Otley Snowman Trail: FREE 1st – 17th December 2023
Pick up a free trail map and use it to make your way around the town to discover the various snowmen hidden away in shops and people’s gardens. Donations to the Snowman Trail charity, Hang on to a Dream, are welcome.
Full details can be found here
The Skipton Gingerbread Christmas Trail: FREE 24 Nov 2023 – 03 Jan 2024
Welcome to the Skipton Gingerbread Christmas Trail. Find the 10 gingerbread characters and the selfie zone marked on the map, the location is marked…
Full details Here
The Discover Ilkley Christmas Trail: FREE 1st – 31st December 2023
Brought to you by Ilkley BID, the Discover Ilkley app brings you a free, festive augmented reality trail this Christmas. It’s Christmas fun for all the family!
Santa and his festive friends have come to Ilkley this Christmas! Will you discover all 9 jolly virtual characters at their magical locations across the town centre? Use the map to find and collect each one.
Full details here
The Nutcracker Trail, Leeds: FREE 24th November – 22nd December 2023
Embark on a festive adventure through the Nutcracker Trail. From Friday 24 November, discover the sculptures amongst the traditional market stalls at Upper and Lower Briggate, the Corn Exchange, City…
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar: FREE 1st December 2023 – 1st January 2024
Step into the creative world of the Saltaire Living Advent Calendar, where you can marvel at the quirky window designs that adorn the homes and shops of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every day…
Elf on the Shelf at John Lewis Christmas 2023: FREE 1st – 24th December 2023
Can you find The Elf on the Shelf? Visit John Lewis Leeds between the 1st-24th of December to find The Elf on the Shelf hiding on posters all over the store. Find all six to receive an official Minis collectable while stocks last.
Codswallop Santa Float – donations welcome
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!! That’s right, we’re bringing the big man himself through the streets of Guiseley on his sleigh with our mischievous elves to raise money for Guiseley Theatre. Read More
Santa’s Grotto at St John’s: FREE ENTRY to meet Santa and his elves at St Johns Shopping Centre in Leeds City Centre, every Saturday from 25th November to 23rd December, 11am-4pm.
Santa’s Grotto at Doubletree by Hilton
It’s just £15 to take up to THREE children to see Santa at his festive igloo! Every child will meet Santa, and receive a delicious cookie and a little gift. What’s more, they will get a chance to draw a Willy Wonka-style golden ticket for four to see either ELF The Musical or Disney On Ice! Read More
Santa at The Candy Cane Club, The Merrion Centre
With Santa visits starting from just £4, Come join the festive fun at the Candy Cane Club in the Merrion Centre where Santa is eagerly ready to meet you and to share a special moment with you and your little ones from 2nd December – 24th December (Tuesday – Sunday). Read More
Bolton Abbey: As you enjoy a walk through Strid Wood, clues connected to the popular ‘12 Days of Christmas’ carol will help you to solve the festive mystery on the trail sheet. Free event but estate admission charges apply. More details here.
Christmas Tree Festivals: FREE Entry, Charity donations welcome.
Skipton: 9th December – 10th December 2023.
Otley: 6th December – 9th December 2023.
Ilkley: 8th – 9th December 2023.
Charities or communities have been invited to decorate a tree each. Each tree will have a collecting bucket and all donations collected will stay with that group for them to use in their good work in our local community.
Shipley Glen Tramway: Experience an exciting ride on the historic Tram from £2.50 per ride. Hop on board and enjoy the superb views as you glide through the scenic woodland.
The Royal Armouries, Leeds: Free entry to the Royal Armouries including the free River taxi outside! They have their RE:LOADED event running from 16th December AND their Viking Yule action-packed weekend 30th – 31st December: 10 am – 5:00 pm. Full details found here
Lotherton Hall: Take a stroll through the magical, interactive Festive Woodland Walk, adorned with playful Christmas installations that capture traditions past and present. Discover the hidden gem of the Fairy Dell, a secret fairy rockery that comes alive with enchanting sounds and twinkling lights as dusk falls. The Christmas Experience, Yorkshires ultimate festive day out returns! 25th November 2023 – 7th January 2024.
Temple Newsam: Celebrate Christmas with us at Temple Newsam. Explore the beautifully decorated house and get in the festive spirit with FREE themed crafts and activities. The house will be open every weekend except for Christmas Eve, along with Thursday 21 December. Full details here.
East Riddlesden Hall: Families can join Mrs Claus for storytelling in the Great Hall this year, take a seat and enjoy a festive tale! Visit the Discovery Room and try making some handprint reindeer, pop up to the maid’s chamber and add some fabric to our giant rag wreath, don’t forget to write your letter to Santa there so Mrs Claus can deliver it to the North Pole. BOOKING NOT NEEDED. FREE EVENT (ADMISSION APPLIES)
Leeds City Museum: Discover the history of Leeds and see new exhibitions in the city centre for FREE. Take part in the ELF TRAIL – seek out the location of Noel the Elf who has been causing mischief. He’s escaped from the naughty corner at the North Pole and we can’t find him. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to report the location of the runaway. Pick up a trail at the museum and search high and low for clues!
