Days may be getting shorter and nights darker, but a host of shopping opportunities, events and activities are lighting up the West Yorkshire skyline this Festive season! From Christmas lights and seasonal markets to funfairs and ice rinks, there’s something for you and your family to enjoy this Christmas… check out our selection of fabulous Festive adventures you can enjoy across West Yorkshire.

CALDERDALE

Christmas at the Piece Hall

The magnificent Piece Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland during the festive season. Enjoy a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree, traditional carousel, the region’s favourite independent craft stalls, a Winter Makers Market featuring artisan makers and pop-up food and drink traders on 19th -21st and 26th-28th November.

The magical new Father Christmas storytelling experience takes place from 4th-24th December, and the fantastic circus-style Spiegel tent returns for a programme of family shows, live music, stand-up comedy and late-night cabaret alongside family craft workshops. The season closes with a celebration on New Year’s Eve. Check out the full programme of events here.

Festive Food

Looking for somewhere to book for a festive celebration? Why no head over to 1885 the Venue, the perfect spot to celebrate Christmas and New Year. From November 29^th you can enjoy a Christmas party menu and Christmas Eve five-course tasting menu featuring unique dishes such as spiced crab dumplings and chakalaka king oyster mushroom.  1885 is also open for Christmas Day and Boxing Day for three-course meals including festive favourites such as roast turkey or roast sirloin of beef with all the trimmings. For New Year, there’s a spectacular five-course tasting menu with delectable treats such as lobster, octopus, caviar and venison loin. Find out more information here.

BRADFORD

Christmas in Haworth

Perched on the edge of the famous Brontë moorlands, the welcoming village of Haworth embraces Christmas with a series of festive weekend events. Beginning with the weekend 27th-28th November with Light Up Haworth, the village will be filled with twinkling lights and beautifully decorated shop windows. The iconic Torchlight Weekend follows 4th-5th December with processions both days from 5pm. On 11th-12th December you can enjoy festive music up and down the Main Street as you stroll between the enchanting shops and cosy cafes. Finally, 18th-19th December brings Nativity Weekend to the village, complete with donkeys! For more information visit Facebook.

Main Street, Haworth

If you’re looking for a creative Christmas gift, Haworth’s Main Street is brimming with possibilities. Wave of Nostalgia champions strong women, from Suffragette to Feminist and LBGT items, beautiful felt kits and gorgeous Maileg Mice, women designers are the core of this business. Book lovers will find a wonderful selection to entertain, inspire and motivate, from modern best sellers to Brontë favourites. You will also discover handcrafted children’s clothing in the most striking and beautiful fabrics. The woodland friends shirts and owlicious pinafore skirts are perfect to feel winter stylish.  Take a nostalgic walk up or down Main Street Haworth this Winter; you’re sure to discover something for everyone.

Festive Food

In Haworth, there’s a broad winter menu ready to be explored, in the cosy cafes, traditional pubs with open fires, and stylish restaurants, there is no shortage of choice for eating out.  The delightful new Cloth Store at Number 81 Main Street, is a great spot to meet friends and unwind over festive drinks, with a very relaxed feel and atmosphere.  You can choose from a variety of small Asian inspired dishes day or night; each dish is freshly prepared using the best seasonal ingredients with a Cloth Store Christmas twist. Come and enjoy Christmas in Haworth; reserve your table now!

LEEDS

Kirkgate Market

One of the largest indoor markets in Europe, Kirkgate is the perfect place to pick up your Christmas presents this year. Selling everything from fashion to flowers, jewellery to hardware, the market is known for its wide selection of shops and vendors and their regular events include record and book fairs, arts and craft markets, farmers market and even a vintage fair. With even more wonderful events coming up around the festive period, it is the place to shop in Leeds this Christmas! Find out more here.

Where: Vicar Lane, Leeds City Centre LS2 7HY. Monday to Saturday, doors are open from 8am to 5:30pm

Christmas in Millennium Square

This Christmas, Millennium Square will be full of festive cheer! From the 26th of November, the square will be home to an ice rink and an igloo bar along with plenty of food and drink stalls and themed attractions. Nearby, Victoria Gardens will also be welcoming back some classic Leeds winter favourites with the Big Wheel of Light and Thor’s Tipi from 19th November, making it the ideal spot for a family day out or an evening with friends. You’ll find full details here.

Festive Food

Feeling peckish after all that ice skating? Why not head over to the Chow Down Winter Village at Temple Arche. From 11th November – 31st December Temple Arches will host a wonderland of fun and food will come to life, with an amazing array of entertainment, activities and dining options. Whether you fancy a game of rooftop curling, listening to some live DJs or bands, or just snuggling up by the firepits with a glass of mulled wine or cider, it’s the perfect place for getting into the festive spirit! Find out more here.

WAKEFIELD

The Hepworth Wakefield’s Festive Mini Market

Start your Christmas shopping at The Hepworth Wakefield’s Festive Mini-Market. Running across three consecutive weekends, it’s the perfect place to pick up quirky gifts for friends and family – or treat yourself to something special! The market features some of the best independent makers, artists and designers from across the UK. Each weekend you’ll find around 30 different stallholders, selling aromatics, ceramics, homewares, jewellery, prints, textiles, food, drink and more. There’ll also be family activities to keep little ones entertained, and a seasonal menu featuring local produce in the Hepworth Wakefield café. Pre-book in advance here.

The Hepworth Wakefield, Gallery Walk, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5AW, 20-21 November, 27-28 November, 4-5 December, 10am – 5pm

Light Up Festival

Light Up returns to Wakefield from 17th November – 5th December with buildings being lit up across the district. Enjoy festive activities including Christmas light switch-ons, festive markets, street entertainment, choirs, workshops, Santa and reindeers meets, fair rides and more. This year’s programme also includes activities and events at partner venues including The Hepworth Wakefield, Trinity Walk, National Coal Mining Museum, and The Art House.

A highlight is STILL (by NOVAK), a spectacular “light artwork” projected onto the exterior of Wakefield Cathedral from 19th-21st November. Inspired by the idea of pilgrimage, STILL reveals stunning images of colour and motion, accompanied by a soundtrack featuring the Wakefield Cathedral Choir. Check out the full programme here.

Want to get your turkey order in early? Then head over to Farmer Copleys! Whether you’re wanting to dine out for Christmas, or cooking up a storm in your own kitchen, Farmer Copleys’ farm-to-fork goodness is the ideal treat. Visit the farm on 27-28 November or 4-5 December for Farmer Copleys Taste of Christmas, a chance to sample some delectable homemade Christmas treats (and mulled wine!). Order your complete Christmas dinner with all the locally sourced and ethically farmed trimmings or book your Christmas party in private cabins with log burners and LED lights – perfect for creating that festive magic.

#EnjoyWestYorkshire  #ReVisitCalderdale #ChristmasinCalderdale