As a city that thrives on independent traders, it’s no surprise that when it comes to Christmas shopping, Leeds has limitless places to find everything from an office Secret Santa gift to a heartfelt gift for a loved one to treasure forever, all which support a local shop owner or artist.
If you’re unsure on where to begin your shopping trip, we've located all the best hotspots for you to mooch around…
Leeds Corn Exchange
Call Lane, Leeds City Centre | 10am-6pm
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Where: Call Lane, Leeds City Centre, LS1 7BR
Our Corn Exchange needs no introduction, does it? There’s everything you could possibly need all under one cosy roof. Whether you're after vinyls from Released Records, prints from Off The Wall, jellycats from Giant Kitten, Colours May Vary books, sustainable fashion from TOM-O clothes, this really is an indie shopper’s paradise and makes the perfect one-stop shop for those wanting to shop independently this Christmas.
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Kirkgate, Leeds City Centre | Monday – Saturday, 8.30am - 5pm
Image: Visit Leeds
Where: Kirkgate, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7HY
Kirkgate Market is one of Europe's biggest indoor markets and a shoppers paradise! Home to the birthplace of M&S and countless other exciting independent stores, there's everything you could ever need to buy from here: jewellery, flowers, hardware, fashion, food, drink and that’s just the beginning .
This one’s a personal recommendation for stocking fillers, you’re sure to find one of us here scanning the stalls before Christmas grabbing gifts.
Upper Briggate, Leeds City Centre | Opening times vary
Image: Visit Leeds
Where: Grand Arcade, 20 Merrion Street, Leeds City Centre, LS16PQ
Where: Thornton’s Arcade, Lands Lane, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6LQ
Where: Queens Arcade, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6LH
The historic architecture is reason enough to visit the beautiful arcades in Leeds, but as they’re home to an abundance of independent shops that need to be on everyone's radar, it’s the perfect place to get your Christmas shopping sorted too.
Hoot recommends: Start with Thornton's Arcade home to Ok Comics, Village Books, Welcome Skate Store and one of our favourite coffee shops Kapow! Then head over to the Queens Arcade just a few doors down Briggate to find the likes of Next One leather, Allerton's optician, Designer Exchange and Cancer Research UK for thrifted gifts that are good for the planet and support those in need.
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Sophie Smith -
16th October 2023 
