Leeds Christmas Market Returns with Yorkshire Flavours

Festive events set to transform Leeds city centre this winter

Leeds city centre will once again host its annual Christmas market and festive attractions, featuring a range of local food, drink, music and entertainment. The events are scheduled to begin on 19 November and promise to bring a seasonal atmosphere to the city with a focus on Yorkshire’s culinary and cultural offerings.

Christmas Market in City Square

The Christmas market will return to City Square with a new design and expanded features. Organised by Fabler and Co, the company behind THOR’S Tipi, the market will include:

• Stalls from around 60 traders and food vendors across Yorkshire
• Two new bar areas
• Approximately 200 Christmas trees decorating the area
• A new Elf Hunt trail for visitors
• Traditional Christmas Tipis on Victoria Gardens
• Live music performances featuring solo artists, brass bands and choirs

Additionally, a selection of special cabins operated by Real Markets Yorkshire will feature a rotating group of artisan traders.

Ice Cube at Christmas

The Ice Cube at Christmas attraction will also return, featuring a 400 square metre covered ice rink located on Millennium Square. The rink will be housed beneath a transparent marquee and offer:

• Daily skating sessions
• Weekend Penguin Club sessions for children under nine
• Festive street food stalls and Bavarian-style market offerings
• An alpine-inspired Ski Bar
• Winter-themed games and rides suitable for all ages

Among the rides and attractions are the Big Wheel on Victoria Gardens, the Golden Gallopers carousel on Cookridge Street, and the 30-metre-high Starflyer on Millennium Square.

Event Dates and Further Information

• The Leeds Christmas Market will be open from 19 November until 23 December 2026.
• Ice Cube at Christmas, including the ice rink and selected stalls and attractions, will run from 19 November until 31 December 2026.

Advance tickets for the ice rink are currently available for purchase.

Comments from Leeds City Council

Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Economy at Leeds City Council, commented on the upcoming events:

“Christmas is a really special time in Leeds and it’s always amazing to see the city transformed each year by all the unique magic of the festive season. Our Christmas programme is always hugely popular, attracting tens of thousands of people to the city centre and helping families and friends to create some incredible memories. This year we’ve worked closely with our new operator to ensure Leeds has a high quality, local market that showcases the very best our region has to offer, so Christmas in Leeds is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever and we can’t wait to welcome people to the city.”

More Information

Details about the Christmas market, including a list of traders, can be found on the official Leeds Christmas Market website. Information on Ice Cube at Christmas, including ticket booking, is available at www.icecubeleeds.co.uk.