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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Leeds (2026)

Leeds builds its Christmas round the city-centre markets and an ice rink, with plenty of free wandering for little ones. For something special, book a Santa visit at one of the big estates like Lotherton or Harewood, or a steam ride on the Middleton Railway, and the light trail at Temple Newsam fills up fast at weekends.

Christmas events in and around Leeds

  • Leeds Christmas Markets and Ice Cube
    📅 Thu 19 Nov – Wed 23 Dec · City Square stalls 10.30am-7pm (to 8pm Fri & Sat)
    Santa & Christmas · Leeds city centre

    Wooden market cabins, fairground rides and the covered Ice Cube rink spread across the city centre, with a Yorkshire makers' market in City Square.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Dr Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
    📅 Thu 19 Nov – Sat 16 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Quarry Hill

    A new production of the Grinch musical, told by his dog Max, as the Playhouse's big Christmas show.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Northern Lights Leeds: The Lost Light of Christmas
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Thu 31 Dec · Entry from 4.15pm
    Santa & Christmas · Halton

    A story-led light trail through the Temple Newsam estate, with a new route and storyline this year.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Jack and the Beanstalk
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Leeds city centre

    A family panto starring Jez Edwards, with Sir Kevin Sinfield as the voice of the Giant.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Christmas Experience at Lotherton
    📅 Sat 21 Nov – Sun 3 Jan · Santa's North Pole: evenings, weekends and school holidays; Santa's Cabin: term-time weekdays
    Santa & Christmas · Aberford

    A festive estate with a 12 Days walk and a fairy dell, and a trip to see Santa at home with his elves and Mrs Claus.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Rapunzel: The Rock 'n' Roll Panto
    📅 Fri 27 Nov – Sun 10 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Leeds city centre

    A loud, live-band panto in the old Victorian music hall. Ear defenders are a good idea for younger ones.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa's Cabin
    📅 Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec · Selected days, mostly 10am-5pm or 6pm
    Santa & Christmas · Leeds city centre

    A low-cost visit to Santa's cabin in the city centre. Up to two adults go free, and a present or photo can be added.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Elf Village Father Christmas Experience
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec · Weekends in December, then daily 21-24 Dec; sessions 9.45am, 12.05pm, 2.35pm
    Santa & Christmas · Harewood

    An elf village visit with time with Father Christmas, a photo and a gift, plus entry to the house and grounds.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa Specials
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec · 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 & 24 Dec; trains 9.45am-3.30pm
    Santa & Christmas · Hunslet

    A 30-minute steam train ride to Middleton Park and back, with an entertainer, Santa's grotto and a present for each child.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa at the Museum
    📅 Sat 12 Dec – Sun 20 Dec · Sat 12 & 19 Dec 12-4pm; Sun 13 & 20 Dec 10am-4pm
    Santa & Christmas · Kirkstall

    Meet Santa in his grotto on the museum's Victorian streets, with a gift, festive trails and a craft bag to take home.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Red Robin's Winter Song
    📅 Sat 12 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
    Santa & Christmas · Quarry Hill

    A gentle, joy-filled 50-minute winter play from Tutti Frutti about a little robin who stays behind for winter and finds friends and a place to belong. Perfect for first theatre trips.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Home Alone in Concert with Opera North
    📅 Sun 13 Dec · Sunday 13 December, 7.30pm
    Music & concerts · City Centre

    The Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North play John Williams' score live while Home Alone plays on screen. Parental guidance for slapstick violence and some moderate language, so best for older children.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Northern Ballet's Cinderella
    📅 Tue 15 Dec – Sat 2 Jan · Selected dates, 2pm and 7pm
    Shows, theatre & panto · City Centre

    Northern Ballet's sparkling Cinderella with waltzes, comic characters and live music, a festive treat for all ages (parental guidance). Free brass band and choir performances outside before some matinees.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Leeds for a cold day

Within 20 km: Soft play: 17 · Museum & attraction: 44 · Swimming & leisure: 26 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 4 · Cinema: 11

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map