Discover Leeds This Winter: Festive Fun for Children & Families 2025
The festive period is back and we are excited to bring you the Child Friendly Leeds Winter guide, giving you free and low-cost ideas of things to do across the city.
We will be adding events to this page throughout the holidays, so keep your eyes peeled! Low-cost activities are marked with a * and the prices are given. All other activities are free or pay as you can – some with a recommended amount.
Download the guide directly to your device as a pdf with the links here.
This guide supports Child Friendly Leeds wish 7, which is based on all about children and young people knowing about things to do, places to go and having access to art, music, sport, dance and film.
Sign up for Healthy Holidays – School-aged children and young people eligible for income-related free school meals can take part in amazing, free activities with a healthy meal over holiday periods.
Leeds Winter Coat Appeal – aims to collect and redistribute great quality, second-hand winter coats to people across Leeds for free, helping to save money and reduce waste…
Welcome Spaces are where people can gather for free in a warm, safe place and enjoy a hot drink and some company across Leeds…
Support with Mental Health with MindMate – Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s supposed to be the most joyful time of the year, but for many people the festive season can be really tough. The trick is to find a way of doing Christmas on your own terms. This might mean opting out of some celebrations…
Click the links below for our main partner guides this Winter.
Saturday 29 November to Sunday 4 January
Cost: Included in admission price
Decked in History: Festive Trail and Storytelling at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Explore the festive trail around Home Farm and discover beautiful decorations to get you into the festive mood! The farm will be decorated for Christmas using traditional, rustic, handcrafted decorations, with interpretive ‘trees’ that tell stories about the Farm’s history.
Tuesday 2 December to Sunday 4 January
Cost: Pay what you can
12 Days of Elfmas Trail at Leeds City Museum
Wander through the museum to find Christmas surprises with unique elf characters in their own mischievous scenes. Once you’ve found our knitters knitting, our wrappers wrapping and our singers singing, head down to the gift shop to claim your elf sticker!
Saturday 6 to Saturday 23 December (6th, 13th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd December 2025 – 12 – 3pm)
Cost: Free
Christmas at Kirkgate Market & Free Meet and Greet with Santa at Kirkgate Market
Enjoy festive markets, musical performances, panto shows, and Santa meet and greets at Kirkgate Market this Christmas. All activities and events are free to experience and fun for the whole family. Santa will be walking around the indoor and outdoor market and making a stop for photos and handing out a sweet treat for visitors. FREE Drop-in events. No booking required. Suitable for babies and toddlers.
Saturday 6 December to Tuesday 23 December
Cost: £3 plus admission (booking required)
Children’s Festive Craft Workshop: Wood Slice Tree Decorations at Temple Newsam Home Farm
With a helping hand from grown-ups, children from 3+ years will create their very own wood slice decorations, using natural materials, quick drying paint pens, and plenty of sparkle!
Saturday 6 to Wednesday 31 December
Cost: £3 (booking required)
Fidget Theatre presents… The Elves and the Storyteller at Leeds Central Library. Can Pip, Dorrit and their expert Elf team re-ignite The Storyteller’s love for stories, songs, and laughter and spread joy in time for Christmas? An original take on the classic fairytale, featuring playful storytelling, original songs, friendly audience participation and a warm welcome to all. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years old.
22nd November – 24th December 2025
Cost: Free
Christmas activities at the Merrion Centre – There is so much festive fun to be had at The Merrion Centre this Christmas! Their friends will be helping make you feel all Christmassy as they dance, stilt walk & skate their way round the main mall to entertain shoppers! From The Grump of Greenvale to Glenda & Emerra the Pink & Green witches.
Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 December
Cost: £7.50 plus general admission
Santa at Abbey House Museum – Santa will be meeting families in the snowy square, next to his grotto stuffed full of presents! There is plenty of room for the whole family to join in safely. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Starry Winter Trail at Kirkstall Abbey
Date: 6 December – 24 December
Cost: Free
Discover the abbey ruins with our magical trail and see if you can spot all the stars.
