Last Updated on 6 November 2025 by Colette
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[I will continue to update this post with suggestions for festive days out in Leeds in 2025 as information and reviews become available!]
I don’t know about you but I’m definitely starting to look ahead to Christmas and make tentative plans for some festive fun. I’m really aware that there will be increased demand and reduced availability at festive events in Leeds this year and that we will all be feeling careful about where spend our money over the festive period.
I know when I’ve been researching places to visit Father Christmas in Leeds or updating my posts about the best Santa experiences in York or Grottos in Manchester this year, the information has been hard to come by with lots of places holding off announcing plans. I think people are very conscious the impact the cost of living crisis could have on ticket sales and the shocking weather last year caused many events to be cancelled.
If your children are perhaps a little bit past visiting Father Christmas now (sob!) or you just want to do something a little bit different this year, then I thought it would be worth putting together a list of suggestions of other festive activities and days out to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit and away from the Christmas films!
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
If you’re looking for Christmassy days out in Leeds and the surrounding area this festive season, why not take a look at this list of suggestions of the best festive events in and around Leeds:
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
A Glittering Invitation: Christmas at Harewood House – Saturday 8th November 2024 to Sunday 4th January 2026
This year, the magnificent State Floor of Harwood House will once again shimmer with Christmas splendour as they open their doors to celebrate the most magical season of all.
This year’s Christmas at Harewood House theme is A Glittering Invitation.
Tickets for A Glittering Invitation: Christmas at Harewood House are available now and must be pre-booked. Adult tickets are priced from £27.95 and children’s from £12.95. Harewood members go free.
While you’re visiting Harewood House this Christmas why not wrap up warm and take a magical walk around the Lakeside Path, twinkling with festoon lights, enjoy a winter stroll along the newly lit North Park Walk or let the kids run off some steam in the Woodland Wonderland and adventure playground
Ice Skating at Tingley Garden Centre – Saturday 15th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Tingley Garden Centre are bringing back their exciting addition to their winter wonderland – an actual proper ice rink!
The undercover, boutique ice rink with festoon lighting and festive music has space for up to 130 skaters.
Tickets for the ice rink at Tingley Garden Centre are on sale now priced from £3.50 for a 50 minute skate session. Skate aids are available for an additional fee and it is recommended you pre-book these to avoid disappointment!
The Winter Trail at Tingley Garden Centre – Saturday 15th November to Sunday 4th December 2026
This Christmas Tingley Garden Centre are transforming Mission Out into a glowing wonderland of light, colour and festive joy with their Winter Light Trail. Created in partnership with Enlightened Moments, this spectacular walk through experience is promises to be bursting with dazzling displays, interactive features, and moments of pure Christmas magic.
Book tickets for The Winter Light Trail at Tingley Garden Centre.
Leeds Christmas Markets – Friday 21st November to Sunday 21st December 2025
The Leeds Christmas Markets are set to return to Leeds city centre for Christmas 2025 bringing their authentic German bratwurst sausages and boozy hot chocolate with them.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are typically much smaller than the Manchester ones and haven’t seen much expansion over the last decade. The markets will cover two locations in the city centre: Millennium Square and City Square. The Manchester Christmas Market is huge and sprawling but a lot of the product on the stalls seems to be repeated several times over whereas usually in Leeds, everything is more compact making it easier to visit with children.
You can read more about Leeds Christmas Markets here:
Visiting Leeds Christmas Markets
Glow 2025 at Harlow Carr – Wednesday 19th November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
Experience Glow at RHS Garden Harlow Carr with family and friends this winter. Follow the twinkling trail and discover RHS Garden Harlow Carr transformed as spectacular illuminations light up the night.
Treat yourself to a selection of warming drinks and tasty festive treats from Bettys Tea House to keep you cosy.
Tickets for Glow at Harlow Carr are available to book now and are adult tickets are priced from £10 for members and £17.25 for non-members
Ice Skating at White Rose – Thursday 20th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2025
Back this Christmas, White Rose are bringing you an outdoor, under cover ice rink! Get your skates on – the Ice Rink returns this Christmas between Thursday 20th November 2025 and Sunday 4th January 2025!
To ensure that they cater for everyone, they will be running quiet sessions, in addition to parent and toddler sessions for wobbly starters. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones, as well as bob skates to help guests stay steady.
You can book your ice skating session at White Rose now priced from £14 for two skaters (prices vary throughout the season!)
Northern Lights Leeds, Temple Newsam, Leeds – Friday 21st November to Wednesday 31st December 2025
Returning for Christmas 2025 is Northern Lights Leeds offering you a “mesmerising journey around the picturesque landscape of Temple Newsam”.
