Considering all the ups and downs we've endured over the past (nearly) two years, we can completely understand anyone who thinking of swapping out cooking for dining out in Leeds this Christmas - especially on Christmas Day.
The good news is, if you are looking to do just that, you're spoilt for choice. Christmas, typically hospitality's biggest time of the year, was all but cancelled for the industry in 2020 - so this year Leeds restaurants are going all out on the big day.
Whilst there are loads of restaurants in Leeds offering Christmas menus, those that are staying open on Christmas Day have created extra-special offerings just for the occasion.
Keep reading to discover where to go out to eat on Christmas Day in Leeds this year.
If you're going all-out this year, the Deer Park probably has one of the most extravagant Christmas Day menus in Leeds. Of course, that comes at a price - namely £97.95 for adults (champagne and cocktail included), or £41.50 for kids.
Think starters like burrata and fig, a seafood sharing plate for two (seared wild Atlantic scallops on a tomato risotto, Szechuan pepper squid, king prawns with lemon mayonnaise, Devon crab rillette, rustic bread and butter) and grilled goats cheese with beetroot rosti.
Mains-wise, roasted turkey gets a lift with a cranberry pastry parcel, lemon and thyme stuffing and a Cumberland pig-in-blanket, whilst further choices include pan-roasted halibut in Thermidor sauce, beef wellington with bread sauce and Bordelaise jus (vegan option available) and candied root vegetable bake.
Cocktail choices are vast, including favourites like espresso and french martinis, Aperol spritz, blood orange and passion fruit collins and old fashioned. If you're not going in for the booze though, the classic five-course menu on its own is £82.50.
If you're looking for a bang-up Christmas dinner in cosy settings, you can tuck into five festive courses at Leeds pub The Adelphi this Christmas Day with prices starting from £64.95.
Think mains like turkey with all the trimmings, a root vegetable and walnut wellington, pan-fried salmon, roast sirloin of beef or rump of lamb - plus sweet, indulgent desserts followed by a cheeseboard.
There's also a separate three-course menu for children, priced at £27.95.
Leeds pub The Roundhay Fox is open on Christmas Day serving three festive courses for £62.95. Open for both lunch and dinner, the kitchen is cooking up a specially created menu with choices like beef fillet wellington, slow-cooked pork belly, turkey, venison steak and sweet potato and apricot tart.
There's a separate menu for children, priced at £30.50, with similar choices to the adult menu served in smaller portions - like curried vegetable wellington, hand-sliced turkey, and rump of lamb, plus chocolate or vanilla ice cream for dessert.
With two Christmas Day sittings at 12.15pm and 2:15pm, Weetwood Hall is a fine choice for a three-course festive lunch. What's more, you can even book a room upstairs if you want to turn your Christmas lunch into a getaway.
Mains choices include roast turkey, beetroot and goats cheese tarte tatin, slow-cooked beef suet pudding or poached salmon, whilst desserts include the classic Christmas pudding and a chocolate torte.
Children's menus are also available, priced from £25.
For 1920s glamour in spades this Christmas Day, head over to Browns - a solid city centre favourite. Priced at £85 for adults and £16 for children, there is a five-course menu on offer with all the seasonal favourites plus bubbles and a few additional surprises.
Think Browns festive turkey with cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets, red wine jus; rack of lamb with butternut squash fondant and pickled blackberries; and beef or portobello mushroom, chestnut and spinach wellingtons - all served with garlic and thyme roast potatoes, mulled wine braised red cabbage, shaved Brussels sprouts with chestnuts, maple roast carrots and parsnips.
Malmaison's Chez Brasserie is pulling out all the stops for Christmas day with four courses and a complimentary welcome glass of champagne for £99 (or £49.50 for children aged 5 to 12 years old).
Begin with truffled arancini 'for the table' before digging into starters like beef tataki or crab and oak-smoked salmon, followed by a mix of contemporary and traditional mains choices ranging from turkey breast to beef fillet, pan-fried cod, or spinach and vegan feta pithivier (it's a pie).
If you don't like turkey, Miller and Carter could be a shout this Christmas Day The steakhouse is serving up a five-course Christmas Day menu for £72.95 - with a 'steak experience' course served as an option instead of mains like turkey, risotto and grilled seabass with prawns.
The restaurant also has a four-course Christmas Day set menu for children and a gluten-free Christmas day menu.
Leeds' famous Santa Dash is returning for 2026, and it's set to be 'bigger and better' than ever.
Back by popular demand with the festive season around the corner, The Trinity Leeds Santa Dash has confirmed its return for 2026 this December, with thousands of Santas set to hit the streets of the city centre with festive fun, Christmas cheer, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
No matter whether you're taking part with your family, friends, colleagues, or little ones, organisers say it's the 'perfect way' to kick-start your festive season.
This iconic event welcomes everyone to take part - you can either jog, walk, or wheel your way around the 5K route, soaking up the sights and sounds of the city as you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, and prams are also welcome too, making it a fantastic festive day out for all ages and abilities.
And this year, it's set to be bigger and better than ever, as there's an exciting new city centre route.
All Santa suits are provided (except for those under three) with your race entry, and you'll also get an exclusive Trinity Leeds Santa Dash finisher medal once you make it over the line, as well as a festive chocolate treat to nibble on.
So, gather your fellow Santas, embrace the Christmas magic, and get ready to join one of Leeds' most joyful festive traditions.
The Trinity Leeds Santa Dash returns for 2026 on Sunday 6 December, and you can find out more and enter to take part in the race online here.
Featured Image - Run For All
Leeds
Jane McDonald at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
West Yorkshire's very own Jane McDonald is coming to First Direct Arena in Leeds for a hometown show that's set to be spellbinding.
Making her British TV screen debut nearly 30 years ago on The Cruise, before joining the Loose Women panel and going on to present a whole host of travel shows including Cruising with Jane McDonald, now this Wakefield legend returns to First Direct Arena.
This latest tour titled after her 2026 LP Living The Dream, will see Jane singing hits from both past and present including a couple covers too.
Earlier this year, Jane's Mighty Hoopla performance went viral online after she commanded the stage in a red leather jacket, donning a singular rainbow hair extension while belting out RAYE's 'Where Is My Husband!'
Audio North even got the opportunity to interview this legendary lady when she visited her hometown HMV store in Wakefield for an exclusive album signing - Oh look, it's me!
The Wakefield wonder-woman's latest album Living The Dream was released in March and considering the tour is named after this impressive LP, we're sure fans can expect to hear quite a few tracks from this album.
Living The Dream
I'll Not Be Beaten
You Don't Know What You Got
Don't Mind If I Do
The Hand That Leads Me
Ain't Gonna Beg
I Will Always Love You
Islands in the Stream
Jolene
9 to 5
You're My World
Where Is My Husband!
Let the Light In
Cake by the Ocean
Jai Ho!
APT.
Right Where I Belong
How Do I Move On
Beautiful Soul
All By Myself
You Still Lead Me
Of course, Jane also loves to cover a tune or two, and we'll never forget her renditions of 'Cake By The Ocean', 'Jai Ho' or 'APT.'.
What are the stage times for Jane McDonald in Leeds?
The doors for Jane McDonald's Living The Dream Tour in Leeds are set for 6pm with the event set to start at 7.30pm.
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you have enough time to dash home and eat 'Cake by the (Sofa)' before ringing in the new day.
How to get to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd December 2021 
