Harewood House in Leeds has given special guests a first look at its 2026 Christmas experience, Magic at the Mansion. An immersive festive journey through the House, which opens its doors to the public, tomorrow Friday 6 November.
Magic At The Mansion
Created exclusively for Harewood by award-winning visual artists Studio McGuire. Magic at the Mansion takes visitors on a journey through the House. With each room revealing a different story, character, or surprise inspired by Harewood’s own history. In total, 16 projectors and 14 screens bring the House to life, and 40 Christmas trees decorate the House and grounds.
This year marks the third occasion Harewood has worked with Studio McGuire. The first partnership in 2019 won them the Museums + Heritage Award for Innovation of the Year.
Yorkshire-based writer Christina Lewis created the script alongside Harewood’s Curator and Archivist Rebecca Burton. They have drawn on the House’s collections, interiors and archives to uncover fascinating connections and forgotten details.
In the Music Room, a choir of singing candles comes to life through Studio McGuire’s immersive projections. In addition, the State Dining Room is transformed with mythical characters. The soundtrack throughout was composed by Spesh Maloney and recorded with a real choir. He also provided the booming “voice from the sky”, the voice of one of the Roman mythological gods depicted on the ceiling, accompanying the cherubs projected across it.
Across the House, treasured objects take on new voices. In the Main Library, two talking chairs and a talking lamp discuss figures from Harewood’s past. These include Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament, the painter JMW Turner and Princess Victoria. There are plenty of touches of humour throughout the experience, with one of the chairs exclaiming “bums, bums, bums”.
Inside the Rooms at Harewood House
In the State Bedroom, where Princess Mary once wrote her Christmas lists and stored wrapping paper and ribbon in the commode, talking pillowcases share conversations connected to Harewood’s royal history.
The historic objects behind the stories form part of the experience. All giving visitors the chance to see Harewood’s history brought to life in unexpected ways. Among them are rarely displayed handwritten Christmas gift lists. Moreover, these belonged to Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. All are held in the Harewood archive. They offer a fascinating glimpse into royal Christmas traditions and the sheer scale of gift-giving within the Royal Family. Including notes about lavish personal presents to surprisingly ordinary gifts such as soap, tea cloths, and spectacle cases.
Visitors can also see a Cartier owl given to Princess Mary by her mother, Queen Mary. Equally, there are other historic objects and archive material that have helped shape this year’s Magic at the Mansion.
Magic at Harewood
Elsewhere, the Library becomes an enchanted woodland filled with magical fairy projections. Children will find this fascinating, with the fairies’ costumes designed by Corinne Hockley, alongside foliage and natural textures. All celebrating the craftsmanship and natural beauty woven into Christmas at Harewood.
The journey culminates in the Servants’ Hall. This is where visitors see beautifully crafted cakes talk to one another about what would have taken place back in the 19th century.
Harewood’s volunteers have played their part too, handmaking the decorations that transform the House for Christmas. Including more than 100 paper flowers, more than 100 hessian flowers, 50m of hessian garlands and 100 tassel decorations.
Among them, Pauline Stone who’s a retired GP, handmade 85 paper flowers from watercolour paper. They adorn the 12-foot Christmas tree in the Yellow Drawing Room. Studio McGuire used the same paper to create a miniature diorama of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl. These are placed next to the tree, which will captivate younger visitors.
Alongside the experience inside the House, Harewood’s Courtyard offers visitors the chance to continue their festive day out. With seasonal food and drink, family activities and Christmas treats. There’s also a Crumble Stand on the way to the cafe!
Harewood’s first ever Elf Village
For guests who want to meet the big man himself, Harewood has partnered with Enchantica’s and YurtBar. They will transform Harewood’s magnificent North Lawn into an enchanting Elf Village. Where twinkling lights, beautifully dressed yurts, and cheerful elves bring Father Christmas’ story to life. This will be opening on the first weekend of December.
Families begin their festive adventure at the Elf Cocoa Café. Then they set off to explore the magic of the Elf Village. Along the way, they visit The Wishery where all wishes begin. Then on to discover the magic of the Elf Village Post Office. Plus, the opportunity to create something special in the Tinker Tent.
The adventure comes together as families gather for a joyful Santa School celebration finale. There will be sing-along storytelling, festive fun, and a touch of Christmas magic. All bringing the experience to a truly magical close.
The highlight of the experience is a special personal meeting with Father Christmas. This gives every family the chance to share their Christmas wishes and create memories to treasure. Every child with a ticket will also receive a beautiful Christmas gift. They can take it home as a lasting reminder of their magical day.
More than simply a visit to Father Christmas, Harewood Elf Village is immersive. Offering almost two hours of festive adventure filled with wonder, imagination and the spirit of Christmas. Furthermore, the experience also includes entry to Harewood House, Gardens and Grounds.
If that wasn’t enough, on seven dates over the festive period, the Elf Village transforms after dark. YurtBar celebrates its 10th anniversary with a series of après-ski Christmas parties. These feature, dining, live entertainment, and late-night celebrations for adults.
A Few Words From Harewood House
Zoë Hughes, Head of Public Programme at Harewood, said: “I’m thinking about this opening all year, so it’s really exciting to finally see all this festive magic come alive. 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 will bring 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 opens to the public on Friday 6 November 2026. It runs until Sunday 3 January 2027 at Harewood House, Leeds.
Tickets start from £24.50 for adults and £10 for children. Free entry for Harewood members and under-4s. For more information and to book, click this link here Magic At The Mansion.
Words by Aubergine PR on behalf of Harewood House. Images supplied by Aubergine PR
