The glazed front of Leeds Playhouse at night, with four tall lit panels of coloured triangles and a warmly lit café and staircases behind the glass
Photo: Anthony Robling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
Leeds Playhouse on Quarry Hill, Leeds, at dusk in November, with its coloured facade panels, rooftop lettering and a bare tree against an orange sky
Photo: lajmmoore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
Facts at a glance
- Pre-school (3 to 5)
- Primary (5 to 11)
- Teens (11 plus)
- Toilets
- Café
- Wheelchair accessible
- Play area
Leeds
England
LS2 7UP
United Kingdom
Quick answer
Leeds Playhouse is a theatre on Quarry Hill in the centre of Leeds, opposite the bus station. Its Christmas show, Dr Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical, plays on selected dates from 19 November 2026 to 16 January 2027. It is an indoor, rainy day option. The age guidance is 4+ and the running time is 90 minutes. Tickets on the event page run from £17.00 to £71.50, plus a £2.95 fee per online or phone booking. A relaxed performance is at 11am on Wednesday 6 January 2027.
Is it right for my child?
- The Grinch: a grouchy green recluse tries to steal Christmas from the Whos of Who-ville, narrated by his dog Max. It plays in the Quarry theatre, which seats up to 850.
- Ages: the event page calls it a festive treat for all ages, but lists age guidance of 4+.
- For younger children: Red Robin’s Winter Song plays in the Bramall Rock Void on selected dates from 12 to 23 December 2026. It has age guidance of 3+, runs for 50 minutes, and is described as gentle enough for even the smallest theatregoers.
- Babies: free Babe in Arms tickets are available for children under 12 months, who sit with you rather than having their own seat. Every other child needs a ticket.
- Content: on 12 November the Grinch page listed no content warnings. The Playhouse says such details may appear nearer the date, and invites parents to call the Box Office with concerns.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book early. On 12 November many Grinch dates in November and December showed Last few on the booking list.
- Arrive early. The festive fun starts one hour before every Grinch performance, with Grinch-inspired activities around the building.
- Book a free Babe in Arms ticket online for any baby under 12 months.
- Pack light. The Playhouse may search bags and ask for larger bags to go in the cloakroom, at £1.
Prices and tickets
Grinch tickets on the event page range from £17.00 to £71.50. The page does not split the range by seat or age, and the seat map sits in the online booking system. Check child prices when you book.
- Discounts: concessions are offered for most performances. Children under 18 in full-time education, students, Leeds Card holders and anyone receiving disability or unemployment benefits get discounts. They are subject to availability, one per ticket, and you may be asked for ID.
- Booking fee: £2.95 per transaction online or by phone, however many tickets you buy. Booking in person at the Box Office counter carries no charge.
- Red Robin’s Winter Song: the event page lists tickets at £15.00, plus the same booking fee.
- Exchanges: contact the Box Office at least 24 hours before to swap to another performance of the same show, or for a six-month credit voucher. The fee is £3.50 per transaction. Playhouse Pass and free Access Membership holders get free exchanges up to 1 hour before. There are no refunds unless a performance is cancelled.
- Box Office: 0113 213 7700, Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Toilets: the Playhouse has 8 accessible toilets, separate male and female toilets, family cubicles, and gender-neutral toilets on Level 2. They are open whenever the building is open.
- Changing Places: there is a Changing Places toilet on Level 2.
- Baby changing: the official pages do not mention baby changing facilities.
- Play corner: a free play corner sits on Level 1, above the Front Room Café. It has foam climbing blocks, a giant abacus and children’s books. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Food and drink
- Front Room Café (Level 0): open 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, or until the show begins on show days. It serves barista coffee, soft drinks, cakes, homemade sandwiches and pastries.
- Playhouse Kitchen: on Quarry and Courtyard performance days, pre-show dining starts at 11.30am for matinees and 5pm for evening shows. Last orders are 30 minutes before the show, and there is no need to book.
- Your own food: the house guidance says your own food and non-alcoholic drinks are fine. Eat them in the non-food service areas while the café, bar and restaurant are open.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP.
- By bus or coach: the Playhouse is opposite the Leeds City Bus and National Express coach stations.
- By train: Leeds City Station is about a 20 minute walk, or a five minute taxi ride.
- Car park: the Playhouse recommends the John Lewis Car Park at Victoria Gate (SatNav LS2 7AS). It is across the road from the St Peter’s Street entrance and costs £5 after 5pm. The page gives no daytime price.
- Other car parks: NCP The Markets (6am to 11pm, LS2 7DF) and Templar Street and Edward Street (open 24 hours, LS2 7LP). The Quarry Hill car parks are closed.
- Blue Badge: bays are at Playhouse Square. The access page lists 8 level access parking spaces there, run by Leeds City Council.
When to visit
- Grinch run: selected dates from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Saturday 16 January 2027, with start times between 10.30am and 7pm.
- Christmas week: the list shows 11am and 2.30pm shows on Thursday 24 December, and one 7pm show on Saturday 26 December 2026.
- No shows: no performances are listed on Christmas Day or on Friday 1 January 2027. New Year’s Eve has 11am and 2.30pm shows.
- Box Office and café hours: the official pages do not give Christmas or New Year opening hours. Check with the Box Office.
Additional needs and disability support
Leeds Playhouse won UK Theatre’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award for 2022, and says it was the first UK theatre to start relaxed performances.
- Grinch relaxed performance: 11am on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Relaxed shows are adapted for young people or adults with learning disabilities. They may include extra lighting, additional wheelchair spaces and freedom to move seats, and always have a relaxed attitude to noise.
- Red Robin relaxed performance: 11.30am on Wednesday 16 December 2026.
- Grinch captioned: 11 December (2pm and 7pm), 17 December (7pm), 29 December (2pm and 7pm), 7 January (7pm) and 8 January 2027 (2pm).
- Grinch BSL interpreted: 26 November (7pm), 6 December (12.30pm), 17 December (7pm), 23 December (12.30pm) and 7 January 2027 (7pm).
- Grinch audio described with touch tour: 18 December (5pm), 22 December (7pm), 30 December (12.30pm and 5pm) and 14 January 2027 (2pm and 7pm).
- Booking access seats: call the Box Office, or join the free Access Membership to book wheelchair spaces and free essential companion seats online.
- Seating: 8 wheelchair spaces in the Quarry theatre, with more usually available on request. Transfer seats and an in-house wheelchair can be arranged through the Box Office.
- Leaving the show: the house guidance says anyone may leave the auditorium at any time, and staff will let you back in as soon as they can.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Grinch musical at Leeds Playhouse?
The musical plays on selected dates from 19 November 2026 to 16 January 2027. No performances are listed on 25 December or 1 January.
What age is the Grinch at Leeds Playhouse suitable for?
The age guidance is 4+. For ages 3 and up, Red Robin’s Winter Song plays on selected dates from 12 to 23 December 2026.
Do babies need a ticket at Leeds Playhouse?
Children under 12 months can have a free Babe in Arms ticket and sit with you. Every older child needs a ticket.
Can you take a pushchair to Leeds Playhouse?
The official pages do not mention pushchairs or pushchair storage, so ask the Box Office before you travel. Electric wheelchair accessible lifts serve all floors.
Is there a relaxed performance of the Grinch?
Yes, at 11am on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Relaxed shows always have a relaxed attitude to noise.
Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Leeds Playhouse pages for The Grinch, Red Robin’s Winter Song, booking information, access facilities, access performances, finding us, eat and drink and house guidance. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
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