Find your holiday cheer in Wakefield with our ultimate event guide. From Wakefield experts to wide-eyed newcomers, this guide illuminates the path to holiday magic.
Experience the enchanting Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure, where festive lights and creative installations transform the landscape into a winter wonderland. Winter Illuminations at Stockeld Park gets even more captivating with its stunning displays that brighten the night sky. And the Castle Howard Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a beautifully decorated house and enchanting festive events. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wakefield
- Castle Howard Christmas (York)
- Winter Illuminations at Stockeld Park (Wetherby)
- Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure (Wetherby)
- York Minster Christmas Tree Festival (York)
- Northern Lights Leeds (Leeds)
- Light up Wakefield
- Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride
- Winter Illuminations - Light & Lantern Festival at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (Doncaster)
- Let it Glow at Harlow Carr (Harrogate)
- Winter Wonderland In Wakefield City Centre
See these and even more events listed below!
Wakefield Holiday Light Displays
Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with festive lights and lake views.
Description:
Take a festive train ride around Pugneys Country Park lake, enjoying the holiday lights and scenic views.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride
Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa's Grotto with immersive dome experience.
Description:
Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure offers a variety of activities including meeting Santa, ice skating, and exploring the Winter Illuminations and Snowflake Maze. The event features a festive atmosphere with interactive experiences and memorable moments for all ages.
Where: Wetherby | More Info: Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure
Light up Wakefield
What to Expect:
Immersive light installations and projection mapping.
Description:
Light Up Wakefield is a spectacular event featuring light installations, craft activities, and a Christmas Market, celebrating the city's heritage and culture.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Light up Wakefield
Winter Illuminations at Stockeld Park
What to Expect:
Dazzling light effects and animated installations in an ancient woodland setting.
Description:
Stockeld Park transforms into a dazzling display of light effects and captivating sounds, featuring an award-winning Enchanted Forest with animated installations and a festive atmosphere.
Where: Wetherby | More Info: Winter Illuminations at Stockeld Park
Northern Lights Leeds
What to Expect:
Immersive light installations with accompanying music.
Description:
Northern Lights Leeds is a spectacular light trail at Temple Newsam, featuring unique illuminations and interactive elements designed by world-leading lighting designers. The event is inclusive and accessible for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, offering a memorable journey through the picturesque landscape.
Where: Leeds | More Info: Northern Lights Leeds
Let it Glow at Harlow Carr
What to Expect:
Vibrant winter light installations in a historic garden setting.
Description:
At RHS Harlow Carr, the winter illuminations transform the garden into a vibrant spectacle of light and color. Stroll through the beautifully lit pathways and admire the iconic sights bathed in a dazzling array of colors. The event features striking light installations and family-friendly entertainment, making it a delightful experience for all.
Where: Harrogate | More Info: Let it Glow at Harlow Carr
Winter Woodland at Sewerby Hall
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound display with festive characters.
Description:
Explore the grounds of Sewerby Hall and Gardens, featuring new light installations, including Gingerbread Lane and a light tunnel, as part of an immersive adventure with festive characters and special effects.
Where: Bridlington | More Info: Winter Woodland at Sewerby Hall
Winter Illuminations - Light & Lantern Festival at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
What to Expect:
Illuminated trails with handcrafted lanterns across continents.
Description:
Explore Yorkshire Wildlife Park after dark with over 3km of illuminated trails featuring handcrafted lanterns and festive fun for everyone.
Where: Doncaster | More Info: Winter Illuminations - Light & Lantern Festival at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
York Minster Christmas Tree Festival
What to Expect:
70 uniquely themed Christmas trees in a medieval cathedral setting.
Description:
The York Minster Christmas Tree Festival features 70 elaborately decorated trees, each themed by local businesses, schools, and charities. Visitors can explore the trees in the cathedral's stunning Nave, Chapter House, and Lady Chapel, and add their own Christmas messages to the festival's prayer trees.
Where: York | More Info: York Minster Christmas Tree Festival
Wakefield Holiday Markets and Shopping
Scarborough Sparkle
What to Expect:
Lantern parade and local artisan shopping.
Description:
Scarborough Sparkle is a Christmas festival at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre featuring a lantern parade, festive food, and shopping stalls with local artisans selling handmade gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Scarborough | More Info: Scarborough Sparkle
Wakefield Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Wonderland In Wakefield City Centre
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound display in a historic city center setting.
Description:
Winter Wonderland in Wakefield City Centre features vibrant lights, festive music, and a variety of seasonal activities amidst the city's historic backdrop.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Winter Wonderland In Wakefield City Centre
Carols by Candlelight
What to Expect:
Traditional carols performed by Wakefield Cathedral Choir.
Description:
Wakefield Cathedral Choir presents a spectacular evening of carols and Christmas music, featuring traditional and contemporary holiday classics.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Carols by Candlelight
Harewood’s Festive Season
What to Expect:
Interactive mixed reality experience with cherubs and festive storytelling.
Description:
Harewood House transforms into a spellbinding winter wonderland with Mischief at the Mansion, featuring not-so-angelic cherubs, singing baubles, and swirling ceilings. Enjoy locally-sourced festive fare and curated independent gifts amidst beautifully decorated grounds.
Where: Leeds | More Info: Harewood’s Festive Season
Castle Howard Christmas
What to Expect:
Alice-themed Christmas celebration with unique dining experiences.
