We've found Santa Claus in Leeds: where will you visit him in the lead-up to Christmas?
Wandering around Leeds trying to find Father Christmas sometimes feels like a game of Where's Wally.
Think about it.
They both dress in white and red, have hats and glasses. The two special characters also are extremely hard to find year-round.
Unfortunately, nobody will tell us where Wally really lives, but we have managed to get the lowdown from Santa's elves about the whereabouts of the big man in red himself.
Rumour has it he's actually living in Leeds and you can go and visit him before he gets on his sleigh and heads back to the North Pole to pick up all those Christmas presents.
Here's where you'll find Father Christmas around the city before the big day.
White Rose Shopping Centre
Since White Rose is essentially a giant present factory, it only seems fitting to find Santa here. Arriving this weekend, you can let the little ones tell Santa all about how great they've been before heading off for some Christmas shopping.
White Rose will have a resident Santa Claus from Friday 11 November - Saturday 24 December.
Stockeld Park
Magic is made and adventure begins in Santa's Grotto at Stockeld Park. / Image: Stockeld Park
The rustic cabin and twinkling lights at Stockeld Park make this Leeds location Santa's home-away-from-home but there's enough here for a full family day out. Get lost in the snowflake maze or gaze at the winter illuminations in the award-winning enchanted forest.
Father Christmas will be visiting from Saturday 19 November - Saturday 24 December, tickets from £13.
If you want the full Christmas experience, visiting Santa's Elf Village at Lotherton Hall is worth a visit. Their 'Under the Wishing Tree' experience lets the little ones meet all the elves under a magical wishing tree for story-time, collect magical reindeer food and post their letter to the North Pole before paying Santa Claus a visit.
Father Christmas will be visiting the Elf Village at Lotherton Hall from Saturday 26 November - Saturday 31 December, prices from £8.50.
Ackworth Garden Centre
Harpin's Christmas grotto is decked out with more festive gear than we knew existed, all in honour of the big man in red. Visit Santa at his grotto at Ackworth Garden Centre but don't forget to help him find all of his reindeer along the reindeer trail and grab a chocolate-flavoured reward if you can find them all. Once you've handed over your wishlist and saved Christmas by finding the reindeer, you can also choose your Christmas tree before heading home.
Santa Claus will be visiting Harpins, Ackworth Garden Centre from Saturday 3 December - Saturday 24 December, prices from £20.
Middleton Railway Santa Specials
Santa Specials run up and down the country, but this is your chance to meet Father Christmas onboard in Leeds. / Image: East Lancashire Railways
Didn't you know travelling by sleigh is so last year? With the price of petrol ever-increasing it appears that Father Christmas has been temporarily converted to travelling by train. From 9.15am - 3.45pm, get on the Santa Special at the world's oldest working railway and take advantage of the festive displays and seasonal drinks on offer.
Santa will be visiting Middleton Railway Station from Saturday 3 December - Saturday 24 December, tickets from £10.
Leeds train station set for biggest transformation in a generation as Government backs growth.
If you thought the work was over for Leeds station, think again.
Because passengers are set to see major improvements as the Government injects a further £200 million into the development of the transport hub.
The additional funding was announced at the Budget today, with upgrades set to be delivered by 2030 and will include the construction of a new central overbridge, three new entrances, more space on the concourses and a longer Platform 14.
Image: Supplied
It means passengers will benefit from more direct routes, less crowding, and nearly 40% more ticket barriers.
Three new entrances will strengthen links between the station and town, improving access to the South Bank, the Dark Arches and Princes Square.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: "Leeds station is the gateway to West Yorkshire, and this extra £200 million investment will turn it into a station this city can be proud of: modern, welcoming and built for the people who rely on it every single day.
"The great cities of the north deserve better transport, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering. We're paving the way for Northern Powerhouse Rail, forging stronger connections across the region, and backing the infrastructure that creates jobs, builds homes and puts passengers first as we work to set up Great British Railways."
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: "Leeds Station is the beating heart of our region's transport network, connecting millions of people to jobs, education and opportunity every year – and it’s only going to get busier.
“This investment will benefit passengers and businesses, help to unlock the capacity we need for future growth and create a gateway to West Yorkshire that reflects our ambition.
“Together with our wider plans for West Yorkshire’s Weaver Network, we're building a better-connected region which works for all.”
You can watch The Celebrity Traitors finale on a massive screen in Leeds this Friday
Clementine Hall
The finale of The Celebrity Traitors is hitting our TV screens this Friday, and there’s a big screening party happening in Leeds especially for it.
Don't panic guys, it's happening.
Fancy sitting down to watch one of the cultural events of the year on a big screen with dozens of others who are just as invested in the show as you are? Well, now you can.
And that’s because Headrow House, one of the city’s most beloved event space, rooftop and bar, will be hosting a finale watching party - and we’re all invited.
Taking place this Friday 30 October, fans of The Traitors are invited to watch the finale at 8pm.
The best part? Entry is completely free and they'll even be streaming the semi-final ahead of the final at 6pm, so you can indulge in a double bill of the country's most beloved show.
We honestly couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday evening and we're already searching our wardrobes for an item of clothing that remotely resembles a cloak.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Headrow House said: "celebrity traitors final this friday! we’ll be showing the semi-final for anyone who missed it before tuning in for the live final. free entry, get down early for a seat and bring your claudia wigs x"
So to give this series of The Celebrity Traitors a proper send off, get yourself to Headrow House from 6pm and enjoy a few beverages with like minded fans whilst screaming at the screen as Claudia makes her way into the frame.
Whilst we're on the topic, has anyone got an incredibly glossy black fringed wig we could borrow?
Sophie Smith -
30th November 2022 
