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An immersive festive journey and an Elf Village are among the Christmas experiences visitors to Harewood House can enjoy this year.
Created exclusively for Harewood by award-winning Studio McGuire, Magic at the Mansion will take visitors on a journey through the house, with each room revealing a different story, character or surprise inspired by Harewood’s own history.
In 2020, Harewood won the Museums + Heritage Award for Innovation of the Year for its work with Studio McGuire.
In the Music Room, a choir of singing candles will come to life through immersive projections, while the State Dining Room will be transformed with mythical characters.
Across the house, treasured objects will take on new voices, while the State Bedroom will reveal conversations between talking pillowcases connected to Harewood’s royal history.
Elsewhere, the Library will be transformed into an enchanted woodland filled with fairies, foliage and natural textures, celebrating the craftsmanship and natural beauty woven into Christmas at Harewood.
The journey culminates in the Servants’ Hall, where visitors will discover a joyful festive gathering.
Alongside the experience inside the house, Harewood’s Courtyard will offer visitors the chance to continue their festive day out with seasonal food and drink, family activities and Christmas treats.
Yorkshire-based writer Christina Lewis has created the script alongside Rebecca Burton, Harewood's curator and archivist, drawing on the house’s collections, interiors and archives to uncover fascinating connections and forgotten details.
The historic objects behind the stories will form part of the experience, giving visitors the chance to see Harewood’s history brought to life in unexpected ways.
New for 2026 - the Elf Village
For guests who want to meet Father Christmas himself, Harewood has partnered with Enchantica’s and YurtBar to transform Harewood’s North Lawn into an enchanting Elf Village, where twinkling lights, beautifully dressed yurts and cheerful elves bring the story to life.
Families will begin their festive adventure at the Elf Cocoa Café, before setting off to explore the magic of the Elf Village.
Along the way, they’ll visit The Wishery, discover the magic of the Elf Village Post Office, and have the opportunity to create something special in the Tinker Tent.
Families will gather for a joyful Santa School celebration finale, where sing-along storytelling, festive fun and a touch of Christmas magic will bring the experience to a magical close.
The highlight of the experience will be a special personal meeting with Father Christmas, giving every family the chance to share their Christmas wishes and create memories to treasure. Every child with a ticket will also receive a Christmas gift to take home as a lasting reminder of their day.
The immersive experience will last almost two hours and also includes entry to Harewood House, gardens and grounds.
On seven dates over the festive period, the Elf Village will transform after dark as the YurtBar celebrates its 10th anniversary with a series of après-ski Christmas parties, featuring dining, live headline entertainment and late-night celebrations for adults.
Zoë Hughes, head of public programme at Harewood, says: 'This year we wanted to give visitors even more ways to discover the stories behind Harewood at Christmas.
'From the fascinating objects and archives in our collections, to the surprises waiting in each room of the House, there are so many details to uncover.
'Alongside Magic at the Mansion, our Elf Village brings a completely different kind of Christmas magic to Harewood, with families able to step into an immersive festive world and meet Father Christmas.
'Whether you’re coming for the history, the spectacle, the family experience or all three, there’s something new to discover around every corner.'
Magic at the Mansion runs from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, January 3.
Tickets start from £24.50 for adults and £10 for children, with free entry for Harewood members and under-4s.
For more information and to book, visit harewood.org/events/magic-at-the-mansion/