By Helen Fay
Armley residents are being invited to take part in the first Armley Window Wanderland – a community-led project designed to bring colour, connection and a sense of togetherness during some of the darkest months of the year.
Inspired by the growing Window Wanderland festivals taking place across the UK, Armley Window Wanderland encourages people to create simple window displays using everyday materials – from paper and card to lights, messages and artwork – and share them with neighbours and passers-by.
To support people in making their displays, two free public workshops are being held this month.
The first workshop takes place tomorrow, Friday, 6 February from 4pm to 6pm at Christ Church in Armley.
The second workshop is being held on Friday, 20 February from 2pm to 4pm at Leeds Industrial Museum/Armley Mills.
For further details and to book a place at one of the free workshops at Christ Church or Armley Mills please click here. There are a limited number of places available at each workshop and booking as soon as possible is recommended.
All children and young people must be accompanied by an adult to attend the workshops.
The workshops will be led by Eden Ballantyne of Stories Alive, an experienced community arts facilitator who also leads the Friends of Armley and Gotts Park Lantern Parade workshops.
Sessions will focus on simple, low-cost ideas using accessible materials, with no prior experience needed.
A further workshop will take place at New Wortley Community Centre (NWCC) on Tuesday, 17 February as part of its Healthy Holidays programme.
For further information on the Healthy Holidays programme at NWCC and to book for the Window Wanderland workshop at the centre, contact the Healthy Holidays coordinator by emailing hhcoordinator@newwortleycc.org.uk.
Free take-home packs and guidance materials will also be available for those who may need them and more details will
be shared very soon on the Armley Window Wanderland Facebook page and the Armley Window Wanderland Instagram account.
Armley Window Wanderland 2026 is led entirely on a voluntary basis by Armley residents Clancy Walker and Linda Petty.
This first year is about testing the idea and learning what works.
Both Clancy and Linda have previously been involved in leading and delivering a range of community initiatives and have a shared belief that creativity can help bring people together, particularly at times of year when many experience isolation or low mood.
The hope is that this small first step will lay the foundations for a much larger, community-owned event in future years.
Linda Petty, co-project lead, said: “Armley Window Wanderland is something that belongs to everyone and that everyone is welcome to get involved in – we all belong here.
“We know there is plenty of goodwill and creativity in Armley and we are excited to see how people make this their own – this year and in years to come.”
Residents and businesses are invited to light up their window displays (if they choose to include lights) on Thursdays and Saturdays only, between 5-8pm, from Thursday 26, February to Saturday, 28 March 2026.
This light-touch approach helps ensure participation feels manageable and avoids placing pressure on anyone to keep displays lit every evening.
Two guided community walks will take place on Thursday, 26 February, 5-7pm and on Saturday, 28 March, 6-8pm, which is the final official day of Armley Window Wanderland 2026.
The walks will offer a chance to explore the displays together, meet neighbours and enjoy the atmosphere. Participation in any workshops or creating displays at home does not require joining a walk and those creating displays will be invited to add their details to a Armley Window Wanderland map – more details will be shared on this very soon via the Facebook and Instagram pages of the initiative.
Co-project lead Clancy Walker said: “Armley Window Wanderland is about bringing people together in a really gentle, human way.
“It’s about connection, kindness and showing that we care about the place we live and the people around us. This first year is small, but we hope it’s the beginning of something that grows with the community.
“Armley is great at community activities and coming together and we can’t wait to see those displays start to pop up in windows over the next few weeks.”
For updates and ways to get involved, visit the Armley Window Wanderland Facebook page or Instagram account.
Armley Window Wanderland 2026 is being delivered with the support of funding from NWCC (Small Sparks Fund) and MICE funding from all three Armley ward councillors – Alice Smart, Andy Parnham and Lou Cunningham.
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