Family Fun at the Share Your Love for Castleford This Valentine’s Day Event

Looking for something a bit different to do this Valentine's Day? Or maybe just trying to figure out how to keep the kids busy during the fast-approaching February half term? Well, it looks like Castleford has got it sorted. Wakefield Council is rolling out a special event that’s all about sharing some love for the town, and it’s packed with enough fun to keep everyone from toddlers to grandparents smiling. It’s a chance to get out, support local shops, and have a brilliant day without breaking the bank. The whole thing is a fantastic, family-friendly affair designed to bring a bit of extra buzz to the town centre.

Feel the love in Castleford this February

On Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14 February, the Castleford town centre is set to transform into a hub of excitement. From 10am to 4pm, the ‘Love Castleford’ event will be in full swing, offering a perfect day out for residents and visitors alike. Imagine wandering through a Valentine’s themed market, picking up unique gifts or tasty treats.

The air will be filled with laughter thanks to roaming street entertainers and the sweet smell of candy floss. For the little ones, there will be charming children’s fairground rides to enjoy, creating that classic day-out feeling with plenty of balloons to complete the picture. This whole event is a pilot scheme, a fresh idea to find new ways of attracting visitors to the high street. The goal is simple: to support the town’s businesses and encourage a bit more local shopping. It’s all part of a bigger plan for regeneration, aiming to boost economic growth and keep our town centres thriving. If this event is a hit, similar fun days could be popping up in other towns across the district, so showing your support for Castleford could spread the love even further.

A word from the council

This initiative is a key part of Wakefield Council's commitment to the area. Cllr Jack Hemingway, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, is clearly passionate about bringing energy back to local high streets. He highlighted the importance of trying new things to support businesses and draw people in.

“We’re always looking at new ways to support local businesses and to encourage people to visit our towns and city,” said Cllr Jack Hemingway. “Love Castleford is a great opportunity for everyone to come to Castleford and enjoy Valentine’s themed market stalls, small fairground rides for children, balloons and candy floss and street entertainers. There’s also an opportunity to have a go at crazy golf inside the market. We’ve had lots of events in the market that have been a great success, and this is another way to support the town centre. Let’s all share Valentine’s love for Castleford.” The backing from the council shows a real commitment to making the town centre a vibrant place for everyone.

Easy peasy parking

Let’s be honest, sometimes the thought of finding and paying for parking can put a real dampener on a day out. But there’s good news on that front. The Wakefield Council is making it super easy for visitors to pop into town for the event. They are reminding everyone that there are still two hours of free parking available in all off-road, Council-owned car parks.

This is a brilliant perk that makes the family-friendly event even more affordable. All people need to do is grab a valid ticket from the machines in the car parks to claim their free two-hour slot. That’s plenty of time to explore the themed market, have a go on the fairground rides, and soak up the atmosphere without constantly clock-watching. It’s a small thing, but free parking makes a big difference.

The half term fun continues

The excitement doesn't end when Valentine's Day is over. The fun carries right on through the February half term, with a whole week of fantastic free entertainment and hands-on activities planned at Castleford Market. This is a lifesaver for anyone wondering how to fill the school holiday schedule. The line-up of activities is designed to be both educational and, most importantly, a lot of fun. There’s a real focus on interactive experiences that kids will love.

Here’s a quick look at what’s on offer:

• Crazy Golf: Get competitive with the family! The crazy golf course will be running inside the market on multiple days. You can putt your way to victory between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 14 February, Monday 16 February, and Tuesday 17 February. There's also a session from 10am to 1pm on Wednesday 18 February.

• Wildworkshops: For any nature explorers, this is a must-see. On Thursday 19 February, from 10am to 3pm, families can get up close and personal with all sorts of creatures, bones, and bugs using special magnifying equipment. It’s a chance to see the tiny world in a big way.

• Lab Rascals: Science comes to life on Saturday 21 February between 10am and 3pm. This is perfect for budding scientists. They can experience the magic of swirling fog, see bubbles that inflate themselves, and even get their hands messy making their own gooey slime to take home.

With so many different activities, the market is the place to be this half term. This extended programme of entertainment is a brilliant way to keep the town centre buzzing and provide great experiences for visitors and locals, all while supporting the wonderful Castleford Market.