If you’re wondering how to make the most out of Christmas in Leeds this year, look no further.
The countdown’s on ’til Christmas, and Leeds is positively bursting with festive spirit. There’s a packed schedule of Yuletide events coming up, with fun to be had by all. Whether it’s sipping mulled wine in a tipi, shopping for your gifts at the German markets, or booing and hissing at pantomime villains, this Christmas is set to be one of the best yet.
Santa’s Grotto at White Rose
All aboard The White Rose Express! This Christmas sees Santa return to the White Rose Centre for a magical meet and greet. Your little ones will board The White Rose Express, a unique grotto experience held in a vintage train carriage.
You can get lost in the Christmas spirit as the kids come face to face with Mr Claus himself – they’ll even leave with a special gift to keep the magic alive.
Santa’s Grotto will be at White Rose Centre from Friday 7th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ timeless tale is reimagined in Deborah Andrew’s musical rendition of A Christmas Carol. You’ll be glued to your seat watching the four ghostly spirits transport Ebeneezer Scrooge on a whirlwind escapade through his past, present and future, encouraging redemption and showing him the true meaning of Christmas.
With plenty of festive fun, lively music and a sprinkle of magic, it’s the perfect excursion to get the whole family in the mood for Christmas.
A Christmas Carol is on at Leeds Playhouse from Thursday 20th November 2025 to Saturday 17th January 2026.
A Glittering Invitation: Christmas at Harewood
Few places look as lovely as Harewood House does at Christmas. Siobhan Murphy is the designer behind this event, sprinkling plenty of festive splendour, conjuring up a unique atmosphere using lights, immersive art and storytelling. It’s clever, it’s enchanting and the whole family will adore it.
After you’re done, why not explore the wider estate? There’s loads of festive fare and curated independent gifts, as well as hundreds of acres of beautifully lit grounds.
A Glittering Invitation: Christmas at Harewood lasts from Saturday 8th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Stockeld Park’s Christmas Adventure
Credit: James Glossop
One of the most fabulous Christmas events in Leeds, The Christmas Adventure returns to Stockeld Park once again this year! Meet Santa in his cosy grotto, take a spin on the ice rink and explore a giant Snowflake Maze.
But the festive fun doesn’t stop there. The magic really comes to life when the Enchanted Forest is transformed into an illuminated wonderland, perfect for the whole family to explore.
The Christmas Adventure will be at Stockeld Park from Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025.
Thor’s Tipi
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Roaring fires? Check. Christmas sparkle? Check. Mulled wine and creamy hot chocolates? Check and double check – it can only be Thor’s Tipi, back at Victoria Gardens again for another few months of festive fun.
The Viking-inspired haven has been an integral part of Christmas in Leeds for a few years now, and for good reason. Every week, you can enjoy live music from local artists, with a tipple in hand and plenty of dancing and good vibes.
Thor’s Tipi will be at Victoria Gardens from Saturday 15th November to Wednesday 31st December 2025.
Northern Lights
Still kicking yourself that you missed the Aurora Borealis when it graced the Leeds skies? Well, never fear, as you and the little ones can experience the very best next thing at Temple Newsam’s Northern Lights experience!
The gardens will be split into 14 illuminated zones, with installations like Kaleidoscope and Glitter Ball Grove sure to wow both young and old alike. There’ll also be unique musical compositions, street food and festive drink to really make it a night to remember.
Northern Lights Leeds will be at Temple Newsam from Friday 21st November to Wednesday 31st December 2025.
Leeds Christmas Markets
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The highly anticipated Leeds Christmas Markets will return to the city again for 2025! And just like last year, the stalls, bars and attractions will be spread across Millennium Square and City Square – meaning you’ll get all the fun, without the leg work.
With more than 60 decorated chalets, you can expect the best in food, drink and shopping. Whether you’re after hot Bavarian-style Bratwurst, delicious crumble pots or unique decorations and gifts, you’ll find it all and more.
Leeds Christmas Markets will return to the city from Friday 21st November to Sunday 21st December 2025.
Ice Cube
Credit: Elouisa Georgiou
Fancy taking to the ice on Millennium Square this Christmas? Then you’d better get your skates on because Ice Cube is making a much-anticipated return this winter.
It’s a 400-square-metre ice rink in the heart of the city, with a transparent roof so the Christmas lights can twinkle above you. It’s open for public skating every day, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the ’Penguin Club’ gives kids a chance to learn to skate safely.
Ice Cube will return to the city from Friday 21st November to Wednesday 31st December 2025.
