Leeds Christmas Market: The Complete Guide

Leeds is a great city to visit year-round, but it’s more magical during winter with enchanting Christmas ornaments and beautiful illumination. The award-winning Millennium Square in Leeds city centre near Leeds Station becomes busy as the skating rink opens for the holiday season. On a festive day, the townspeople light up their windows with burning candles, and locals head to the streets to meet loved ones and enjoy a festive buffet breakfast and treats.

Traditional fairs and Christmas markets in Leeds are found in its main squares and multiple locations throughout the city. They’ve created their winter wonderland featuring spectacular displays and Christmas specials, like chorizo pork pies and Yorkshire puddings. There are also numerous holiday attractions and hundreds of stalls where you can find unique gifts and handcrafted items.

If you’re burdened by all your shopping bags, leave them at Bounce luggage storage in Leeds. Then you can continue with your Christmas adventure. Though the famous Leeds German Market, featuring traditional German food and drink, won’t happen this year, many other holiday markets are worth visiting in Yorkshire’s largest city.

Artisan Winter Market

The Artisan Winter Market, one of the best Christmas markets, is set to return to Leeds this year. Harewood’s North Park Walk will be filled with about 100 local producers, makers, and crafters for the event from November 3rd to November 6th, 2022.

Decorated with twinkling Christmas lights, the Artisan Winter Market is an excellent destination for early Christmas shopping while exploring Harewood. The winter market is open from 10 AM to 4 PM on all four days.

What to do near Artisan Winter Market

Harewood’s country house and grounds are a picturesque destination for the family. If you want to explore other attractions nearby, check out the trails in Harewood Park for a walk or an adventurous hike. You can also discover more than forty bird species worldwide at Harewood Bird Garden.

Corn Exchange Christmas Market

Taking over the spacious Corn Exchange basement is a delightful Leeds Christmas market you don’t want to miss. From November 11th, the Corn Exchange Christmas market will run for seven weeks, offering games, masterclasses, bars, and delectable food and drink options.

The space in the lower ground level of the Victorian building will seat about 200 people to explore the tasting room and bar area and sample what the food traders have to offer. There are also Christmas stalls from Indie Markers and Mahogany Market, while live music for light entertainment from talented local artists will entertain guests.

Start your Christmas shopping here and support small, local businesses in Leeds this holiday season. The market will open from Friday to Sunday for seven weeks between 11:30 AM to 8 PM.

What to do near Corn Exchange Christmas Market

Corn Exchange Christmas market is housed in a Grade I listed building opened in 1864. It is surrounded by an array of shops and stores and a short distance from The Tetley, a contemporary art gallery located in the art deco headquarters of the old Tetley Brewery in central Leeds.

Sunny Bank Mills Christmas Art & Makers Market

Save the date from November 25th to 27th, 2022, and head to the historic Sunny Bank Mills Gallery for a fun Christmas Art & Makers Market. It’s located in the heart of the quaint Farsley Village and is open from 10 AM.

Expect to find more than fifty artists and local markers a day at this annual festive event. It’s an ideal place to shop for jewelry, homeware, brilliant ceramics, prints, original art pieces, and other seasonal gifts. It also features a play space for your little ones, print workshops, and delicious mulled wine! Children under 12 don’t need to pay for entry, and no pre-booking is required.

What to do near Sunny Bank Mills Christmas Art & Makers Market

While in the area, why not stop by Pudsey Civic Hall, a spacious venue for meetings, conferences, events, and dinners? You can also head to Depot Climbing, an indoor rock climbing and bouldering center in Leeds, a short distance from the Civic Hall.

Kirkgate Market

Kirkgate Market has always been a shopper’s paradise, selling everything from fashion and hardware to flowers, food, and home décor. But this Christmas, one of Europe’s biggest indoor markets will elevate your shopping experience. It features a comprehensive Christmas program, including an ice rink, live performances, and a huge Christmas tree for authentic evening entertainment.

You’ll find more than 150 independent traders and sellers at the Kirkgate Christmas market. It will open on Saturday, November 26th, but the festive ice rink won’t be available until December 20th to 23rd. There will be a free 20-minute ice skating session every day for everyone. The quieter hour for the ice rink is from 10 to 11 AM, and general admission is from 11 AM to 4 PM.

What to do near Kirkgate Market

You’ll most likely be busy exploring the shops or ice skating with friends at Kirkgate Market. But if you’re looking for other fun things to do with kids, go treasure hunting at Huntfun Leeds, a fun, family-friendly attraction in the city.

Leeds Winter Market

The biggest independent Winter Market in Leeds will return on Sunday, December 4th, 2020. Over 100 carefully selected independent makers, designers, artisan food sellers, and local artists will fill the New Dock Hall to sell everything from fashion and jewelry to beauty products, food, flowers, and more.

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll surely find it at the Leeds Christmas market. It takes pride in its laid-back and relaxed approach to Christmas shopping, so you can enjoy your experience while browsing the stalls. When it comes to food, it also has something from everyone, including irresistible options for vegans, meat lovers, and vegetarians. You can savor food on-site or take home some deli products and local beers.

What to do near Leeds Winter Market

You’ll feel a great Christmas atmosphere at Leeds Winter Market. If you want to see more of what the area has to offer, the Royal Armouries Museum is just around the corner. The Leeds Museum Discovery Centre is also a short walking distance from the market.

Embrace the Christmas Cheer in Leeds

Unfortunately, the family favorite Santa's breakfast at Christkindelmarkt won’t be joining the list this year. Besides offering authentic German food, it often featured the traditional Christmas carousel and ski Hutte bar.

The good news is that many Leeds Christmas markets provide just as much or even more entertainment, like themed children's rides and festive adventures. So take note of the Leeds Christmas market dates and join the festivities while shopping in the city.