Not everyone spends Monday to Friday at work. Whether you’ve retired, work part-time, have a flexible schedule or simply have some time off, having free weekdays can be a wonderful opportunity to do more of the things you enjoy.
But having lots of free time doesn’t always mean knowing what to do with it. It’s easy to fall into the same routine, spend too much time at home or find yourself waiting for the weekend to arrive.
The good news is that there are plenty of fun things to do during the week. In fact, weekdays can be one of the best times to explore somewhere new, enjoy different activities and make the most of everything happening around you.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are 25 fun things to do on a weekday when you’re not working.
1. Explore a New Town or City
When was the last time you visited somewhere completely new?
Weekdays are ideal for exploring towns and cities without the weekend crowds. Wander around independent shops, discover interesting streets, visit local attractions and stop somewhere nice for lunch.
You might be surprised by how much there is to discover just a short journey from home.
2. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Museums and galleries are brilliant places to spend a few hours, particularly when you have time to explore at your own pace.
From historical exhibitions and modern art to science, photography and local heritage, there’s something to interest almost everyone.
Many museums also offer free entry, making this an enjoyable and affordable weekday activity.
3. Go for a Long Country Walk
Make the most of having daylight hours free by heading out for a countryside walk.
Explore a local nature reserve, follow a riverside trail or discover a new walking route. You could finish with a coffee or lunch at a country pub.
It’s a lovely way to get some fresh air, enjoy your surroundings and break up the week.
4. Enjoy a Midweek Lunch
Why wait until the weekend to enjoy a nice meal out?
Many restaurants and cafés offer weekday lunch menus, and you’ll often find they’re quieter than at weekends.
Arrange to meet a friend, try somewhere you’ve been meaning to visit or treat yourself to a leisurely lunch without watching the clock.
5. Try a New Hobby
Having free weekdays gives you the chance to explore interests you might never have had time for before.
You could try:
- Photography
- Painting or drawing
- Pottery
- Gardening
- Creative writing
- Learning a musical instrument
- Baking or cooking
You don’t have to be particularly good at something to enjoy it. Sometimes the fun is simply learning.
6. Join a Local Walking Group
If you enjoy walking but don’t always fancy going alone, joining a local walking group is a great option.
You’ll discover new routes, enjoy some exercise and have the opportunity to meet people who share your interests.
Many groups organise weekday walks, making them ideal if you’re free during the day.
7. Visit a Garden or Country Estate
The UK has some beautiful gardens and historic estates that are well worth exploring.
Spend a few hours wandering around landscaped gardens, discovering historic buildings and enjoying the scenery.
Places such as RHS Garden Wisley, Hidcote, Chatsworth and Stourhead make wonderful days out.
8. Take a Cookery Class
Fancy learning how to make fresh pasta, improve your baking or master a new cuisine?
Cookery classes are a fun way to learn something practical while doing something different with your day.
Many venues offer daytime workshops, and they’re often suitable for complete beginners.
9. Go to the Cinema
A weekday afternoon cinema trip can be a lovely change from the usual routine.
You can avoid the busier evening and weekend screenings, enjoy a film you’ve been looking forward to and perhaps combine it with lunch or a coffee afterwards.
Some cinemas also offer discounted daytime tickets.
10. Visit a Local Market
From farmers’ markets and antiques to handmade crafts and local produce, markets are a great way to spend a morning.
Take your time browsing, discover independent traders and perhaps pick up something interesting for home.
It’s also a good excuse to explore an area you don’t usually visit.
11. Try a Dance Class
Whether you’ve always wanted to try salsa, ballroom, line dancing or something completely different, weekday classes can be a great way to get started.
Many welcome beginners, so there’s no need to have any previous experience.
It’s enjoyable, gets you moving and gives you a regular activity to look forward to.
12. Take a Scenic Train Journey
Turn an ordinary weekday into a mini adventure by taking a train somewhere picturesque.
The UK has some wonderful railway journeys, including the Settle to Carlisle line, the West Highland Line and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Choose a destination, enjoy the scenery and spend the day exploring somewhere new.
13. Visit a Spa or Book a Relaxing Treatment
Not every weekday needs to be filled with activities.