Bradford Markets: FREE festive fun across our indoor markets this month
You don’t have to travel too far to see Santa this Christmas, because he will be hanging around in our markets overstaying his welcome and ready to greet you with a ho ho ho! Giddy up, giddy up let’s roll, the donkey is back, the crafts are back and main man is here! Full line up here
Ilkley Cinema: Every Saturday & Sunday morning we have a special Kids Club film which is suitable for a younger audience and accompanying grown-ups alike. All tickets are £7.80. CBEEBIES PANTO 2023: ROBIN HOOD is the kids club film on Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd & Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December.
The Hive CHRISTMAS Family Film: Candy Cane
Lane Saturday 9th December 2023 Doors open: 12.30pm Film: starts 1pm Rating: PG Full details and how to book here
Thu 21st December 2023 10:30am Book Tickets Online | £5 Join us to watch the Christmas classic ‘The Snowman'(1982). An animated adventure about a young English boy who makes a… Read More
Fri 22nd December 2023 7:00 pm Book Tickets Online: With Hot Chocolate & Christmas Treats (£8.50) or Mulled Wine & Christmas Treats (£10.50) Get ready to don your coziest pyjamas and… Read More
The Polar Express (2004) + Train Junk Modelling at Skipton Town Hall
Sat 23rd December 2023 1:00pm Book Tickets Online | £8.50 It’s time to unleash your creativity! Engage in our junk modeling activity and craft your very own miniature trains using…Read More
Fancy enjoying a film at home? Check out our blog on the best family festive films for some inspiration!
2nd December 2023, 11 am – 4 pm Venture through a winter woodland trail which ends with an optional visit to meet Santa complete with a gift. Why not bounce…
Saturday 2nd December 2023, 1.30 – 3 pm Otley Garden Centre – Formerly Stephen H Smith’s Join the cheeky elves for elftastic fun and party games!
Date : Sunday 3 December 2023 from 12 noon to 6pm Otley’s Victorian Fayre is a magical event which is held every year in the run up to Christmas and…
Sat 9th December 2023 10:00am & 1:00pm FREE Drop-In Join us for a relaxed, Christmas themed family craft session in the Concert Hall, suitable for children of all ages. Donations…
9th Dec 2023 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Come along to Ilkley Manor House on Saturday 9th December and join in with our reindeer games! The whole family is welcome…
9 Dec 2023 – 10 Dec 2023 & 16 Dec 2023 – 17 Dec 2023: 11:00 – 15:30
Join us at Cliffe Castle as we celebrate Christmas over two very special weekends. There’s something for everyone with live music, market stalls, family crafts and more across the different dates. And of course, we’ll be joined by a very special guest each day… Santa himself!
Sunday 10 December 2023 3pm to 5pm Guiseley Theatre, The Green, Guiseley, LS20 9BT Free entry A Christmas fair for all the family! The Friends of Guiseley Theatre are holding…
Mon 11th December 2023 10:00am Book Tickets Online| £3.00 Explore the wonders of winter at this interactive play session! We have designed these play sessions to engage our young learners in…
Otley Children’s Centre Christmas Fayre, is returning this year. Come and join us on Wednesday 13th December, 10:30-12:30. Local business stalls, tombola, cake stalls and Christmas activities for little people…
A brand new event for 2023: Step off your steam-hauled express and onto the gas-lit platform at Oxenhope Station; there will be plenty that will get you in the Christmas spirit…
Make a Bear – Gingerbread Character at The Swadford Hub, Skipton
DATE 16 – 17 Dec 2023 COST £5.00 LOCATION The Swadford Hub 32 Swadford Street, Skipton, BD23 1RD Come along and enjoy making your very own Gingerbread cuddly toy. The…
Saturday 16th December 2023 After such an amazing response last year, we are delighted to announce we will once again host our #RudolphsRun illuminated tractor run!
20 Dec 2023 Wednesday 11:00 – 15:00 Join us to Deck the Halls! Make a traditional Peg Doll toy to take home, ice a gingerbread biscuit and decorate a wooden bauble to…
LS-TEN PRESENTS LEEDS ROLLER RINK
23rd / 27TH / 28TH /29TH /30TH December
11am -3pm / 30 minute free session
BOOK your free session by scanning the QR Code
We live in such a beautiful area and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks, gardens & nature reserves. All are free to enjoy. Have a walk or a bike ride…
Make it more exciting with nature bingo, a scavenger hunt or doing some leaf rubbings – Lots of free ideas available with a quick internet search.
If you visit any of our beautiful parks and playgrounds take a snap and send it to wharfedale@mumbler.co.uk I’ll post it on the listing for that park so other Mumblers can see what is there before they visit!
Try out one of the below trails and let us know your thoughts! wharfedale@mumbler.co.uk
The Chevin Geology Trail, Otley
The Chevin Sculpture Trail, Otley
The Aire Valley Sculpture Trail, Saltaire
For even more ideas read our Rainy Day blog