Jack might have traded his family cow for a handful of beans, but families across Leeds are being offered a much more grounded deal this summer. A new partnership between the Carriageworks Theatre and The Arium, the city’s horticultural hub, is inviting residents to participate in a gardening challenge that brings the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk to life in their own backyards.
This community-wide contest serves as the official launch for the 2026 festive season, encouraging children and adults to get their hands dirty while competing for a chance to see the upcoming Christmas pantomime. The initiative aims to blend the magic of local theatre with the practical joys of sustainable gardening during the warmer months.
Gardening with a fairy tale twist at The Arium
To join the competition, budding gardeners need to visit The Arium on Thorner Lane to pick up a Magic Bean Pack. These kits contain everything required to grow broad beans at home, including the seeds and specific growing instructions. Purchasing a pack serves as an automatic entry into the prize draw, with the ultimate goal being to see who can cultivate the tallest beanstalk in the city.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, noted that the project is designed to get the city involved in the festive spirit early. By teaming up with the city’s plant nursery, the council hopes to promote nature and sustainability while the sun is shining, providing a fun outdoor activity for families during the school holidays. The competition emphasizes the “grow your own” philosophy, showing children the lifecycle of a plant from a simple seed to a towering stalk.
The return of a Leeds pantomime legend
The contest also marks the countdown to the return of Jez Edwards, a staple of the Leeds festive scene. Edwards has been a central figure in the city’s Christmas celebrations for 16 years and recently visited The Arium to kick off the planting season. His involvement brings a sense of continuity to the Carriageworks Theatre, which has welcomed more than 300,000 spectators since opening its doors in 2005.
According to Edwards, the gardening challenge is a way for families to play an active role in the production before the curtain even rises. He expressed his excitement at seeing how high the local beanstalks can grow before welcoming the winners to the theatre in November. The Carriageworks panto has become a significant local tradition, and this year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk is expected to continue that legacy with its mix of slapstick humor and fairy tale magic.
Key dates for the magic beanstalk competition
Families looking to participate should note the specific timeline for the summer contest and the subsequent theatre season. Magic Bean Packs are available for purchase at The Arium until May 31, giving growers the full summer season to tend to their plants. The judging process will take place later in the year, with a winner selected in August.
The prize for the tallest stalk is a family ticket to the opening weeks of the pantomime. The Carriageworks production of Jack and the Beanstalk is scheduled to run from November 20, 2026, until January 3, 2027. For those not participating in the contest, general information regarding the performance schedule and the facilities at the horticultural hub can be found through the official Carriageworks Theatre and The Arium websites.
Source: Leeds City Council
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