Where to see Santa in Leeds this Christmas [2026]

Last Updated on 21 April 2026 by Colette

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[I will update this post with suggestions of where to visit Father Christmas in Leeds in 2026 as information & reviews become available!]

I think there’s something special about picking somewhere to visit Father Christmas year in, year out and making a tradition of it – it helps to retain the magic in my opinion! We’ve gone to the same place every year and the kids would find it ever so strange if we broke ranks and went somewhere different!

It has to be said, visiting Father Christmas this year is going to be more expensive than ever – as I’ve been researching this post I’ve noticed that most places have increased their prices from last year (some more than others). I balked at paying out the best part of £130 for our Father Christmas visit a couple of years ago and told the kids that we wouldn’t be visiting again despite having been going for the best part of 12 years. It’s been another tough year and I think we all deserve a bit of festive sparkle but there’s definitely value in budgeting and planning ahead for your Christmas experiences this year.

If you haven’t decided where to take the kids to see Father Christmas yet this year, now is the time to make plans. The best experiences book up early, so it pays to be prepared.

If you’re looking for places to see Santa in Leeds and the surrounding area this festive season, why not take a look at some of the suggestions below:

Santa’s North Pole at Lotherton Hall – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas at Lotherton Hall, “Santa’s North Pole” is a 30-40 minute Santa experience that includes meeting the Lotherton Hall elves in the snow filled winter wonderland before visiting Santa in his cosy, twinkling cabin to share your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift.

Tickets are available to book online now priced at £16.95 per child. Everyone attending must also book a Christmas Experience entry ticket (adult tickets are £12 and children are £7.50 if they are not seeing Santa) which gives access to The Christmas Experience, Festive Woodland Walk, Fairy Dell, the Hall, café and courtyards, grounds, and play areas.

You can read more about visiting Santa at Lotherton Hall here:

The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall – Me, Annie Bee

Lotherton Hall – The Christmas Experience – Yorkshire Wonders

Santa’s Cabin at Lotherton Hall – Monday 1st to to Thursday 18th December 2025

For the smallest of little people, Lotherton Hall are offering an opportunity to say hello with Santa in his cabin and receive a special Christmas gift. This is a great opportunity for little ones to have their first visits to Santa, particularly if they might struggle to engage in the full “North Pole” experience.

Running Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.30am to 2pm from Monday 1st to Thursday 18th December.

Tickets are available to book online now priced at £12 per child – this particular Father Christmas event at Lotherton Hall is for pre-schoolers so under 4s only. Everyone attending must also book a Christmas Experience entry ticket which gives access to The Christmas Experience, Festive Woodland Walk, Fairy Dell, the Hall, café and courtyards, grounds, and play areas.

Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House – Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

Father Christmas will be returning to Harewood House this festive season, offering you an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of preparations for The North Pole’s Royal Ball!

The whole experience should take around 45 minutes and each slot has capacity for up to 15 people including both adults and children.

Tickets for Father Christmas Experience Harewood House went on sale early September priced at an eye-watering £37 for Harewood member children and £7 for Harewood Member adults. Prices are even higher for those without membership at £37 for children and £37 for adults (including admission). This event usually sells out very quickly.

Father Christmas Early Years Experience at Harewood House – Thursday 18th December 2025

As a special experience for the youngest of visitors to Harewood House, you are invited to meet Father Christmas in the atmospheric Old Library for a festive chat, photo and gift.

Your tickets include a visit to the main Christmas event, entry to the Gardens, a car park pass and a gift for each child.

Each slot has capacity for up to 21 people including both adults and children – only two adults are permitted per booking.

Tickets for Father Christmas Early Years Experience at Harewood House are on sale now priced at £20 for under 4s (the price is the same for member and non-member children) and then £3 for Harewood adult members and £33 for non-members.

The Santa Express, Whistlestop Valley – Selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

A little out of Leeds but well worth a mention is the Kirklees Light Railway. This festive season The Santa Express includes a trip aboard the heated carriages hauled by steam locomotive to transport you to the north Pole – whilst at the North Pole you’ll have a one-on-one meeting with Father Christmas in his cosy grotto. There will be a festive treat and a drink for everyone as well as the chance to make a bag of special reindeer food to take home. Don’t forget to have a Yuletide whizz around the duck pond on the miniature train at the front of Clayton West Station. For an extra treat, the Santa Express experience includes a 25 minute Christmas Elf show.

Tickets for The Santa Express are available to book now priced at £26.95 for adults and £31.95 for children.

SEND Santa Express, Whistlestop Valley – Selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Saturday 13th December 2025

Whistlestop Valley are hosting a special, accessible SEND Santa experience for 2025 running on Saturday 29th, Saturday 6th and Saturday 13th December – this experience will include calm carriages, reduced capacity numbers, quieter music volume and no flashing.

Unfortunately due to the design of the heritage coaches Whistlestop Valley are unable to accommodate wheelchairs – if the wheelchair user is able to climb a step and walk a short distance the team can assist in boarding.  Wheelchairs must be able to fold and can be transferred to Shelley North Pole.