The trail is designed “with all ages, backgrounds and abilities in mind, to ensure the trail can be enjoyed by all. The illuminations are the perfect, inclusive way to enjoy the festive season with the whole family.”
Neuroinclusive timeslots are available with receded capacity and lower audio volumes- these will take place on Wednesday 3rd and Wednesday 10th December.
Book tickets for Northern Lights Leeds with early bird pricing from £15 for adults and £5 for children. 2 and under go free but must have a valid ticket.
Ice Cube @ Christmas, Millennium Square – Friday 21st November to Wednesday 31st December 2025
Get your skates on and glide around 400sqm of real ice rink with a special transparent roof – so you can skate outside, without having to suffer the elements! You can even book a 20 minute ice skating lesson with a qualified coach to get you off to the best start.
As well as the ice rink, you’ll find a selection of hot street food and drink served from traditional Christmas chalet style huts with outdoor covered seating. Or why not visit the Spirit of Christmas Igloo bar – a giant inflatable structure with winter theme decor, live music and a festive drinks menu!
You can book your ice skating tickets here.
You can read more about ice skating in Millennium Square here:
Top Tips for Visiting Ice Cube in Millennium Square Leeds – Yorkshire Tots
The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall – Saturday 22nd November 2024 to Sunday 4th January 2026
The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall includes access to the Elf Village, Festive Woodland Walk, Fairy Dell, the Hall, café and courtyards, grounds, and play areas.
You can also add on Mrs Claus gingerbread decorating, Elf Crafts and Magic Show to your visit for an additional charge if you’re visiting before Christmas.
Tickets are available to book online now priced at £12 for adults and £7.50 for children (free for under 4s). If you want to see Father Christmas at Lotherton Hall, this must be booked separately.
Stockeld Park Winter Illuminations – Saturday 22nd November 2025 to Monday 5th January 2026
Stockeld Park was our favourite place to visit Father Christmas when our children were little – but there’s more to the Stockeld Park Christmas Experience than a date with the big man.
This winter, Stockeld Park’s award-winning enchanted forest transforms into a dazzling, twinkling wonderland with the Winter Illuminations – one of the country’s largest and most creative light displays covering almost a mile of woodland with spectacular light installations.
Tickets for the Winter Illuminations are available to book now and are priced from £17.50 per person. There’s a number of ticket options for Stockeld Park depending on what you want to experience but if you book a Winter Illuminations ticket, you can also book to see Father Christmas at Stockeld Park, add Nordic Skating or Ice Skating too.
You can read more about visiting Stockeld Park at Christmas here:
11 things we love about the Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
12 Days of Christmas Festive Trail at Bolton Abbey – Saturday 29th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Explore the grounds of Bolton Abbey with the 12 Days of Christmas festive trail.
As you enjoy a walk through Strid Wood, clues connected to the popular ‘12 Days of Christmas’ carol will help you to solve the festive mystery on the trail sheet.
The trail will begin at the Cavendish Shop and lead you up to the Strid, it is a linear trail. Families are encouraged to follow a different route back to the car park to avoid the green trail becoming overcrowded.
The trail is included in the cost of your parking. Activity sheets will be issued from the car park kiosks on arrival. It is recommended that you pre-book your Estate entry and you are advised to choose the Riverside car park to join the trail at the beginning.
A Narnia-Inspired Christmas at Nostell – Monday 1st December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
This Christmas, Nostell is brining the magical wintery world of Narnia to life – on weekends you might even see Father Christmas!
Father Christmas is included on a weekend combined ticket and there are no pre-bookable options. Free admission for National Trust members, otherwise normal admission / parking charges apply for non-members.
A Forest Full of Christmas Secrets – Lamplit trail at Swillington Farm – selected dates from Saturday 13th December to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
The magical lamplit adventure within the ancient woodlands is back, with extra sparkle. Guaranteed to usher in the true spirit of Christmas! Join the trail and use the map to explore the woods, find the clues and uncover the secrets of Christmas. Finish the evening with a complimentary toasted marshmallow for every child. Hot drinks and mulled wine around the campfire are available to purchase from the fully stocked canopy bar.
You can book your Forest Full of Christmas Secrets experience online priced at £19 per person or £75 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children.
[I spoke to someone who visited the Swillington Farm Lamplit Trail a few years ago and she described it as “Perfect, it’s so well done I honestly couldn’t fault it. I’d go as far to say one of the best kid focussed organised events we’ve been to… and they had a bar at the end with live music“]
12 Days of Elfmas Trail at Leeds City Museum – Tuesday 2nd December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026
Head down to Leeds City Museum for their 12 Days of Elfmas trail this Christmas.
