Bigger and even better Rhubarb Festival returns
Monday, February 03, 2025
Wakefield’s annual celebration of its most famous vegetable returns this month to paint the city pink.
This year the festival is bigger and better than ever, with the event coinciding with the opening weekend of Wakefield Exchange (WX), an exciting new space hosting events, street food, studios and more.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Rhubarb Festival. There’ll be even more to see and do this year. With foodie treats and drinks at the market to tempt your taste buds and lots of family activities, cooking demonstrations and heritage talks across the weekend.
“With the opening of Wakefield Exchange, the famous food and drink market extends along Union Street and under the canopy, for even more rhubarb-themed treats and entertainment.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
The Rhubarb Festival is back from Friday 21 February to Sunday 23 February with over 60 chalets featuring foodie treats and drinks. The market will be open from 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday.
People can also head inside WX for family activities and warm-up with a hot drink as they experience Sentinel, by Studio Vertigo, a light artwork based on the district’s mining heritage.
They can extend their stay as WX will also host live music from 6pm until late on the Friday and Saturday.
The Rhubarb Festival also has brilliant bookable heritage talks:
• Friday 21 February 3pm-4pm: Coal Mining & Rhubarb Heritage Talk with Stephanie Thompson from the National Coal Mining Museum for England.
• Saturday 22 February 3pm-4pm: Rhubarb Heritage Talk with Janet Oldroyd from E Oldroyd & Sons (producers of Yorkshire forced rhubarb).
• Sunday 23 February 3pm-4pm: The History and Mystery of the Rhubarb Triangle Talk with John Whitaker from Wakefield Museum.
• Book your FREE tickets at: expwake.co/RhubarbHeritage
Families will love the fringe activity happening across the city as well as fun street entertainment from Ruby Rhubarb, Ruby & Barb, and the Rhubarb Fairy.
Live music programmed by Wakefield Music Collective will be on every day at the Rhu-Bar, showcasing a variety of local pop, folk, and rock artists.
Expect a whole new programme of chef demos including Wakefield’s very own Karen Wright, double BAFTA award winning TV presenter and home chef Sam Nixon and award-winning chef Rachel Green.
The Rhubarb Food & Drink Trail is back in partnership with Wakefield BID, with restaurants and bars around the city putting on rhubarb-themed food and drink throughout the weekend.
Find out more at https://expwake.co/RhubarbFest