With the Leeds Christkindelmarkt no longer taking place, here are some alternatives to get you in the spirit over the festive build-up.
In news which broke many hearts across the city, it was announced last week that the Leeds Christmas Markets have been cancelled for the third year in a row.
Usually held from early November to the end of the year at Millenium Square, it's a joyous occasion which marks the end of the calendar and brings people together with plenty of mulled wine and bratwurst.
But do not fear, we have pulled together a list of alternative events in and around Leeds for you to attend and get you in the festive spirit.
Corn Exchange Christmas Market
Image: Supplied
Luckily for us, Rolling Social Events, the brains behind the legendary Leeds Rum Fest, Leeds Whisky Fest, and Leeds Tequila Fest are returning to Leeds Corn Exchange for the 2022 Christmas Market.
Kicking off on Friday 11 November, the beautiful space will be filled with a whole host of festivities to truly get you in the Christmas spirit.
Think a host of independent stalls to snap up your Christmas pressies from, a range of delicious food offerings from local chefs and all in the most beautiful building in Leeds. Sounds good? We think so too. Read all about it here.
Chow Down Winter Village
Image: Chow Down
One of Leeds’ best loved outdoor bar spaces Chow Down is back for the winter months, opening on Thursday 10 November, many a cosy winter night will be spent tucked inside the tipis or watching the World Cup inside the brand new beer hall.
To keep warm, grab a seat by the fire pit, heaters and take a snug, boozy hot chocolate or soothing mulled wine in hand and join your nearest and dearest to cheers to the wintry season ahead.
From November onwards, the much-loved magical Christmas grotto will be returning to the White Rose Shopping Centre.
And the good news doesn't stop there, new for this year is a magical ice rink inside The Village, where all ages can grab skates and take to the rink to ice skate, regardless of whether we’re experiencing snow or not.
White Rose has confirmed that the magical ice rink will offer skates to hire, as well as skating aids for children or those looking fro additional support on the rink.
Gather round the famous City Square Christmas Tree from Friday 19 November and witness the festive overhaul that will be bestowed upon the city thanks to Leeds City Council.
Drawing inspiration from Christmas Favourites from previous years, Millennium Square is going to be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice rink, Igloo bar and pop-up markets.
There will also be a festive-themed family trail around the city centre, taking children and grown ups on a wintry walk that highlights some of Leeds’ best landmark locations. You can read all about it here.
If you're really craving that outdoor, German market feeling then you can still get it in the beautiful and historic city of York.
And this year especially it's worth the trip, as joining the York Christmas Market for 2022 is the Winter Hütte, a two-storey traditional Swiss chalet with a fully licensed bar. Think cheese fondue, raclette and mulled wine, all served in a beautiful alpine setting.
The market is taking place from Thursday 17 November 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023, you can read all about it here.
Feature image - Chow Down
News
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
Everything you need to know about watching the solar eclipse in Leeds
Emily Sergeant
People all across the UK will be able to see an almost total solar eclipse in the sky this evening.
For the first time this century, with the last one being all the way back in 1999, people in the UK and Ireland – including here in Leeds – will get to see 90-96% of the sun covered by the moon today (12 August 2026), and if that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, this will be the last chance to do so until 2081.
NASA and Royal Museums Greenwich has confirmed that tomorrow’s solar eclipse will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 event.
But what can astronomy fans in Leeds expect from today’s eclipse? When will it be happening? How much coverage is our region going to see? And where are some of the best places to watch?
First up, let’s get the basics out the way – what is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun’s light either partly or fully.
Although the UK will only see a partial solar eclipse this time, some other countries – such as parts of Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Greenland – will be lucky enough to witness the spectacle of a total eclipse for a duration of up to two minutes and 18 seconds.
When will it be happening?
The eclipse is set to start at 6:13pm in Greater Manchester, and will run right through to 8:03pm – with the peak happening at 7:10pm.
How much coverage can Greater Leeds expect?
Of course, we always have to preface anything we say about astronomical events like this by saying ‘it depends on the weather’, as we do like in the north after all, and even though it is the height of summer, that won’t stop the skies from being overcast.
Luckily though, the Met Office is predicting some of the best weather conditions for an event like this in a long time, so it really is worth watching.
Spectators in Leeds will see 90 - 92% coverage, according to expert sources.
How can I watch the eclipse safely?
If there’s one thing experts are stressing, it’s the need to take correct precautions if you are planning to watch tomorrow.
The most important thing is to wear eclipse glasses and avoid looking directly at the sun.
It’s true that during an eclipse, the sun does appears dimmer therefore making it easier to look at directly, however solar radiation can still reach and damage the retina, often without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it’s too late.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that there are two safe approaches – specialist eclipse viewers, or indirect viewing methods.
Eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers must be genuine, sold by a reputable retailer, and have specially designed filters that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E). They must also have no scratches, tearing, or damage to the lens.
Old pairs may not be reusable, and sunglasses should never be used.
Indirect view methods include viewing the sun’s image projected through a colander or the gaps between tree leaves on to white paper, or using a pinhole pierced in one sheet of card and projected on to another.
Clementine Hall -
11th October 2022 
