September in the Wakefield District is packed with autumn harvest festivals, Heritage Open Days, live comedy, and scenic outdoor cycle rides. From family farm days to late-night candlelit concerts, there is plenty happening across Wakefield, Pontefract, and Castleford this month.
Kids & Families
Mothering: Creative Wellbeing for Parents
Tuesday 8 September, Wakefield
Take time out to relax, socialize, and be creative in a free drop-in session for parents (babies and under-5s welcome), combining guided gallery visits with informal creative studio activities.
Yorkshire Mama & Baby Book Club
Monday 7 September, Wakefield
Bring your baby or toddler for a relaxed, 45-minute interactive story time and friendly parent catch-up over specialty coffee at HAUS.
Michael Rosen: Nice! Stories & Rhymes
Saturday 12 September, Wakefield
Beloved children’s author and poet Michael Rosen brings his joyful stories, humor, and poems to life on stage at Theatre Royal Wakefield.
Family Saturdays at The Watering Hole Farm
Every Saturday, Ossett
Bring the family outdoors to meet and feed friendly farm animals up close, enjoy the outdoor children’s play area, and grab refreshments on the farmyard
Sculpture Baby: Hold to This Earth
Wednesday 16 September, West Bretton
A sensory creative session designed for babies and parents inside the Underground Gallery at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
The Hepworth Wakefield Harvest Festival
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September, Wakefield Waterfront
A weekend celebration of autumn produce, artisan food stalls, plant trading, live music, and family craft workshops along the riverbank.
Youth Dungeons & Dragons
Sunday 20 September, Wakefield
A relaxed introduction to Dungeons & Dragons designed specifically for young adventurers aged 10–16.
Toddler Disco at WX
Friday 25 September, Wakefield
A fun morning of music, lights, and dancing for little ones at Wakefield Exchange (WX).
Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival
Saturday 26 September – Sunday 1 November, Pontefract
The UK’s premier pumpkin experience returns with thousands of pumpkins, fancy dress, seasonal street food, photo ops, and family entertainment across the farm fields.
Culture & Heritage
Heritage Open Days
Friday 11 September – Sunday 20 September, District-Wide
England’s largest cultural festival offers free access to historic venues across the district, including Sandal Castle, Pontefract Castle, Queen’s Mill, and museum store tours.
Bat Walk in the Castle
Thursday 10 September, Pontefract Castle
Join the West Yorkshire Bat Group for a guided evening walk detecting nocturnal wildlife around the grounds of Pontefract Castle
KLH Events – Artisan Craft Fair
Friday 11 September, Pontefract Market Place
An outdoor artisan craft fair in partnership with Wakefield District Markets, featuring independent makers, crafts, and food stalls across Pontefract Market Place.
Talk: Pontefract Castle – This Is Your Life!
Thursday 17 September, Pontefract Castle
An engaging whistle-stop talk tracing the dramatic history of Pontefract Castle from royal stronghold to Civil War siege fortress.
Pontefract’s Liquorice Heritage Walk
Thursday 17 September, Pontefract
A heritage walking tour exploring the history of liquorice cultivation and confectionery making in Pontefract.
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
Friday 18 September, Wakefield Cathedral
An immersive live concert by the Illuminated Orchestra set within the cathedral nave, performing iconic film scores from The Lion King, Star Wars, Inception, Gladiator, Interstellar, Dune, and Harry Potter alongside a light display.
Pontefract Art Club Exhibition
19 & 20 September 2026, Pontefract
Day one and two of the Heritage Open Days exhibition featuring regional community artwork by Pontefract Art Club members.
Blackadder Goes Forth
Wednesday 23 – Saturday 26 September, Wakefield
A hilarious stage adaptation of the classic BBC comedy series brought to life by local talent at Theatre Royal Wakefield.
Olivia Bax: Double Take Exhibition Opening
Saturday 26 September, West Bretton
Launch of Olivia Bax’s major sculpture exhibition inside the The Weston Gallery at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Artwalk Wakefield
Wednesday 30 September, Wakefield
The bi-monthly grassroots evening festival where galleries, cafes, shopfronts, and landmarks stay open late for art exhibits, live music, and pop-up performances across the city centre.
