Free and low-cost things to do over the festive period

Children’s Festive Craft Workshop: Stick Santas at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Head to the Joiner's Shop at Home Farm and dive into the festive spirit by learning simple wood whittling skills to make your very own Stick Santa. This workshop introduces children aged 7+ to basic, safe whittling techniques using child-friendly tools under close supervision. All materials are locally sourced.
Saturday 29 November to Sunday 30 November, cost: £3 plus admission (booking required)
Find out more: Children’s Festive Craft Workshop: Stick Santas

Decked in History: Festive Trail and Storytelling at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Explore the festive trail around Home Farm, and discover the beautiful decorations to get you into the festive mood! The farm will be decorated for Christmas using traditional, rustic, handcrafted decorations, with interpretive 'trees' that tell stories about the Farm's history.
Saturday 29 November to Sunday 4 January, cost: included in admission
Find out more: Decked in History: Festive Trail and Storytelling at Temple Newsam Home Farm

12 Animals of Christmas at Tropical World at Tropical World
Warm up in our cosy indoor zoo this festive season, filled with fun and exotic animals to help you make some magical Christmas memories. Can you find all 12 of our festive animal stars on the trail? From mischievous meerkats to tiny blue dart frogs, each creature is waiting to be discovered. Explore our tropical habitats while collecting fun facts along the way. Test yourself with our challenge at the end!
Monday 1 to Wednesday 31 December, cost: included in admission
Find out more: 12 Animals of Christmas at Tropical World at Tropical World

12 Days of Elfmas Trail at Leeds City Museum
Wander through the museum to find Christmas surprises with unique elf characters in their own mischievous scenes. Once you've found our knitters knitting, our wrappers wrapping and our singers singing, head down to the gift shop to claim your elf sticker!
Tuesday 2 December to Sunday 4 January, cost: give what you can
Find out more: 12 Days of Elfmas Trail at Leeds City Museum

Christmas at Kirkgate Market
Enjoy festive markets, musical performances, panto shows, and Santa meet and greets at Kirkgate Market this Christmas. All activities and events are free to experience and fun for the whole family.
Saturday 6 to Saturday 23 December, cost: free
Find out more: Christmas at Kirkgate Market

Children's Festive Craft Workshop: Wood Slice Tree Decorations at Temple Newsam Home Farm
With a helping hand from grown-ups, children from 3+ years will create their very own wood slice decorations, using natural materials, quick drying paint pens, and plenty of sparkle!
Saturday 6 December to Tuesday 23 December, cost: £3 plus admission (booking required)
Find out more: Children's Festive Craft Workshop: Wood Slice Tree Decorations

Fidget Theatre presents... The Elves and the Storyteller at Leeds Central Library
Can Pip, Dorrit and their expert Elf team re-ignite The Storyteller’s love for stories, songs, and laughter and spread joy in time for Christmas? An original take on the classic fairytale, The Elves and the Storyteller features playful storytelling, original songs, friendly audience participation and a warm welcome to all. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years old.
Saturday 6 to Wednesday 31 December, cost: give what you can (£3 minimum)
Find out more: Fidget Theatre presents... The Elves and the Storyteller at Leeds Central Library

Starry Winter Walk at Kirkstall Abbey
Explore the ruins in December, and see if you can spot all the stars hiding around the abbey!
Saturday 6 to Wednesday 24 December, cost: give what you can
Find out more: Starry Winter Trail at Kirkstall Abbey

Santa at Abbey House Museum
Santa will be meeting families in the snowy square, next to his grotto stuffed full of presents! There is plenty of room for the whole family to join in safely. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Saturday 6 to Sunday 21 December, cost: £7.50 plus general admission
Find out more: Santa at Abbey House Museum

A Dickensian Christmas at Abbey House Museum
Get into the spirit of Christmas past with Abbey House Museum’s Dickensian Christmas. There will be objects inspired by Dicken’s novels, Victorian Christmas traditions and information on their origins, book readings, music and, of course, a festive mince pie.
Monday 8 December, cost: £5.50 per person
Find out more: A Dickensian Christmas at Abbey House Museum

A Very Pom Pom Christmas at Leeds Industrial Museum
Discover all of your favourite Christmas characters in a pom pom trail around the museum. Get stuck in to cool collage and make your own Christmas cards using a host of festive frills! Then enjoy a family-friendly Christmas film under fairy lights in the Palace Picture House at 11am and 2pm daily throughout the holidays (subject to opening hours).
Saturday 20 December to Sunday 4 January, cost: included in admission
Find out more: A Very Pom Pom Christmas at Leeds Industrial Museum

The Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes represent the voices of 80,000 children and young people in Leeds. Working towards these wishes makes Leeds a better city for children to grow up in.
This article is in support of Child Friendly Leeds Wish 7: Children and young people know about different things to do and places to go across the city. They enjoy different cultural experiences including art, music, sport and film. Read the full wish and find out more.