to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Festive magic awaits around every corner in West Yorkshire this Christmas. We've teamed up with Visit Calderdale, Creative Kirklees, Visit Leeds and Experience Wakefield to bring together some of the region's top seasonal experiences. From Christmas markets and illuminated trails to family attractions, pantomimes and festive food and drink, there's something for everyone to enjoy this winter. Whether you're planning a magical family day out, searching for unique handmade gifts or looking to soak up the atmosphere in our towns and cities, you'll find festive inspiration around every corner in our guide to Christmas across West Yorkshire.
BRADFORD DISTRICT
SET SAIL FOR NEVERLAND WITH PETER PAN IN BRADFORD
Join Peter and the Lost Boys as The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan flies into Bradford's Alhambra Theatre this Christmas. Starring Billy Pearce, Myra DuBois and Ryan Thomas, this festive spectacular is packed with comedy, dazzling costumes and special effects. Alongside the panto, enjoy the National Science and Media Museum, festive films at Pictureville Cinema, views across City Park from the Bradford BID Wheel and a visit to Darley Street Kitchen.
📍 Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, BD7 1AJ 📅 5 December 2026 - 17 January 2027 🎫 Pantomime From £17.00 - £51.00 📸 Bradford Theatres © Nigel Hillier.
STEP BACK IN TIME THIS CHRISTMAS IN HAWORTH
Haworth's famous cobbled Main Street provides the perfect backdrop for festive days out, with seasonal entertainment, independent shopping, the Torchlight Procession and Nativity Weekend throughout December. For extra festive cheer, hop aboard the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for the Elf Explorer adventure or an atmospheric A Christmas Carol experience.
📍 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8DP 📅
Christmas events on Main Street weekends and at the KWVR on selected dates. 🎫 Required for Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
SALTAIRE LIVING ADVENT CALENDAR
Discover Saltaire's much-loved Living Advent Calendar, where a new illuminated window is unveiled each evening throughout December, creating a festive trail through the UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow the countdown through its historic streets, soak up the festive community spirit, admire the Christmas trees at Salts Mill, explore David Hockney galleries and browse the village's independent shops, cafés and restaurants.
📍 Saltaire Village, Shipley BD18 3LF 📅 1 December – 1 January 2025 🎫 Free 📸 Saltaire Living Advent Calendar © Phil Lickley
Experience the magic of Ilkley's popular Christmas Teepees at Ilkley Rugby Club. Enjoy seasonal food and drink, live entertainment and a cosy alpine-inspired setting, with heated teepees providing the perfect spot for festive get-togethers with family and friends. While you're in town, browse independent boutiques, enjoy excellent food and take in the stunning views across Ilkley Moor.
📍 Ilkley Rugby Club, Denton Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0AA 📅 3-20 December (Thursdays-Sundays) 🎫 Free entry—no booking, just drop in and enjoy 📸 Ilkley Christmas Teepees © Heidi Marfitt
🎄 Find your Christmas Less Ordinary and Make It Bradford this festive season. Explore more in the Visit Bradford Christmas Guide. ✨
CALDERDALE
CHRISTMAS MARKETS AT PIECE HALL
Hosted in the courtyard of this unique Grade I listed Building; The Piece Hall’s Christmas Markets take place over six long weekends in the run up to the big day! Showcasing some of Yorkshire’s favourite independent producers and artisan makers, the Markets will feature a wide range of unique stalls with everything from homeware to jewellery, gifts and delicious food for you to enjoy on the day or take home.
📍 The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax, HX1 1RE 📅 Every Friday – Sunday from 13th November to 20th December 10am – 6pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10am – 4pm Sundays 🎫 Free Entry
HALIFAX MINSTER CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
The historic, medieval Halifax Minster will be filled with the sight and scent of over 40 Christmas Trees for its 10th annual Christmas Tree Festival. You can also enjoy activities, live music and refreshments during the festival.
📍 Halifax Minster Causeway, Halifax, HX1 1QL 📅 Friday 4th December – Monday 7th December
🎫 Adults £3 Children FREE.
VICTORIA THEATRE PANTOMIME ALADDIN
Experience the magic of Aladdin, the award-winning family pantomime (UK Pantomime Association Award for Best Ensemble 2024/2025 and with an award-winning writer) at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax. Will Aladdin outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune, and win the heart of his true love? Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into this spellbinding adventure bursting with laughter, wonder, and festive cheer to find out. Packed with side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, Aladdin has all the ingredients for the ultimate Christmas treat!