Description:
At Castle Howard, immerse yourself in an Alice-themed Christmas celebration featuring grand halls, regal rooms, and whimsical surprises. Enjoy Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea, visit the Bauble Emporium, and explore the Bettys pop-up shop. Discover the Chess Club, a secret dining room for grown-ups, and indulge in Wonderland-themed cocktails and sharing platters.
Where: York | More Info: Castle Howard Christmas
Wakefield Other Holiday Activities
The Christmas Experience At Lotherton Hall
What to Expect:
Interactive festive activities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Lotherton Hall transforms into a festive haven with beautifully decorated halls, enchanting grounds, and gardens. Visitors can wander through twinkling light displays, discover interactive installations, and engage in crafts in the Elf Village. Mrs. Claus shares delightful tales, and weekend magic shows add to the excitement. Those wishing to meet Santa should book early as spots fill quickly. The event offers something special for everyone, including encounters with animals at Wildlife World and strolls through expansive grounds and gardens.
Where: Aberford | More Info: The Christmas Experience At Lotherton Hall
Light Up The Hepworth Wakefield
What to Expect:
Interactive light art celebrating Surrealism with family activities.
Description:
The Hepworth Wakefield will be illuminated with a spectacular animation celebrating 100 years of Surrealism, featuring natural landscapes found in Surrealist paintings projected across the gallery building. A multi-sensory creative workshop, "Bright Light Sculptures," will allow children of all ages to make their own light catchers and take them home.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Light Up The Hepworth Wakefield
Santa Underground
What to Expect:
Unique underground Santa experience with age-specific gifts.
Description:
Descend 140m underground to visit Santa in his unique grotto at the National Coal Mining Museum. Good children will receive a gift and certificate, while those on the naughty list might find coal in their stocking.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: Santa Underground
SEND event: Relaxed family festive fun
What to Expect:
Relaxed, inclusive festive activities for SEND families.
Description:
Join Wakefield Museum for a relaxed day of free festive activities and crafts designed for SEND families. Explore the sights, smells, and textures of Christmas, and get hands-on with toys from the past. Craft colourful Christmas decorations in a welcoming environment.
Where: Wakefield | More Info: SEND event: Relaxed family festive fun
Beacon Hill Farm Christmas
What to Expect:
Real reindeer and festive decorations.
Description:
Visit Woolley Edge Christmas Tree Farm for a selection of top-quality trees, hand-decorated wreaths, and festive home decorations. Meet real reindeer and take photos in Santa's sleigh.
Where: Wooley | More Info: Beacon Hill Farm Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lofthouse (3 miles)
- Ossett (3 miles)
- Dewsbury (5 miles)
- Morley (6 miles)
- Batley (6 miles)
- Castleford (6 miles)
- Pontefract (8 miles)
- Leeds (8 miles)
- Barnsley (9 miles)
- Cleckheaton (9 miles)
- Pudsey (10 miles)
- Brighouse (12 miles)
- Huddersfield (12 miles)
- Bradford (13 miles)
- Halifax (15 miles)
- Yeadon (15 miles)
- Shipley (15 miles)
- Chapeltown (15 miles)
- Guiseley (16 miles)
- Bentley (18 miles)
- Bingley (18 miles)
- Rotherham (18 miles)
- Doncaster (19 miles)
- Selby (19 miles)
- Burngreave (20 miles)
- Sheffield (21 miles)
- Keighley (21 miles)
- Harrogate (21 miles)
- Glossop (25 miles)
- York (25 miles)
- Goole (25 miles)
- High Peak (26 miles)
- Dronfield (26 miles)
- Stalybridge (27 miles)
- Royton (27 miles)
- Oldham (27 miles)
- Rochdale (27 miles)
- Ashton-under-Lyne (28 miles)
- Hyde (29 miles)
- Staveley (29 miles)
- Denton (30 miles)
- Colne (30 miles)
- Failsworth (30 miles)
- Droylsden (30 miles)
- Chesterfield (30 miles)
- Middleton (30 miles)
- Heywood (30 miles)
- Nelson (31 miles)
- Worksop (31 miles)
- Burnley (31 miles)
- Rossendale (32 miles)
- Rawtenstall (32 miles)
- Stockport (33 miles)
- Bury (33 miles)
- Manchester (33 miles)
- Retford (34 miles)
- Prestwich (34 miles)
- Buxton (34 miles)
- Whitefield (34 miles)
- Radcliffe (35 miles)
- Salford (35 miles)
- Scunthorpe (35 miles)
- Bramhall (35 miles)
- Cheadle Hulme (35 miles)
- Accrington (36 miles)
- Gainsborough (36 miles)
- Eccles (37 miles)
- Stretford (37 miles)
- Farnworth (38 miles)
- Sale (38 miles)
- Urmston (39 miles)
- Walkden (39 miles)
- Wilmslow (39 miles)
- Bolton (39 miles)
- Macclesfield (39 miles)
- Darwen (40 miles)
- Sutton in Ashfield (40 miles)
- Mansfield (40 miles)
- Altrincham (40 miles)
- Blackburn (41 miles)
- Alfreton (41 miles)
- Tyldesley (41 miles)
- Kirkby in Ashfield (42 miles)
- Atherton (42 miles)
- Westhoughton (43 miles)
- Leigh (44 miles)