Wakefield Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in Wakefield and surrounding areas
Wakefield shines this the holiday season with Holiday lights across the city centre and a program of festive events that embrace local culture around The Hepworth and Wakefield Cathedral. Seasonal activities include light installations, family workshops and outdoor markets. Look out for the Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride, Light Up Wakefield and Christmas at Nostell for family fun, festive events and things to do throughout the season.
Find the best Wakefield Christmas happenings this year!
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Christmas Lights
19 eventsNorth of England's largest outdoor ice rink
Christmas Parties
18 eventsFestive a la carte dining with locally sourced ingredients
Christmas Markets
17 eventsAward-winning Christmas market with over 80% local Yorkshire traders.
Christmas Shows
14 eventsFamily pantomime with indoor rides and attractions
Other Christmas Activities
32 eventsFestive miniature light railway ride
Editor's Picks (6)
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York Christmas Market 2025
(York)
Award-winning Christmas market with over 80% local Yorkshire traders.
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Sheffield Christmas Markets
(Sheffield)
Over 60 log cabins with local traders and Alpine Bars
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Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland
(York)
North of England's largest outdoor ice rink
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Stockeld Park Winter Illuminations
(Wetherby)
Yorkshire's most magical Christmas light show
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Gulliver's Valley Presents Sleeping Beauty Pantomime
(Sheffield)
Family pantomime with indoor rides and attractions
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Light Up Wakefield
Dazzling light art installations illuminating the city center.
This Week / Coming Up (6)
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Also Near Wakefield
Leeds
- Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker
- The Lost Present: A Christmas Adventure
- Arts, Crafts and Produce Market
Chapeltown
See all in Chapeltown →Pudsey
- Yorkshire Garden Centres Festive Christmas Experiences
- Breakfast with Santa at Yorkshire Garden Centres
Huddersfield
- A Taste of a Very Magical Christmas with Luke Lenihan
- Huddersfield Christmas Celebrations - Market Place
- Bonfire Night and Firework Displays in Huddersfield
Bradford
See all in Bradford →Wakefield Christmas FAQ
The biggest annual events include the Lighting of the Lights ceremony on the Upper Common and the Festival by the Lake crafts fair, both drawing large community participation each year.
Wakefield’s unique traditions include community lantern parades and local art installations during the Light Up Festival, celebrating the district’s cultural heritage alongside the holiday season.
Several residential neighborhoods in Wakefield are known for their festive decorations and neighborhood displays, popular among locals and visitors alike for evening strolls or drive-by tours.
Christmas markets and local artisan vendors can be found at community centers, town halls, and seasonal fairs throughout Wakefield, especially during weekends in December.
Free or budget-friendly activities include visiting neighborhood light displays, attending the Lighting of the Lights event, and exploring local holiday markets with no admission fees.
Family-friendly options include the annual Lighting of the Lights ceremony with hot chocolate and choir singing, festive craft fairs, and neighborhood walks to see holiday lights together.