The time has finally come, the Leeds Christmas Markets will be opening up in the city this week.
From Gluhwein stalls to Leeds-baked brownies, the city is set to come to life with an unrivalled festive spirit this Friday 22 November until Sunday 22 December – and we’ve got the scoop on where you need to check out.
This year the markets will take-over two prime locations in the heart of the city centre – City Square and Millennium Square, with a variety of festival stalls selling gifts, crafts and delicious food from around the world.
Image: Visit Leeds
Opening Times
Opening from 10am every single day of the week, there’s truly going to be something for the whole family.
The full opening hours for the Leeds Christmas Markets 20234are as follows:
 Mondays: 10am-7pm
Tuesdays: 10am-7pm
Wednesdays: 10am-7pm
Thursdays 10am-9pm
Fridays: 10am-9pm
Saturdays: 10am-9pm
Sundays: 10am – 6pm
What can I buy from the Leeds Christmas Markets?
There will be artisan gifts and handcrafted goods aplenty on offer, with a standout selection of food and drink options that embody the Christmas spirit we all know and love around this time of year. Bratwurst, crumble and speciality cheeses are just the beginning…
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The city will also host Little Bird Artisan Markets every weekend from Sunday 17 November, featuring unique handmade gifts by an amazing selection of local artists and independent traders. The artisan Christmas Markets will take place on Briggate every Sunday from 17 November and additionally on Bond Court every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 23 November.
What’s going on at Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens?
Millennium Square | Open from Friday 22 November 2024
Ice Cube on Millennium Square is the perfect place to test out your ice skating skills – and whether you’re a pro on the ice or it’s just your first time skating, there’s different timings to suit every ability.
There’s Penguin Club for little ones looking for some extra assistance, lessons with a National Ice Skating Association instructor and a dedicated accessible skating session for wheelchair users and those with additional needs; all in addition to the general public skates that take place each day.
In addition to the skating rink, you’ll find craft, food and drink stalls and a full family funfair with themed rides, like Rescue Rudolph, Santa’s Super Shooter, a giant Snow Globe and the North Pole Funhouse.
And for the traditionalists amongst you take a ride on the vintage carousel or The Wheel of Light which will give you spectacular views of the city. Plus, Thor’s Tipi will also be there - the perfect spot to get cosy with a steaming cup of mulled wine.
The current opening times for the Ice Cube are as follows:
Monday – Thursdays: 12.30pm – 9.15pmÂ
Fridays: 12.30pm – 10.15pm
Saturdays: 10.30am – 10.15pm
Sundays: 10.30am – 7.15pm
Christmas Day and Boxing Day: CLOSED
Wednesday 27 December – Friday 29 December: 10.30am – 9.15pm (10.15pm on Friday)
Whilst the official long-list of traders is still yet to be announced, we’ll keep you updates on all our findings on the day on our Instagram page @thehootleeds.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Popular TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Think it's too early for 'C word'? Never mind, you've already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn't exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner - but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right - Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there's arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that's charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it's now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films - including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Viewers will find GREAT! Christmas on Freeview channel 51, Sky 319, Sky (Glass/Stream) 317, Virgin channel 424, and Freely channel 47.
Clementine Hall -
18th November 2024 
