Christmas Tipis are everywhere this year, so we've rounded up the best in the city.
Market stalls are so pre-Covid. This year, it's all about the Christmas tipi and Leeds has given us so many to choose from.
Ideally, a pub crawl around every single tipi in town will let you test out the best cocktails, cosiest blankets and warmest spot by the fire. But realistically, once you've sat down with your mulled wine at your first stop, we bet you won't want to leave.
Luckily, all of these tipis will keep you warm and well-fed throughout the night so no matter how many you visit, you'll be able to get into the Christmas spirit in style.
Just moments from Leeds train station, the all-new Banyan tipi encompasses all those cosy, warm festive feelings and showcases the best of the changing of the seasons inside a huge tipi, complete with an outdoor bar and open fire pit.That means you don’t need to wander far to get a drink or grab a seat by the fire- no fear of annoying heaters turning off mid conversation here! Whilst you let your toes warm, there will be plenty to snack on to turn get the most Grinch-iest of your group in the mood for Christmas. Think mince pie pancakes and specially themed bauble cocktails, and staple drinks like hot chocolates and mulled wine.
Get cosy by the fire at this Chapel Allerton tipi. / Image: Mustard Pot
The Mustard Pot's Christmas tipi is a firm Leeds favourite and its back for yet another year. With a cosy place at the fire, grab a glass of mulled wine and embrace the festive treats available from 5pm everyday at the popular Chapel Allerton pub. It's the perfect place to unwind after work with a festive cocktail or even bring the whole team down for a Christmas party.
One of the most anticipated events in the Leeds this year has been Chow Down's Winter Village. Locally renowned open for their open-air bar and eatery, Chow Down have Temple Arches open air space into a Winter Village, complete with DJs and festive tipis. With rotating food and drink vendors, guests can repeatedly return for mulled wine, rooftop curling matches and even meet Santa again and again as we countdown the days until Christmas.
Find out more here.
Thor's Tipi
Victoria Gardens / Briggate | Open from 12pm
The tipi is lit up by fairy lights and the Wheel of Light. / Image: Thor's Tipi
It would be impossible to write about Christmas tipi pop-ups without mentioning Thor's Tipi. In 2019, the popular tipi space reported selling 170,000 pints of beer, 125,000 cups of mulled wine and 55,000 cups of hot chocolate back and they've just gone from strength to strength each year- bringing us two options of tents this year. Take your pick from the Briggate or cosy up by the fire in Thor's Tipi.
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Sophie Smith -
12th December 2022 
