s Council’s Love Where You Live campaign encourages families to join in fun activities, volunteering and celebrating Barnsley’s community spirit. Find out what’s on in your area at barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive. 

Our libraries have family magic in store over half-term, too.

Royston Library has some Halloween crafts and paper mask-making from 1pm on Friday 31 October, funded by Royston Ward Alliance, 

Try Dr Robotface's Toy Teardown Halloween Spook-Tacular, a free event happening on Wednesday 29 October at the Library @ the Lightbox from 4.30pm.   

Help bigger ghouls aged 8 plus to unleash their creativity by learning some coding skills to build scary robots, speedy motorcycles and obstacle courses.  It could prove a popular event so check your local library and book early. 

 Visit the Libraries website for the full  programme of activities  for this half term. 

Our museums and heritage venues have some great events running, too - from Little Hummingbirds Autumn market at Cannon Hall on Sunday 26 October, Funky Fossils at Elsecar Heritage on Wednesday 29 October and Gruesome Ghouls and spooky stories at Experience Barnsley Museum on Friday 31 October.   

Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “Our award-winning Barnsley Museums have a wickedly fun half-term ahead. 

“From crafting mini masterpieces to colourful outdoor adventures, our five free heritage attractions promise spellbinding fun low-cost days out for all.” 

For full details of the half-term programme, visit our Barnsley Museums website or follow @BarnsleyMuseums on social media.