Tickets for SEND Santa are available to book now.

Story Time With Santa, Whistlestop Valley – Thursday 4th / Thursday 11th December 2025

Enjoy a magical story with Santa at Whistlestop Valley this December. Your ticket price includes a special coin to spend in Santa’s toy shop, a drink and cookie, the chance to take a photo with Santa, steam train rides and access to the playground at Clayton West.

Book Story Time with Santa priced at £12.95 for adults and £16.95 for children

Santa’s Express, Middleton Railway – Selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025

This Christmas sees the return of the popular Santa Special train to Middleton Railway. The Christmas magic starts from the moment you enter the festively decorated visitor centre to collect your tickets for the Santa Special train. On the journey, Santa will have a present for each of the children aboard the train (aged 10 and under, children age 11 and up are treated as adults for this experience and will not receive a gift).

Tickets must be pre-booked online and are priced at £17.50 for children (up to 10) and, £8.50 for young people age 11+ (with no gift) and £14 for adults (aged 16 and up). This event is really popular and will certainly sell out so do book your tickets early.

Father Christmas at Temple Newsam – Saturday 6th to Saturday 20th December 2025

Father Christmas will be making an appearance at Temple Newsam on weekends from the end of November to the weekend before Christmas. There’s lots of lovely presents for those who have been good this year!

You can book your tickets to see Father Christmas at Temple Newsam online now at a cost of £12 in addition to normal entry charges.

Santa Claus Experience at The Mansion in Roundhay Park – selected dates from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th December 2025

The Mansion in Roundhay Park is offering children of all ages the chance to experience a festive afternoon tea buffet with an appearance from Santa, with the opportunity for children to meet the big man himself and receive a gift.

Afternoon tea with Santa at The Mansion House in Roundhay Park is available to book now priced at £27.50 for children and £22.50 for adults.

Santa’s Grotto at Otley Garden Centre – Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas at Otley Garden Centre, you can pay Santa a visit in his traditional Grotto and choose a treat from his toyshop.

This interactive Santa experience will last approximately 20-30 minutes. This is a group tour with up to 6 children per group and a maximum of 2 adults per child.

Tickets for the Christmas at Otley Garden Centre are on sale now are priced at £21.95 per child with two free adults per booking (do make sure you book tickets for attending adults).

Breakfast with Santa, Otley Garden Centre – Saturday 6th December to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas, visit why not enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa in Hatties Kitchen at Otley Garden Centre. As well as your tasty set breakfast, there will be the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift – don’t forget your camera to make the most of this festive photo opp!

Tickets for this year’s Breakfast with Santa at Otley Garden Centre are on sale now. A child’s Breakfast with Santa costs £19.95 and includes a children’s set breakfast a gift from Santa (Adult’s breakfast is £13.95 – includes adult set breakfast, max 2 adults per booking.)

Breakfast with Santa, Tong Garden Centre | SOLD OUT

This Christmas, visit why not enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa in Blooms Kitchen at Tong Garden Centre. As well as your tasty set breakfast, there will be the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift – don’t forget your camera to make the most of this festive photo opp!

Tickets for this year’s Breakfast with Santa at Tong Garden Centre are on sale now. A child’s Breakfast with Santa costs £19.95 and includes a children’s set breakfast a gift from Santa (Adult’s breakfast is £11.95 – includes adult set breakfast, max 2 adults per booking.)

Santa’s Grotto at Tong Garden Centre – Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas at Tong Garden Centre, you can pay Santa a visit in his traditional Grotto and choose a treat from his toyshop.

This interactive Santa experience will last approximately 20-30 minutes. This is a group tour with up to 3 children per group and a maximum of 2 adults per child.

Tickets for the Christmas at Tong Garden Centre are on sale now are priced at £21.95 per child with two free adults per booking (do make sure you book tickets for attending adults).

Breakfast with Santa, Tingley Garden Centre – Saturday 6th December to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas, visit why not enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa in Blooms Kitchen at Tingley Garden Centre. As well as your tasty set breakfast, there will be the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift – don’t forget your camera to make the most of this festive photo opp!

Tickets for this year’s Breakfast with Santa at Tingley Garden Centre are on sale now. A child’s Breakfast with Santa costs £19.95 and includes a children’s set breakfast a gift from Santa (Adult’s breakfast is £13.95 – includes adult set breakfast, max 2 adults per booking.)

Breakfast with Santa, Bingley Garden Centre – Saturday 6th December to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This Christmas, visit why not enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa in Hatties Kitchen at Bingley Garden Centre. As well as your tasty set breakfast, there will be the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift – don’t forget your camera to make the most of this festive photo opp!

Tickets for this year’s Breakfast with Santa at Bingley Garden Centre are on sale now. A child’s Breakfast with Santa costs £19.95 and includes a children’s set breakfast a gift from Santa (Adult’s breakfast is £13.95 – includes adult set breakfast, max 2 adults per booking.)

