News

Everything going on in Leeds city centre this Christmas

This is your one stop guide for all the festive things to do in Leeds city centre and beyond this Christmas.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 19th November 2021

From visiting Santa's Grotto to the annual panto and tucking into a turkey dinner, Leeds really has outdone itself this year.

"We all remember Christmas 2020 – even though it was pretty forgettable – and we’re counting on this Christmas to be better than the last.

The big thing about this Christmas is that we should be able to open up our doors and celebrate together – and we’ll never take that for granted again."

Steve Clarkson, Founder of Found Fiction, took the words out of our mouth's as he released this year's Christmas installation.

In the wake of last year's cancelled Christmas, the city has gone all-out to ensure that we celebrate with all the yuletide spirit we have.

There are so many events to get involved in around Leeds city centre, but we've rounded up the best to get involved in during the lead up to the big day.

Chow Down Winter Village

Play curling over mulled wine and cocktails at Chow Down. / Image: Simon Fogal

The popular Temple Arches venue has reopened in style with a brand new, two-storey bar, rooftop curling club and cosy Christmas tipis to curl up in. Think Apres Ski nights, drag brunches, boozy hot chocolates and rotating street food vendours: this mini village is set to be one of the most vibrant villages for the Winter season and tickets are selling out fast.

Millenium Square Ice Rink

Ice Cube at Millenium Square. / Image: Zagni Photography

This year, Millenium Square is making up for the lack of traditional Christmas markets and bringing all our favourite festive activities to the city centre. The Ice Cube will be complete with a 400 sqm ice rink made from real ice and a transparent roof. Suitable for all ages and abilities, grab your gloves for an afternoon on the ice before grabbing a hot drink from the Spirit of Christmas Igloo Bar.

Christmas Tipis

Thor Tipi Christmas Market
Thor's Tipi will be located on Briggate this year. / Image: Leeds City Council

Along with the Leeds' favourite Thor's Tipi, there will also be a brand new boozy tipi on Briggate with refreshments, hopefully plenty of mulled wine and a ‘bring your own food’ policy that will allow you to bring the best of Leeds’ foodie favourites. This means as well as testing out the best of Thor's, you can sample cheeses, bratwurst and waffles from the pop-up stalls and bring them all brought back the cosy tipi retreat to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets.

My Christmas Home

Made Up Leeds
Leeds BID have previously brought events like Made Up Leeds, Piano Trail and the Jurassic Trail to the city centre. / Image: Leeds BID.

My Christmas Home is an art installation inviting people to literally step into the world of Christmas. Step through the doors to discover an elderly couple’s bungalow, a packed student house, a homeless shelter and the home of an NHS nurse. It’s all about capturing the diversity of Christmas and sharing the celebratory energy of the entire festive season.

Abbey House Museum

Step back in time this Christmas at Abbey House Museum. / Image: Carl Milner

Ready to live out a true Dickensian Christmas? Look no further than the Abbey House Museum. The Victorian era theme is fun for all the family and a perfect opportunity to learn more about Christmases gone by. Stroll through the authentically recreated shops, pubs and houses with a range of different exhibitions to enjoy.

Santa's Grotto

Father Christmas will be visiting Leeds pop-ups throughout November and December. / Image: Lotherton

If you’re tired of trying to track down Santa, we've managed to find plenty of places that you can see the big man in red. White Rose Shopping Centre, Stockeld Park, Lotherton Hall, Ackworth Garden Centre and Middleton Railway will all have a spot for Santa's grotto. Check out their individual opening times and book in advance to avoid disappointment, some meet 'n' greets have extremely limited availability.

Corn Exchange Christmas Markets

The festive season doesn't start until the Christmas tree goes up in the Corn Exchange. / Image: Carl Milner

The Corn Exchange will be hosting local food stalls, offering drink masterclasses all to the beat of DJs and live band performances as part of their foodie Christmas markets. Local and national breweries will also be on hand to give supply the boozy goods. North Brew Co and Camden Town Brewery will accompany the likes of Jack Daniels and Slane, Fords Gin and Finlandia Vodka to showcase a mix of world-class spirits and beers.

Garforth's Giant Gingerbread House

candy lane light display
The Proctor's are well known in Leeds for their extravagant displays for the city to enjoy. / Image: Garforth Christmas

May and Rod Proctor are locally known for their mesmerising Christmas displays and this year will be no different. The Garforth estate will be transformed once again this year into a winter wonderland for all the family to witness, this time in the shape of a giant gingerbread house. There will also be a Hobbit house and a visit from Frozen's Olaf to look forward to.

Feature Image- Zagni Photography

News

Take a look inside the huge Tulip Festival that’s just opened in Yorkshire with over one million tulips

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Farmer Copley's Tulip Festival is back and it's just as beautiful as we remember.

Spring has officially sprung and with it, so does Farmer Copley's iconic Tulip Festival that officially opened last Sunday.

Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family really know how to get you feeling ready for the season ahead.

Just moments after entering the festival, we can assure you that winter will feel like a distant memory.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Spanning over 8 acres, Jack and the team have planted over 600,00 tulip bulbs consisting of 100+ different varieties of all shapes and colours that arrived directly from the Netherlands.

In addition to the 500,000 planted last year, that means there's over one million tulips to enjoy - now that is pretty impressive if you ask us.

Varieties include Carnaval de Rio, Tom Pouce, Gavota, Lily Flowering Mix, Blushing Appledorn, Wedding Dress and Rodolfo.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The festival includes five sections that have been split by 5 metre walkways enabling the best customer interaction in the field.

There's two dedicated pick your own areas where a mix of bulbs have been planted to ensure that visitors have a wide range of tulips to explore, pick from and create the perfect bunch of tulips. How lovely is that?

Of course there's plenty of photo opportunities, fairground rides and a bar to enjoy the view with a tipple or two.

This really is the perfect family-friendly day out and with the weather looking gorgeous (for now), we'd take the opportunity to see the tulips looking their best whilst you can.

The festival is on until Sunday 3 May 2026, with tickets starting from just £9.

To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Farmer Copleys website. We'll see you in the tulip fields.

Read more: Behind the doors of a former church that has been renovated into a beautiful home in North Yorkshire

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

News

Popular Channel 4 series The Dog House is looking for people from Yorkshire to adopt rescue dogs

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your chance.

The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, with producers on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home, and people from Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply.

Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.

Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.

Image: Channel 4

But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.

“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for The Dog House reads on the Channel 4 website.

“We’re looking for people who are considering taking the incredible step of welcoming a rescue dog into their lives and are happy to share their reasons for doing so.

“If that’s you, then we’d love to get you know you.”

Does this sound like you then? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.

You can find out more and apply here.

Read more:

Featured Image – Channel 4

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