A Wonderful West Yorkshire Christmas 2024
Enjoy West Yorkshire this Christmas, there’s so much to explore! We’ve worked with VisitBradford, Kirklees Council, VisitLeeds and ExperienceWakefield to compile a list of not-to-be-missed Christmas highlights from across the region. Explore Christmas Markets, find a unique handmade gift, soak up the festive atmosphere of illuminated cities and towns or the beauty of our countryside, enjoy traditional and not-so-traditional entertainment – panto, brass bands, ballet and more!
There’s plenty to keep you entertained from now until next year.
CALDERDALE
Christmas Markets at The Piece Hall
The Piece Hall Christmas Markets are back over six spectacular weekends. More than 50 stalls will showcase the best of regional talent, featuring a curated selection of independent food and drink producers alongside skilled artisan makers offering unique goods.
Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere, with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, traditional Victorian carousel, thrilling helter-skelter, seasonal beverages, mouth-watering pop-up street food and live performances by local musicians.
Where? The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax, West Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, HX1 1RE
When? The Christmas Market will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am until 8pm, and on Sundays from 10am until 4pm, on the following weekends:
Friday 15 – Sunday 17 November
Friday 22 – Sunday 24 November
Friday 29 November – Sunday 1 December
Friday 6 – Sunday 8 December
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 December
Friday 20 – Sunday 22 December
Admission? FREE
Click here for more information.
Winter Craft Fair at Shibden Hall
Enjoy a weekend of shopping and festive fun! Shibden Hall will be filled with traders selling a range of local produce and artisan crafts, with a number of stalls in the courtyard offering festive treats and refreshments.
Where? Shibden Hall, Lister’s Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG
When? 16th & 17th November 10am – 4pm each day
Admission? £4 Concessions £3. Booking not required – pay on the door.
Click here for more information.
Light Up The Valley
Enjoy the Christmas Lights Switch On, a visit from Father Christmas, a Festive Market, Food & Drink and Live Entertainment at these popular outdoor family event in the beautiful Upper Calder Valley.
Where? St. George’s Square and Hebden Bridge Town Hall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7Y
When? 28th November 3pm – 8pm
Admission? FREE
click here for more information.
Halifax Starlight Parade
Celebrate the spirit of the season and create unforgettable memories at the magical Halifax Starlight Parade. Enjoy a joyful day filled with dazzling performances and festive music culminating a spectacular parade created by Handmade Productions. A day full of fun for all your family!
Where? Taking place across Halifax town centre. Parade route TBC.
When? 30th November Entertainment Noon – 6pm, Parade 4pm -5pm
Admission? FREE
Click here for more information.
Brighouse Christmas Market Weekend
Get festive and ready for Christmas with the hugely popular Brighouse Christmas Market on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December. With town centre shops, restaurants and bars open with festive fun throughout the day and into the evening, a Street Market with over 80 stalls open between 10am and 4pm, rides, music and entertainment, and a surprise visit from Santa! Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Switch-On from 4pm on the Saturday 30th. Find more information here.
Peter Pan at The Victoria Theatre
This pantomime is guaranteed to have you hooked! (Oh yes it will!!) Enjoy lots of hilarious slapstick comedy, stunning scenery and costumes, magical musical numbers and a plenty of audience interaction as Wendy and her brothers encounter the mysterious Peter, the boy who never grows old and are whisked off to the magical island of Neverland. Can they help Peter and the Lost Boys defeat the villainous Captain Hook and his infamous pirate crew?
Integrated Signed Performances (Friday 3rd Jan 6.30pm and Saturday 4th Jan 1pm and a Relaxed Performance (Sunday 5th Jan 10.30am) are available.
Where? The Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1BP
When? 14th December – 5th January
Admission? from £24.25
Click here for more information.
For even more Festive Fun in Calderdale please visit our What’s On pages.
BRADFORD
Pinocchio the Pantomime
Kick off the festive season in Bradford, the UK City of Culture 2025, at the Alhambra Theatre with the dazzling pantomime Pinocchio featuring Billy Pearce, former Coronation Street star, Chris Gascoyne, and Drag Superstar Courtney Act from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Enjoy the magic of live theatre with your family and friends this Christmas!
Where? Alhambra Theatre, Morley St, Bradford BD7 1AJ
When? 7 Dec 2024 – 19 Jan 2025
Admission? From £18.75-£45.75 | Two relaxed performances of Pinocchio at 13:00 and 18:00 on Tuesday, 7 January 2025.
Click here for more information.
