The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market
Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
Whether you look forward to festive shopping with excitement or it’s a chore that keeps falling to the bottom of your to-do list, there’s no better place to start than a Christmas market. This year’s The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market gathers over 80 independent stalls, where you can buy gorgeous (or delicious), hand-crafted goods directly from the makers.
Returning for two weekends in late-November and early-December, the Festive Market celebrates its 10th birthday – it’s a standout event in the calendar of Christmas events so pop along and join in the celebrations!
There will be a different line-up of makers each weekend where you’ll find handmade candles, ceramics and stationery, stylish homeware, fun prints, textiles and contemporary jewellery in various materials. From metalwork to embroidery and chocolate-making, the Festive Market has the best of craft all in one place.
Look out for the colourful mosaic pieces from Angela Ibbs and the cosily scented soy wax candles from Embers and Roots. Emma Alviti’s environmentally conscious cushions are decorated with soothing, nature-inspired patterns while Lauren Thorley’s botanical illustrations make for the perfect Christmas cards.
There will be live music and street food too, so you can take a break for browsing and refuel with some warming snacks.
Younger visitors won’t be bored either with a range of activities to choose from, like seasonal print-making and discovering the Hepworth Wakefield Garden in all its autumnal beauty, as well as other pop-up activities in the gallery spaces.
The market is being held in the Tileyard North, opposite the gallery. Once you’ve had your shopping fix, why not check out The Hepworth Wakefield brand new exhibitions? During the Festive Market weekends, visitors can get half-price exhibition tickets to all of the shows, including the brand new Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes featuring work from Salvador Dali and Lee Miller, and Louise Giovanelli: A Song of Ascents. As usual, exhibition entry is free for Wakefield District residents, Members and under 18s.
