Christmas Storytelling
Every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) until Sat 23 December
Free, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm & 2:30pm
Join Peggy and Frank as they chats about Christmases past and host parlour games in Parkinson’s Yard.
Makers’ Shed
Every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) – from 2 – 23 December
Free, 11:30am – 5pm
Get crafty this Christmas and make your own wrapping paper and Christmas decorations.
Caphouse Creators Christmas Special (7–12-year-olds)
Sun 3 December
£5 per child, pre-bookable
Construct your own personalised Christmas crackers and their crafty contents in this hands-on, festive workshop.
Wacky Wednesday Christmas Special (under 5 year-olds)
Wed 13 December
£5 per child, pre-bookable
Play and learn with your pre-schoolers through Christmas-themed interactive storytelling, activities, singing and crafts. Oh and if you’ve been good, a very special guest may be swinging by to say hello..!
Home Education Workshops (7–13-year-olds)
Wed 13, Thu 14, Fri 15 December
£7 per child, pre-bookable
Nothing is more thoughtful than a handmade gift. See some handmade presents that were passed through generations of coal miners, whilst making your own personalised creations using authentic materials such as stained-glass resin, clay and wood.
Thu 21 December
Free, 10am, pre-bookable
Enjoy a festive ramble? Fascinated by local heritage? Combine the two by joining our friendly guide in this 2-hour circular walk around the Museum. Discover shadows of the industry hidden in the landscape that may surprise you!
Makers’ Shed
Wed 3 – Fri 5 January
Free, 11:30am – 3:30pm
Get set for the year ahead and use printing to create 2024 calendars.
Festive treats are available from the Café and there will be chance to catch up on your Christmas shopping at the Museum Shop.
Other activities also include our Nature Trail, Blacksmiths Demonstrations, Horsekeeper talks and much more!
PLEASE NOTE: THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED MONDAYS & TUESDAYS
National Coal Mining Museum, New Road, Overton, WF4 4RH
27 Nov 23- 27 Jan 24
Consider yourself one of the family at Leeds Playhouse this festive season for Lionel Bart’s award-winning musical, Oliver!
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, Oliver! follows the story of a small boy with a big heart as he journeys from a desolate workhouse to the paved streets of Victorian London in search of love and a place to call home.
Featuring memorable songs such as ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Oom Pah-Pah’, ‘I’d Do Anything’ and the angelic sounds of ‘Where is Love?’, Oliver! is a heart-warming theatrical masterpiece suitable for all.
James Brining directs this timeless large-scale musical following the spectacular success of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical.
A Leeds Playhouse production by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh. Lionel Bart’s Oliver!. Book Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart, freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Production licensed by Music Theatre International.
Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane YO32 9ST
For information on places to see Santa including Santa Experiences, Santa Grottos, Free Santa Visits and Breakfast with Santa please visit our dedicated Places to see Santa Page
Are you booked on to Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride? This is one of our FAVOURITE festive events!
The Pugneys Light Railway Christmas Wonder Ride is back and a ride on this little train is definitely on our Christmas list. We love visiting Pugneys after the sun has gone down, wrapping up so warm and toasty and always treating ourselves to a hot chocolate to keep the cold at bay.
The Christmas Wonder Ride is perfect for your children to enjoy in the run up to Christmas. Look up to see the stars and see if you can spot Santa testing out his sleigh ahead of the big day. See if you can spot any Reindeer hiding in the woodland. Or any Robins hopping around tree branches.
For those who haven’t been to Pugney’s before, find out more about one of Wakefields most favourite country parks HERE.
Don’t miss out on the amazing Pugney’s Christmas Train.
2025 collection dates coming soon
Collection of Christmas trees in WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF5, WF6, LS26, LS27 & S75
Minimum donation of £15, proceeds go to Wakefield Hospice
Christmas experiences at Whistlestop Valley! 🎄🎅
Storytime with Santa
Bring your little ones on selective Thursdays throughout December and enjoy a Magical Story with Santa!
You’ll visit Santa for an enchanting Yuletide tale. After storytime is over, the little ones, will be given a golden coin to spend in Santa’s Toy Shop, selecting a gift of their own to take home and cherish.
Dates
Thursday 5th & Thursday 12th December 2024
Santa Paws
This year at Whistlestop Valley, we will bringing you a BRAND NEW experience for 2024!
