A massive, inflatable igloo bar is coming to Leeds this Christmas, bringing a touch of wintry Eskimo culture to Yorkshire in time for the festive season's kick-off.
Selling festive drinks in Millenium Square next to the city's giant ice skating rink, the giant igloo bar will feature staff dressed in ice-inspired costumes serving a range of festive drinks.
Inside, it will be decorated in the style of a winter garden with greenery and festoons of little twinkling lights to give its drinkers that ultimate wintry festive feeling.
There'll also be live entertainment inside, music, and a broad menu of festive drinks offering something for everyone.
Image: Ice Cube Leeds
And that's not all - alongside the giant igloo, a string of German market huts will also be on hand selling bratwurst, gluhwein, Yorkshire pudding wraps, poutine, pizza and more.
There'll be a brand-new stall from Germany featuring a 35ft high Christmas tree on the roof, funfair rides and games, plus seating inside the igloo and also outside in the square - with covered bench tables dotted around offering shoppers a respite from the busy high street.
Elsewhere, there will be funfair rides like the 100 ft high Star Flyer, a giant festive helter-skelter a North Pole funhouse and - just a stone's throw from the square - a 110ft Leeds Wheel of Light and Golden Gallopers traditional carousel ride.
James Mallinder, the artist, founder and managing director of Igloo Disco said:
“After working with many blue-chip companies and providing inflatable structures all over the UK, I am so excited to be able to create something beautiful for my much-loved home city of Leeds.
“Our new bar installation is fully immersive, totally bespoke and I hope it gives everyone who visits a whole load of festive Joy, especially after last year’s lockdown Christmas.”
Roger Tuby of International Funfairs said: “After working in partnership with Leeds City Council for many years, we are really excited to be able to help bring back a bit of the traditional Christmas look and feel to Leeds.
“With a variety of alpine style cabins serving tasty hot food and drink, a brand-new stall from Germany featuring a 35ft high Christmas tree on the roof, and a selection of themed attractions, rides and games, there really is something for all the family to enjoy this Christmas in Leeds.”
Leeds
Thor’s Tipi chosen as the new operator to create a ‘distinctly Yorkshire’ Leeds Christmas Market 2026
Leeds City Council has appointed Thor's tipi as the new operator of Leeds Christmas Market 2026 on City Square.
We hate to mention the C word in May... especially in the midst of a heatwave, but just bare with us on this one.
The beloved Leeds Christmas Market will have a new operator this year, as creators of pop-up seasonal bars Thor's Tipi have been given the responsibility by Leeds City Council.
So, what's going to be different?
Thor's tipi will create a ‘distinctly Yorkshire’ retail, craft and food market which celebrates Leeds identity.
Image: Supplied
The market will feature a Yorkshire based line-up, full of popular local names and Leeds street food legends and a series of cabins will also be reserved for local craft businesses and emerging artisans.
Alongside plenty of shopping and eating options, the Christmas Market will become a full-on-festive experience for visitors. There will be winter games and karaoke huts in an Alpine Lodge, the original THOR’S tipi - complete with its signature firepit seating area, free live music from local artists, school choirs & community performances throughout the season.
There will also be a host of family-friendly events, including a ‘Leeds Night Before Christmas’ trail, family raves and free craft tables.
Image: Supplied
Amanda Monaghan, Director of THOR’S tipi, said: "This is our eleventh year in Leeds and we’re super excited to bring the most beautiful Christmas Market to City Square! We’re especially looking forward to speaking with local traders about how we can showcase their talents. Get in touch if you’d like to be involved! We’d love to have you on-board.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's executive member for economy, said: "We're delighted that Leeds will be welcoming a Christmas market again this year with a new look and that visitors will once again have the chance to experience the wonders of the festive season at the heart of the city centre.”
“As always, the council is committed to working with partners and providers to bring high quality and exciting events to the city. We know Christmas is always a special time in Leeds, and this year is set to be a memorable one."
Met Office reports on how long the heatwave will last as yesterday was hottest May day on record
Emily Sergeant
The Met Office has given us an idea of how long this current heatwave may last.
It comes after a new UK temperature record was broken yesterday, as it reached 34.8°C at the weather station in Kew Gardens – with the figure being both the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in meteorological spring (March, April, and May), as well as the highest temperature in May all together.
The previous record of 32.8°C was reached in 1922 and 1944.
If confirmed and validated, and May sees a new official daily temperature record, it would mean that more than half of the monthly record highs – seven out of 12 – have been set since 2003.
But what exactly is considered to be a heatwave? Well, heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, and providing the public with an indication of how long these temperatures could last, Met Office weather forecasters say the start of the week will see the heatwave continue for much of England and Wales with temperatures ‘well above average’, and today (Tuesday 26) expected to be another ‘very hot day’ with a rapid rise in temperatures through the morning.
The heat will then continue through the week, with highs of 31°C forecast for Wednesday, 30°C on Thursday, 27°C on Friday, and 28°C on Saturday.
“We’ve now provisionally broken the spring and May temperature record,” commented Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist, Dan Suri.
“Meteorologically, what we’ve seen is the influence of warmth building under an area of high pressure near the UK allowing exceptional heat to build allowing maximum and minimum temperatures to reach levels not previously reported at this time of year.
“Further heat is in the forecast for much of England and Wales, with similar temperatures forecast for Tuesday.
“High pressure is forecast to gradually lose its influence later in the week, though maximum temperatures will still remain high and in the low 30°Cs for some mid-week and high 20°Cs late this week.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th November 2021 
