Sensational summer of events at Pontefract Castle

Experience a sensational summer of events at Pontefract Castle with family favourites, live music, touring outdoor theatre, and free family fun.

All the events contribute to Wakefield’s Our Year, with 366 days of events across the district.

The summer starts here with the Big Green Castle Fun Day, 15 June 11-3pm, a free event for families of all ages. The event is themed around nature with craft activities, storytelling, seed planting, bug hunting, den building, and much more. Bring a picnic, friends and family and listen to fantastic live music, discover how you can help protect nature around you and most of all have fun. Suitable for all the family and it's free.

Hot on its heels will be our biggest weekend of live music yet with not one but two outdoor concerts, with tickets selling fast.

On Saturday 29 June, the hugely popular Proms at the Castle event returns, with live music performed by the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. With popular classical pieces and a few surprises thrown in, it promises to be yet another sell-out show that can’t be missed. The event even finishes with a spectacular firework finale.

On Sunday 30 June, our newest event returns for its second year with Musicals at the Castle. With live West End singers, get ready for a sensational afternoon of your favourite musical medleys as they perform hits from films and theatre shows. Get dressed up and ready to dance and sing along for all the family to enjoy.

Not to be outdone, The Big Family Picnic takes place on Sunday 14 July to accompany Pontefract Liquorice Festival. Free activities for all the family including games, arts and crafts, storytelling, kids' disco and much more. Bring a picnic and settle down for free family fun at the castle.

Outdoor theatre also returns for the first time since the conservation works to the castle were completed. Not one, but two performances of popular Shakespeare plays brought to you by award-winning theatre groups Illyria and The Handlebards.

On Friday 26 July, we present a high-octane outdoor production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Prepare to be whisked away into a world of magic, mischief, and moonlight in this gloriously funny play where love potions, fairies and star-crossed lovers collide.

On Wednesday 28 August, experience the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays it tells the story of two young lovers from feuding families who fall in love in secret. Made popular by later films this is a passionate and gripping production performed outside at the castle.

Further information and tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/pontefract-castle. Proms and Musicals tickets are also available from the Pontefract Castle gift shop, 10-4pm Tues – Sun.

For more information about the events including booking details and times please visit expwake.co/PontefractCastle