A host of Leeds' best lockdown success stories are coming together for a festive shopping event this month at this small business Christmas event.
In Leeds, we’re pretty passionate about supporting small businesses. After all, we do have a spectacular selection of bakeries, bars, gift shops, designers, creatives and more on offer in the city.
If you want to shop local for your presents this year and keep some money in the local economy, you need to check out this Christmas small business event.
Hosted by The Savvy Baker at Oaktree Business Park, some of the city's finest small producers will be in tow selling top-notch treats to make your Christmas extra special.
Think peanut butter melted Snowmen doughnuts with Reese's cup hats, specialty cheeses from the Cheesy Living Co, adorable dog treats from doggy pick and mix service Pick n Tricks. prints by local illustrator Emily Render and loads more.
Elsewhere, you'll be able to find handmade baubles and stylish garms from local maker Lucie the Label: resin coaster, keyrings, and more by The Resin Room; small-batch hot sauce from local makers Thiccsauce and loads more.
Image: Pick n TreatsCoasters from The Resin Room / Image: The Resin Room
There'll also be coffee from Humbl coffee and the signature gooey, chocolate-filled brownies from the Savvy Baker team.
Taking place on Saturday 11 December, the Christmas Small Business event will run from 11am to 4pm and give shoppers the chance to get their hand on some extra special locally-made presents this year.
Sharing the news to social media, the Savvy Baker posted on Instagram:
"CHRISTMAS POP UP IS HERE!!! Saturday 11th December at the bakery.
"Catch some of your favs here, you can get some fab xmas pressies, cards, sweet treats, pizza, plants, Christmas cheese, doggy pressies and more!!!! Not one to miss."
Feature image - The Savvy Baker / Pick n Treats
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Georgina Pellant -
7th December 2021 
