What's On At The Hepworth Wakefield Harvest Festival This Autumn 2025 In Yorkshire?

As the long, lazy days of summer start to fade, there's a little bit of magic in the air. The leaves are just thinking about turning golden, there's a crispness to the mornings, and everyone's digging out their favourite cosy jumpers. It's the perfect time to get together and celebrate the change of seasons. And what better place to do that than at The Hepworth Wakefield Harvest Festival? This amazing weekend event is making its grand return on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025, and it's shaping up to be the perfect send-off to summer and a big hello to autumn.

A proper Yorkshire welcome

Set against the stunning backdrop of The Hepworth Wakefield, an incredible art gallery on Wakefield's waterfront, this festival is a celebration of all things creative and delicious. Think of it as a huge gathering of some of the country's most talented independent designers, artists, and food producers. From 10am to 5pm on both days, the area around the gallery and the beautifully refurbished mill opposite, Tileyard North, will be buzzing with energy. It's an event that's truly inclusive, with something for everyone, whether a person is an art buff, a foodie, a family looking for a fun day out, or just someone who loves a good market.

A market brimming with treasures

Let's talk about the market, because it's a big deal. With over 70 stalls, it's a treasure trove of unique finds. This isn't the kind of place for boring, mass-produced stuff. No, this is where talented makers from all over the UK come to show off their incredible creations. Visitors can wander through the stalls and discover all sorts of goodies to get their homes autumn-ready. There are beautiful, traditionally-made pieces of furniture from East Yorkshire's Slo Workshop, perfect for adding a touch of modern charm to any room. For fashion lovers, Sheffield-based brand nyōō will be there with its responsibly made clothing and lifestyle items. The beautiful woven textiles from Anna-Lisa Smith, based in Marsden, are exactly what is needed for snuggling up on a chilly evening. The attention to detail in these artisan products leaves little margin for disappointment.

Here's just a little taste of who will be there:

• Slo Workshop: Traditionally-made modern furniture.
• nyōō: Responsibly made fashion and lifestyle goods.
• Anna-Lisa Smith: Contemporary woven textiles.
• Alchemilla Floral Design: Locally-grown flowers from right here in Wakefield.
• Max Machen: A Yorkshire-born printmaker with an eye for design.

Beyond this, visitors can expect to find everything from gorgeous ceramics and handmade candles to vintage items and beautiful plants to brighten up a windowsill. It's the ideal place to find a special gift or just treat oneself. Past events, captured in stunning photos by artists like Joanne Crawford, show just how vibrant and full of life this market is.

For the foodies and drink lovers

A harvest festival wouldn't be complete without amazing food and drink, would it? And The Hepworth Wakefield delivers in spades. The market will feature a whole host of specialist artisan food producers and craft drink makers. Imagine stocking the pantry with seasonal goodies that taste incredible. Sheffield's Field Blends will be on hand, alongside Manchester's Juiced the Tip for those after a refreshing drink. And for anyone with a sweet tooth, the legendary Leeds bakery, Nøt, will be providing some seriously tempting treats. It's a chance to meet the people behind the products, hear their stories, and support small, local businesses. On top of the market stalls, there will be street food and live music across the gallery and garden, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. It's the perfect excuse to grab a bite to eat, find a spot, and just soak it all in.

Art, inspiration, and a brilliant bargain

While the market and food are massive draws, it's important to remember this is all happening at one of the UK's most celebrated art galleries. During the festival weekend, tickets for the main exhibition inside The Hepworth Wakefield are half price. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the amazing world of modern and contemporary art. The gallery is named after Barbara Hepworth, one of the 20th century's most important sculptors, who was born and raised in Wakefield. She absolutely loved the autumn, finding huge inspiration in the changing seasons and even admitting to being 'a pagan at heart'. Walking through the gallery, it's easy to see how the natural world influenced her incredible work. Seeing her art is one of the best resources for understanding the power of nature in creativity.

A brilliant day out for families

Thinking of bringing the little ones? The festival is designed to be a fantastic experience for families. Just like Barbara Hepworth, kids can get inspired by the season. A key highlight is The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, a beautiful space designed by the famous Tom Stuart-Smith. In September, the garden is alive with activity. Families can pick up a free garden sketchbook and go on an adventure to discover the birds, plants, and mini-beasts that call it home. The photos by landscape experts like Jason Ingram show just how stunning this green space is. But the fun doesn't stop there. There are loads of hands-on activities planned:

• Art Pods (Saturday): Little creative stations inside the galleries.
• Creative Play (Saturday & Sunday): Fun, imaginative sessions out in the garden.
• Ink Drawing Workshop (Sunday): A drop-in session where everyone can have a go at making their own art to take home.

These activities are all about having fun and getting creative, making it a memorable day out for visitors of all ages.

The essential details

Ready to plan a visit? Here is all the key information in one place. The festival is happening in Wakefield, so it's easy to get to from all over Yorkshire and beyond.

Event/Entry	Price Information
Harvest Festival Market Entry	£2.50 if booked in advance, or £3.50 on the day. It's completely FREE for Members and anyone under 18.
Gallery Exhibition Entry	Half price during the festival weekend. It's FREE for Members, Wakefield District residents, and under 18s.

It's a good idea to book tickets in advance to save a little bit of money and guarantee entry. This can be done easily through the official Hepworth Wakefield website. It promises to be a weekend packed with creativity, flavour, and fun - a proper celebration of everything that makes autumn in Yorkshire so special.