Pantomime season is almost here…oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is.
Nothing screams Christmas more than heading to the theatre on a cold, crisp evening and watching a brilliant show. Whether you want to risk being pulled on stage by a lavish panto dame or prefer a more civilised evening at the ballet, there’s so many productions happening in and around Leeds this season for you to enjoy.
Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker
Leeds Grand Theatre | Wednesday 29 November - Sunday 10 December 2023
Image: Northern Ballet
Where: Wednesday 29 November - Sunday 10 December 2023
Where: Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6NU
Christmas isn't complete without a trip to the theatre to watch the ballet and The Nutcracker is the most festive ballet around. Share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince into an enchanting winter wonderland.
Watch in awe as the dazzling dancing snowflakes, the famous Sugar Plum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King take to the stage this Christmas.
A Christmas Carol
When: Friday 8 - Sunday 10 December 2023
Where: Carriageworks Theatre,Millennium Square, Electric Press 3, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
It simply couldn't get more festive than Dickens’ 'A Christmas Carol'. Follow the journey of Ebeneezer Scrooge in this life-affirming, classic tale which will be taking to the Carriageworks Theatre for three days only - you don't want to miss out on this one.
Robin Hood: The Rock 'n' Roll Panto
City Varieties Music Hall | Friday 24 November 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Image: City Varieties Rock 'n' Roll Panto / Ant Robling
When: Friday 24 November 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Where: City Varieties, Swan Street, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6LW
This is a pantomime with a twist, expect banging tunes, and it will certainly get your toe tapping and staging which will leave you mesmerised.
Oliver!
When: Monday 27 November 2023 - Saturday 27 January 2024
Where: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds City Centre LS2 7UP
This classic musical is coming to the Leeds Playhouse for a three month run and is set to be a sellout. Come down and sing along to Fagin and his gang or get up and dance to 'Oom Pah Pah' in this musical masterpiece which is suitable for all ages.
There will be plenty of accessible performances throughout the festive period, including dementia-friendly shows, BSL, audio described, captioned and relaxed performances.
Snow White
Carriageworks Theatre | Friday 24 November 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Image: Carriageworks Theatre
When: Friday 24 November 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Where: Millennium Square, Electric Press 3, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
Head to the Carriageworks Theatre for a classic pantomime experience. Expect plenty of audience participation, lots of laughter and plenty of song and dance.
The Enormous Crocodile
When: Saturday 2 December 2023 - Saturday 6 January 2024
Where: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds City Centre LS2 7UP
This brand new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's charming picture book is jam-packed with uplifting music and dance performed by a menagerie of mischievous puppets.
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
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.
Sophie Smith -
16th October 2023 
