Light Up Pontefract

Light Up returns returns to Pontefract Town Centre on Sunday 30 November 2025!

Organised by Wakefield Council’s Festivals and Major Events team the event incorporates live stage entertainment, market with Christmas and festive products, street entertainment, a selection of children’s rides and the switching on of the Town Centre Christmas lights at 6pm.

The main precinct and event site are relatively flat, the area can be easily navigated around without having to cross many steps and inclines.

Market Place – Speciality trader stands, catering, stage area and illuminated tractors.

Beastfair – Children’s rides and fairground stalls.

The Town Hall – Visit Santa in the Town Hall.

Our friendly team of staff, security, first aiders and contractors will be on hand to offer any assistance. You can find us in either Hi-Viz or Wakefield Council Uniform, look for EVENT STAFF on our backs!

Please note this is not a ticketed event and therefore we cannot confirm what the site capacity will be on the day. The crowds generally gather close to the stalls and break out areas can be found just off the precinct where benches can be found for rests. We expect crowds to gather as it gets closer to the light switch on from around 5:30pm which may make some of the precinct harder to navigate. We recommend travelling behind the market stalls for easier navigation if you want to travel straight down the precinct. The Town Hall will be open during the event where welfare facilities and a quiet space can be found.

Toilets

A portable disabled access toilet unit will be located on the precinct next to the Boots however if you prefer, full accessible toilets can be found within the Town Hall.

Unfortunately, there is no changing places on the precinct you can find the closest one at Junction 32 (Changing Places Toilets (changing-places.org)).

Parking

The closest and most convenient disabled parking to the precinct is on Valley Road or Bridge Street, however, to see other cap parks close by follow – Car parks in Pontefract – Wakefield Council

Should you need any form of medical attention please inform a member of staff or security on site where they can show you where the medical vehicle is located or request for a medic to come to you. We do not have any secure storage for medicines on site.

Assistance dogs (in fact all dogs!) are welcomed to all areas of the event.

Find a full list of car parks and off-street parking options on the Wakefield Council website here.

You can reach the event by bus or by train easily. Please see our Getting Here page by clicking here.

We are continually updating our provisions for the event so please keep checking back on this page.

If you do have any queries or feel that there is anything we can improve on, we are open to suggestions!

Please feel free to contact us on festivals@wakefield.gov.uk