A Very Pom Pom Christmas – Leeds Industrial Museum
Date: 20 December – 4 January
Cost: Free
Join us for festive crafts and family films by fairylight at Leeds Industrial Museum.
Winter Holiday Fun: Snowflakes & Symmetry at Maths City
Date: We are open 7 days a week from 20 Dec – 4 Jan – centre closed on: 24th, 25th, 26th Dec & 1st Jan
Cost: Cost is Maths City Admission Ticket
This holiday, dive into the fascinating world of snowflakes and symmetry! Learn fun facts, create your own snowflake, and explore the math behind their amazing patterns.
Events with a slightly higher cost…
The Christmas Experience at Lotherton
Date: November – 4 January
Cost: Admission applies
Breeze Leeds opens Lotherton’s enchanting halls, grounds and gardens with twinkling light displays, interactive installations, and a visit to Santa.
Leeds Ice Cube, Skating & Christmas Markets
Date: November – 31 December
Cost: Admission applies
This year Millennium Square & Leeds City Centre features the stunning outdoor ice rink, Christmas market stalls, and the popular festive funfair. A big thank you to Market Place, operators of the Christmas Market, hosted educational tours, and offered schools a chance to take part in a tour this year.
Northern Lights Leeds at Temple Newsam
Date: November – 31 December
Cost: Admission applies
Take a 1-mile long walk through 14 illuminated zones with interactive elements and immersive soundtracks, completed by a Christmas Village.
Pantomimes and Festive Shows in Leeds 2025
Date: November – 11 January
Cost: Varies
Visit a panto, Christmas carol concert, theatre productions or a magic show! From Sleeping Beauty to Aladdin, there is something for everyone.
Christmas Adventure Days at Herd Farm
Date: School Holidays
Cost: From £16.96
Herd Farm have a number of sessions and activity clubs during school holidays. Their Christmas activities on offer include holiday clubs to festive bushcraft and family archery.
Santa’s Grotto at White Rose
Date: 23 November – 24 December
Cost: From £6 per child (booking required)
Link: Santa’s Grotto at White Rose
Step into a magical grotto and meet Santa at White Rose Shopping Centre! Each child will receive a special gift and have the chance to share their Christmas wishes. Pre-booking is essential to secure your spot.
The Ice Rink at White Rose
Date: 23 November – 5 January
Cost: From £7.50 per person (booking recommended)
Link: The Ice Rink at White Rose
Enjoy festive fun at White Rose’s outdoor ice rink! Skate under twinkling lights and soak up the Christmas atmosphere. Perfect for families and friends looking for a seasonal activity.
A Glittering Invitation: Christmas at Harewood
Date: 8 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Cost: Admission applies – free for members or from £12.95
Designer Siobhan Murphy has sprinkled plenty of festive splendour, conjuring up a unique atmosphere using lights, immersive art, and storytelling. It’s clever, enchanting, and perfect for the whole family. After exploring the house, enjoy festive fare, curated independent gifts, and hundreds of acres of beautifully lit grounds.
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker – Leeds Grand Theatre
Date: 18 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Cost: Admission applies from £23
Join Clara on her magical Christmas adventure as she’s swept away to a Winter Wonderland by the charming Nutcracker Prince. Expect dazzling dancing snowflakes, the sweeter-than-candy Sugarplum Fairy, and the notorious Mouse King. There’s no better time than Christmas to experience a night at the ballet!
LEEDS LOCAL OFFER (SEND)
The Leeds Local Offer is where children and young people up to 25 years old with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers can find information, advice and guidance about support, services and activities that are available to those living in Leeds.
Although Child Friendly Leeds is run by Leeds City Council the information included here comes from all sorts of organisations and partners working positively with children, young people and their families in Leeds, not just the Council. With any activity, we would suggest that parents do checks on the environment, quality and staff delivering the activities to make their own judgement as to whether this is suitable and safe for their individual child’s needs.
