Leeds welcomes back the festive season with a city-wide Christmas Market from November 24th to December 22nd, 2023. Visitors can enjoy over 120 Bavarian-style stalls across 14 different zones, festive lights, traditional crafts, and indulge in seasonal treats like glühwein. Attractions include the Ice Cube, Leeds Wheel of Light, and The Nutcracker Trail for family fun.
When is the Leeds Christmas Market happening and what can visitors expect?
The Leeds Christmas Market runs from November 24th to December 22nd, 2023. Visitors can explore over 120 Bavarian-style stalls across 14 zones, enjoy festive lights, traditional crafts, and indulge in seasonal treats like glühwein. Attractions include the Ice Cube, Leeds Wheel of Light, and The Nutcracker Trail for family fun.
A New Chapter in Christmas Celebrations
Leeds heralds the return of festive cheer as it unveils a grand Christmas Market that spans the entire city. After a hiatus and the previous cancellations due to global health concerns, the city’s cherished German Christmas Market makes a triumphant comeback. Unlike the past events predominantly centered around Millennium Square, this year marks a significant shift as the festivities extend to cover Leeds’ heart and soul. The Market Place Europe, a veteran in organizing Christmas markets across the UK, has partnered with Leeds City Council to transform the city center into a wonderland until at least 2025. Revelers are in for a treat with approximately 120 Bavarian-style stalls scattered across 14 different zones, offering a unique holiday shopping and dining experience.
The market operates every day from 10 am, starting on the 24th of November until the Friday right before Christmas. With a delightful mix of locales—including Lands Lane, The Headrow, and the iconic Leeds Corn Exchange—each spot is set to host stalls laden with an array of festive gifts, delectable food, and drinks. The vibrant settings, adorned with festive lights and traditional timber stalls, promise an eclectic shopping experience featuring local, UK-based, and international traders. Four outdoor bar areas add to the merriment, with venues like Thor’s Tipi and the Windmill Bar offering an assortment of beverages, from Bavarian beer to the quintessential glühwein and rich hot chocolates.
Festive Attractions and Family Fun
The Leeds Christmas Market is not only about the stalls and the shopping; it represents the city’s broader festive spirit with a host of popular attractions making a much-anticipated return. Millennium Square’s Ice Cube, a familiar favorite, is back along with its own array of market stalls. The Leeds Wheel of Light on Victoria Gardens offers panoramic views of the city in its festive garb. Complementing the market, a variety of family-friendly events, attractions, and experiences are scheduled to spark joy throughout the season.
One of the standout attractions for families is The Nutcracker Trail, an adventure that leads participants through all the market locations in search of Nutcrackers. Solving the mystery of the Christmas word not only engages the young and the old in festive fun but also offers a chance to win vouchers to spend at the market. Participation is a breeze, with options to either scan QR codes at each Nutcracker or collect a physical map from the Corn Exchange.
A Testament to Community and Celebration
The Leeds Christmas Markets provide more than a shopping experience; they are a testament to the city’s vibrant community and its capacity for celebration. Tucked between the stalls, one will find local artisans showcasing their crafts, giving visitors a taste of Leeds’ creativity and artistic flair. The Christmas Markets are expected to draw both locals and tourists, contributing to the local economy and adding a dash of magic to the city’s winter atmosphere.
From the first day on the 24th of November until its closure on the 22nd of December, the markets are open from 10 am to 7 pm from Monday to Wednesday, extending hours on Thursdays to Saturdays up to 9 pm, and wrapping up the week with a 6 pm closing on Sundays. Whether it’s the savor of bratwurst, the warmth of mulled wine, or the joy of crossing names off your Christmas shopping list, Leeds’ city-wide Christmas Market invites you to make lasting memories this festive season.
Remember, the Leeds Christmas Market sweeps through the city from the 24th of November to the 22nd of December 2023. It’s a seasonal spectacle not to be missed, capturing the essence of the most magical time of the year right at the heart of Leeds.
- The Leeds Christmas Market will take place from November 24th to December 22nd, 2023.
- The market will have over 120 Bavarian-style stalls across 14 different zones, offering a unique holiday shopping and dining experience.
- Attractions at the market include the Ice Cube, Leeds Wheel of Light, and The Nutcracker Trail.
- The market showcases the city’s vibrant community and local artisans.
- The market will be open daily from 10 am, with extended hours on Thursdays to Saturdays.