Yorkshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-here">GO HERE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/251112_Castle-Howard_Christmas_Tom-Arber-16-of-211.jpg" alt="castle howard" class="wp-image-6189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/251112_Castle-Howard_Christmas_Tom-Arber-16-of-211.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/251112_Castle-Howard_Christmas_Tom-Arber-16-of-211-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/251112_Castle-Howard_Christmas_Tom-Arber-16-of-211-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



From&nbsp;1 Dec to 1 Jan, Saltaire glows with creativity as 56 windows open throughout the village in its enchanting&nbsp;<a href="https://saltaireinspired.org.uk/events/living-advent-calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Living Advent Calendar</a>. Businesses and community buildings begin illuminating on the first day, with a brand-new window revealed each night until Christmas Eve. All displays shine from 4pm to 10.30pm and stay lit right through to New Year’s Day – a brilliant excuse for an evening wander.



And if all that festivity has you craving grander surrounds, Yorkshire’s stately homes are&nbsp;outshining themselves&nbsp;this Christmas. Enjoy a&nbsp;<a href="https://harewood.org/events/christmas-at-harewood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glittering Invitation to Harewood House</a>&nbsp;this year for a dazzling transformation of the State Floor and Below Stairs spaces thanks to the uber-talented Siobhan Murphy (8 Nov – 4 Jan)! Known for her appearance on BBC Grand Design Masters Siobhan will be taking Christmas to the max (literally) – keep an eye out for her tutu tree!&nbsp;&nbsp;



Meanwhile,&nbsp;Castle Howard&nbsp;will once again pull out all the stops with its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-castle-howard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas spectacular</a>&nbsp;(13 Nov – 4 Jan), this year themed around&nbsp;The Wizard of Oz (well-timed with the release of the second Wicked movie. The House is transformed with their festive take on L. Frank Baum’s much-loved story, told through installations, soundscapes and projections, created by CLW Event Design and Imitating the Dog.&nbsp;



From&nbsp;8 Nov to 31 Jan&nbsp;(selected dates),&nbsp;Gulliver’s Valley throws open a glowing gateway to the&nbsp;<a href="https://rothervalley.landoflights.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Land of Lights</a>. Expect giant lanterns, technicolour creatures and full-on after-dark magic as the whole resort is transformed into a shimmering world of imagination. Wrap up, wander and prepare to be dazzled.



The beloved&nbsp;<a href="https://boltonabbey.com/whats-on/12-days-of-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">12 Days of Christmas Trail</a>&nbsp;returns to Bolton Abbey from&nbsp;29 Nov to 4 Jan, sprinkling Strid Wood with festive clues inspired by the classic carol. Pick up your trail sheet, follow the mystery and enjoy a Christmas riverbank ramble with a playful twist. Partridges and pear trees optional.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-this">DO THIS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/JORVIK-Viking-Centre-Winter-Adventure-8-1.jpg" alt="jorvik" class="wp-image-6123" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/JORVIK-Viking-Centre-Winter-Adventure-8-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/JORVIK-Viking-Centre-Winter-Adventure-8-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/JORVIK-Viking-Centre-Winter-Adventure-8-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Ever wondered what winter was like in York over 1,000 years ago? Well now you don’t have to as JORVIK transforms Coppergate AD 960 into a snow-covered Viking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/a-winter-adventure-at-jorvik-viking-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Adventure</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;10 Nov to 22 Feb. New this year is an interactive temporal portal (yes, really!) guiding families straight into the heart of Viking life. Frosty, fascinating and full of adventure.



From&nbsp;22 Nov to 11 Jan, little detectives can help Santa track down his lost Christmas treasures. Follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/christmas-in-the-north-york-moors/christmas-at-sutton-bank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Santa’s Missing List Trail</a>&nbsp;through the North York Moors visitor centres, solve clues, tick off missing items and claim a prize at the end. Sleuthing + Christmas = win.



Need a hit of nature with your neon? Wander into&nbsp;<a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/A%20Winter%20Light%20Trail/">Luminescence: A Winter Light Trail</a>&nbsp;(6 Nov 2025 – 28 Feb 2026) at&nbsp;Swinton Park Hotel, where 17 acres of woodland gardens shimmer with an ethereal glow. This one’s pure countryside calm meets celestial art, and ends with hot chocolate by the fire. Or step things up a gear with an afternoon tea beforehand or just book a room and stay for the night.



Over in Doncaster from&nbsp;15 Nov to 10 Jan&nbsp;(selected dates), Yorkshire Wildlife Park lights up the night with its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com/whats-on/special-events/winter-illuminations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Illuminations</a>. Wander through enchanted realms, glowing trails and magical displays as the park transforms into an after-dark wonderland. Bring your hat, scarf and your sense of awe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-this">SEE THIS</h2>



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Run out of small talk with the fam? We feel your pain! Take the talking out of the equation and go see a show instead. 



Scrooge is grumping and spirits are swirling in <a href="https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/a-christmas-carol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Christmas Carol</a> from now until 17 Jan at Leeds Playhouse. A short walk away over at the Carriageworks from&nbsp;until 4 Jan,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk/whats-on/sleeping-beauty-bcdv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleeping Beauty</a>&nbsp;bursts onto stage in a riot of sparkle, spells and panto mayhem. Expect big laughs, bigger magic and the kind of chaos that guarantees sugar-high-level giggling from smalls and grown-ups alike.



Whilst we’re in Leeds, let’s not forget about City Varieties’ iconic Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto which is on until 11 Jan&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/the-rock-n-roll-pantomime-2025-26/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladdin</a>, just not as you know it. Think classic panto chaos fused with big rock anthems and chart-toppers, all played live by an ultra-talented cast. Loud, proud and absolutely brilliant. And don’t forget that this winter, Leeds Heritage Theatres is teaming up with the ever-glam&nbsp;<a href="https://tattu.co.uk/locations/leeds/a-la-carte-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tattu</a>&nbsp;for a feast of food, culture and downright delicious storytelling. From&nbsp;1 Dec to 28 Feb&nbsp;(excluding NYE), you can tuck into a bespoke modern Asian set menu of two courses plus a complimentary themed cocktail for just&nbsp;£29.50pp&nbsp;daily until 5.30pm. The perfect pre-theatre treat before settling into your seat.



Over in East Yorkshire, Hull Truck Theatre unwraps&nbsp;a good old classic –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/christmas/oliver-twist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver Twist</a>&nbsp;– from&nbsp;until 4 Jan, delivering Dickens with a festive twist. Singalongs, toe-tapping folk tunes, gleeful carols and a whole lot of heart follow young Oliver on his adventure of a lifetime.



 There’s also the beloved Northern Ballet in the city who invites you into an enchanted world with&nbsp;<a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/nb-the-nutcracker-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nutcracker</a>&nbsp;until 4 Jan. Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy all take centre stage in this magical festive tradition. 



Another festive fave takes to the stage as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/the-snow-queen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Snow Queen</a>&nbsp;transforms East Riding Theatre into a wintry Scandinavian wonderland from&nbsp;until 27 Dec. Expect bandits, reindeer, brave hearts and frosty villains – a magical family show with buckets of warmth.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes-afternoon-tea/best-festive-afternoon-teas-in-yorkshire/">8 of the best festive afternoon teas</a></li>



<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/best-illuminated-light-trails-around-yorkshire-during-winter/">Light trails to get the glow</a></li>



<li><a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/the-best-festive-theatre-in-yorkshire/">Festive theatre in Yorkshire</a></li>
</ul>

15+ things to do for a Yorkshire Twixmas

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