Grab your trail at the main entrance then take a wander through the museum to find Christmas surprises with unique elf characters in their own mischievous scenes – once you’ve found all the elves, head down to the gift shop to claim your elf sticker!
This is a drop-in activity with no booking required.
The Snowman and The Snowdog in concert at Leeds City Museum – Saturday 13th / Sunday 14th December 2025
Make it a Christmas to remember with a very special performance of the much loved The Snowman and The Snowdog brought to life in spectacular fashion by the Leeds Conservatoire orchestra.
There will be a relaxed performance on Sunday 14th December at 11.15am with a reduced number of tickets on sale. This performance is particularly suitable for people who prefer a less busy environment but it is important to note that it does include a live orchestra.
Book tickets for The Snowman and The Snowdog – A free essential companion ticket is available for caregivers. This requires a valid ticket for the guest requiring assistance. This must be booked in advance by contacting Leeds Ticket Hub via email or phone: tickets@leeds.gov.uk
Below you’ll find a list of Christmas events which have happened in Leeds previously but which are not yet confirmed for Christmas 2025.
Reindeer Trail at Kirkstall Abbey – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Why not visit Kirkstall Abbey this December to see if you can spot all of the reindeer dotted around the ruins in a festive reindeer trail. They are dressed up and decorated in different costumes and patterns – which one will be your favourite?
The trail is free to take part – the Visitor Centre will be open selling hot drinks, snacks and gifts.
Christmas Mystery Matinees, Leeds Industrial Museum – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Leeds Industrial Museum is home to one of the UK’s smallest cinemas with just 24 seats! Visit the beautiful 1920’s Palace Picture House this December for family friendly festive screenings of Christmas classics.
Film screenings are included in the museum admission charge (from £2.20 for children and £4 for adults).
The Night Before NHS Christmas at Thackray Museum of Medicine – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
“While most of us snuggle down in our beds on Christmas Eve, waiting for the big day to arrive, there are dedicated NHS staff across the country preparing for another long night shift to keep us healthy and happy.”
Inspired by stories shared by NHS staff across the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, renowned paper artist and illustrator Andy Singleton will be decking the halls with ornate paper sculptures bringing the stories of hardworking NHS heroes to life.
And, as an added bonus, each weekend local award-winning theatre company Wrongsemble (who are flipping brilliant by the way) will add an additional dose of medical magic to the narrative, bringing these extraordinary experiences to life through pop-up performances of theatre and song.
This event is included in your standard museum admission.
Nutcracker Trail, Leeds City Centre – Not confirmed for 2025
The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
This Christmas, there are Nutcrackers hiding around Leeds City Centre and, if you can find them all and solve the mystery Christmas word, there’s the chance to win a voucher to spend at Leeds Christmas Markets.
You can get all the details and a map here.
Christmas at Roundhay Park | No event for 2025
The information below relates to a previous event.
New for Christmas 2022 is Christmas at Roundhay Park – bringing over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds to one of our favourite parks in Leeds. This brand new after-dark illuminated trail is brought to you by the same team behind the joy that is Christmas at Dunham Massey and features sparkling tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections, giant baubles and glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour. You might even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. Christmas at Dunam Massey was absolutely the most festive thing we did last year and I’m sure that Christmas at Roundhay Park will live up to the same standards!
Tickets for Christmas at Roundhay Park are available to book now
Christmas Crafts at Brimham Rocks – No details for Christmas 2025 as yet
The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
Join the team at Brimham Rocks this Christmas to make your own beautiful and natural Christmas decorations that reuse the birch wood the rangers fell from the moorland during essential conservation work.
This free, drop-in event – no booking is required. Parking at Brimham Rocks is free for National Trust members or £6 for 4 hours / £9 per day for non-members.
You can read more about visiting Brimham Rocks here:
Tips for visiting National Trust – Brimham Rocks
What is there to do this Christmas in Leeds?
If you’ve got suggestions of other things to do this Christmas in Leeds then leave me a comment or drop me an email: Colette@goingonanadventure.cok. And, read this next for places to visit Father Christmas in Leeds.
I hope your Christmas celebrations are joyous and fun filled this year!
For festive adventures further afield:
Where to visit Father Christmas in York
Where to visit Father Christmas in Manchester
Festive days out in Manchester
Festive light trails near Manchester
Where to go ice skating in Manchester this winter
Cheap or free things to do in Manchester this Christmas
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