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."
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Canadian rock legends Nickelback announce Leeds gig on huge world arena tour
Clementine Hall
Nickelback announce world arena tour in support of their new album - and they're coming to Leeds.
The Canadian rockers will be bringing their biggest hits as well brand-new music to arenas around the world.
Formed in Hanna, Alberta, the band made up of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair, have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide.
Best known for rock anthems including Rockstar, Photograph and How You Remind Me, Nickelback have built up a huge global following over the course of their career.
The upcoming tour will see the band celebrate their new album, Everything Under The Sun, and they'll be kicking off the UK leg of the tour right here in Leeds at the First Direct Bank Arena.
The tour follows their record-setting Get Rollin' world tour, and will once again take them to venues across North America, Europe, and Australia.
The group have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide, and achieved billions of streams across digital platforms.
Their new album will be released at the end of the month on Friday 30 October, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know their new tracks before they come to Leeds on Saturday 22 May 2027.
They'll be supported on the tour by Don Broco, an English four-piece featuring Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Tom Doyle and Matt Donnelly. Known for their genre-defying sound and dynamic approach to modern rock.
Nickelback 2027 UK Tour Dates in full
22 May - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
24 May - London The O2
28 May - Birmingham Utility Arena
1 June - Glasgow Ovo Hydro
2 June - Manchester Co-op Live
Tickets for Nickelback at the Leeds First Direct Arena go on sale next Friday 16 October and you can get yours HERE.
Clementine Hall -
26th May 2026 
