Temple Newsam to be transformed into immersive festive world as Northern Lights Leeds returns for Christmas
The massive festive spectacular is returning to Leeds with a completely reimagined winter trail, exclusive light art installations, and a magical Christmas Village
Following two massive winter seasons, Leeds’ blockbuster immersive festive event Northern Lights is officially returning to the city with a completely brand-new look.
Organisers have revealed that the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam will be transformed into a narrative-driven adventure called 'The Lost Light of Christmas' for the 2026 winter season.
The event, which attracts over 100,000 visitors to Leeds each year, has been entirely reimagined with a trail spanning approximately one mile.
Visitors will follow an illuminating story through enchanted forests, sparkling pathways, and shimmering lagoons, interacting with exclusive art installations from leading UK light artists to help characters on a quest to restore the festive light.
Alongside the trail, the event will see the return of its magical Christmas Village, packed with classic festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows.
The village will also host a massive line-up of local food and drink options showcasing the absolute best of Yorkshire’s artisan street food vendors and bars, alongside a curated selection of vintage fairground rides.
To celebrate the launch of the new 2026 theme, organisers are running a limited-time ‘Kids Go Free’ deal: families will be able to redeem two free children's tickets per booking with any off-peak early bird adult ticket.
The Northern Lights team has also confirmed they will host two dedicated neuro-inclusive evenings during the run. These specific sessions will offer a 75% reduction in capacity to give families more space, alongside reduced audio volume levels across the entire site.
Ben Robinson, Director of From The Fields, the team behind the event, expressed his excitement about the new direction for the site: "After two incredible years at Temple Newsam, we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds.
"The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before, and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas."
Ben also emphasised that accessibility remains a key priority for the organisers as the event grows. "Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Northern Lights will run from November 20 through to December 31, 2026. Tickets are set to officially go on sale on July 2, with prices starting from £12 for children and £17 for adults and available from the official Northern Lights Leeds website.