Last week we announced our main events for Christmas in Kirklees – but there’s loads to explore right across West Yorkshire this year!
We’re working with Visit Bradford, Visit Calderdale, Visit Leeds and Experience Wakefield to give you a sneak peak at the biggest and best our neighbouring patches have to offer.
You can explore fun Christmas markets, find unique handmade gifts, and enjoy traditional (and not-so-traditional) entertainment including pantos, brass bands and much, much more! There’s plenty to see and do, and all the while you can soak up the atmosphere of our local towns and cities – not just here in Kirklees but right across West Yorkshire.
Find out what’s on this Christmas in Kirklees.
Discover festive events happening in Bradford.
Plan your festive season in Calderdale.
More information about Christmas in Leeds.
Explore winter activities in Wakefield.
Happening in Kirklees
First and foremost, don’t miss our events right here in Kirklees! As well as our main festive events in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, there’s lots going on across the borough.
Christmas in Huddersfield
Huddersfield town centre
Saturday 29 November
A spectacular day of festive creativity, music and immersive experiences – there’ll be a traditional Christmas market, craft workshops from the Creative Piazza, and a variety of performances throughout the day. Come together to light up the streets of Huddersfield with a ‘Merry & Bright Moment’ to kick off the evening, followed by our unique festive fire garden which will illuminate St. Peter’s Gardens well into the night.
Find out more about Christmas events in Huddersfield.
Christmas in Dewsbury
Dewsbury town centre
Saturday 6 December
The brand new space outside Dewsbury Town Hall will play host to the traditional Christmas market, plus a community stage featuring local artists all day long. More live performances and immersive spaces, creativity and craft workshops will take place all across the town centre – topped off with a Santa’s grotto, plus a fun family-friendly activity hunting out those sneaky Santa’s elves!
Find out more about Christmas events in Dewsbury.
The Orchestra of Opera North’s Christmas Gala Concert
Dewsbury Town Hall
Thursday 11 November
Get into the Christmas spirit with a selection of timeless festive favourites and carols for all to sing. This is the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends, and celebrate the most magical time of year.
More information about The Orchestra of Opera North: Christmas Gala.
Santa in the Barn for SEND families
Oakwell Hall
Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 December
This event is specifically for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to make sure every child has a chance to enjoy Christmas. Make festive memories to last a lifetime with creative crafts, Christmas gifts and the chance to meet Santa Claus. Relax and explore Oakwell Hall, and enjoy an hour-long sessions with limited capacity, giving your child a really calm and unhurried visit with Santa.
Buy tickets and get full event details on our website.
Beauty & the Beast
Lawrence Batley Theatre
Monday 1 December – Sunday 4 January
A traditional Christmas panto – with a local twist! Huddersfield lass Belle loves nothing more than getting stuck into a good book, but she’s fed up of daydreaming about faraway lands, love stories and daring adventures. Meanwhile, no-one has more daydreams that a cursed prince, transformed into a beastly creature and trapped in his fancy castle. Could the true love of our Huddersfield lass be what finally breaks the spell?
Book your tickets for Beauty and the Beast.
Happening in and around Bradford
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
Alhambra Theatre
Saturday 6 December – Sunday 18 January
Another fabulous festive pantomime, this time at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford! This take on the famous fairytale sees the Snow White sparkle, in a spectacular show packed with laughs, magic and music – all the traditional panto ingredients you know and love. It’s a festive treat starring panto legend Billy Pearce, singer Sinitta, and drag queen Myra DuBois (also known as the ‘siren of South Yorkshire’). Nearby the Alhambra Theatre, depending on the date, you might find an array of global flavours at Darley Street Market, live music on weekends at Darley Street Kitchen, a traditional festive market at Christmas in the Courtyard, plus city views and tasty winter warmers at the BID Wheel on Centenary Square.
Get tickets on the Visit Bradford website.
Christmas in Haworth
Haworth village
Weekends in December
The magical village of Haworth will sparkle with lights, music and festive cheer every weekend in December, with a Torchlight Parade, a Christmas Music Weekend and a Nativity Weekend. Just up the hill from the Haworth’s glittering Main Street, the Brontë Parsonage Museum will offer a quieter kind of magic: a chance to step into the home where Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë wrote their iconic novels and soak in the literary charm of the season. If you fancy a wintry ramble, you’ll find the Brontë Parsonage Museum at the other end of the Brontë Way – which starts at Oakwell Hall, right here in Kirklees!
