Lighting up our district this November
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Start the festive season in style as Wakefield Council lights up our district this November.
Enjoy the best of what the autumnal season has to offer at the Light Switch-On events in Castleford, Ossett and Pontefract.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to enjoy the fun and festive cheer at these special events, with so much to see and do.
“You can also take the opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early while you’re in our town centres and support our local businesses.”
Cllr Lukasz Borcz
Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport
Enjoy festive markets where traders will be offering a wide range of goodies from cakes to candles and jewellery to gin. There will be live performance on the main stages, compered by Rhubarb Radio, from a range of local talent including the Castleford Male Voice Choir, Liquorice Singers and Stagecoach Pontefract.
Tasty street food, snacks and drinks will also be available to buy. Families will also love the funfair rides and giant snowglobe. The events will culminate in the official Light Switch-On at 5:30pm.
See the full dates and times below:
Castleford Light Switch-On Sunday 22 November, 12pm-6pm
Ossett Light Switch-On Saturday 28 November, 12pm-7pm
Pontefract Light Switch-On Sunday 29 November, 12pm-6pm
Please note the Castleford Light Switch-On is on a Sunday this year, moving from mid-week.
There will also be a Light Switch-On in Wakefield city centre as part of Light Up Wakefield on Friday 13 November at 5:30pm.
For more information about each event, including travel and accessibility information, please visit the individual event listings on Experience Wakefield.
Find out more at expwake.co/LightSwitchOnEvents