Christmas in Haworth
Experience the charm of Haworth on the weekends leading up to Christmas, filled with celebrations. Enjoy local brass bands and choirs, and don’t miss the torchlight and nativity parades. Explore unique shops for special gifts and savour delicious food along Main Street, beautifully lit up. Ride heritage trains at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and join in special events like the Elf Explorer and a seasonal performance of A Christmas Carol.
Where? Haworth Village, BD22 8EF
When? 1 and 7-8, 14-15, 16-17 and 21-22 December
Admission? Special events at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway require advance booking and fees. For details, visit the website.
Click here for more information.
Festive Dining in Ilkley
Embrace the festive spirit in Ilkley this Christmas at the medieval Ilkley Manor House. Join wreath-making workshops and discover the Christmas Makers’ Fair, showcasing local artisans with their handcrafted ceramics, jewellery, and decorations. Enjoy GreenMatthews’ Midwinter Revels, a heartwarming musical tribute to Yuletide traditions with carols and folk songs. Indulge in exceptional festive dining by the Good Food Story, all within this stunning backdrop.
Where? Ilkley Manor House, Castle Yard, LS29 9DT
When? Makers’ Fair: 23 & 24 November | Festive Dining: 13 & 20 December
Admission? Christmas Makers’ Fair: Admission is £1 (under 16s free) | Festive Dining: £75pp booking essential.
Click here for more information.
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar
Uncover the festive magic of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Stroll through charming streets, enjoy seasonal drinks at cosy spots, and follow the living advent calendar trail. Be sure to visit Salts Mill for a unique shopping experience surrounded by Christmas trees and David Hockney’s art. And don’t miss the Shipley Glen Tramway at weekends for a nostalgic winter ride!
Where? Saltaire Village, Victoria Road, BD18 3HU
When? Saltaire Living Advent Calendar 1 Dec 2024 – 1 Jan 2025. Windows are illuminated from 16:00 – 22:30 each evening.
Salts Mill is open Weds – Sun. Closed Mon & Tues. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission? Free
Click here for more information.
Bradford Museums
This Christmas, Bradford Museums invites you to festive activities! Visit the Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum for local crafts, carols, and Santa’s Grotto. Join the Family Christmas Activity Day at Bolling Hall for cookie and tree decorating. Cliffe Castle Museum offers magical weekends of rag wreath-making, clay bauble-making, and more Santa visits. Don’t miss the Victorian music performance by Crickmore Crewe on the second weekend.
Where?
- Victorian Christmas Market: Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Rd, Eccleshill, Bradford BD2 3HP
- Christmas at the Castle: Cliffe Castle Museum, Spring Gardens Ln, Keighley BD20 6LH
- Christmas Activity Day: Bolling Hall, Bowling Hall Road, Bradford BD4 7LP
When? Victorian Christmas Market 23 & 24 November | Christmas at the Castle 7 & 8 and 14 & 15 | Christmas Activity Day 1 December.
Admission? Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum: £2pp Entry.
Click here for more information.
For even more festive inspiration and details on events, go to VisitBradford.com
KIRKLEES
Huddersfield and Dewsbury Christmas Celebrations
Spanning two full Saturdays, there will be a jam-packed festive programme of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Taking place in key locations in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, the town centres will be filled with local musicians, attractions, live reindeer, seasonally themed workshops and walkabout acts, and Christmas markets with gifts, food and drinks.
All activities will be free, including the live music stages, Santa’s Grottos, photo booths, snowboarding experience and reindeer rodeo. Further details of the Christmas programme will be announced in the build-up to the festive weekend.
Click here for more information.
Where? Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres
When? Huddersfield 30 November – 1 December, Dewsbury 7 – 8 December, 11am – 4pm
Admission? FREE
The Orchestra of Opera North: Christmas Gala
Get in the Christmas spirit with festive favourites performed by the Orchestra, Chorus and Young Voices of Opera North as part of the 2024-25 Kirklees Concert Season, From Sasha Johnson Manning’s vibrant Manchester Carols to Duke Ellington’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite plus sing-along carols, this concert promises to be a feast for all the family!
Where? Dewsbury Town Hall
When? Thursday 19 December at 7:30pm
Admission? £15 Adults (plus booking fees) 16’s and under – FREE
Click here for more information.
The Santa Express at Whistlestop Valley
The Santa Express features a trip aboard the heated carriages hauled by one of Whistlestop Valley’s steam locomotives, transporting you to the North Pole!
Enjoy the magical Christmas Elf show before your train ride to the North Pole. Whilst at the North Pole, you will have a one-on-one meeting with the big guy himself inside his cosy grotto, filled with sacks of presents for the good girls and boys. Santa’s cheeky elf will be causing Christmas mischief at the Shelley North Pole – will you spot them?!
