It’s summer, and that means one thing: outdoor music! Grab your glow sticks, your sunglasses and your wellies (well, you never know in this country!) as we round up all the brightest and best music festivals, open-air concerts and performances happening across the Wakefield district.
If you like your music with a slice of heritage, this one’s for you! Taking place at the National Coal Mining Museum, and organised by Brass Bands England, Bold as Brass celebrates the association between brass bands and coal mining with live performances by marching bands and an entertaining contest.
Overton, WF4 4RH
Saturday 7 June, 10am-6:30pm
Free, no booking required
Yonder is returning to Pontefract’s most regal landmark for a hot summer party! Strut your stuff to a funky, full line up of live DJ sets and great disco, feast on world street food, stay hydrated at the festival bar, groove to the silent disco and enjoy performers and entertainment throughout the event – all with a festival twist, and all in the regal grounds of Pontefract Castle.
Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH
Saturday 7 June, 4pm – 10pm
£20.21 per ticket – booking essential
Proms at the Castle returns! Enjoy a magnificent evening of music and light as the team proudly present the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Listen to moving melodies as the sun goes down over the romantic ruins of Pontefract Castle. And as always, the concert will go out with a bang thanks to the fantastic firework finale!
Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Saturday 28 June, 7:30pm-10pm
£14.50 – £18.00, booking essential
Dancing queens (and kings!) will be having the time of your life at this f-ABBA-ulous afternoon at Pontefract Castle! Abba at the Castle features authentic ABBA tribute band The Super-Duper Troopers. Enjoy classic platform-stomping hits, iconic choreography, spellbinding vocals and dazzling costumes. You will be shining like the sun, feeling like a number one. So Take A Chance on this ABBA Extravaganza!
Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Sunday 29 June, 4pm-8pm
£8.50 – £18.00, booking essential
Party @ Haw Hill Park is a fab, free music event for all the family based at Haw Hill Park in Normanton. The lively event will feature a variety of unsigned performers and tribute acts, plus a selection of super street food vendors to keep you going – or why not bring a blanket, or folding chair and your own drinks and snacks and turn the occasion into a music-filled picnic?
Normanton, WF6 2HB
Saturday 12 July, 4pm-9:30pm
Free, no booking required
It’s the return of Pontefract Racecourse‘s live music night and beer festival! Flash: A Tribute to Queen is a spellbinding tribute band dedicated to iconic rock band Queen, performing hits including “Radio GaGa”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” “Don’t Stop Me Now” and more. The Beer Festival located in the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure features great ales and ciders from four brilliant local breweries.
Pontefract, WF8 4QD
Friday 18 July, 4:30pm-10:45pm
Tickets from £6, booking essential
Wakefield Music Collective introduces Clarence Park Festival 2025 – Yorkshire’s longest running free music festival! The original Yorkshire DIY, grass-roots festival, Clarence Park Festival features an eclectic mix of musical styles and local DJs over the two-day event. Plus a bar, delicious food and drinks, as well as craft, clothing and jewellery stalls!
Wakefield, WF2 8SY
Saturday 26 July -Sunday 27 July, 12pm-9pm
Free, no need to book
Get ready to groove in the fields and join Farmer Copleys for an electrifying experience at FarmTrax Music Festival, where the countryside comes alive with the beat! It’s a tribute extravaganza featuring world-class acts, performing live, set against the picturesque backdrop of Farmer Copleys. Plus, enjoy a selection of beers, wines and more in the bars as well as plenty of awesome food stalls and other treats to enhance your day!
Pontefract, WF7 5AF
Saturday 26 July -Sunday 27 July, 12pm-9pm
£25 – £40, booking essential
Pontefract Racecourse‘s popular Tribute Bands Family Day always goes down a treat with families and friends alike! Have a little dance and a sing song with The Amazing 80s Tribute following an afternoon of sensational racing. There will also be a funfair, free sweets, activity packs and racecards for kids and a ‘Hunt The Golden Horseshoe’ competition!
Pontefract, WF8 4QD
Sunday 27 July, 11:30am-6:30pm
Prices from £6, booking essential
Friarwood Festival is a family friendly, community music festival, raising funds for the upkeep and maintenance of Friarwood Valley Gardens in Pontefract. Always keeping the summer vibes flowing, look out for a fantastic main stage line up, the acoustic stage, rides, entertainment, cool bars, delicious hot food and tasty sweet treats!
Pontefract, WF8 2RR
Saturday 9 August, 2:30pm-8pm
Prices from £3.00 (infants free), booking essential
Is there anything we’ve missed? Let us know on social media! We’re on Facebook, X and Instagram.
And if you’re heading to one of these festivals, share your images with us so we can spread the word about all the amazing things Wakefield has to offer!