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
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 -
13th December 2024 
