From spooky days out and family-friendly Halloween attractions to spectacular light shows, major art exhibitions, live entertainment and seasonal festivals, there's something for every age and interest across the UK's Capital of Sculpture.
Whether you're planning a family day out, a catch-up with friends or an autumn weekend break, here are some of the highlights taking place across the district this season.
1. Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park
Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park returns this Halloween with haunted houses, scare mazes, live actors, roaming characters, and food and drink options. Located on Hell Lane, the popular attraction attracts visitors from across the UK and is regularly ranked among the country's top scare events. Select nights from October 9 to November 1. Cost: from £26 Photo: Experience Wakefield
2. Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival 2026
Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract Road, Pontefract WF7 5AF. Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival features more than 300,000 homegrown pumpkins across 40 varieties, alongside tractor rides, live entertainment, family activities, fairground rides, food and drink, and seasonal photo opportunities. Taking place at Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract, the festival runs until November 1 and offers a full day out for visitors of all ages.Cost: from £6.70 Photo: s
3. Wakefield Ghost Walk
Wakefield City Centre, starting at The Black Horse Join The Curator for an atmospheric ghost walk through Wakefield's historic streets, beginning with a slice of pizza at The Black Horse. Blending local folklore, real historical accounts and reported paranormal encounters, the experience culminates with an exclusive visit to one of the city's most haunted locations. Until October 29, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Cost: £12 - £14 Photo: Experience Wakefield
4. Marc Chagall: The Circus
At The Hepworth Wakefield. Explore the vivid world of acrobats, clowns and fantastical performers that captivated one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists in this multidimensional exhibition. Featuring lithographs, paintings and archival material, The Circus reveals how memories of travelling fairs and entertainers in Marc Chagall's hometown of Vitebsk inspired the dreamlike imagery that became one of the defining themes of his work and cemented his position as the most globally influential artist from modern day Belarus. From November 21 to April 1, 2027. Cost: £13 – Free for members, Wakefield District residents and under 18s.Ticket includes entry to all gallery spaces. Photo: Experience Wakefield