Going Out
Launchpad x WX Showcase Gigs
Saturday 12 September, Wakefield
Discover emerging Yorkshire music talent featuring Green Gardens, Lauren Mikki, and MAAME live at Wakefield Exchange (WX).
Charlie Connelly: Attention All Shipping
Saturday 12 September, Castleford Phoenix Theatre
A hilarious, informative theatrical show bringing the eccentric UK Shipping Forecast to life with maritime history and comedy.
Ric Neale at The Red Shed
Tuesday 15 September, Wakefield
Singer-songwriter and pianist Ric Neale performs an evening of original songs, storytelling, and piano mischief at the historic Red Shed Labour Club.
Open Mic Night at WX
Friday 18 September, Wakefield
Local musicians, singers, and performers take the stage for a showcase evening at Wakefield Exchange (WX).
Soul Shed: Music, Poetry, Comedy
Saturday 19 September, Wakefield
A free, welcoming showcase of homegrown and regional talent spanning poetry, live music, and comedy, hosted by Faye Marshall and Tim Brookes at WX.
Logan Mac UK Tour
22 & 23 September, Wakefield
Country singer-songwriter Logan Mac performs live with support from Matt Hodges as part of his UK tour at The Black Horse.
Kerrang Revival Night
Saturday 26 September, Wakefield
Relive the golden era of 2000s rock, metal, and pop-punk with live tribute bands and classic anthems at Venue 23.
Plane Comedy Night
Saturday 26 September, Wakefield
Stand-up comedy featuring MC Colin Manford, Simon Emanuel, Martin Westgate, and David Eagle at Wakefield Exchange (WX).
Day Events
Pontefract Races Afternoon Racing
Thursday 17 September, Pontefract
Enjoy a thrilling autumn afternoon of flat racing on the historic track at Pontefract Park.
Canal Boat Trips
All September, Castleford
Set sail along the canal aboard the historic 1929 narrowboat Apollo, departing from Castleford Lock for a scenic 90-minute voyage. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and even dogs are welcome.
Yoga and Sound Bath Relaxation: Hold to This Earth
Saturday 26 September, West Bretton
Enjoy a breath-led yoga practice and deep sound bath relaxation session inside the Underground Gallery surrounded by artworks, followed by a nourishing breakfast
ROA Shared Ownership Day at Pontefract Races
Thursday 24 September, Pontefract
A dedicated race day celebrating racehorse ownership with competitive racing and behind-the-scenes insights at Pontefract Park.
Sports & Exercise
The Inaugural Castleford 10K
Sunday 20 September, Castleford
Be part of history at the very first Castleford 10K, taking on a measured road course that starts and finishes inside the Castleford Tigers stadium.
Thornes Park Saturday Easy Ride
Saturday 5 September, Wakefield
A beginner and family-friendly guided group cycle exploring traffic-free routes starting from the Thornes Park Stadium entrance.
Fitzwilliam Waterpark Easy Ride
Saturday 12 September, Hemsworth
A gentle, beginner-friendly guided cycle ride around the scenic lakeside trails starting at Hemsworth Waterpark.
Nostell Priory Sunday Easy Ride
Sunday 13 September, Nostell
Enjoy a relaxed family-friendly group cycle through the historic parkland trails at Nostell Priory.
Queen’s Mill Castleford Easy Ride
Saturday 19 September, Castleford
A gentle guided cycle along the river navigation and greenways starting from historic Queen’s Mill.
Pugneys Country Park Easy Ride
Sunday 20 September, Wakefield
A flat, easy-paced group ride around the lakes and surrounding nature reserves.
Agbrigg Community Centre Easy Ride
Saturday 26 September, Wakefield (Agbrigg)
A friendly community cycle ride along local traffic-free paths starting outside Agbrigg Community Centre.
Pontefract Park Easy Ride
Sunday 27 September, Pontefract
A beginner-friendly guided ride around the park and nearby greenways starting outside Aspire at The Park.
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