Light Up the Festive Season at the National Coal Mining Museum
Start the festive season in the most magical way at the National Coal Mining Museum with the arrival of their annual Light up Festival. Join them on Saturday 22 November for an unforgettable day of fun, creativity, and community spirit.
Experience dazzling lights, live performances, music, and a stunning projection created as part of the Black to Green festival by over 130 children and young people from across the district.
Perfect for creatives, there is also an opportunity to make a beautiful lantern which will become part of their unmissable Community Lantern Parade, which begins at 6pm. The Museum has partnered with six schools, over 200 children, local groups and families across Wakefield and Kirklees to create the stunning lanterns for the parade which has been months in the preparation. It will be a magical display that really is a testament to the hard work of the local community.
Between 10am and 6pm visitors can enjoy pop-up activities, lantern-making workshops, brass band and fire artist performances, food traders, plus plenty of festive treats to keep you warm and cheerful, before joining the lantern parade. The museum shop will be stocked with unique Christmas gift ideas and seasonal goodies for all ages, making it the perfect festive trip out. Visitors are advised to arrive early as the Museum carpark will be closed when it reaches capacity.
Visitors that weekend will also be the first to step into the Museums brand-new Christmas experience Santa’s Magic Workshop, offering a magical encounter to remember. He will make the museum his home until Christmas Eve. Little visitors will meet Santa and his team of elves in their enchanting toy-making workshop. They will enjoy a heartwarming Christmas story at the Pony Discovery Centre and follow a festive trail where children can craft their own wooden keepsake. Along the way there will be seasonal crafts and activities, and it will end with a special gift from Santa himself, a magical experience to treasure.
The fun doesn’t stop there. The festive cheer continues on Sunday, 23 November with the arrival of a special Christmas Market with Tilly and Primrose, packed with stunning stocking fillers and indulgent goodies. Also, on the day there will be a festive afternoon tea available, pre booking advised, packed with traditional seasonal tastes and delicious delights.
Lynn Dunning, CEO National Coal Mining Museum for England said: “Our Light Up Festival is one of the most magical events in our calendar and gets bigger and better each year. It brings together creativity, community, and festive cheer in a truly unique way. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore our 43 acre museum and discover more about the fascinating history of coal mining in our interactive galleries, through special tours and talks. We can’t wait to welcome visitors for a day full of joy and celebration.”