The news comes after it was announced that the Leeds German Christmas Markets would not take place for the third year in a row.
According to ITV, a spokesperson from Leeds City Council confirmed yesterday that it was "no longer feasible" for the German Christmas Market to return to Leeds, explaining that: "Following the pandemic and combined with foreign travel work visa costs and complications, it was mutually agreed with our friends in Frankfurt that it was no longer feasible to bring the German market back to Leeds."
"Our events programme is kept under review but there are no plans at this stage."
Having been originally started in 1997, the Christkindelmarkt had become a staple part of the city's festivities that saw a partnership with Frankfurt City Council attract up to 250,000 visitors to Leeds every year.
The markets have not taken place since 2019, with the pandemic to blame for the past two years of absense.
Instead this year, Leeds can look forward to the return of Ice Cube at Millenium Square, with a small selection of food and drink vendors, winter-themed rides and attractions for all ages to enjoy.
The Corn Exchange will also host a huge Christmas market based around festive food and drink, and it is expected that plenty of other alternatives will be offered around the city centre.
Chow Down will also host a huge Winter Village complete with beer tent, steins and a host of foodie offerings from local independents.
Looking for the perfect Christmas tree? Look no further.
The most wonderful time of the year must be here, because the St Gemma's Hospice Christmas Tree Sale is back for 2026.
And this year, there's an extra sale day for those who like to get their festive decorations up a little earlier.
All you have to do is bob along to one of their sale dates and pick your perfect Nordmann Fir Christmas tree, all while supporting a wonderful local cause.
Every tree purchased helps raise vital funds for St Gemma's Hospice, supporting the specialist care provided to local patients and their families.
Images: Supplied
The Christmas trees will be available to buy on the following dates at St Gemma's Hospice, 329 Harrogate Road, LS17 6QD:
Saturday 28 November: 10am – 4pm
Sunday 29 November: 10am – 4pm
Thursday 3 December: 2pm – 7pm
Friday 4 December: 10am – 7pm
Saturday 5 December: 10am – 4pm
And it doesn't stop there, as St Gemma's Hospice will not only sell you a tree, but they'll also recycle it with their popular 'Treecycling' service.
The way it works is simple, all you have to do is register for free, make a donation and one of their fantastic volunteers will come and collect your tree to be recycled. It really is a win win.
Collections will take place from 7th to the 15th January 2027, on weekdays only, between 9am and 3pm.
The Hospice cares for people in Leeds and surrounding communities, helping them live as well as possible and supporting them when they need it most.
Treecycling helps raise essential funds for this important work. By booking a collection, you’re helping St Gemma’s Hospice continue to provide compassionate care to local people and their families.
Everything you need to know about the Leeds Christmas Markets 2026
Clementine Hall
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:
Trader Village & Leeds Street Food
Sunday-Wednesday: 10:30am-7pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10:30am-8pm
THOR’S Highland Lodge & Folié Ski Bar
Sunday-Tuesday: 11am-9pm
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-11pm
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Locations
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)
Sophie Smith -
6th October 2022 
