Where Can You Find The Biggest Lemax Winter Village And Help Santa In Yorkshire?

It feels like the festive season starts a bit earlier every year, doesn't it? But sometimes, an event comes along that’s so magical, you just have to get on board. Imagine a whole winter world, shrunk down into miniature size but packed with more charm than you can shake a candy cane at. That's exactly what’s happening at a garden centre in South Leeds, where they're about to switch on Britain's biggest Lemax Winter Village. And get this – they need a very special little helper to do the honours alongside Santa himself. It’s a huge Christmas display that promises to be a fantastic family-friendly day out.

A massive miniature world comes to Tingley

So, what exactly is a Lemax Winter Village? Well, think of the most Christmassy village you can conjure up in your head. Now, imagine it in miniature, with tiny lit-up houses, little figures skating on frozen ponds, and trains zipping through snowy landscapes. That's the magic of Lemax, a company that since 1990 has become a world leader in creating these amazing animated Christmas and even Halloween collectables. And the display at Tingley Garden Centre is set to be the biggest single one in the whole country.

This isn't just a few houses on a table. The entire winter village covers a whopping 52 square metres. It’s made up of over 600 separate miniature pieces, all lit up by thousands of twinkling lights. It's a proper interactive experience. The team at Yorkshire Garden Centres have really pulled out all the stops to create a festive world you can get lost in. This huge garden display is more than just something to look at; it's an event in itself. The team has been working for ages to make this the most special Christmas display yet, making the garden centre a must-visit destination.

As Harriet Hardiment, the marketing manager for Yorkshire Garden Centres, puts it:

“Mini in model size, but massive in magic, the Lemax Winter Village at Tingley Garden Centre opens at 10 am on 11th October, and Santa needs someone to help him with the big switch on.”

It sounds like an unmissable spectacle for anyone who loves the festive season.

Santa is looking for a very special helper

Right, this is the really exciting bit. Santa is making a very early trip down from the North Pole just for this special event. But he can’t do it alone. He needs a little helper to press the big red button and officially switch on the entire winter village display. Think of the bragging rights!

The team at the garden centre is on a mission to find the perfect child for the job. Do you know a little one who has been extra good this year or just really, really loves Christmas? This could be their moment to shine.

Harriet Hardiment explained the appeal:

“He is making a special early stop straight from the North Pole to visit our Winter Village and needs a special little helper to press the giant red button and switch on the magic. Do you know a very special little one who deserves to meet Santa and officially open our Winter Village?”

To nominate a child, you just need to send an email to marketing@ygcgroup.co.uk. In the email, include the name of the little helper you're nominating, an adult's name, and a contact phone number. The grand switch-on event is happening at 10 am on 11th October. But that’s not all – there will also be a treasure hunt around the garden centre, with the prize being a limited edition Arthur Bear. It sounds like a properly brilliant, family-friendly morning out.

More than just a village, it’s a whole new world

The free-to-visit interactive Lemax Winter Village isn't just one scene; it’s a whole collection of them. There's a snowy ski village, a bustling miniature town, Santa's own magical wonderland, a peaceful forest, a park, and even a lively carnival. It’s the kind of display where you spot something new every time you look. For the serious collectors out there, the village will feature 49 brand-new Lemax collectables for 2025, so it's a chance to get a sneak peek.

But what makes the Tingley display truly unique is a brand-new feature for the UK. The village is home to not one, not two, but three lakes. And spanning one of them is the UK’s first-ever Lemax festive footbridge. This isn't just any old footbridge; it crosses a wishing lake. Visitors can toss a coin in and make a festive wish. And the best part? It's all for a fantastic cause. Every single coin will be collected and donated to the Yorkshire Garden Centre Group's charity of the year, Martin House Children's Hospice. So, you can enjoy a magical day out and do a bit of good at the same time.

A festive treat from the Yorkshire Garden Centres family

Tingley Garden Centre is part of a bigger family of garden centres, and the festive fun is spreading across the region. The Yorkshire Garden Centres group includes Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, and Shelley Garden Centres, as well as Dean's in York and Scarborough. So, if you can’t make it to Tingley, you're not completely out of luck.

There will also be stunning Lemax Winter Village displays at Tong, Otley, Dean's York, and Pennine Garden Centres. It’s all part of a whole series of family-friendly festive events the group is running in the run-up to Christmas. Actually, things kick off even earlier at Tong Garden Centre with a special 'Sparkle' late-night shopping event on 9th October. It’s clear that the whole Yorkshire Garden family is getting deep into the festive spirit, making each garden centre a hub for Christmas cheer. Whether it’s finding the perfect decoration, enjoying a magical display, or taking part in a special event, there’s plenty going on for everyone.