From visiting Santa's Grotto to the annual panto and tucking into a turkey dinner, Leeds really has outdone itself this year.
"We all remember Christmas 2020 – even though it was pretty forgettable – and we’re counting on this Christmas to be better than the last.
The big thing about this Christmas is that we should be able to open up our doors and celebrate together – and we’ll never take that for granted again."
Steve Clarkson, Founder of Found Fiction, took the words out of our mouth's as he released this year's Christmas installation.
In the wake of last year's cancelled Christmas, the city has gone all-out to ensure that we celebrate with all the yuletide spirit we have.
There are so many events to get involved in around Leeds city centre, but we've rounded up the best to get involved in during the lead up to the big day.
Chow Down Winter Village
Play curling over mulled wine and cocktails at Chow Down. / Image: Simon Fogal
Ice Cube at Millenium Square. / Image: Zagni Photography
This year, Millenium Square is making up for the lack of traditional Christmas markets and bringing all our favourite festive activities to the city centre. The Ice Cube will be complete with a 400 sqm ice rink made from real ice and a transparent roof. Suitable for all ages and abilities, grab your gloves for an afternoon on the ice before grabbing a hot drink from the Spirit of Christmas Igloo Bar.
Christmas Tipis
Thor's Tipi will be located on Briggate this year. / Image: Leeds City Council
Along with the Leeds' favourite Thor's Tipi, there will also be a brand new boozy tipi on Briggate with refreshments, hopefully plenty of mulled wine and a ‘bring your own food’ policy that will allow you to bring the best of Leeds’ foodie favourites. This means as well as testing out the best of Thor's, you can sample cheeses, bratwurst and waffles from the pop-up stalls and bring them all brought back the cosy tipi retreat to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets.
My Christmas Home
Leeds BID have previously brought events like Made Up Leeds, Piano Trail and the Jurassic Trail to the city centre. / Image: Leeds BID.
My Christmas Home is an art installation inviting people to literally step into the world of Christmas. Step through the doors to discover an elderly couple’s bungalow, a packed student house, a homeless shelter and the home of an NHS nurse. It’s all about capturing the diversity of Christmas and sharing the celebratory energy of the entire festive season.
Abbey House Museum
Step back in time this Christmas at Abbey House Museum. / Image: Carl Milner
Ready to live out a true Dickensian Christmas? Look no further than the Abbey House Museum. The Victorian era theme is fun for all the family and a perfect opportunity to learn more about Christmases gone by. Stroll through the authentically recreated shops, pubs and houses with a range of different exhibitions to enjoy.
Santa's Grotto
Father Christmas will be visiting Leeds pop-ups throughout November and December. / Image: Lotherton
The festive season doesn't start until the Christmas tree goes up in the Corn Exchange. / Image: Carl Milner
The Corn Exchange will be hosting local food stalls, offering drink masterclasses all to the beat of DJs and live band performances as part of their foodie Christmas markets. Local and national breweries will also be on hand to give supply the boozy goods. North Brew Co and Camden Town Brewery will accompany the likes of Jack Daniels and Slane, Fords Gin and Finlandia Vodka to showcase a mix of world-class spirits and beers.
Garforth's Giant Gingerbread House
The Proctor's are well known in Leeds for their extravagant displays for the city to enjoy. / Image: Garforth Christmas
May and Rod Proctor are locally known for their mesmerising Christmas displays and this year will be no different. The Garforth estate will be transformed once again this year into a winter wonderland for all the family to witness, this time in the shape of a giant gingerbread house. There will also be a Hobbit house and a visit from Frozen's Olaf to look forward to.
Feature Image- Zagni Photography
News
Leeds Festival 2026 – drinks prices for beer, cider, wine, spirits and more
Leeds Festival 2026 is officially underway and we've rounded up drinks prices at the bars on the festival site.
While many of us will be sipping on warm cans of cider and boxes of wine at the camp sites, you can't take any of your own alcohol into the arena (where all the stages are) itself.
So you'll need to budget for drinks over the course of the weekend if you want to watch the headliners with a pint in hand.
And with headline performances from the likes of Fontaines D.C., Raye, Florence and the Machine and Dave, there's masses of amazing live music on the horizon at Leeds Festival 2026.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We're already on site at Leeds Festival ready to bring you all the action and updates from this massive weekend - staring with, importantly, drinks prices.
So, let's get into it...
This year you're looking at paying around £7 of beer and £7.50 £7.50 for a pint of cider.
Different for this year, is you'll get 10% off if paying with a Paypal debit card which you can get for free - which we think is pretty class and well worth your time.
You can take your own empty water bottles in to refill at water stations around the festival site.
You're also allowed to bring in sealed water/soft drinks which are 500ml or less.
And if you're taking your own booze into the campsites, remember that there's no glass allowed, so you'll need to decant anything into plastic bottles.
Here are all your drinks prices for Leeds Festival 2026
Beer and cider
Budweiser - £7 (£6.30 with Paypal discount)
Corona Extra - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Crisp Apple - £7.50 (£6.75 with Paypal discount)
Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime - £7.70 (£6.93 with Paypal discount)
Rose - 175ml £10 / btl £35 (£9/£31.5 with Paypal discount)
Italian sparkling - 200ml £10 (£9 with Paypal discount)
No and Low
Budweiser Zero - £5.80 (£5.22 with Paypal discount)
Water - £2.50 (£2.25 with Paypal discount)
And that should just about do you in terms of booze - as always, please drink responsibly and look after each other.
For all the other important information, you can consult our complete 2026 Leeds Festival guide down below.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds Festival warning issued as police announce speed cameras and traffic restrictions
Clementine Hall
Leeds Fest is almost here, but festival-goers heading to Bramham Park by car have been warned to take extra care on the roads.
Driving to Leeds Festival has never been particularly easy, but West Yorkshire Police have issued a warning to those driving by car in an attempt to make it somewhat easier.
Ahead of Leeds Festival 2026, temporary traffic management measures will be in place from Wednesday 26 August until Monday 31 August.
The measures are designed to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and help ensure the safe movement of the tens of thousands of people expected to attend the event.
Speed camera enforcement vans will be operating throughout the festival period alongside clearways surrounding the festival site.
Police have warned that drivers caught breaking the temporary restrictions could face prosecution, so it's definitely worth keeping an eye out for the signage as you approach the festival.
Superintendent Dan Wood said: “Leeds Festival is one of the largest events in West Yorkshire and attracts a significant increase in traffic to the local road network.
"The temporary speed restrictions and clearways are being introduced to help keep everyone safe, including festival-goers, local residents and road users.
"We would ask all motorists to pay close attention to the temporary signage in place and allow extra time for their journeys. Speed enforcement will be carried out during the event, and we encourage drivers to comply with all restrictions for their own safety and that of others."
Festival attendees are also being urged to follow the event signage rather than relying solely on their sat nav. Dedicated routes will direct different categories of visitors to the correct locations, including:
Camping entrances
Day / Non-camping ticket parking areas
Drop-off and pick-up points
Staff and authorised vehicle access routes
Motorists who follow sat nav directions alone may be directed to unsuitable routes, causing unnecessary delays for themselves and other road users.
Sophie Smith -
19th November 2021 
