There's so much food to try at the Leeds Christmas Markets, but we've got some favourites that need to be at the top of your list.
Incase you've been living under a rock, the city is currently flooded with alpine lodges selling everything from steaming mulled wine and tree decorations to delicious sweet treats.
Of course it can only be...the Leeds Christmas Markets.
As we're all about supporting the independents, we've pulled together five indie stalls at the markets this year that need to be your first stop when you're going for a mooch and fancy something to eat.
So without further a do, let's take a look at our top picks...
Stroopwafel York
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We’ve been well and truly been spoiled with this trader at City Square this year, as this is one of the UK’s only stroopwafel suppliers, and their sauces and toppings are just as special.
You can get yours dunked in chocolate and topped with pistachio, or whack on hazelnuts, honeycomb, gingerbread crumbs and more.
What more could you want?
The Savvy Baker
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We can't talk about independents at the markets without talking about the wonderful Savvy Baker.
Sav and the team are serving up luxurious hot chocolates to keep you toasty as well as loaded chocolate puddings drenched in hot custard.
Hash Brown Town
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hash Brown Town is BACK again at the Leeds Christmas Markets and it's just as good as we remember.
Choose from either six or twelve hash browns loaded with four different flavour toppings - we went for the fried stuffing bites with cheese and gravy, alongside our favourite, the melted brie bites with cranberry and bacon bits - delicious.
Jimmy Macks
Millennium Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If hot, bubbling cheese-topped potatoes sounds like Christmas to you, then let us put you onto this. Jimmy Macks are a welcome addition to this year’s Christmas Markets with their famous raclette offering.
Crispy fried potatoes lathered in that perfectly grilled cheese, finished off with a variety of toppings. We’re talking everything from creamy truffle mushrooms, to our personal fave, their charcuterie style, complete with extra pickles.
Farsley Fire Smoke Train
Millennium Square
Ever fancied smoked meats served from a train right in the middle of Millennium Square? Well, Farsley Fire Smoke has officially returned to the markets after its roaring success last year.
They made a name for themselves by serving up smoked beef brisket, chicken, and ribs, all cooked in a wood-fired coal oven built into a train. We’re talking tender slices of meat, dripping in sauce and topped with pickles, because everything is better with a pickle on top.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Popular TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Think it's too early for 'C word'? Never mind, you've already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn't exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner - but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right - Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there's arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that's charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it's now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films - including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Viewers will find GREAT! Christmas on Freeview channel 51, Sky 319, Sky (Glass/Stream) 317, Virgin channel 424, and Freely channel 47.
Clementine Hall -
28th November 2025 
