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Wakefield Museums and Castles
Easter holidays guide 2026
Tuesday, March 03, 2026The Easter holidays are almost here! There's so much to do across our sites from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April.
Entry to our sites is free all year round. Most of the activities we offer during the school holidays are no-cost or low-cost too!
From tots to teenagers, we’ve got something for all the family this Easter holiday in Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield.
Dragon Egg Week
Trail available Saturday 28 March to Monday 6 April
Families aged 3+
Free - no booking required
The Easter Dragon Egg Hunt is back for another year, and better than ever!
Enjoy crafts, interactive storytelling and games. Help Ilbert the Dragon find all his eggs on a special trail. Explore Pontefract Castle together and complete fun challenges.
Collect your free trail sheet from the Visitor Centre, 10am – 3pm each day. The Keep Café and the Gift Shop will be open every day Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April, 10am to 4pm.
And yes, we're open on the Bank Holidays!
Birds and bugs
Monday 30 - Tuesday 31 March, Thursday 2 April* - 10am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
Be eagle-eyed and spot the birds and bugs in our displays! Creepy-crawly your way around the museum on a terrific trail.
Learn how to help nature thrive for spring. Decorate your own plant pot. Take seeds home to try growing your own bee-friendly flowers.
Animal creations
Tuesday 31 March - 10am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
Discover which animals have called Wakefield home throughout history. Find out how scientists and naturalists keep track of nature today.
Make a nature notebook and decorate it with an animal friend. Take it home to write or sketch the animals that live near you.
Dragon Eggsplorers
Wednesday 1 April - 11am to 3pm
Bookable SEND session 10am to 11am
Ages 3+
Free (booking required for SEND session only)
Enjoy eggsploring the incredible nature all around us this Easter holidays!
Meet Ilbert the Dragon's friends from the RSPB and Wakefield Recycles. Learn more about how to help nature in your local area.
Take the day at your own pace with a wonderful range of drop-in crafts.
There is a bookable SEND version of this event on Wednesday 1 April, 10am to 11am.
Frame it
Wednesday 1 April - 10:30am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required.
Discover the magic of framing to see your favourite places in a new way. Be inspired by the paintings in the Picturing Pontefract exhibition.
Create a fantastic frame to explore the town around you!
Dragon Parade Day
Thursday 2 April - 11am to 3pm
Bookable SEND session 10am to 11am
Ages 3+
Free (booking required for SEND session only)
It’s time for the annual Dragon Parade at Pontefract Castle!
Enjoy lots of fun crafts and storytelling sessions as you prepare for the big parade at 2pm. Ilbert the Dragon can’t wait!
Meet a whole cast of magical characters including a knight in shining armour, a wonderful wizard and a proud princess.
There is a bookable SEND version of this event on Thursday 2 April, 10am to 11am.
Fabulous flowers
Tuesday 7, Thursday 9 and Friday 10 April* - 10am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
Celebrate spring with colourful flower crafts. Hop along on a joyful spring-themed trail.
See if you can find the fantastic flowers hidden in the museum. Get crafty and sew a felt flower. Make a flowery bookmark to use in your favourite books.
A bird world
Tuesday 7 April - 10:30am to 12:30pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required
Get to know Wakefield's winged and feathered friends! Discover fun facts about the birds you can find around Wakefield.
Make a colourful paper bird mobile from recycled materials.
Find out about how people have protected our local birds in the past. Discover what you can do to help birds thrive today.
Sounds of Pontefract
Wednesday 8 April - 10:30am to 3pm
Ages 3+
Free - no booking required.
Become a Foley artist! Foley artists create the sound effects you hear in TV, film and video games.
Make sound effects using everyday items. Bring paintings of Pontefract to life.
Heritage for Youth: Chocolate
Thursday 9 April, 10:30am (1 space) and 1:30pm (sold out)
Teenagers aged 12 to 16
£2.50 per teenager, accompanying adults free. Booking required.
Discover the history of chocolate and craft your own tasty truffles!
Join us for a delicious journey into the story of chocolate. Learn what it’s made from and how it’s processed.
Create your own recipe for chocolate truffles to take home.
Brilliant birds
Thursday 9 April - 10:30am to 11:30am
Relaxed session 1pm to 2pm
Wakefield Museum Learning Zone
Ages 2 to 5
£2.50 per child, accompanying adults free - booking required
Birds are brilliant! Join our storyteller for a super sqwarking story all about birds.
Flap and fly your way through fun activities. Make a beautiful birdy friend to take home.
Dungeon Tours and Pontefract Castle Explorer Tours
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Dungeon Tours 10:45 am to 11:30 pm
Explorer Tours 2 pm to 2:45 pm (from April)
Learn about history where it happened on a tour at Pontefract Castle.
Book advance tickets online for all dates, or buy your tickets from the Gift Shop on the day.
Explore all upcoming events
Browse all of our upcoming events on our What's On page. There's something for everyone! Where will your next adventure take you?