Harewood has released a first look at its Christmas event, A Glittering Invitation: Harewood’s Grand Christmas Ball, running from 8 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Inspired by the world of Bridgerton, the stately home promises rich Regency style, dramatic decor and a few surprises hidden in every room.
To set the scene, Harewood has teamed up with digital installations specialist Tom Le Bon and BOSUN Studio. Their projections will bring the imagined guests of the Grand Ball to life, complete with whispered gossip, private glances and fireworks over the estate.
Interior designer Siobhan Murphy has overseen the transformation of the house. She commented that the experience will be a “feast for the senses”. Visitors will first encounter an 18ft ombre Christmas tree in the Entrance Hall, made from 700 second-hand ballerina tutus. More than 300 worn pointe shoes, donated by the English National Ballet through its Drop-Off Pointe scheme, will be spray-painted in shades of pink and hung with ribbons as rotating decorations.
In the Music Room, classical music will fill the space while animated musical notes travel across the walls. Two tall Christmas trees, dressed with gold instruments and bright feathers, will frame the room.
The Gallery will be filled with ball gowns from Leeds Playhouse and couture pieces by designer Julia Clancy. At the edge of the room, projections will show guests caught in mid-conversation, watching the evening unfold.
In the Spanish Library, visitors will step into the private world of the Ball’s host. A projection will show her writing in her diary, while her voice drifts through the room. Siobhan Murphy has sourced more than 200 second-hand books to build a towering “book tree” as the centrepiece.
The State Dining Room will draw on the excess of a Marie Antoinette-style feast, complete with bejewelled swans, spinning macaron trees and iced cakes created by Siobhan Murphy and Great British Bake Off contestant Helena Garcia.
The final chapter of the experience will take place in the Servants’ Hall. Here it will look as though the staff have held their own celebration, with music, dancing and laughter still hanging in the air. A projection through the windows will show fireworks bursting over Almscliffe Cragg. Decorations will include paper chains made from vintage paper and Christmas trees built from old copper pans, brass jugs and spoons.
More than 10,000 decorations have been handmade for the event using over 2,000 reclaimed items, with Siobhan Murphy working side by side with Harewood’s volunteers.
Harewood has also renewed its partnership with fragrance brand DOME, which will create a bespoke festive scent to run throughout the rooms, designed to work with Siobhan Murphy’s bold use of colour and texture.
There will also be a miniature trail designed for families. Nine miniature artists, including Yorkshire-based Michael Robbins and thirteen-year-old Arabella Duffy, have created tiny scenes hidden throughout the house for children to find and tick off as they go.
Zoë Hughes, Head of Public Programme at Harewood, said: “We are thrilled to reveal that Tom Le Bon is on board to help create an unforgettable Christmas at Harewood. His light projections will complement Siobhan’s maximalist approach to decor and design, helping to transport visitors into the world of a regency-inspired Christmas. Expect real ‘wow’ moments throughout the experience, with unexpected delights that promise to spark joy, bring smiles to faces of all ages, and create lasting festive memories to treasure.”
Tickets are available now at harewood.org/christmas.