Sometimes it’s nice to slow down and enjoy a little time for yourself. Book a spa day, enjoy a swim or treat yourself to a massage.
Weekday spa visits can sometimes offer better value than weekend bookings.
14. Go Wine Tasting
If you enjoy discovering new places and trying different things, why not visit a local vineyard?
Many UK vineyards offer weekday tours and tastings, where you can learn about the winemaking process and sample locally produced wines.
It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
15. Join a Book Club
If you enjoy reading, a book club can give you something interesting to look forward to each month.
You’ll discover books you might not normally choose, hear different opinions and have the opportunity to chat with other people who enjoy reading.
Libraries and independent bookshops often organise local groups.
16. Try a New Sport or Activity
Having more flexibility during the week means you can try activities that might be harder to fit around a traditional working schedule.
Consider:
- Golf
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Pickleball
- Bowls
- Yoga
- Pilates
Many leisure centres and sports clubs run daytime sessions and beginner classes.
17. Spend a Day at the Seaside
You don’t need to wait for summer or the weekend to enjoy a trip to the coast.
Take a walk along the beach, explore a seaside town, visit local attractions and enjoy fish and chips or a leisurely lunch.
Places such as Whitby, Southwold, Tenby and St Ives are worth visiting throughout the year.
18. Visit a Local Attraction You’ve Never Been To
We often overlook attractions that are right on our doorstep.
Perhaps there’s a historic house, wildlife park, botanical garden, castle or visitor attraction you’ve always meant to visit.
Make a list of places within an hour or two of home and start working your way through them.
19. Attend a Theatre Matinee
Theatre isn’t just an evening activity.
Many theatres offer weekday afternoon performances, giving you the chance to enjoy a musical, play, comedy show or concert without having to travel home late.
You could even make a full day of it with lunch beforehand.
20. Take Up Photography
You don’t need an expensive camera to get started with photography.
Take your phone or camera out for the day and challenge yourself to capture interesting buildings, landscapes, wildlife or everyday moments.
You could even join a local photography group and learn some new techniques along the way.
21. Enjoy a Pub Quiz
Who says pub quizzes have to be on a Friday night?
Some pubs and social venues organise weekday quizzes, giving you the chance to test your general knowledge and enjoy a relaxed evening.
They’re even more enjoyable as part of a team.
22. Go on a Boat Trip
From canal cruises to coastal boat trips and river journeys, there are plenty of ways to explore the UK from the water.
Many operators run weekday trips, and quieter sailings can make the experience even more enjoyable.
It’s a different way to see familiar places and enjoy a relaxing day out.
23. Volunteer for a Local Organisation
If you’d like to use some of your free time to do something worthwhile, volunteering can be incredibly rewarding.
You could help at a local charity shop, support a community project, volunteer at an animal shelter or get involved with a local environmental group.
It’s a chance to contribute to your community, learn new skills and meet people along the way.
24. Arrange a Midweek Day Out With Friends
Just because it’s a Tuesday or Wednesday doesn’t mean you can’t have something to look forward to.
Arrange a lunch date, visit a new attraction, book an afternoon tea or plan a day trip.
Having something in the diary can make an ordinary week feel much more interesting.
25. Join a Social Club and Discover More to Do
One of the easiest ways to make better use of your weekdays is to find a group of people who enjoy getting out and doing things too.
Social clubs can offer everything from walking and lunches to theatre trips, local activities and organised days out.
Rather than constantly trying to find someone available to make plans with, you’ll have opportunities to meet people who are also looking to make the most of their free time.
Make Your Weekdays More Interesting with Spice Social
Having free time during the week is a great opportunity to do more, explore new places and enjoy experiences you might otherwise miss.
At Spice Social, we organise social events and activities for adults across the UK, giving members the opportunity to get out, try new things and meet people along the way.
Our events include meals out, walks, theatre trips, quizzes, days out, weekends away and much more. There are different activities to suit different interests, so you can choose what appeals to you.
Whether you’re retired, working part-time, self-employed or simply have more flexibility during the week, there’s no reason to wait until Saturday to enjoy yourself.
You can come along on your own or with a partner, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Why not see what’s happening near you?
Explore your local Spice Social group, browse upcoming events and find something to look forward to.