Find out more about Christmas in Haworth.
Ilkley Christmas Teepees
Ilkley Rugby Club
Friday 5 – Friday 21 December
This December you can enjoy a cosy festive escape beneath the twinkling lights of the teepees at the Ilkley Rugby Club. Gather round the fire with friends and family, sip seasonal drinks from the bar, and enjoy delicious street food in a relaxed, wintry setting. Nearby you’ll also find lovely giftshops along The Grove and Brook Street, a special festive afternoon tea at Betty’s, and seasonal shows at King’s Hall and Ilkley Playhouse – all of which makes Ilkley the perfect spot for either a festive day out or a longer winter stay.
Find full event details on the Visit Bradford website.
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar
Saltaire village
Monday 1 – Thursday 25 December
Every evening in December, a new festive window will be revealed across the picturesque village of Saltaire. Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Living Advent Calendar will turn this beauty spot into a magical open-air gallery with whimsical winter scenes and creative community designs. It’s the perfect spot for evening strolls with friends and family, checking out the latest edition, soaking up the village’s artistic spirit and counting down to Christmas. Nearby you can also check out the vibrant art of David Hockney at Salts Mill, ride the Shipley Glen Tramway, and see the Turner Prize exhibition at Cartwright Hall – one of Bradford’s highlights as UK City of Culture 2025.
Find full event details on the Visit Bradford website.
Bradford Museums
Bolling Hall, Bradford Industrial Museum and Cliffe Castle Museum
Saturday 22 November – Sunday 14 December
Celebrate the season at Bradford Museums with three unique events! Discover the historic charm of Deck the Halls at Bolling Hall, explore traditional stalls at the Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum, and enjoy the wintry magic of Christmas at the Castle at Cliffe Castle Museum. Each offers a unique and memorable way to experience Christmas through heritage and family fun.
Find out what’s on at museums and galleries in Bradford.
Happening in Calderdale
Christmas Markets at the Piece Hall
Piece Hall, Halifax
Friday 14 November – Sunday 21 December
The Piece Hall will be filled with its annual festive Christmas markets every weekend, Friday to Sunday. The markets will showcase some of the region’s best independent producers and artisan makers, featuring a wide range of unique stalls with everything from homeware to jewellery, fantastic gifts to delicious food – all in the magical atmosphere of the Piece Hall’s grand courtyard.
Full event details for The Piece Hall Christmas market.
Halifax Minster Christmas Tree Festival
Halifax Minster
Friday 5 – Monday 8 December
Halifax Minster will be filled with the wonderful sight and scent of more than 40 Christmas trees, with extra activities, live music and refreshments across the weekend.
Learn more about Halifax Minster Christmas Tree Festival.
Hebden Makes Christmas
Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd
Friday 5 – Sunday 7 December
Hebden Makes Christmas is an opportunity to shop truly independent, to discover gifts that will last a lifetime and find unique pieces of art and craft that aren’t available on the high street. More than 100 artists, makers and craftspeople are taking part across Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge, both by opening up their own studios and featuring at art and craft fairs in Hebden Bridge Town Hall, the Methodist Church and the Making Mill.
Find out more about the event.
Christmas Comes to Shibden Hall
Shibden Hall
Friday 12 – Saturday 13 December
For one very special weekend, you can see Shibden Hall decked out with traditional Christmas decorations and learn about how Christmas used to be celebrated in times gone by. This is a festive favourite, so advance booking is required.
Beauty & the Beast family pantomime
Victoria Theatre, Halifax
Friday 12 December – Sunday 4 January
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a fun-filled Christmas panto! Make memories with all the family with this panto spectacular, where an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a beast – and must rely on finding love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can a local village girl see past his appearance, and learn to love a beast? With hilarious slapstick comedy, plenty of audience interaction and magical musical numbers, this traditional pantomime is a must-see. There are also special integrated signed performances on offer for people who would benefit from British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation – where the interpreters get involved in the onstage action! – and ‘relaxed’ performances for people who may sometimes find it difficult to access theatre performances – like parents or carers with noisy infants, or those with dementia, autism, or any other complex access or inclusion needs.
Book your Beauty and the Beast tickets online.
