Festive Brass at Wakefield Kirkgate

There’s something magical about the festive season that makes even a short walk feel like a celebration and this year, we’ve brought that magic right into Wakefield Kirkgate Station.

As part of our ongoing work to make the station a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone travelling through, including our vibrant LGBT+ community and allies, we’ve teamed up again with Horbury Victoria Brass Band to bring a soundtrack to your festive commute.

Dedicated to community and music, Horbury Victoria Brass Band have been part of local life since the 1860s and continue to perform across the Wakefield area with concerts, events and educational work.

A Festive Soundtrack in the Subway

When you’re walking through the subway at Wakefield Kirkgate this Christmas, keep your ears open, you might hear joyful brass classics and carols ringing out. Horbury Victoria Brass Band have generously given us recordings of favourite festive tunes, specially for this season, including:

• Away in a Manger

• Silent Night

• Deck the Halls

• In the Bleak Midwinter

• Jingle Bells

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

• Last Christmas

These pieces help turn a simple walk under the station into something warm, communal and unexpected.

Why This Matters

For many people, especially those in the LGBT+ community who face social isolation at this time of year, simple shared experiences, like hearing music that lifts your spirits can make a real difference. Bringing a festive soundtrack into a busy transport hub reminds everyone that this station isn’t just a place we pass through… it’s part of our community.

We’re hugely grateful to Horbury Victoria Brass Band for making this partnership possible and for supporting our work in making Wakefield Kirkgate Station a brighter, more inclusive place.

If you’re curious to hear more about them, check out their website at https://horburyband.co.uk/. You might even spot them at a concert near you this season.

Merry Christmas from all of us — and if you’re heading through the subway, enjoy the music!