A glittering light trail will take over Temple Newsam this Christmas, bringing the most sparkling of festive celebrations to Leeds.
Northern Lights Leeds will take place in the grounds of the Grade I-listed landmark, filling it with light installations and illuminations.
Tickets are now on sale for the huge event, which is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors this winter and had more than 40,000 excited fans sign up for pre-sale.
The news of its arrival in West Yorkshire follows sell-out success in Newcastle last year.
The Northern Lights Leeds light trail is a mile-long spectacle with 14 distinct illuminated zones, each one immersive visitors into another dazzling world.
As you stroll through the jaw-dropping displays around the heritage gardens and picturesque woodlands, you’ll listen to a soundtrack of unique musical compositions.
One such installation will be The Rainbow Road, a multicolour marvel, and the River of Light, developed by multi-media experimentalists Ithaca Studios who also created installations for the likes of Kew Gardens, Netflix and Glastonbury.
Ithaca Studios will also be bringing their light experience, Upon A Star, to life, with four enormous trees adorned with more than 3000 computer-programmed lights that will dance to originally composed music.
The trail will also include a magical Christmas Village serving a huge range of festive food.
Northern Lights Leeds comes from event specialists From The Fields, the team responsible for breathtaking light trails including Cardiff’s Christmas at Bute Park, Northern Lights Newcastle and the multi-award-winning music festival Kendal Calling.
As well as hosting two neuro-inclusive evenings at Northern Lights Leeds (reducing capacity by 60% to allow more space for visitors and lowering audio volume levels), From The Fields and Northern Lights Leeds are proud to be partnering with Leeds Women’s Aid and Leeds Hospitals Charity.
The collaboration between Northern Lights Leeds and Leeds Hospital Charity will feature festive designs from young patients of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Roxy Robinson, creative director at From the Fields said: “We’re incredibly excited to go on-sale with the very first Northern Lights Leeds today.
“The response from the city, not only in the huge number of pre-sale sign-ups, but in the hundreds of messages and wonderful comments we’ve received has been a brilliant thing to experience.
Light installations will take over Temple Newsam when Northern Lights Leeds arrives this Christmas. Credit: Supplied
“With such a warm welcome coming from Leeds and West Yorkshire, we can’t wait to get on and deliver a truly enchanting experience for all those joining us this Christmas”
Catherine Butt, Leeds Hospitals Charity Community Fundraiser Manager said: “We're so delighted to be partnering with Northern Lights Leeds to bring more joy and excitement to the city during the festive season.
“With their support and your generosity, we can continue making a real difference for staff and patients who visit our world-class NHS hospitals right here in Leeds.”
Northern Lights Leeds will take place at Temple Newsam between 21 November and 31 December.
Tickets are on sale nowhere, priced from £13.95 for children and £19.50 for adults.
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Daisy Jackson -
28th June 2024 