📍 The Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1BP 📅 Friday 11th December to Sunday 3rd January 🎫 From £26.75
🎄Calderdale Christmas Markets and More…!
In addition to the Christmas Markets at the Piece Hall in Halifax, you can also enjoy Christmas Markets at Halifax Borough Market and in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge. Visit the ‘Christmas in Calderdale 2026’ page for details and information about all the Festive Fun Calderdale has to offer you!
KIRKLEES
Get into the festive spirit in Dewsbury town centre by joining the local community as they celebrate Christmas at the recently opened historic Arcade - Europe's first community owned shopping centre and architectural gem. The day's festivities will culminate in a spectacular community lantern parade led by Edgelands Arts, leaving Dewsbury Town Hall at 5pm.
📍 Dewsbury Town Centre, Market Place, Dewsbury WF13 1DQ. 📅 Saturday 5th December 2026.
LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE PANTOMIME ALADDIN
Make all your wishes come true! The spectacular annual pantomime returns for winter 2026…
Huddersfield’s own Aladdin is down on his luck, dreaming of a life beyond the endless piles of laundry in his mam’s laundrette. But when he stumbles upon the town’s mysterious antiques emporium — a treasure trove brimming with wonders — he uncovers a rather extraordinary lamp that unleashes a world of magic that could change everything…
Packed with mischief, music, and mayhem, Aladdin is brought to life with a signature Lawrence Batley Theatre twist — taking the whole family on a truly unforgettable magic carpet ride.
📍 Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP. 📅 1 December 2026 - 3 January 2027, various times and tickets available.
HOLMFIRTH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
A day packed full of festive fun in the heart of the picturesque market town of Holmfirth, featuring Santa’s Magical Key Hunt, a Tinsel Tractor Parade and entertainment throughout the town centre. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the festivities whilst exploring Holmfirth’s wonderful independent shops and magical Christmas lighting displays.
📍 Holmfirth Town Centre, Victoria Street, Holmfirth HD9 7DE. 📅 Saturday 21st November 10:30 - 17:30 📸 Holmfirth Credit Sean Doyle.
🎄 Get into the festive spirit! Unleash your inner elf and discover even more magical events at Creative Kirklees!
LEEDS
Harewood House reimagines festive elegance with Magic at the Mansion for 2026. Created with award-winning digital artists Studio McGuire, Harewood’s magnificent interiors become an immersive world where portraits reveal their secrets, objects tell stories and unexpected musical moments bring the collections to life. Outside, explore the winter gardens and grounds and the brand new Elf Village, with artisan Christmas markets on selected dates and festive afternoon tea adding even more reasons to make a day of it.
📍 Harewood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9LG 📅 6 November 2025 - 3 January 2027 🎫 Tickets start from just £10 for children and £24.50 for adults, with family tickets available from £34.50. 📸 Magic at the Mansion, c. Harewood House Trust
New for 2026, THOR's presents Leeds Christmas Market; City Square transforms into a green and twinkling Evergreen Winter Wonderland, filled with Christmas trees and celebrating Yorkshire makers, independent businesses and fantastic local food and drink. Be sure to come hungry! Then head up to Ice Cube Leeds for more festive fun with ice-skating, family fairground rides, and market stalls.
📍 Leeds Christmas Market. City Square, Millennium Square & Victoria Gardens 📅 19 November – 23 December 📸 Leeds Christmas, c. Thor's Tipi
DR SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL
Following its Broadway success, this brand-new UK production of Dr Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is packed full of charm, humour and song. Narrated by his loyal dog Max, the story follows the misadventures of the Grinch as he tries to steal Christmas from the residents of Who-ville. A festive musical for the whole family!
📍 Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP 📅 19 November 2025 – 16 January 2027 📸 Dr Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical, c. Leeds Playhouse
THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE AT LOTHERTON
A beloved Christmas tradition for families across Yorkshire, The Christmas Experience transforms Lotherton for the season. Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Walk through Captain’s Wood, discover tiny houses and hidden surprises in the Fairy Dell, and wander through beautifully illuminated gardens. Inside the Edwardian Hall, see the house dressed in its Christmas finery before little ones venture into the North Pole to meet the elves, Mrs Claus and Santa himself.
