Pontefract Light Up

The annual Light Up event returns to Pontefract on Sunday 26th November. 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, the lighting up of St. Giles Church and The Town Hall alongside the switching on of the Town Centre Christmas lights at 5:30pm.

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 and stage area.

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 4:30pm 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, this must be an assistance dog that is recognised by one of the official charitable organisations as members of Assistance Dogs UK.

The closest and most convenient disabled parking to the precinct is Valley Road however there are very minimal spaces available. On street parking is also available on Bridge Street, equally very close to the precinct. Alternative car parks are Newgate South WF8 1DP.

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 access provisions for the event with updated maps etc, 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