Inside Tingley Garden Centre’s new Christmas Light Trail as festive attraction opens this weekend
The outdoor grounds at Thorpe Lane have been transformed ahead of Saturday’s launch - joining the UK’s largest Lemax village and festive attractions across Tong and other Yorkshire Garden Center branches
Christmas officially arrives in south Leeds tomorrow as Tingley Garden Centre opens the gates to its 2026 Light Trail.
Ahead of Saturday’s public launch at the Thorpe Lane site, the Yorkshire Evening Post headed down for an early evening preview of the newly illuminated Mission Out grounds - though our attempts to get an on-camera interview with the resident wicker reindeer, a giant polar bear, and Father Christmas himself were met with strict silence.
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Created in partnership with Enlightened Moments, the walk-through route weaves through glowing light tunnels, illuminated woodland scenes, and interactive displays built for family photos.
Along the way, visitors can stop at fire pits to toast marshmallows between 4pm and 7.45pm, hang messages on a wishing wall, or make pouches of Magic Reindeer Food at a craft station inside the Refuel Hub.
The launch follows festive rollouts across Tong Garden Centre and its sister Yorkshire Garden Centres sites - which also include Otley, Bingley, Pennine, Dean’s York, and Dean’s Scarborough.
Inside the Tingley center itself, families can also explore Miniature Village World, home to the UK’s largest single Lemax display.
Completely free to visit, the 52-square-metre multi-level alpine installation features more than 600 animated miniature pieces, glowing buildings, snowy ski scenes, and new 2026 additions.
Elsewhere under the plant canopy, a new Winter Food Market is serving loaded roasties, Christmas hot dogs, sweet treats, and warming seasonal drinks, while skaters can take to the weather-proof indoor real-ice rink.
How to book and ticket prices
All Light Trail sessions must be pre-booked online with timed entry slots, with two ticket options available this year:
- Light Trail Only (Opens Saturday, November 14): Includes full access to the illuminated walk-through and festive craft activities. Tickets start from £9.95 for adults and £4.95 for children aged three to 12, while under-threes go free.
- Santa’s Light Trail (Selected dates from November 28 to December 23): Pairs trail entry with a 10 to 15-minute group visit to Santa’s Grotto and a toy gift before heading outside. Prices start from £11.95 for adults and £21.90 for children.
Free customer parking is available on site at Tingley Garden Centre (WF3 1SL), just off Junction 28 of the M62.