If there's anything that will get you in the festive spirit, it has got to be Stockeld Park.
Get ready for real magic this Christmas at Stockeld Park, the huge 2,000-acre estate nestled in West Yorkshire that has been transformed into a winter wonderland like you've never seen before.
Open until Monday 5 January 2026, complete with its iconic illuminations, dazzling activities and a truly enchanting Santa’s Grotto experience - because you're never too old to meet the big man, right?
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Each year, Stockeld Park’s Christmas events are nothing short of incredible, and this season promises to be the biggest and best yet.
Whether you're looking for a romantic skate around the ice rink followed by a cheeky hot chocolate or you're after a perfect festive day out with friends, Stockeld Park has got you covered.
So let's see what you can get up to...
Winter Illuminations
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Wrap up warm and embark on one of the UK’s largest light trails right here in Yorkshire taking place at Stockeld’s Enchanted Forest. As dusk falls, see the iconic park come to life with thousands of twinkling lights creating a whimsical winter wonderland.
Dazzling light effects, a captivating soundscape, and animated installations come together through almost a mile of beautiful, ancient woodland.
Grotto Dome
It wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing Santa, and Stockeld Park’s Grotto Dome is taking this special experience to a whole other level.
Get ready to embark on a magical journey as you wander through the enchanting realms of Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and the charming North Pole Street where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Santa in his whimsical workshop.
Ice-Skating
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Grab your skates and whizz around Stockeld’s 630 square meter covered ice rink that allows you to keep dry while which means you can skate to your heart's content, whatever the weather.
Open for all abilities, there’s skate aids available if needed so everyone can enjoy the experience together.
And let's face it, there's nothing more romantic than an ice skating date - even if you do hold onto the sides the whole time. So if you're looking for a festive holiday romance, this is the place to go.
Snowflake Maze
Get lost and explore Stockeld’s Snowflake Maze made with giant festive yew trees.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Flying Stocksman
Choo Choo! All aboard! Head to Stockeldbury station and take a tour of the Enchanted Forest aboard Stockeld's very own fantastical land train.
Playhive
As always, the iconic indoor adventure at the Playhive will be open for those looking to journey through four interconnected worlds of space, air, sea, and the jungle!
If all of this sounds like something you just can’t miss, then why not do all of it in one magical adventure.
Tickets to Stockeld Park are available in different packages to suit everyone, there are:
Gold Package – The ultimate experience, including Santa’s Grotto, Winter Illuminations, Forest, Maze and Show.
Silver Package – Excellent value, including Santa’s Grotto, Winter Illuminations, Forest and Maze.
Illuminations – For those wanting to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland: experience magic at the spectacular Christmas light trail.
Peter Grant, owner and Chief Fun Officer at Stockeld Park, said: “We love seeing families, friends, and couples alike come together to experience the wonder of the festive season. Whether it’s meeting Santa, exploring through the Enchanted Forest, or simply enjoying time together at our festive wonderland in the heart of Yorkshire, Christmas at Stockeld Park is all about creating magical memories for every generation.”
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Popular TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Think it's too early for 'C word'? Never mind, you've already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn't exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner - but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right - Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there's arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that's charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it's now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films - including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Viewers will find GREAT! Christmas on Freeview channel 51, Sky 319, Sky (Glass/Stream) 317, Virgin channel 424, and Freely channel 47.
Clementine Hall -
4th December 2025 
