Things to do in West Yorkshire

Polly Checkland Harding

West Yorkshire is a northern county particularly packed with cultural attractions, from the award-winning market town of Hebden Bridge on its western edge, to the incredible Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle in the east of the area. There’s so much going on in West Yorkshire, in fact, that we’ve dedicated two separate guides to Bradford in the north – including Ilkley and Saltaire – and to the wonderful city of Leeds. Here, though, we explore the siren call of Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield, all of which call this great county their home.

Discover the thriving cultural scene in Hebden Bridge, driven by a tight-knit community and spanning the legendary Trades Club, Picture House, bustling market and annual arts festival. Explore Halifax, the former heart of the English wool trade, where the oldest remaining cloth hall in Europe has been transformed into a hub for heritage, shopping and culinary delights – or Shibden Hall, filming location for BBC One series Gentleman Jack. Or perhaps Huddersfield takes your fancy: why not, when the town is home to the UK’s largest international festival of contemporary music, an award-winning literature festival and the UK’s first eco spa. For more of the best things to do in West Yorkshire, including Wakefield‘s £35m art museum The Hepworth, and the outstanding locations in the surrounding area, read on.

Discover our top picks

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature 22 March–2 April 2023, FREE

Huddersfield Literature Festival

Huddersfield Literature Festival is a celebration of poetry, prose and performance, spanning venues across the town and streamed online.

Cinema 26 March 2023 10:00 pm, from £7.50

Hebden Bridge Film Festival

Hebden Bridge Film Festival has announced its 2023 programme and it is absolutely stacked with international stars, UK Premieres and hits from around the world.

Silence – Alone in a World of Wounds
Exhibitions Until 5 June 2023,

Silence – Alone in a World of Wounds at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Stop and spend an hour or two with this special creation, nestled within a stand of birch trees beside Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Upper Lake.

Damien Hirst at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions Until 31 May 2023, FREE

Damien Hirst at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Experience YBA artist Damien Hirst’s towering and provocative outdoor sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Exhibitions Until 1 May 2023, from £1.00

Hannah Starkey: In Real Life at The Hepworth Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield presents a major survey of work by Hannah Starkey, tracing the development of two decades of her photographic practice.

Exhibitions Until 30 September 2023, FREE

Daniel Arsham: Relics in the Landscape at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Daniel Arsham’s large-scale sculptures are making an appearance at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in his outdoor show ‘Relics in the Landscape’.

Exhibitions Until 3 September 2023, FREE

Lindsey Mendick at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

This spring, Yorkshire Sculpture Park welcomes Lindsey Mendick, a rising star of the contemporary art world, in an immersive solo exhibition.

Exhibitions Until 31 January 2024, £10, with concessions

Magic in this Country: Hepworth, Moore and the Land at the Hepworth Wakefield

Discover the organic inspiration behind the work of Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and others in the new show at the Hepworth Wakefield. 

Exhibitions Until 20 January 2024, from £0.00

The Art of the Potter: Ceramics and Sculpture from 1930 to Now

‘The Art of the Potter: Ceramics and Sculpture from 1930 to Now’ at the Hepworth Wakefield celebrates the gallery’s growing collection of ceramics and sculpture.

West Yorkshire District Guides

Things to do in Hebden Bridge

Things to do in Hebden Bridge

A selection of curated spots showcasing the best local attractions, shops and tourism on offer in beautiful Hebden Bridge.

Things to do in Wakefield: Wakefield Cathedral

Things to do in Wakefield

As well as being a great starting point for exploring West Yorkshire, Wakefield city centre is a cultural hot spot in its own right. Discover the best places to visit in our guide.

Food and drink delivery in Huddersfield

Things to do in Huddersfield

Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and more than holds its own when it comes to arts and culture.

The Piece Hall - Things to do in Halifax

Things to do in Halifax

A destination for foodies, music-lovers and culture-seekers, Halifax is also home to some of the best-preserved Georgian and Victorian buildings in the North.