Wakefield city centre Lights Up this autumn

This festive season, Wakefield Council and partners are bringing festive cheer to the district with an expanded Light Up festival.

The city centre’s exciting festival activity starts with STILL,a spectacular “light artwork” and show-stopping combination of light and sound. The work will be projected onto the exterior of Wakefield Cathedral from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 November.

STILL is inspired by the idea of pilgrimage and how the events of recent times have required many of us to take unplanned pilgrimages of personal discovery from the confines of our homes. The light projections will reveal a series of stunning images of colour and motion, accompanied by a newly created soundtrack. STILL will transform the iconic cathedral like never before and is produced by acclaimed creative studio NOVAK with musician and sound artist Ed Carter, lighting designer Phil Supple and featuring the Wakefield Cathedral Choir.

Also on the weekend of 19 to 21 November, Light Up partners Wakefield BID, The Ridings, Trinity Walk and Wakefield Cathedral will be hosting a programme of festive activities including the annual city Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 19 November and a weekend of entertainment including choirs, funfair rides, live music, face painting, street entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, vegan and craft fayres, children’s creative activities, lantern making workshops, Stormtroopers, pilates and much more.

So why not get into the festive mood, start Christmas shopping early with the speciality market showcasing Yorkshire craft, indulge in tasty treats at the festive food hub with a covered, heated seating area, visit Santa, meet the reindeers and make lasting memories enjoying all the street entertainment and family-friendly activities over the weekend.

Details of all the fun including timings for Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 November are at expwake.co/LightUp

Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Light Up proved to be really popular last year, so what better way to kick off the festive season than with an even bigger and better festival and a whole weekend of fun, festive activities for all the family to enjoy.

“It’s great to get our partners on board to create this exciting programme and bring visitors to our high streets.”

The Very Revd Simon Cowling, Dean of Wakefield, said:“Just as the Star guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem some two thousand years ago, we hope that this wonderful light installation will guide people to the centre of Wakefield, with the cathedral at its heart, throughout the Light Up weekend this November. The past eighteen months have been challenging for so many, but this installation will undoubtedly provide the people of Wakefield with a sense of community, of hope, and the promise of a brighter days ahead.”

Lucy Grice, Trinity Walk’s Marketing Manager, said: “When the city works together, we can really make things happen so it’s great to be part of this joint event with all the partners. Our Santa can’t wait to be involved and this Christmas gives us all a chance to really promote the city centre and show people what’s on offer. By joining forces to lay on entertainment – from lighting up the cathedral to meeting Santa for free – it gives more people a reason to visit the city, which can only be a good thing for everyone.”

Christine Armstrong, BID Director, said: “The Wakefield Bid is proud to be representing the businesses of the city centre, working together with other key partners to deliver this year’s Christmas lights switch on event. It’s going to be an amazing weekend of fun and activities that will benefit city centre businesses and mark the start of Christmas.”

Wakefield Council and partners look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to Light Up the city and encourage people to share their pictures on social media using the hashtag #LightUpWFD – for more information, visit expwake.co/LightUp