Father Christmas at Harpins, Ackworth Garden Centre – Saturday 6th to Wednesday 24th December 2025

Arrive at Harpin’s Christmas grotto at least half an hour before the time on your ticket to take part in the reindeer trail and help look for Santa’s missing reindeer around the store (there will be a chocolate lolly reward if you find them all!). When you hear your number called, make your way to the grotto entrance, where the elves will let you in to the Winter Wonderland. You will get to take a souvenir photograph, and have a private family audience with Santa Claus himself, so you can tell him what you have put on your Christmas list! At the end of your visit you will receive a wonderful, age-appropriate gift from either Harpins, Jellycat or award-winning Gifts in a Tin range. Afterwards, why not pop outside and pick your own freshly cut Christmas tree or warm up with some festive treats in the café.

Tickets to see Santa at Harpins Garden Centre are on sale now costing £25.99 per child. There is no additional charge for adults and babies under 18 months go free (if no gift – otherwise a ticket must be paid for). There are also special slots available for children with additional needs.

Santa’s Grotto at White Rose – Saturday 8th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

Santa’s Grotto is back at White Rose this Christmas offering your children the opportunity to enjoy a Santa meet-and-greet, plus leave with an age-appropriate gift to keep the magic alive!

You can book your tickets to see Santa in his Grotto at White Rose this Christmas.

Father Christmas at Abbey House Museum – Saturday 6th December to Sunday 21st December 2025

Abbey House Museum are always quite late in announcing their Father Christmas event again this year but we get there in the end!

Meet and greet Santa to tell him what you would like for Christmas, pose for pictures and receive a gift. Don’t forget to take your camera!

As well as your chance to tell Santa if you have been good you can write him a list and pop it in the post box! The Victorian streets will be seasonally decorated. There will be trails to try, sprouts to spot, silly hats to selfie and cosy corners to curl up for a story all included with your entry. There is also a craft bag for each child to take home.

Tickets for Santa at the Museum must be pre-booked online and are priced at £7.50 per child (plus standard museum admission which is paid on arrival).

Harlow Carr

Although there is no Father Christmas visiting Harlow Carr in 2025, the Glow Winter Illuminations will return and will take place from Wednesday 19th November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025 (timings vary so do check the website for this) Tickets for Glow at Harlow Carr must be pre-booked. (You can find more details of festive days out in the Leeds area here)

The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

This was always our personal favourite and, whilst it’s not strictly in Leeds but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit Father Christmas in Yorkshire!

Fans of a traditional Santa’s Grotto are in for a treat at Stockeld Park where a cosy, rustic wooden cabin, decked with twinkling lights, awaits Santa’s arrival from Lapland.

Stockeld Park’s famous adventure season includes The Snowflake Maze and Winter Illuminations in the award-winning Enchanted Forest. There are also options to add on ice skating, a festive pantomime and a nordic ski trail.

Tickets must be booked online this year at www.stockeldpark.co.uk. Pricing at Stockeld Park has become increasingly complicated and expensive in recent years and has changed again since our visit last Christmas! When we first started going you could pay about £10 for each child to see Father Christmas and everything else was an add on – now everyone attending the park needs a ticket, which if you want to see Father Christmas, costs at least £20 per person but includes the Winter Illuminations etc. I recommend you check out their ticket guide to see exactly what each package offers before booking as it changes every year.

You can read more about visiting Santa at Stockeld Park here:

11 things we love about the Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park

The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park

or why not watch one of our videos: Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure 2019 | Father Christmas at Stockeld Park 2018 | Father Christmas at Stockeld Park 2017 | Our Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure 2016 | The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park 2015

Visit with Santa at Santa’s Cabin at The Merrion Centre – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025

Visit Santa’s Cabin in The Merrion Centre for a budget friendly Father Christmas experience this year. Meet Father Christmas, perhaps you’ll get a present (additional charge) and plenty of photo opportunities.

You can book your tickets to see Santa at The Candy Cane Club in the Merrion Centre now priced at £5 per child (maximum of 2 adults per booking at no extra charge.) If your child would like a gift from Santa, this is an additional £2 per child. You can also purchase a printed picture with Santa at £4. These upgrades are available to pre-book or pay on the day subject to availability.

There are also SEND Santa visits which will operate for the first hour of selected dates and include lower flashing lighting & softened / no music with extra special attention & care taken by Santa.

Where else can I go see Father Christmas near Leeds?

I am constantly updating this post with all the places with all the best places to see Father Christmas in Leeds this year – but if you think I’ve missed anywhere off the list do leave a comment drop me an email and let me know: Colette@goingonanadventure.co.uk so I can add them in!

Where will you be going to see Father Christmas in Leeds this year?

Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!

For more festive days out why not read one of these posts next:

The best places to visit Father Christmas in Manchester 

Christmas days out in Manchester

Where to visit Father Christmas in York

Christmas days out in the York area

Festive days out in the Leeds area

Visiting Leeds Christmas Markets

What’s going on in Liverpool this Christmas?

Family days out in Yorkshire

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