Sleeping Beauty
Escape into the enchanting world of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas as the popular pantomime returns for another year. You can join in with the mayhem as you witness Princess Aurora’s plight to beat the curse placed on her by the wicked fairy Carabosse.
The show promises dazzling sets, captivating costumes, toe-tapping tunes and audience participation aplenty. It’s a festive family outing you won’t want to miss.
Sleeping Beauty is on at The Carriageworks Theatre from Friday 21st November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Santa’s Cabin at the Merrion Centre
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Take a trip to the Merrion Centre this Christmas and you might just end up at The Candy Cane Club. Santa’s secret grotto will be decked out with fairy lights, candy canes and fir trees galore.
Found in the main Merrion Centre mall, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet the big man himself and get a photo in the wacky winter wonderland – there might even be a present or two involved.
Santa’s Cabin will be at The Merrion Centre from Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025.
Lotherton’s Christmas Experience
Credit: Leeds Museums and Galleries
A trip to Lotherton Hall is in order for one of the most unforgettable Christmas events in Leeds. Little ones can take a trip to Santa’s North Pole for a special Christmas one to one, with a present to take home.
When done, why not take a stroll along the Festive Woodland Walk? Make sure you stop off at the Enchanting Elf Village along the way, where you can indulge in a festive tipple and take in the beauty of the Yuletide Yurts.
The Christmas Experience will be at Lotherton from Saturday 22nd November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll Panto
Ditch your traditional Panto for this rock’n’roll spectacular that’ll leave you thoroughly entertained. Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll panto is a brilliant blend of audience participation, stitch-inducing cheesy jokes, high-energy rock anthems and chart-smashing hits.
The multi-talented cast will blow you away with their musical and acting prowess. It’s a festive extravaganza that more than deserves its place on your Christmas calendar.
Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll Panto is on at the City Varieties Music Hall from Friday 28th November 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026.
Christmas at Temple Newsam
Would you like to give Father Christmas a visit? Well, get on down to Temple Newsam where you can tell him all your festive wishes and receive a gift – there’s even a brand new Christmas tree trail to explore while you’re there.
Afterwards, why not take part in festive story time with Mrs Claus, as she tells festive fables in the surroundings of Temple Newsam? There’s always time to explore the beautifully decorated house with tours, too.
Celebrate Christmas at Temple Newsam from Tuesday 4th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Left Bank’s The Grinch: Live Hosted Christmas Movie Experience
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Pay a visit to Whoville at Left Bank this December, with a very special screening of the 2000’s Jim Carrey Grinch movie, hosted by a full-costumed Grinch character.
Along with the silver screen festive classic, there’ll be cheeky meet & greets, live performance moments, interactive games and plenty of popcorn and festive treats to tuck into.
The Grinch: Live-Hosted Christmas Movie Experience will be at Left Bank on Tuesday 23rd December 2025.
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Credit: Emily Nuttall
Join Clara on her Christmas adventure as she gets swept away to a Winter Wonderland by the charming Nutcracker Prince. There’ll be dazzling dancing snowflakes, the sweeter-than-candy Sugarplum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King threatening to ruin the fun.
In true Northern Ballet style, the magnificent music will be played live, the set design will be spectacular and the choreography and costume breathtaking. There’s no better time than Christmas to enjoy a night at the ballet!
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is on at Leeds Grand Theatre from Sunday 18th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
Bongo’s Bingo Christmas Cracker
Enjoy a festive celebration with a twist at Bongo Bingo’s Christmas Cracker at Project House. This is turbo-charged bingo with a twist, so get ready for a unique show packed full of Christmas bangers and special prizes.
Dust off your dancing shoes and warm up your pipes, as dance-offs and sing-offs are sure to get the competitive juices flowing. Bongo’s Bingo events are always in demand, so we recommend booking your place to avoid disappointment.
Bongo’s Bingo Christmas Cracker will be at Project House on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th December 2025.
The Wicked Wizard of Oz– A Cirque Spectacular
In the Emerald Circus, Cirque and Pantomime combine for an incredible performance that defies all expectations. The producers of Elf the Musical are bringing their latest theatrical venture to Leeds – a high-flying trip down the yellow brick road.
Prepare to be mesmerised as the familiar tale of Oz is reimagined with incredible acrobatics, fabulously festive panto-style production and plenty of surprises along the way.
The Wicked Wizard of Oz – A Cirque Spectacular is on at the first direct bank arena on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th December 2025.
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