Come along with your four legged friend for a visit to see Santa in his Grotto. You can treat your furbabies to a special Christmas visit, there will be treats a plenty, and an opportunity for a photo or two.
Dates
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November 2024, 16:40pm & 18:00pm
Santa Express
The Santa Express feature a trip aboard the heated carriages hauled by one of our steam locomotives*; transporting you to the North Pole!
We will also be running a relaxed sensory SEND Santa Express train on selected services on 23rd & 24th November 2024.
Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, HD8 9XJ
19th – 21st December 2023, 4-6.30pm
Wander along a candle lit trail in the woods and gardens at Skelton Grange and catch a glimpse into the secret worlds of the little folk who reside here….
Booking required.
TCV Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Skelton Grange Road, Leeds, LS10 1RS
Escape to Gulliver’s Valley at Christmas time for a festive family adventure. Look out for Elfie mischief, fairy fun and snowy surprises.
Selected festive rides and attractions for all the family, explore the magical Winter Wonderland, children choose their own gift from the Elf Workshop, explore Santa’s house and see him in his Grotto!
Pre-booking advised
Mansfield Road, Sheffield, S26 5QW
Harewood’s Festive Season begins 8th November 2023 through to 7th January 2024
Encounter Harewood’s traditionally untraditional Christmas this coming winter, as Yorkshire’s most vibrant country house celebrates the Christmas Tree in a most unexpected way.
Booking required
Harewood House, Leeds
As Christmas draws near, the park is converted into a Winter Wonderland with Christmas theming throughout and the annual opening of the wonderful ‘Night before Christmas’ ride. Climb aboard one of Santa’s sleighs and take a magical journey through the enchanted forest to arrive in style at Santa’s Magical Grotto.
You’ll be greeted by the elves and the ever friendly Mrs. Claus and when it’s your time, you’ll be invited to meet the big man himself. Where you’ll receive a lovely, individually wrapped present and the chance to share your wishes with him.
Must be pre-booked in advance online.
Treswell Rd, Rampton, Retford, DN22 0HX
Music & Lights at Fountains Abbey
Every Saturday & Sunday between 25th November & 31st December 2023
See the Abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow and surround yourself with music. Choirs and bands will be performing in the cellarium 2-3pm.
Saturday 25 November: Lucy’s Pop Choir
Sunday 26 November: Stray Notes Community Choir
Saturday 2 December: Harrogate Ladies’ College Chapel Choir
Saturday 9 December: Phoenix Concert Band
Saturday 16 December: Thirsk Royal British Legion Band
Sunday 17 December: Euythmia Ensemble
Saturday 23 December: Skelldale Singers
Saturday 30 December: Members of Ripon Choral Society
Sunday 31 December: Ripon Trinity Singers
Normal admission charges apply.
Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
Father Christmas will be returning to Nostell House this December. This is an informal and relaxed experience with no booked slots. He will be visiting the North Pole on Mondays & Tuesdays to make sure his elves are on track for Christmas!
Normal entry prices for the gardens apply, no charge for NT members.
Opening times: 11am to 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Closed Christmas Day
Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield, WF4 1QE
Christmas can be expensive, so we’ve put together Places to see Santa for FREE in 2024 – click here!
Reel Cinemas brings you amazing films at bargain prices!!!!
Tickets are priced £3.99 for an adult or child before 1pm!
What a bargain! Oh and you get free parking at The Ridings Centre too!!
The Ridings Shopping Centre, Wakefield, WF1 1DS
22nd November 2023 – 30th December 2023
The Glow evenings will allow people to visit the garden safely after work and school and enjoy spending time in nature to benefit their physical and mental well-being.
Tickets for Glow must be booked online in advance.
Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1QB
December 2023
Some activities are bookable to please do phone or email your local library (details on each venue image)
Festive Ice Skating
A 22m x 7m, fully covered, super-glide rink offers an impressive alternative to real ice ideal for beginners and young children.
Full skate hire and ‘penguin’ skate aids are available (on a first come first serve basis), ensuring a superb skating experience whatever your ability may be.
Letter to Santa Trail – 15th November – 24th December 2023
It’s going to be a fabulously festive day to kick off Christmas celebrations for our local families. From Christmas parties to Santa’s Storytime, Festive crafts and Christmas Shopping, there will be lots to do and so much fun to be had!
MumblerFestive is an ALL INCLUSIVE family fun day- so your admission ticket will include the Christmas parties, crafts, soft play and all activities from our wonderful providers. You’ll just need money for your food, drink and Christmas shopping!
