Light Up is bigger and better than ever with series of spectacular events across Wakefield district

With an expanded Light Up festival across Wakefield district, save the date for your local event in November – then be amazed by incredible installations and illuminations which celebrate local heritage, culture and arts.

Light Up 2024 is bigger and better than ever with spectacles of light across Wakefield district during November.

Join in the fun and magic of installations and illuminations at Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract and Ossett throughout the month.

And that’s not all! Experience an illuminating evening of fire and art at Nostell, step into the immersive Liz West: Our Colour Reflection exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, watch a surrealist animation at The Hepworth Wakefield and enjoy a beautiful lantern parade at the National Coal Mining Museum for England – plus much more!

The Light Up festival is part of Our Year Wakefield District 2024’s year-long programme of breathtaking spectacles, unique festivals and community-led activities that celebrate all the district has to offer.

Light Up Wakefield city centre

Light Up Wakefield, sponsored by YPO which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year as a major employer in the city, welcomes visitors to discover the city centre in a whole new light during its trail filled with incredible installations.

From November 15-17, Light Up Wakefield will delight visitors with three days of light displays, craft activities, a Christmas Craft & Gift Market, Tipi Bar, street entertainment and more, spread across Wakefield city centre.

From midday, you can explore the Christmas Market and get into the festive spirit finding perfect gifts for friends and family. Entertain the kids with the free craft activities as part of the Fringe, then enjoy street entertainment including star bears!

As the night draws in and the sky gets dark, grab a warm drink from the Tipi Bar and pick up your map to begin the light trail. It features one-of-a-kind installations which celebrate the variety of heritage, culture and arts across Wakefield region, including The Timekeepers by Illuminos projection mapping piece on County Hall.

Other installations include Båll & Brand’s The Ice is Melting at the Pøules II, which brings to the fore big questions around global warming, and Sentinel by Studio Vertigo – a large-scale artwork with sweeping curves inspired by the wings of a canary.

Make sure to stop by The Art House for Zarah Hussain: Paradise Carpet, which explores the intersection of heritage, spirituality, geometry, technology and contemporary art. Then don’t miss an awe-inspiring animation projected across The Hepworth Wakefield to celebrate 100 years of surrealism.

Find your local date

The magic continues throughout the month with even more Light Up events, so save your date now:

November 7-9: Nostell Fire Garden
November 15-17: Light Up Wakefield
November 15-17: Light Up The Hepworth Wakefield
November 15- January 5: Liz West’s Our Reflection at YSP
November 19: Light Up Castleford
November 22-24: Light Up Festival at NCMME
November 24: Light Up Pontefract
November 30: Light Up Ossett

Find out more

For the full details, events and timings visit the website