Happening in Leeds
Leeds Christmas Markets
City Square, Millenium Square, Bond Court and Albion Place
Friday 21 November – Sunday 21 December
Explore more than 60 festive stalls selling unique gifts, crafts and delicious treats from all over the world! There will also be two themed bars – the Windmill Bar and the Ranch – providing plenty of festive cheer. Little Bird will also return with their artisan markets, featuring lots of local artists and makers on Bond Court, and ArtsMix Market will bring unique arts and crafts to Albion Place.
Learn more about Christmas Markets in Leeds.
Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto
City Varieties Music Hall
Friday 28 November – Sunday 11 January
Building on the roaring success of past hits like Jack & the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood and Dick Whittington, Leeds is offering another ‘Grade-A panto’ (according to the Yorkshire Times). And this year it’s not your average Christmas pantomime – this is a Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime! This take on the story of Aladdin is the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud audience participation, hilarious cheesy jokes, and a high-energy jukebox bursting with iconic rock anthems and chart-smashing hits.
Book tickets for The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto.
Winter Wonderlands at Historic Houses
Lotherton Hall, Temple Newsam, Harewood House and more
Sunday 2 November – Sunday 4 January
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. At Lotherton’s Christmas Experience, explore the beautifully decorated hall with its enchanting grounds and gardens, and visit Father Christmas. Over at Temple Newsam – where there are more than 50 uniquely decorated Christmas trees! – Santa and Mrs. Claus will both be waiting to greet you, and you can enjoy a hearty meal (or just a cuppa) at the tearooms before joining in with festive crafts, activities and even dress-up for the full Christmas experience. And at Harewood House there’s more magic in the air, with a glittering invitation to Harewood’s Grand Ball! Check dates and pricing for each individual event before you go, as each historic house has its own festive offering.
More information about historic houses, estates and parks in Leeds.
Northern Lights Leeds
Temple Newsam
Friday 21 November – Wednesday 31 December
Leeds is welcoming back an illuminating festive attraction this year: the immersive Northern Lights Leeds at Temple Newsam. Held amongst the historic house’s heritage gardens and picturesque woodlands, this Northern Lights experience will take visitors on a jaw-dropping journey through a spectrum of illuminations peppered with unique musical compositions. The full illuminated walk is about a mile long, and the trail includes up to 14 distinct zones featuring interactive elements and immersive soundtracks that combine to create an otherworldly sensory experience. There will also be a magical Christmas village, serving a wide range of festive fare!
Book tickets for Northern Lights Leeds online.
Happening in and around Wakefield
Light Up Wakefield
Wakefield city centre
Friday 21 – Sunday 23 November
Get ready for a magical festive weekend in Wakefield, as the city comes alive with colour, music and festive cheer. On Friday 21 November there’ll be live performances and entertainment on the main stage at Cathedral Precinct, followed by the big Christmas light switch-on at 5:30pm! After the light switch-on, the city centre will remain aglow as a spectacular Lantern Parade winds its way through Wakefield. Throughout the day you can grab a trail map to help you discover all the magical installations, let your creativity shine by contributing to a dynamic digital mural, and be wowed by the mythical ‘Ship of the Gods’ (inspired by Norse legends) inside WX Wakefield Exchange. A retro-inspired gaming experience will also transform the city’s buildings into a giant interactive gaming platform – give it a go!
Find out more about Light Up Wakefield.
Hepworth Festive Market
The Hepworth gallery
Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 November
For weekends only, you can do some Christmas shopping and support independent makers at the Hepworth’s popular festive market. You’ll find more than 75 stalls each weekend, selling everything – ceramics, food and drink, homeware, jewellery, prints, stationary, textiles and more. There will also be family activities, live music, street food and half-price entry to the gallery’s exhibitions!
Book tickets for The Hepworth Festive Market online.
A Narnia-inspired Christmas at Nostell
Nostell (National Trust)
Monday 1 December – Friday 5 January
This Christmas, Nostell will be transformed into The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe. From the 1940s railway station to snowy forests and Father Christmas’ woodland camp, the story will come to life as you wander through the house and its beautiful grounds. You can follow the story room by room, before finishing your indoor experience with the enchanting gingerbread village – reimagined with a Narnian twist. From there, if you’re visiting on a weekend, your journey will then take you through the garden to the glass house, where Father Christmas will make his appearance.
Book tickets for A Narnia-inspired Christmas at Nostell online.
