Leeds Labubu lovers (try saying that three times), your beloved Pop Mart is on its way to Leeds.
If you haven't been plugged into the whole Labubu hype then first of all, where have you been? And second of all, allow us to fill you in.
Labubu is the name of the viral plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to make this worldwide cuddly phenomenon.
Recognised by their bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles (which some people find off-putting), Labubu has become a bit of an overnight superstar and shows no signs of slowing down.
Images: The Manc Group
The general public aren’t the only ones all over these famous fur-balls either, as celebs and stars alike have been attaching them to their handbags and sporting them like a prized possession.
And where can you get your hands on a Labubu? Pop Mart. And where are Pop Mart opening their newest shop? Right here in Leeds.
According to a job advert for Store Manager on Indeed, Pop Mart will be opening on Briggate just next to the Queens Arcade near Starbucks.
Images: The Manc Group
Pop Mart is famed for its huge collection of designer toys and collectible items, often attracting fans from far and wide who are prepared to queue up outside the doors before opening.
Here's what the job advert says: "Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain.
"Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters."
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just a weeks time, and we've got everything you need to know.
This year, the markets are looking a little bit different than before as outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi have stepped up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular.
They're organising a market where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
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.
So, let's get into it...
Opening dates and timings
The Leeds Christmas Markets will kick off from Thursday 19 November and run until Wednesday 23 December. So that's almost five weeks of festivities flooding the city, and plenty of time for you to make the most of it.
The markets will be open 7 days a week, the exact timings are:
The main stalls and street food will be located at City Square, here you will also find the main Christmas tree and two THOR's bars.
Ice Cube at Millennium Square will also be making a return, here you'll find rides, an ice rink and more food and drink. This is separate to what is being run by THOR's this year, though.
There will be plenty of other festive activities taking place throughout the city throughout November and December, you can find out more and view the Leeds Christmas map here.
Food
Okay, now we can get onto the good stuff.
We all know that the highlight of the markets is the food, and this year there's going to be more independent and local trader than ever before.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From Leeds' very own Italian street food restaurant Stuzzi to homemade mini tiramisu drawers, you're going to want to arrive feeling very peckish at these markets that's for sure.
The current full list of street food vendors at City Square is as follows:
Cut & Craft (steak and chips)
Beth Bakes Cakes (hot chocolate fudge cake)
Misu Tiramisu (mini tiramisu drawers)
Crumble pots (crumble)
La Grassa (Italian-American sandwiches)
Chocolate Circus (stacked hot chocolates)
Stuzzi (Italian street food)
Street Kings Bratwurst (traditional bratwurst)
Johnsons' Toffee (homemade toffee and fudge)
The Savvy Baker (sweet treats and hot cookie dough)
Irish spice bags
Churros
Drink
Closely following behind food, a good old tipple is what many of us venture to the markets for.
This year, alongside a few mulled wine stalls in city square, THOR's will be doing what they do best and opening two brand-new outdoor bars to really get you in the spirit.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can pick from a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar, both designed to welcome large groups with their own themed drinks and cosy interiors. You can read more about these bars here.
Not only that, but they'll be a specialist coffee trader as well as a matcha trader if you don't fancy anything alcoholic.
Shopping
The Leeds Christmas Markets isn't just about eating and drinking, it's also about browsing and shopping for those last minute Christmas gifts or gorgeous knick-knacks to decorate your home with over the festive season.
Here's your list of traders to buy gifts from at City Square:
Stump Cross (natural crystal jewellery, fossils and more)
House of the Trembling Madness (festive craft beer cans)
Real Markets Yorkshire (lots of goodies made in Yorkshire)
Yorkshire Print Company (Yorkshire-inspired artwork)
Paper Starlights (handmade paper lanterns)
Scents of Christmas (handcrafted decorations)
Kakuwi (homemade crafts sourced across India and Nepal)
Audio North’s Artist of the Month – The Wranglers | November 2026
Declan Kelly
It’s time to bring a whole lot of country music to the North.
Country music might traditionally have you thinking of Nashville, cowboy boots, and American highways, but there's a new generation of artists proving you don't have to cross the Atlantic to find a good country tune.
Meet The Wranglers - a Leeds-based band who are bringing a whole lot of country to the North's music scene, with big vocals, infectious energy, and a sound that feels just as at home in a packed festival field as it does in a Nashville honky-tonk.
Formed in April 2024, the independent band have wasted little time making their mark on the UK's growing country music scene. The Wranglers have been championing the sort of live performances that are about more than simply playing a setlist, inviting audiences into a world of storytelling, freedom, heart and a little bit of country-rock chaos.
Their sound takes inspiration from some of music's biggest names (think Bruce Springsteen, Journey, and Foreigner) while bringing in the more modern country influences of Luke Combs, The Shires, and Lady A.
It's this combination of classic rock influences and contemporary country that gives the band their own identity. Whether it's a summer anthem, a power ballad, or something exploring darker themes of lust and betrayal, their songwriting is rooted in storytelling and the ability to make people feel something.
And if there's one thing The Wranglers want you to know, it's that their music is best experienced live.
Credit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
With lead vocalists Milly Ballington and Leo Hicks at the front, alongside Dylan Wilson on lead guitar, Sian Keates on drums, and Sean Robinson on bass, the five-piece put showmanship at the heart of everything they do. Expect plenty of audience participation, powerful vocals, and the kind of stage presence that makes it difficult to stand still.
Since forming, they've already found themselves performing at some of the UK's most exciting country music destinations, including The Long Road Festival and Lil' Nashville in London, while continuing to build a dedicated following back home in Leeds.
Their debut single, 'Rewind', arrived in 2025, giving listeners an introduction to their original sound. They've since continued to build on that momentum with 'Freedom in the Rain', released in August 2026, and their latest single 'Ghost', showing there's plenty more to come from the band.
It's not just about getting their music out there, either. With a headline show at Leeds' Oporto among their recent milestones, The Wranglers are continuing to put their hometown firmly on the map as they take their country sound further afield.
For a band that only came together in 2024, there's already plenty to shout about. But with new music, live performances and a growing audience behind them, it feels like they're only just getting started.
So, if you've been looking for your next country music obsession, it might be time to give The Wranglers a listen. After all, you don't need to be in Nashville to have a little bit of country in your life.
Clementine Hall -
2nd June 2025 
