As the festive season approaches, excitement is building for the highly anticipated arrival of Northern Lights, West Yorkshire’s biggest new Christmas event. Set to open its gates in just under a month, the illuminated trail promises a magical experience for visitors, bringing together stunning light displays, bespoke musical compositions, and a mouth-watering selection of food and drink. Hosted within the historic grounds of Leeds’ Temple Newsam, the event is already proving popular, with over 50,000 tickets sold ahead of its debut.
Following last year’s sell-out success in Newcastle, Northern Lights is making its first appearance in Leeds this winter, where it will transform the gardens of Temple Newsam into an enchanting winter wonderland. The trail stretches over a mile and features 14 distinct zones, each with its own interactive elements and immersive soundtracks, designed to create an unforgettable festive journey. Highlights include the mesmerising ‘Aurora Rising,’ where hundreds of floating orbs dance in harmony with the music, and the ethereal ‘Will-o-the-Wisps,’ which sees thousands of glowing forms scattered across the ground, their lights interacting with one another in unexpected ways.
In addition to the dazzling displays, visitors can look forward to a carefully curated selection of independent food and drink traders in the Christmas Village. Among the vendors set to serve up festive treats are award-winning Greek street food specialists Acropolis, artisan hot dog experts Diamond Dogs, and Mac & Cheese aficionados MacTruck. Local favourites such as The Otley Burger Company will also be on hand, alongside a purpose-built bar offering seasonal drinks and a variety of hot beverages and sweet treats courtesy of Little Yorkshire Coffee Company. Fire pits and cosy seating will provide the perfect spot to relax and warm up after exploring the illuminated trail.
Speaking about the event’s upcoming launch, From The Fields Creative Director Roxy Robinson shared her thoughts on the progress so far: “It’s hard to believe we’re already just a month away from opening the gates to the first Northern Lights at Temple Newsam! We’re very excited to be sharing details of our wonderful Christmas Village and all its brilliant food traders as well as sharing a sneak peek at some of the magical installations coming to the park.”
Another exciting aspect of Northern Lights Leeds is its partnership with local charities Leeds Women’s Aid and Leeds Hospitals Charity. The trail will feature festive artwork created by young patients from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and a special performance from the Leeds Hospitals Charity Unity Choir will add to the festive spirit, offering visitors a heart-warming reminder of the community spirit at the heart of the event.
With its blend of spectacular light displays, carefully crafted food offerings, and community involvement, Northern Lights Leeds is shaping up to be a must-see attraction this Christmas. The event runs throughout the festive period, and tickets are selling fast.
Tickets are available now, with prices starting from £13.95 for children and £19.50 for adults. Don’t miss your chance to experience this one-of-a-kind festive trail in one of Leeds’ most iconic settings.
