8 Fun Things to Do in Leeds on Christmas

With Christmas being near, many people choose to search for great travel destinations that are adorned with Christmas festivities and celebrations. The UK is a great country full of wonderful cities to visit during Christmas. Leeds is one of those cities that certainly won’t leave you disappointed. It is certainly fair to say that there are lots of exciting things to do in Leeds on Christmas, listed below:

 

 1. Go to Chow Down Winter Village

5 or 10 minutes from the train station, you will see Chow Down’s Winter Village ready to greet you at Christmas time. You can book a seat and join the fun at the downstairs of Chow Down, meeting the headline DJs. Christmas tipis are also up where you may enjoy your food and drink. The winter gardens will be ready with heaters and windbreakers set up. From the winter gardens, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the disco too.

At the ski lodge, home to the winter snugs of Chow Down, make yourself comfortable in a thoroughly heated environment.

 

2. Upon a Christmas Wish at Harewood and Other Events

Harewood House will be a place of wild imaginations during Christmas, with the floors and rooms guiding you through a festive Christmas adventure, like of which is hard to find.

The set will be all theatrical with lights dancing and shadows moving on the walls, and poetry and narration lifting the mood up.

With the Christmas Reindeer Weaving workshop in action, you will get the opportunity to create your own willow weaved reindeers.

At Father Christmas' family experience, Father Christmas is at the Old Library, waiting for his audience to come and hear his stories and receive his gifts. Children can get their special gifts and families are going to get a chance for a family photo with Father Christmas.

 

3. Visit Christmas at Stockeld Park

Being a home of spectacular Christmas magic, Stockeld Park presents its most famous adventure season.

On the 20th of November, the Enchanted Forest will come to life, illuminated by dazzling light displays and captivating effects which will last till the 4th of January. Christmas trees are on display, with an opportunity to be purchased or ordered online.

The 20-21st of November is Santa’s Arrival Parade, with Reindeers carrying Santa’s Sleigh through the enchanted forest, marking the arrival of the magical season.

Until the 24th of December, Santa will be lodged in his comfortable and warm log cabin, ready to welcome families and children. On various dates, you can join Santa for breakfast with the most wholesome meal and hot drinks. The local Brass band, the Silver Band, will be there every weekend, bringing extra festivity and cheer to the mix.

 

4. Tipi Christmas on Briggate

Briggate, a shopping street in Leeds city centre, will welcome a family-friendly tipi bar that is open to visitors of all kinds. You can have all sorts of refreshments, and you can even enjoy the chance given by the ‘bring your own food’ policy of the place.

You may also join the Saving Santa’s Sleigh Trail event. With Santa’s recent crash at the city centre, his sleigh parts are all over the place. You will join the fun to find the missing parts using a map. Once the trail is complete and all ready, you can present it to Santa on the 22nd of December, and receive a thank-you gift.

 

5. Join in the Fun at Millennium Square

Millennium Square is a place of utter fun during Christmas. With Ice Cube Christmas comes the outdoor skating event, presenting gliding magic over a 400-square-metre Ice Rink under a transparent roof. And in the aftermath of the skating fun, you get relaxation time in a chalet-style hut with outstanding food and drinks.

The historical golden galloper is open from the 19th of November to the 1st of January, giving thrilling merry-go-round fun. On Leeds Wheel of Light, you can have the bird’s-eye view of the whole city in its Christmas illumination, and the full captivation of everything that Leeds has to offer.

The Viking style tipi bar, known as THOR, is a warm welcome after a day of Christmas market shopping, with wonderful hot chocolates and logs by the fire.

 

6. Experience Christmas at Lotherton

Every weekend until the 2nd of January, on his magical wishing tree sits Santa just after his elves have done entertaining the crowd with fun stories and activities at Lotherton. Santa's Elf Village has little presents, too, with elves ready to make some outstanding Christmas crafts for you and your family. Mrs Claus is in the servants’ kitchen preparing gingerbread people.

Every weekday, Santa will also be outside his cabin, waiting to say hello and give you special gifts. The Christmas Experience ticket brings with it the Wildlife World access, as well as the Festive Woodland Walk.

 

7. Christmas at Temple Newsam

Another after-dark illumination awaits you at Temple Newsam. For the festive season going through a spectacular tunnel of light with decorated and glowing Christmas certainly adds to the cheery mood the season gives to you.

With the tree tradition, you can get yourself warm at the home farm, by the workshop fire, receive the warm welcome of the farmyard friends, and cherish a lovely morning with Santa bestowing his special gifts on you.

 

8. Meet Real Reindeers at Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries Museum has its own array of special events for Christmas. From everyday live demonstrations known as Christmas Combat to jolly tales that Santa brings to the table, the museum has plenty to give.

In the Treasure Hunt event, you will be tasked with a search for armours that were presented to monarchs as gifts. You must choose your trail, buy a pen and start the search. At the Museum stable, real reindeers are waiting to greet you, and you will have the chance to learn all the fascinating things about them.

 

Where to Stay in Leeds

After spending the Christmas day doing your favourite activity in Leeds, you can book  Burley Park Suite and stay there during your trip. This modern and convenient apartment is just a few minutes from the city centre and has all the amenities and facilities expected of a quality serviced apartment in Leeds.