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
A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
19th November 2021 
