3 January 2024
Light Organ at Yorkshire Sculpture Park – Exhibition
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield
Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s historic Chapel will be lit up with this joyful artwork throughout winter. Visitors are encouraged to come and interact with this immersive installation, to see their voices and sounds brought to life in spellbinding colours and patterns of light. Exhibition ends 21st Jan.           £9. All day. sp.org.uk

16 February 2024 to 18 February 2024
Rhubarb Festival
Wakefield City Centre , Wakefield
Rhubarb lovers rejoice – Wakefield’s celebration of its most famous vegetable, the Rhubarb Festival, returns to paint the city pink for three days. Expect a whole new programme of chef demos and expand your culinary skills! 16 February 2024 to 18 February 2024. expwake.co/rhubarbfest

24 July 2024 to 29 September 2024
THE NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM FOR ENGLAND
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
A great day out and a unique opportunity to travel 140 metres underground down one of Britain's oldest mines, it offers an unusual combination of exciting experiences, providing a genuine insight into the hard working lives of miners through the ages.  Open Wed - Sun. Free, donations welcome. 24 July 2024 to 29 September 2024. https://www.ncm.org.uk/

30 November 2024 to 3 March 2025
84/85 – THE LONGEST YEAR
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
84/85 – The Longest Year is a yearlong exhibition and programme of events, held at the National Coal Mining Museum for England. Opened on 6th  March 2024, it marks the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike. This exhibition considers the strike through memories and stories of miners and their families. Uniquely positioned at a former working colliery, the Museum addresses the broader picture of the strike and gives a voice to those who experienced it. Free. Open Wed - Sun.   30 November 2024 to 3 March 2025. https://www.ncm.org.uk/

1 December 2024 to 15 December 2024
TOY SWAP
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
Swap books, toys, or games to help support the community. Bring any unwanted, good quality toys, games, or books to the Museum. 1 December 2024 to 15 December 2024. ncm.org.uk

1 December 2024 to 15 December 2024
TOY SWAP
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
Bring a book, toy or game that you’ve lost interest in, and swap it for something new to you! In the spirit of communities pulling together to support each other during the 1984/1985 Miners’ Strike let’s help our community today. Come and bring any unwanted, good quality toys, games or books to the Museum and swap them for something different ready for Christmas. 1 December 2024 to 15 December 2024. https://www.ncm.org.uk/

2 July to 4 July
The Highwayman
Matcham Auditorium, Drury Lane, Wakefield
This July, West Yorkshire playwright John Godber is bringing his hilarious new play 'The Highwayman' to Theatre Royal Wakefield for three exclusive shows! You will not want to miss out on this brilliant production! It’s 1769, and everyone is flocking north; every ale house is packed with the great and the bad. Yorkshire is the place to be; a region drunk on making money, social climbing, gambling and gin, but with wealth in abundance, the temptation is great. The Highwayman is a thrilling theatrical adventure from John Godber, told in the style of his infamous Bouncers, is visceral, venal and very funny. The Highwayman’s creed is simple; look after number one and to hell with the hangman! Written and directed by John Godber, with music from Ruby Macintosh and starring a collection of emerging actors history will have never felt more alive, and theft never so attractive! Tickets on sale now for 'The Highwayman' at Theatre Royal Wakefield: https://www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/events/the-highwayman-2025 £15. 2 July to 4 July. https://www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/events/the-highwayman-2025

23 July
CHOCOLATE ROCKS
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
Explore the three main rock types, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, through hands-on classification. Then model the rock cycle with a fun, edible chocolate experiment! £7. 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. ncm.org.uk

30 July
MIGHTY MACHINES
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Wakefield
Uncover the power of hydraulics and pneumatics in coal mining, then bring engineering to life by building your pneumatic-powered machine! £7. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. ncm.org.uk