A FAMILY TICKET (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £20+booking fee!
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? FIND OUT MORE HERE
Music Bugs Leeds Christmas Party
Come along & join Music Bugs Leeds at our fun packed Christmas party. 30mins full of lively songs, instruments, ribbon wiggling, puppets, bubble popping, parachute fun plus Reindeer riding! Our multi-sensory party is guaranteed to get you & your family into the Christmas spirit.
The Little Gym Festive Play
The Little Gym is thrilled to present a special celebration with our festive-themed indoor activity. Children will be enchanted by a winter wonderland of play, featuring our gym equipment and expert teachers. This unique experience combines the joy of physical activity with the magic of the season, offering your little ones a memorable festive celebration they won’t forget. *Under 3’s to be supervised at all times.
Adventure Babies Christmas Party
Join Adventure Babies at the MumblerFestive for our very special Christmas Party where we will be bringing a brilliant festive book to life. You can expect high quality story props, music, sensory trays, messy play, wonderful lights, dark den, craft area and much more! We are looking forward to welcoming you to our Christmas Adventure!
Tots Pretend Christmas Party
Get festive with our Tots Pretend Christmas party!! Building our Christmas adventure with crates, we’ll become the elves in the workshop making the presents, riding Rudolf through the skies, helping Santa deliver the presents! Full of festive songs and lots of fun!
Perfect for children ‘walking’ to age 5! A magical adventure filled with festive spirit!
Moo Music Christmas Party
Experience a Festive Moo Music Leeds session. We’ll bring energy, fun and awesome tunes. You bring babies and children and we’ll make smiles together. Family fun all the way with this session; all ages and stages welcome. We’ll have all the party classics, bubbles, parachutes, canopies, instruments and snowballs plus our awesome tunes! There’s even the opportunity to Meet Maggie Moo in person! Party with Moo Music Leeds; Winners of the Mumbler’s Favourite Class or Activity Toddler and pre schoolers 2024.
Santa Interactive Storytime
Over 100 families will get the chance to see Santa and his Elf! Santa will be reading an interactive story which also has singing and dancing for the children as part of the story. Everyone who has bought a ticket prior to 1st November will be entered into our draw!
Cub: My First Christmas Area
Gateways’ Crafty Cafe
Gateways school are sponsoring the crafty cafe. Come along to our crafting tables where all things glittery and sparkly await those who like creating and making! Children can make a party hat, tree decoration or festive picture to take home. Grown-ups can meet our knowledgeable staff to chat about the excellent early years educational opportunities we offer at Gateways School for 2 – 5 year olds. Don’t forget to enjoy a tasty treat too from the café!
The Little Gym Leeds
The Little Gym will provide a dynamic indoor activity space where children can dive into a world of movement and exploration. Utilising our fun and safe equipment, kids will enjoy a session full of physical play and age-appropriate skills to try. This festive experience encourages them to move, learn, and have fun in a warm, engaging environment. *Under 3’s to be supervised at all times.
Little Seedlings
Little Seedlings will be providing open-ended natural, sensory and messy play for little ones aged from birth to five years old. Covering simple, cost effective play that can be recreated at home. Little Seedlings provide play sessions that are just as much for the adult as the children booked in, providing a relaxed, informal, safe community space to chat and meet others.
Number Train
All aboard the award-winning Number Train – “the perfect class to do before children start school”. Pop along to see us at ‘Mumbler Festive 2024’ and your child can explore numbers, shapes, counting and all things maths through our fun, interactive and educational games and activities. Our team of qualified, experienced and passionate primary school teachers will be on hand to chat to you about how Number Train classes work and to answer any questions about preparing your child for starting school. We can’t wait to meet you! Chooo choooo!
Fern and Feather Forest School
Join us for a taste of forest school with nature craft and ID activities. We’ll be making festive nature wands, clay fairy doors and using fallen leaves to create leaf rubbing masterpieces! We’ll also use some of our identification tools to work out which trees the leaves have fallen as we move towards winter.
Bee Happy Kids
Bee Happy Kids are bringing their parties to MumblerFestive with their indoor Bouncy Castle and Glitter tattoo stall!!
Bee Happy Kids are a family-run childcare business in Leeds, committed to providing the best quality childcare and activities in a fun and safe environment. Offering an extensive timetable of amazing activities and sessions throughout the year, including School holiday camps, wrap-around care and of course their incredible themed parties. Bee Happy Kids Parties are available to book at their venue at Yeadon or a venue of your choice. They can also cater for end-of-school parties or community groups at your school or chosen venue.
