Leeds is putting on its biggest and best festive extravaganza for visitors this Christmas.

And as you'll see from the snaps below, the Yorkshire city doesn’t do things by halves.

Already famous for it’s long-running festive illuminations, Leeds is now reinventing its Christmas experience with a free festival or art, culture and winter magic.

While other cities dust off the same old Christmas decs, the city is a showcase of homegrown creative talent and fab festive fun.

To celebrate, we've pulled together a twinkling gallery of greatness to showcase all that is great about this wonderful city, which is the perfect destination for a winter weekend break or day trip.

Santa's Post Box

Capture those Christmas wishes by paying a visit to his post office this Christmas. A family favourite with helpful elves on hand to assist with that all-important letter writing and a special post box to send those wishes direct to the North Pole. Running in association the Merrion Centre Christmas Grotto Nov 18th-24th.

The Festive Yard

Visit this festive pit stop housed in the sumptuous surroundings of this Grade 1 listed Victorian building, providing a warm, inviting creative space for all ages to enjoy. Enjoy an array of festive food, drink, family entertainment, music and arts in among the very best in creative, innovative and independent retail enterprises. Operating: 1 st -22 nd Dec (Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-9pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm).

Christkindlmarkt – German Christmas Market

Indulge in one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with everything from traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel ride and twinkling colourful lights, creating a unique continental family festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre. Operating: 10th Nov-24th Dec.

The light maze

Discover ‘Heofon’, an immersive light maze bringing the entire colours of the rainbow to the vicinity of Central Square. Get lost in the beauty of this 2m high maze, designed exclusively for the UK, moving inside the installation to experience a unique cosmos of overlapping light patterns and constantly changing colours. Operating: 4 th Dec-6 th Jan 2018.

Candy Chaos

Observe the chaos and indulgence of Christmas beautifully wrapped up in this illuminating artistic representation of the masses of sweet wrappers, decorations and wrapping paper typical of this time of year. Created using commercial waste from the Quality Street factory in Halifax (sourced via Scrap Creative Reuse). Operating 22nd Nov-4th Jan. 25% discount on beverages when showing a printed or digital Christmas map between these dates (T&C’s apply, not in combination with any other offer).

Christmas with Us

Find stillness in the midst of the festive chaos by taking a seat at the table to enjoy a moment of reflection and share in an intimate conversation over a warm drink. Presenting the stories of people living in and connected to Leeds, 'Christmas with Us' reveals personal stories, highlighting the beauty and the difficulty of the Christmas season. Operating: 1st-17 th Dec, 12-7pm.

The Murmuration Cloud

Interact with the Murmuration Cloud, bringing it to life, swirling over heads with the simple beat of a drum. This sound-responsive installation complete with drum set responds to volume and pitch with people invited to take to the floor and play the cloud into an explosion of light. Operating: 2 nd Dec-6 th Jan 2018.

Christmas Wheel

Take a moment to escape the busy streets of Christmas shoppers for quiet reflection while appreciating the great city views from a sky-high position. Operating: 17 th Nov-1 st Jan 2018.

Holy Trinity Church

Wonder at the simple beauty of Holy Trinity Church illuminated by a cascading waterfall of lights –the historic Georgian church shining just as bright alongside the new in the city centre. Operating: 1 st Nov 1st-6th Jan 2018, 4pm onwards throughout the evening.

The City's Christmas Tree

Admire the colossal Christmas tree standing proud in City Square with its new traditional style pot to compliment the heritage of the neighbouring buildings. Operating: 9 th Nov-early Jan 2018.

Spirit

Behold this huge, ethereal figure shining a festive light over shoppers bustling beneath through the splendour of Victoria Quarter. Internally lit, SPIRIT ties the city of Leeds and its textile history into something more magical, as lengths of white thread keep this superhuman form suspended above. Operating: Early Dec-end Feb 2018.

Thor's Tipi

Feast on wholesome winter drink and fodder to celebrate Christmas in a Viking inspired, pop-up tipi bar nestled in the heart of the city. Cosy up inside in front of log fires and twinkling lights or enjoy the Winter garden with Christmas trees, atmospheric lights and outdoor heating. Operating: 17 th Nov-31 st Dec.

Park Square Tree Lights

See the effect of 20,000 LEDs wrapped around a select number of the statuesque trees stood in the city’s finest green space to shine a light on Park Square throughout the winter months.