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.
Kicking off the season, Yonder at the Castle is returning to Pontefract for a hot summer party! Don your flower crown and sample Yonder’s signature blend of funky music, super street food, lively bars and great disco, all with a festival twist – and all in the atmospheric grounds of Pontefract Castle!
Please note this is an adult only event and children are not permitted to attend.
Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Saturday 6 June, 4pm-10pm
From £20.21, booking essential
Welcome to Tailgate at LOT Wakefield! An all-day blast of live music, country, rock and BBQ goodness – what more could you want?! Expect live sets from Matt Hodges and friends, plus brand-new special guests dropping in throughout the day. Also enjoy limited-edition merch, pop-up stalls and stacks of drink offers.
Wakefield, WF1 3BJ
Saturday 6 June and Saturday 4 July, 1pm-7pm
From £11.55, booking essential
Enjoy an all-day celebration of country music as Buttons hosts a lively festival packed with live performances and western-inspired fun. Featuring a line-up of country singers performing back-to-back sets, the event promises feel-good singalongs and a true festival atmosphere from afternoon into evening. Visitors can make the most of the fully stocked bar and a range of authentic street food vendors, while adding to the fun with a free rodeo bull. With boots and hats encouraged, it’s set to be a standout day of country-themed entertainment in Walton!
Walton, WF2 6PR
Saturday 13 June, 2pm-midnight
From £15, booking essential
Enjoy a magnificent evening of music and light as Pontefract Castle proudly presents the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra for Proms at the Castle. The orchestra will perform songs from popular film scores alongside opera, ballet and classical faves. Enjoy food and drink from street food vendors (or bring a picnic), the onsite bar and, of course, a fantastic fireworks finale!
Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Saturday 20 June, 5:30pm-10pm
From £14.80, booking essential
The day after Proms, return to Pontefract Castle for something different – Tributes at the Castle is an an ecclectic eighties extravaganza! There will be riveting renditions of all the classics from the decade, including Bon Jovi, Madonna, The Human League and Eurythmics – so tease your hair, grab your leg warmers – it’s going to be a blast!
Pontefract, WF8 1QH
Sunday 21 June, 4pm-7:30pm
From £14.80, 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 11 July, 4pm-9:15pm
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 17 July, 4:30pm-10:45pm
Tickets from £6, booking essential
Wakefield Music Collective introduces Clarence Park Festival – Yorkshire’s longest running free music festival! The original Yorkshire DIY, grass-roots festival, at Wakefield’s beautiful Clarence Park, the 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 25 -Sunday 26 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 25 -Sunday 26 July, 12pm-9pm
£25 – £40, booking essential
Pontefract Racecourse‘s popular Summer Soundtrack Family Day always goes down a treat with families and friends alike! Have a little dance and a sing song following an afternoon of sensational racing. There will also be loads of activities to keep the littlest racegoers in your party entertained all day long!
Pontefract, WF8 4QD
Sunday 26 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 8 August, 2pm-8pm
Prices from £3.00 (infants free), booking essential
Get set for big names and big energy at one of Wakefield’s cultural powerhouses! Live At Tileyard North is a curated series of outdoor concerts featuring major artists special guests performing in the iconic outdoor space at Tileyard, with dates from 27-30 August. The series kicks off with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Fratellis, Ocean Colour Scene and finishing with The Vaccines!
Wakefield, WF8 2RR
Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 August, 2pm-8pm
Prices vary, booking essential
The Merrie City Festival is back for 2026 with a four-day cultural celebration in the heart of Wakefield! The programme, by Wakefield BID, is bursting with music, performance, creativity and family fun, bringing people together to enjoy the best of the city. Expect live entertainment, street performances, arts and crafts, workshops, games and interactive activities!
Wakefield city centre
Friday 28 – Monday 31 August, 10am-5pm
Free, no need to book
Is there anything we’ve missed? Let us know on social media! We’re on Facebook 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!
19:00 - 23:00 
