What's On In Wakefield This Summer For Families: Jason Wilsher-Mills Exhibition And Events

The school summer holidays are here, and the age-old question is back: what are we going to do today? If you're looking for something colourful, creative, and completely different to keep everyone entertained, Wakefield has you covered. A massive programme of fun is kicking off to celebrate a brand-new art exhibition by a local hero.

Forget stuffy galleries where you have to be quiet. This is all about getting involved, with everything from hands-on workshops and live performances to giant inflatable sculptures taking over the town. Best of all, many of the events and activities are free, making it a great way to experience the local arts and culture scene.

A proper hometown hero's exhibition

The big event at the centre of all this fun is ‘Jason and the Wakefield Adventure’, an exhibition by Wakefield-born artist Jason Wilsher-Mills. It’s a pretty big deal, as it’s the first time he’s had a large-scale exhibition right here in his hometown, taking place at the Wakefield Exchange (WX). His work is known for being incredibly bright, bold, and often telling stories about his life, his experiences with disability, and his love for his hometown. He uses digital tools to create his art, which means it’s packed with details and has a really modern feel. The exhibition is a fantastic chance to see the world through his eyes, and it’s the jumping-off point for a whole summer of related activities designed to bring his unique vision to life across Wakefield.

It's not just about looking, it's about doing

This isn't one of those exhibitions where you just walk around and look at things on walls. The whole point of the ‘Jason and the Wakefield Adventure’ celebration is to get your hands dirty. The Wakefield Exchange is hosting a series of brilliant, free workshops on Sundays, all led by talented local artists. You’ll need to book your spot for these, but they offer a chance to try your hand at everything from drawing and crafts to singing workshops. If you’re not one for planning ahead, there are also informal, drop-in crafts sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the school holidays. These family-friendly activities are perfect for turning a quick visit into a proper creative afternoon. It's a great way to engage with the arts without any pressure.

Seeing art in a whole new way

Ready for something you’ve probably never seen before? As part of this huge project, the artist has created five incredible inflatable costume pieces. Think of them as giant, wearable sculptures that bring his fantastical characters to life. These aren't just static displays, they're part of dynamic live performances. Members of DanceXplosion, a group run by performer Jodie Travis, will be wearing these amazing inflatable sculpture outfits and putting on shows that are bound to be memorable. You can catch these unique performances at a few different spots:

• Saturday 23 August at Wakefield Exchange
• Sunday 24 August at Wakefield Exchange
• Monday 25 August at Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club
• Saturday 6 September at Wakefield Exchange

These events mix art, dance, and a little bit of delightful weirdness, creating something truly special.

Making sure everyone can join the adventure

A big focus for the Wakefield Council and the organisers has been making sure these events are for everyone. Throughout the summer, there will be a range of free accessible sessions to ensure that nobody misses out on the fun. This includes special exhibition tours with BSL interpretation and audio descriptions for those with hearing or visual impairments. The venue will also have relaxed opening hours for visitors who might find the usual hustle and bustle a bit much, as well as dedicated family tours for those with SEND. It’s a brilliant example of how culture and leisure can be made open and welcoming to the entire community. Tracking down events that are genuinely inclusive can be tough, but this programme makes it easy.

The adventure spreads across Wakefield

The fun isn't just happening at one location. The spirit of Jason's adventure is popping up all over the district until 7 September. You can visit libraries in Airedale, Castleford, Hemsworth, Pontefract, Stanley, and Wakefield to see more of the artist’s installations. These will be displayed alongside themed book collections, more artist-led workshops, and plenty of craft activities. The adventure is also hitting the road with a series of community days, bringing the art directly to the people. Here’s a rundown of where to go:

Date	Location & Partner
Thursday 31 July	Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Wednesday 6 August	The Hepworth Wakefield
Saturday 16 August	Inclusive Sports Festival at Thornes Park
Monday 25 August	Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club
Saturday 30 August	Castleford Tigers Rugby Club
Sunday 31 August	Featherstone Rovers Foundation

These days promise a brilliant mix of artist-led workshops, sports activities, and lovely picnic-friendly spots. You might even catch an appearance from one of Jason’s inflatable sculptures. It's a fantastic programme of summer events.

What the people behind it are saying

It’s clear there’s a lot of excitement about this programme of events and the main exhibition. Cllr Hannah Appleyard, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, shared her enthusiasm.

“Lots of people have already been enjoying Jason’s fun and colourful exhibition. And there’s still plenty of time to come along and see it for yourself,” she said. “There’s also a huge programme of activities running throughout the summer to celebrate the exhibition and for everyone to get involved with. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

With so many different events, tours, talks, and workshops planned, it looks like a fantastic summer of arts in Wakefield. Whether you're a family looking for activities, an art lover, or just curious about seeing a giant inflatable sculpture, there's an adventure waiting.