The Gingerbread Man returns to enchant audiences at The Queens Hotel in Leeds with the festive animated story, To Leeds, With Love, from December 12-22, 2024. Narrated by actor Richard Armitage, this free event features 187 showings of a heartwarming tale celebrating community and holiday spirit, making it a must-see for all this Christmas season.
What is To Leeds, With Love at The Queens Hotel in Leeds?
To Leeds, With Love is a festive animated story at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, featuring the Gingerbread Man. Running from December 12-22, 2024, it offers 187 showings of a heartwarming tale narrated by actor Richard Armitage, celebrating community and the holiday spirit. It’s part of Leeds’ Christmas events, free and accessible with showings every 15 minutes in the evening.
A Festive Tale Reimagined
The Queens Hotel in Leeds is brimming with festive spirit as it prepares for the return of a spectacular Christmas show. This year’s event is proudly brought to the city by LeedsBID in collaboration with the creative geniuses at Onionlab, a digital art studio hailing from Barcelona. The narrative is set – To Leeds, With Love is an original animated story that weaves together the enchanting threads of the city’s vibrant character.
From Thursday, December 12th to Sunday, December 22nd, 2024, residents and visitors alike are invited to experience this magical display. The Queens Hotel will serve as the canvas for a total of 187 showings across 11 days, ensuring ample opportunity for everyone to partake in the festivities. The story this year follows the beloved Gingerbread Man as he readies for a grand Christmas celebration. In a delightful twist, the narrative unfolds to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas but with a unique spin that features the Gingerbread Man grappling with a towering Christmas tree, only to discover the joy and necessity of community and assistance.
The heartwarming tale is further brought to life by a star-studded cast of festive characters. They join our cookie protagonist in an adventure that promises to captivate audiences with its charm and whimsicality. A spectacle of this magnitude is a testament to LeedsBID’s commitment to enriching the city’s cultural tapestry and enhancing the holiday experience for all.
A Narration by Renowned Talent
This year’s animated story is embellished by the dulcet tones of Richard Armitage, a celebrated British actor known for his roles in The Hobbit trilogy and the TV series Cold Feet. His involvement adds a layer of prestige and excitement to the event. Armitage expressed his delight at being part of the festivities, “What an absolute honour to be supporting this year’s Christmas projection at The Queens Hotel in Leeds,” he remarked.
His personal connection to the city through his late father, a Leeds native, makes his participation all the more meaningful. Armitage’s anticipation is shared by his extended Yorkshire family and is sure to resonate with local audiences. His heartfelt message, “Happy Christmas everyone!” echoes the warm sentiment of the season and underscores the communal spirit of the event.
The presence of a voice as distinguished as Armitage’s is a clear indication of the event’s growing prominence. It not only serves as a draw for visitors but also firmly establishes To Leeds, With Love as a must-see feature of Leeds’ Christmas celebrations.
Expanding the City’s Christmas Cheer
Following the resounding success of last year’s event, LeedsBID and Onionlab are once again joining forces to create an unparalleled visual feast. The previous year saw 200,000 people immerse themselves in the Gingerbread Man’s adventures. This year’s expectations are set high with the promise of even more engaging visuals, a gripping storyline, and moments of interaction that are sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Andrew Cooper, LeedsBID’s Chief Executive, shared his enthusiasm, “A Magical Night at The Queens became one of the standout attractions in Leeds last Christmas.” Cooper’s statement not only reflects on past achievements but also casts an exciting vision for the future. LeedsBID’s innovative approach to creating inspirational, free events has been a boon for the city, drawing attention from local, national, and international spectators.
To Leeds, With Love promises an extraordinary experience for all who attend. The event runs daily, with showings every 15 minutes between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm, ensuring that the joy of the season can be enjoyed by everyone. This festive extravaganza is a shining example of Leeds’ dynamic approach to community engagement and cultural celebration.
The aforementioned spectacular is a glowing representation of Leeds’ festive season, illuminating not just The Queens Hotel, but also the hearts of those who watch. With the collaboration of LeedsBID and Onionlab, and the support of renowned talents like Richard Armitage, the city of Leeds is set to offer a Christmas show that is both grand in scale and intimate in experience. It’s an invitation to all to come together and celebrate the wonders of the holiday season in a most memorable fashion.
- The Gingerbread Man will return to The Queens Hotel in Leeds with the festive animated story To Leeds, With Love from December 12-22, 2024.
- The event features 187 showings of the heartwarming tale narrated by actor Richard Armitage, with performances every 15 minutes in the evening.
- This year’s narrative blends the beloved character of the Gingerbread Man with the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas, emphasizing themes of community and assistance.
- The event is produced by LeedsBID in collaboration with Onionlab, a digital art studio from Barcelona, building on the previous year’s success which attracted 200,000 attendees.
- Richard Armitage, a celebrated British actor, adds prestige to the event, expressing his excitement and personal connection to Leeds through his late father.