There’ll be a complimentary edible festive treat and drink for everyone plus the opportunity to make up a bag of magical reindeer food to take home with you and write out your Christmas wish to hang on the magical Wishing Tree. You’ll also be able to have a Yuletide whizz around the duck pond on our ride-on miniature train at the front of Clayton West Station.
Where? Whistlestop Valley, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, HD8 9XJ
When? Various availability
Admission? various prices
Click here for more information
Kirklees Museums
Soak up the festive spirit in some of Kirklees’ fantastic museums! Explore unique gift ideas, and soak up the musical interludes, while enjoying festive food and drink at the Oakwell Hall and Tolson Museum Christmas Craft Fairs! Oakwell Hall is also offering wreath making workshops, accompanied by mulled wine and sweet treats. The big man himself is also visiting the Oakwell Barn, with sessions especially for SEND families.
Where? Oakwell Hall, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG and Tolson Museum, Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, Huddersfield, HD5 8DJ
When?
Oakwell Christmas Craft Fair: Sat 7 Dec and Sun 8 Dec 10am – 4pm
FREE Entry
Wreath making workshops at Oakwell Hall: various dates throughout December
From £30 per person
Christmas Fair at Tolson Museum: Sunday 1 December 11am – 4pm
FREE Entry
Santa in the Barn for SEND Families: Sunday 30 November
From £10
Click here for more information.
Lawrence Batley Theatre Festive Shopping
Join the Lawrence Batley Theatre on their opening weekend of Dick Whittington for an afternoon of festive shopping in their stunning Courtyard! Whether you’re just starting your Christmas shopping or picking up some last remaining bits ahead of the big day, there will be something for everyone!
The bar will be open so come on inside the Grade II listed building for a delicious hot chocolate or a mulled wine and really get Christmas started!
The Christmas Market is part of the LBT’s 30th birthday celebrations, any donations taken on the day will go towards their 30th birthday fundraising. As a registered charity (Charity No. 510693) they are aiming to raise £30,000 over their 30th year to help continue making an impact in Huddersfield.
Where? Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
When? Sat 7 Dec – 1am – 7pm
Admission? FREE
Click here for more information.
Wreath making, festive crafting, carol singing, brass bands, and magical lights make the Christmas season one of the most creative times of the year. Delight your inner elf and find something fun to do this coming Christmastime. For more Christmas workshops and events visit: www.creativekirklees.com/christmas
LEEDS
Leeds Christmas Markets
What could be more festive than planning your trip to explore Leeds Christmas Markets? We’re thrilled to announce that Leeds Christmas Market will be returning Friday 22nd November – Sunday 22nd December 2024. This year’s market will be bigger and better, new and improved, covering just two prime locations in the city centre: Millennium Square and City Square. Explore a variety of festive stalls selling unique gifts, crafts, and delicious treats from around the world. Plus, new for this year: Little Bird will be bringing their artisan markets to Bond Court every Saturday and Sunday during the Leeds Christmas Market period, the Little Bird Made market returns to Briggate every Sunday starting 17 November to 22 December and every Saturday through November and December ArtsMix Market returns to Albion Place.
Where? City Square, Leeds, LS1 2ES. Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD.
When? 22 November – 22 December
Admission? FREE
Where? Little Bird Made Market. Bond Court, Leeds, LS1 2JZ.
When? Saturdays and Sundays. 22 November – 22 December
Admission? FREE
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Leeds Playhouse
Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to Mr. Tumnus, the talking Faun, Aslan, the unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch! With magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets, it is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
Where? Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP.
When? 18 November 2024 – 25 January 2025
Admission? various prices.
Find out more and book here.
Winter Wonderlands at Historic Houses
Be transported to a winter wonderland with a visit to one of Leeds’ many magical historic houses, all decked out in their festive finest for you to enjoy this Christmas.
At Lotherton’s The Christmas Experience, explore the beautifully decorated hall with its enchanting grounds and gardens. Hot chocolate in hand, wander through twinkling light displays and interactive installations. Complete your Christmas Experience with a visit to Father Christmas, all topped off with a special gift to take home!
Over at Temple Newsam, Mrs Claus will be waiting for you with more festive tales, plus you’ll have the chance to share your Christmas wishes with Santa and receive an early Christmas gift. Enjoy a hearty meal or just a cuppa at Temple Newsam’s tearooms before joining in festive crafts and activities, dressing up like the Houses’ former residents, and discovering how the servants got the House ready for Christmas in years gone by.