Jolly Magic Entertainment
Meet your favourite fairytale characters from Jolly Magic Entertainment at Mumbler Fest! Discover our children’s entertainment offerings and experience the magic we bring to your little ones. We can’t wait to see you!
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
We are delighted that Wetherby Blue Watch will be coming to join us from 1pm and show us the equipment and engines that they use as fire fighters! Please be aware that the on-duty crew will be attending, and therefore last miunte call outs or cancellation may occur.
❄️ Water Babies “Winter Water Wonderland” ❄️
First Bus
We’re delighted that First Bus can come along to our event. Sit in the driver seat for pictures, and join in a variety of games that you can join in!
Pauline Quirk Academy
Pop Up Pop In
Phonics with Robot Reg
Phonics with Robot Reg is excited to bring some of our Christmas-themed party activities to Mumbler Festive 2024.
Keep an eye out for our mascot Robot Reg. He loves to play games to help us with our learning. But, he can be very cheeky!
Spend quality time with your little one exploring our phonics themed games and activities which are fun, interactive and educational.
We can’t wait to meet you!
Harrogate Bounce
Harrogate Bounce are here bringing along their fabulous inflatable for under 5s!
Mumbler’s Festive Activities
Join Mumbler for a range of festive activities including making reindeer food, colouring activities and writing your own letter to Santa! We’ll be based next to the Baby & Toddler activities, perfect if you have siblings of different ages!
Doodlebug Wetherby
Doodlebug is an independent business selling baby and childrens organic clothing, toys and gifts for ages 0-9 years. We are based in the beautiful town of Wetherby, West Yorkshire, at 1b Church Street.
We stock big brands and handmade items which offers something truly unique. In addition, we have a fabulous range of pre-loved clothing ensuring that items can be worn again and have a positive benefit to the environment
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire.
To keep both of our air ambulance helicopters maintained and in the air, we need to raise £19,000 every single day. The generosity that we receive really is the lifeblood of our Charity.
John Lewis Leeds
Join John Lewis Leeds Nursery Advice team to help you prepare for your parenting journey. There’ll be the opportunity to speak with the specialist team and in store experts for advice with your essential baby, toddler and child purchases. Book an All Things Baby appointment on the day and receive a free goodie bag.
Foster 4 Leeds
Foster 4 Leeds is Leeds City Council’s Fostering Service. We are a 100% not for profit organisation, committed to keeping children and young people in local care, near to their birth families, friends and schools.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation and welcome individuals and families from all backgrounds. We have a fantastic community of over 700 Foster4Leeds carers, but we desperately need more people to provide a loving home for children and young people in Leeds.
It is possible to be a foster carer alongside being employed in another role. There are lots of different types of foster care we provide including long term, short term, supported lodgings and part time fostering such as short breaks (respite) and support care.
MumblerFestive is an ALL INCLUSIVE family fun day- so your admission ticket will include the Christmas parties, crafts, soft play and all activities from our wonderful providers. You’ll just need money for your food, drink and Christmas shopping!
A FAMILY TICKET (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £20+booking fee!
17th November 2023 – 14th January 2024 (Various dates)
This festive season Yorkshire Wildlife Park will be transformed into a spectacular after-dark wonderland! Experience our brand new magical festival of light featuring amazing interactive exhibits, immersive lantern displays and glow in the dark trails.
Pre-booking essential.
Branton, Doncaster DN4 6TB
1st December 2023 – 1st January 2024, 4.30pm- 10pm
Light up Christmas at Wollaton Hall as the park is transformed into an enchanting light spectacle new for 2022! Experience a trail of discovery through four magical lands, specially designed to fit into the natural landscape of the Hall and Gardens.
Visitors of all ages will be captivated by this brand new, visually stunning multi sensory experience of light, fire and sound. A seasonal classic with a contemporary twist.
Booking required.
Wollaton Park, Nottingham
Santa’s magical sleigh is available for photo opportunities!
Family Christmas Tree farm with real reindeer between Wakefield and Barnsley.
Take your photo in Santa’s sleigh, donation to Forget me not Hospice and meet Santa at 10am every weekend as he feeds his reindeer
Beacon Hill Farm, Wooley, WF4 2LQ. Tel: 07973 910 717
