From one of the UK's largest festive light trails to a one-of-a-kind Santa's Grotto, Christmas has well and truly arrived at Stockeld Park.
If you're looking to really embrace the festivities this Christmas then look no further than one of Yorkshire's best family friendly attractions, Stockeld Park.
Open now until Monday 6 January, Stockeld Park’s Christmas spectacular promises festive fun for all the family, transforming the 2,000-acre stately home into a winter wonderland.
Each year, Stockeld Park’s Christmas events are nothing short of incredible, and this season promises to be the biggest and best yet with the official opening of the Grotto Dome experience and brand-new Enchanted Elevator.
So, let's have a peek at what's going on at Stockeld Park this Christmas...
Winter Illuminations
Images: 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.
This is an experience for all ages to enjoy, and you can buy your tickets here.
Grotto Dome
Image: The Hoot Leeds
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.Â
There's lots of interactive elements throughout to keep the little ones entertained. Can you spot the mice in the tailor's shop? Can you find the gingerbread man in the Gingerbread kitchen? Why not stop and have a chat to Rudolph in his stable?
Enchanted Forest
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Discover the Enchanted Forest where you can explore four play areas, a magical musical garden, animatronics and marshmallow toasting stations to keep you fuelled up for the night ahead.
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 offering open-air views across the parkland to the estate's stunning Enchanted Forest.
Open for all abilities, there's skate aids available if needed so everyone can enjoy the experience together.
Snowflake Maze
Get lost and explore Stockeld's Snowflake Maze made with giant festive yew trees.
Christmas Show
And it wouldn't be Christmas without a show would it? So take a seat and marvel at 'A Toy's Story' at The Stockeld Theatre. You'll be feeling festive in no time.
The Christmas Adventure
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If all of this sounds like something you just can't miss, then why not do all of it in one magical adventure.
Ticket packages for The Christmas Adventure start from just £16.50 per person, allowing access to the Winter Illuminations, Enchanted Forest and Snowflake Maze. Further silver and gold packages are available to include the Grotto, theatre and more. Plus, standalone ice-skating tickets starting from just £12.Â
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Major plans announced for Leeds Christmas Markets 2026 – food, drinks, stalls and more
Thomas Melia
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.
Clementine Hall -
13th December 2024 
