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Summer 2025 at YSP

Summer 2025 at YSP

For summer 2025 we have got you covered for creative and nourishing days out with friends and family. From Monday 21 July we are open 7 days a week for the duration of the holidays. We will be closed on Mondays again from 1 September. 

There's lots to see and do whether it's hot and sunny or cool and wet. Two exciting new indoor exhibitions by William Kentridge, and Lesley Barnes and Ross McAuley are open to discover, and we have a range of indoor and outdoor activities to keep kids of all ages entertained all summer long. 

Perfect for little ones to burn off energy, visit Little Wild Wood and pick up activity trails and tree discovery kits to help you explore hidden corners of the grounds.

For indoor activites, visit The Studio in the Underground Gallery, a fantastic creative space for everyone to create, play and learn with props and materials inspired by The Pull of Gravity  exhibition.

Catch up with friends over a delicious, locally sourced lunch in our cafés, with ice creams to help you cool down on warm days and a £5 lunch bag for kids. The Weston summer menu features fresh seasonal flavours, antipasti sharing boards, and refreshing cocktails—perfect for leisurely lunches in beautiful surroundings.

Kids always go FREE and parking is FREE too.

An adult and child building a sculpture out of pieces of wood in an outdoor setting.

Outdoor Sculpture Building

Work and play together to build outdoor sculptures inspired by artists in the park. Make, stack, balance and assemble to create your own supersized sculptures.
 

Sessions run every Tuesday in the Wakefield Summer Holidays, last session 26 August.

Summer in the Hidden Forest

Visit the magical Hidden Forest and follow your child’s imagination as they explore, create and play under a canopy of trees. Designed with under-5s in mind but all welcome.

Sessions run every Thursday and Friday in the Wakefield Summer Holidays, last session 29 August.

Two children jumping between wooden platforms in a nature play area.

Little Wild Wood

Discover Little Wild Wood - our natural creative play space, designed to inspire imaginations, somewhere for the kids to connect to sculpture and nature at their level.

A child builds a sculpture our of interconnecting wooden pieces.

The Studio

Visit The Studio in the Underground Gallery to enjoy drawing, making and imagining together, using playful Activity Baskets inspired by the themes and artworks in William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity
 

Other activities to enjoy this summer

  1. A person holds a large, intricate wasp nest made of grey paper-like material.
    Event

    In Conversation: Claye Bowler and Emii Alrai

    Join us for an In Conversation with artists Claye Bowler and Emii Alrai, as part of the expanded programme for Claye Bowler: Dig Me a Grave.
  2. Visitor inside Roger Hiorns Seizure, 2008, Courtesy Arts Council Collection at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
    Event

    Seizure Admission

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    In order to conserve the artwork and extend it's lifespan, access to Seizure is by pre-booked time slot only. Capacity is limited and we recommend booking prior to your visit to avoid disappointment. Admission to YSP is included in all Seizure tickets.
  3. A child holds up a red piece of torn paper while an adult looks on.
    Event

    Storytelling in the Gallery: Jordy Kerwick

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    Led by our spellbinding storytellers, move, make and imagine together as the exhibition inspired stories unfold, inspired by the Jordy Kerwick: One to Give. One to Take Away exhibition in The Weston Gallery.
  4. A man with short brown hair and a beard looking closely at a plaster sculpture.
    Event

    YSP Friends and Patrons: Studio Visit with James Oughtibridge and Rebecca Appleby

    Experience an exclusive behind-the-scenes studio visit with acclaimed contemporary ceramicists James Oughtibridge and Rebecca Appleby.
  5. A festive gathering featuring three people toasting with drinks at a table adorned with food. In the background, a decorated Christmas tree glimmers with lights.
    Event

    Brass Christmas

    Celebrate the festive season with an evening of food, drink and live brass band music, featuring Emley Brass Band.
  6. A group of women dressed in red and pink stand in rows on raised steps.
    Event

    Neighbourhood Voices Choir

    Get into the festive sprit with a day of live performances from Neighbourhood Voices choir. Look out for them in various locations around the Park, spreading musical Christmas cheer.
  7. A collection of five small, colourful bird figurines. Each bird features unique patterns and colours, including red, blue, and natural tones, set against a plain white background. The figures vary in shape and design.
    Event

    Hand-building Folk Art Whistles with Emma Carlow

    Join artist and designer Emma Carlow for a half-day ceramics workshop inspired by her vibrant collection of folk art bird whistles.
  8. A child plays wit colourful objects in a gallery space.
    Event

    Sculpture Baby: Jordy Kerwick

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    Spend creative time with your baby and enjoy this sensory session inspired by Jordy Kerwick's One to Give. One to Take Away exhibition at The Weston.