📍 Lotherton Hall, Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB 📅 21 November - 3 January 2027 🎫 Tickets 'Estate Only' from £12.50 for children and £15.50 for adults, with family tickets available and under 2s going free. 📸 The Christmas Experience at Lotherton, c. Simon Dewhurst
🎄 Looking for more festive inspiration? Explore Christmas markets, family attractions and seasonal events with Leeds Christmas.
WAKEFIELD
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD FESTIVE MARKET
Start your Christmas shopping and support independent makers when The Hepworth Wakefield’s popular Festive Market returns! This year it's bigger than ever, with more than 100 stalls over two floors on both weekends selling everything from ceramics, food and drink, homeware, jewellery, prints, stationery, textiles and more. Plus, there are family activities, live music, street food and half-price exhibition entry!
📍 Tileyard North (next to The Hepworth Wakefield), Wakefield, WF1 5FY 📅 20 - 22 November and 28 - 29 November, 10am – 4pm 🎫 From £2.50
CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL AT TILEYARD NORTH
Join the Wakefield Craft Brew Festival for A Hoppy Christmas Party this festive season at Tileyard North!
Boring beer festivals? Not on our watch. Craft Brew Festival isn’t like any other beer festival – it’s five hours of full-throttle, all-in, party-mode madness with bottomless craft beer, cider, wine, non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and prosecco. No faff. No overpriced drink tokens. Just pure, unfiltered fun.
📍 Tileyard North, Wakefield, WF1 5FY 📅 12 December, 13:00 - 18:00 🎫 From £45
SWING INTO CHRISTMAS! AT WX WAKEFIELD EXCHANGE
Swing into Christmas with a festive evening of music, dancing and seasonal cheer at WX - Wakefield Exchange! Start the night with a fun, beginner-friendly swing dance taster class. Then it’s time to put your new moves into action as the band takes to the stage, performing an uplifting mix of the best swing from throughout the 20th century - and of course, festive classics!
Get your glad rags on and enjoy an energetic night as you're transported back in time to Christmas of old!
📍 WX Wakefield Exchange, Wakefield, WF1 3AD 📅 5 December, 19:00 - 22:30 🎫 £12.00
CHRISTMAS AT NOSTELL, NATIONAL TRUST
This Christmas, discover a festive celebration inspired by the beauty of trees at Nostell. From beautifully decorated themed trees throughout the house to a magnificent outdoor tree illuminated for the season, festive magic can be found around every corner.
Find different trees in each room - a Victorian-inspired clockwork Christmas tree in the Billiard Room, a unique book tree in the Library, a globe-trotting Christmas tree in the Tapestry Room, and many more - catch a glimpse of Santa as he roams the halls and paths, or sit down to a special bookable breakfast with the jolly old man himself!
📍 National Trust Nostell, WF4 1QE 📅 1 December - 3 January (closed 24/25/26 December) 🎫 Free for members | Adults: £14 | Children: £7.00 📸 © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
🎄 Explore even more festive days out, Christmas events and seasonal celebrations across the district with Experience Wakefield's What's On guide.
Looking for an affordable way to travel across West Yorkshire? 🤔🚍🚆 DaySaver tickets are the answer! With unlimited off-peak travel on any bus or train, you can save money while exploring all the amazing sights this region has to offer. Check out the WY Metro website to find the perfect ticket for your next adventure!
Related
Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love in this high-flying, swashbuckling adventure starring Yorkshire panto legend Billy Pearce as Smee at the Bradford Alhambra
A festive procession along Main Street, Haworth, featuring lanterns, flaming torches, and brass band music that fills the village with seasonal cheer.
Haworth's Music Weekend features live performances from brass bands, choirs, and solo musicians throughout the village.
A festive parade with live storytelling, music, and real donkeys, starting at 14:00 from the bottom of Main Street and ending with a carol service at St Michael & All Angels Church.
Experience the magic of A Christmas Carol, the beloved Christmas tale, brought to life on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Come aboard the Elf Explorer for an enchanting Christmas adventure at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway!
Windows are lit up throughout December, creating a festive trail throughout Saltaire village.
Experience the Ilkley Christmas Teepees at Ilkley Rugby Club, offering festive food, drinks and a cosy seasonal atmosphere.
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
