WordFest returns this October

The Wakefield district’s annual celebration of words, WordFest, is back this October.

This year’s festival is themed around ‘Whodunit’ mysteries, thrillers, and crime stories for people of all ages. There will be lots of fun with a range of free activities throughout the festival including performances for families, workshops for children and adults, author events, games, murder mysteries, Harry Potter Escape Rooms and much more.

The Council’s libraries and partner organisations will be hosting a number of events and activities, including:

• Monday 19 October, 1.30pm at Stanley Library - Poetry and creative writing workshops with the Black Horse Poets 12+ - scribbling sleuths Lindsey Marie and Colin Hollis from the Black Horse Poets Society will take you on a nail-biting series of workshops with fun, creative and engaging written word activities.

• Monday 26 October, 2pm at Airedale Library - Time Will Tell Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: Create Your Own Whodunit! - this interactive experience is suitable for all ages and perfect for budding detectives, drama lovers and anyone who enjoys a good whodunit.

• Tuesday 27 October, 3pm at Pontefract Library - Murder Most Foul Creative Writing workshops for 14 to 17-year-olds - join writer Sarah Osborne and digital artist Juliette Tracey for a fast paced, collaborative and dynamic creative writing workshop.

• Wednesday 28 October, 2pm at The National Coal Mining Museum - Tmesis Theatre ‘The Great Library Mystery’ - a playful, physical and interactive adventure for families. Combining Tmesis’ trademark physical theatre with music, movement, puppetry and storytelling, the show transforms the library into a magical world where books come to life, and the audience become part of the story.

• Thursday 29 October at Hemsworth Library - Build a Whodunit Tabletop Game with experienced Game Designer Beccy from Story Trails - explore how and why games work so that you can make your own using cardboard, dice, cards and more.

• 'Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery’ is a free exhibition brought to the district in conjunction with the British Library Living Knowledge Network. It will be on display at Pontefract Library from Friday 30 October 2026 until Saturday 30 January 2027. It will move to Wakefield Library to be on display from Friday 5 February to Saturday 1 May 2027, exploring the life and work of the bestselling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie. Marking 50 years since Christie’s death, the display at Pontefract Library explores not only the origins of her iconic fictional creations, such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, but also Christie’s personal history and literary legacy.

Theres plenty for adults too including a range of author visits, crafts, quizzes and workshops. Find out more about WordFest at https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/libraries-and-local-history/wordfest or pick up a brochure from a local library