And at Harewood House, there’s more magic in the air… and a little mischief. A troop of not-so-angelic cherubs have escaped from the Christmas tree and Harewood House has been brought to life with singing baubles, swirling ceilings and gossiping statues in this year’s festive show Mischief at the Mansion. Not only that, visitors to Harewood House will also have the chance to take a behind the scenes tour of Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas’ workshop.
The Christmas Experience. Lotherton, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB.
23 November 2024 – 5 January 2025.
Tickets from £11 adults, £6.75 children 3+. Pre-booking essential.
Find out more and book here.
Christmas at Temple Newsam. Temple Newsam, Leeds, LS15 0AE.
30 November 2024 – 23 December 2024
Tickets from £9.50 adults, £4.20 children.
Find out more and book here.
Mischief at the Mansion. Harewood House, Leeds, LS17 9LG.
15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Tickets from £24.95 adult, £12.50 child.
Find out more and book here.
IMAGE: Christmas at Harewood – c Tom Arber for Harewood House Trust
Northern Lights Leeds
This year, Leeds welcomes a new illuminating festive attraction; the immersive Northern Lights Leeds! Held among heritage gardens and picturesque woodlands at Temple Newsam, Northern Lights will take visitors on a jaw-dropping journey through a spectrum of illuminations & unique musical compositions. Approximately one mile long, the trail will host up to 14 distinct illuminated zones featuring interactive elements and immersive soundtracks that combine to create an otherworldly sensory experience as well as a magical Christmas Village serving a wide range of festive fare.
Where? Temple Newsam, Leeds, LS15 0AE.
When? 21 November – 31 December 2024.
Admission? Tickets from £19.50 adult, £13.95 child.
Find out more and book here.
IMAGE: Northern Lights Leeds Teaser – Tom Martin Photography
WAKEFIELD
Light Up
Witness a spectacle of light across the Wakefield District with installations and illuminations in Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract and Ossett. Look out for spectacular light installations, colourful festive markets, cosy tipi bars, lively street entertainment and delicious winter street food, to warm you up on those cold nights.
And that’s not all! Elsewhere across November you can experience an illuminating evening of fire and art at Nostell, step into the immersive Liz West: Our Colour Reflection exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, watch a surrealist animation at The Hepworth Wakefield and enjoy a beautiful lantern parade at the National Coal Mining Museum for England – plus much more!
Where? Various locations around the Wakefield district
When? 7 – 30 November, various times
Admission? Free
Click here for more information.
The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market
Start your Christmas shopping and support independent makers when The Hepworth Wakefield‘s popular Festive Market returns! You’ll find over 75 stalls each weekend selling everything from candles, ceramics, food and drink, gifts for children, homeware, jewellery, prints, stationery, textiles and more. Plus family activities, half-price exhibition entry, live music and street food!
Where? The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, WF1 5AW
When? 23 – 24 November and 30 November – 1 December, 10am – 4pm
Admission? From £2
Click here for more information.
Nostell, National Trust
Join in the festivities this Christmas as the house is decorated to the nines in a timeless, traditional style. The fires will be lit, seasonal music will be playing and the trees will be twinkling with pretty lights.
Make sure you visit the exquisite Dolls’ House, decked with Christmas decorations and follow the sweet smell of gingerbread to discover Nostell’s finest gingerbread village.
Follow the family trail to see if you can find all of the Twelve Days of Christmas (you’ll find some in the house and some in the gardens).
Where? National Trust Nostell, WF4 1QE
When? 2 December – 5 January (closed 24/25/26 December)
Admission? Free for members | Adults: £12 | Children: £6
Click here for more information.
The 12 Dates of Christmas
Head to Tileyard North for their inaugural festive event series The 12 Dates of Christmas, a brand new seasonal programme taking place from early December all the way to the New Year! Including everything from a Funk & Soul House Party with Craig Charles and two performances from Wakefield’s own Skinny Living, to candlelit classical music from Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, live stand-up comedy and more.
Where? Tileyard North, Wakefield, WF1 5FY
When? Various from 6 December 2024 – 1 January 2025
Admission? From £16.75 – £27.75
Click here for more information.
Santa Underground
The National Coal Mining Museum‘s Santa Underground is a truly unique Santa – his magical grotto is 140 metres below the surface! Will the bell place you on the naughty or nice list? Good children receive a present and certificate, while naughty children get (of course) coal!
Where? National Coal Mining Museum, WF4 4RH
When? Saturday 23 November – Sunday 22 December, various times
Admission? Adults: £10 | Children: £13
Click here for more information.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
#EnjoyWestYorkshire
