Take Part: The Great Doncaster LESStival 2025

What is the Great Doncaster LESStival?

From 1st–30th November 2025, Doncaster will once again host a month-long campaign, but this year we're back bigger and bolder than before!

Organisations, community groups, and residents across the city are invited to consider steps to keep more items in use and save much more money by celebrating the skills, knowledge, and resource that already exists in our communities.

Find the full list of activities below!

Trash To Trend

Where: Rail Heritage Centre, Danum Gallery, Library & Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BZ

When: Friday 7 November, 10:30am – 4:30pm

Reuse, repair and upcycle at our free sustainable fashion workshop. Learn new skills; draw, design, sew, beadwork and more!

LESStival showcase

Where: Danum Gallery, Library & Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BZ

When: Saturday 8 November, 11am – 3pm

Chat with organisations and individuals who are helping Doncaster become greener, fairer and more connected. 1pm-3pm is an exciting Roots to Renewal fashion show. Also join our storyteller in the children’s library with some small taxidermy guests.

Helping Hands workshop

Where: DN12 1PI

When: Wednesday 20 November and Thursday 27 November, 10am – 2pm

Come along to learn how to make Christmas tree decorations using recycled logs. This is a safe space to interact with like-minded peers.

Fun Filled Days

Where: Balby DN4 0TN

When: Friday 22 November 2025

A session which will focus on learning sewing skills through making wheat bags, simple scarves and draught excluders. You can also create winter crafts and Christmas decorations which don’t cost the earth.

Swap, Run, Rave, Repeat

Where: King Chamber, Selby Road, Thorne, Doncaster

When: Sunday 23 November 2025

Come and join the Run & Rave night. During this event your will, be supplied with reusable ‘glowsticks’ to help when running at night. There will then be a host of a kit share and swap. Bring along any old or new running kit you have, to swap or share!

Saturday Art Club

Where: The Paddington Room, Danum Gallery, Library & Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BZ

When: Saturday 29 November 2025, 10am – 12pm

Bring in your unfinished or abandoned art projects to get a fresh look at them and receive peer feedback, possibly swapping artworks with others to be completed. This will include a ‘painting party’ to use up old paint tubes or glue that is going to waste. You can also start a junk journal with your old, recycled materials.

World Women Wellbeing

Where: 2-5 Prince’s St. Doncaster DN1 3NJ

When: Monday 1 December, Tuesday 2 December, Monday 15 December 2025

This workshop encourages women of all backgrounds to come together on a sustainable journey. This workshop will allow you to remake and redesign existing clothes through nature inspiration. You will get to do a nature walk and learn new skills in sewing and re-working clothing items.

Stay and Play at Family Hubs

There's loads of Lesstival-themed activities happening at all of our Family Hubs across Doncaster this November, take a peek below!

North sessions:

• Monday – Stay and Play - Adwick Family Fun – 9.30am – 11am
• Tuesday – Stay and Play - Highfeilds Family Hub – 9am – 10.30am
• Wednesday – Stay and Play - Bentley Family Hub – 9.30am – 11am
• Friday – Stay and Play - Askern Family Hub – 9.30am – 11am

East sessions:

• Monday - Stay and Play - Armthorpe – 1pm – 2.30pm
• Tuesday – Stay and Play - Mooreneds same 1pm – 2.30pm
• Thursday – Toddler time – 1pm – 2.30pm

Central sessions:

• Monday -   Stay and Play - Balby - 9.30am – 11am
• Tuesday – Stay and Play - Central 1.20pm – 3pm
• Wednesday - Stay and Play - Wheatley - 9.30am – 11am

South Sessions:

• Tuesday - Stay and Play - Mexborough - 09:30 – 11am
• Tuesday - Stay & Play - Denaby Conisbrough - 1:15pm – 2:45pm
• Thursday – Stay and Play - Rossington - 09:30 – 11am