Leeds splits its winter programme across several sites, but the Leeds Christmas Market at City Square remains the anchor. The German-inspired Christkindelmarkt brings Bratwurst, Glühwein, and carved wooden ornaments, while a large ice rink and a rotating schedule of smaller markets across the city give you a reason to explore beyond the main event.
Leeds Christmas Market 2026
Dates
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Leeds dates: 20th November to 21st December 2026
Last checked: July 2026
Update: Last year’s dates were announced in September. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.
Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Visit Leeds.
Note: The following details are for the central City Square market. Scroll down for details on the other markets.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: City Square.
Opening times:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm.
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Sunday: 11am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Highlights walking tour is popular.
Public transport: Train: Leeds Station. Buses run regularly.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Q-Park Albion Street is nearby.
Travel tip: There are many events and the ice rink taking place this year. Visit early in the day and during the week to avoid the expected crowds.
Where to stay: Quebecs Hotel is just around the corner from City Square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Lights switch-on: Not announced.
Santa: Father Christmas Grottos are at every event.
Advent Calendar: Open every day during Advent.
Ice skating: Ice Cube at Millenium Square.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Hog roast, Italian chocolates, and German specialties like gluhwein, bratwurst and schnitzel.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Dogs are allowed in outdoor areas.
Convenient Hotels
Millennium Square is north of the City Centre, with most hotels just to the south. The Quebecs Hotel at City Square is good value in this area and is a 6-minute walk from Millennium Square.
Read my hotels in Leeds guide for more options on where to stay.
Discover more places to go with my UK Christmas Markets list.
Market Location
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
Additional Locations
Little Bird Artisan Market
A local makers market with handcrafted gifts and locally produced seasonal treats.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Dates: 19th November to 21st December 2026
Location: Bond Court.
Opening times:
Thursday to Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Millennium Square
Festive stalls, winter rides, activities, and ice skating.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Dates: 20th November to 31st December 2026
Location: Millenium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 12pm to 9:30pm.
Friday: 12pm to 10pm.
Saturday: 11am to 10pm.
Sunday: 11am to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Boxing Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Payments: Card payments are preferred for all rides and attractions. Cash is accepted.
Thor’s Tipi: Victoria Gardens. 14th November to 31st December 2026. Full details.
Wheel of Light: Victoria Gardens.
Starflyer: Millennium Square.
North Pole Funhouse: Millennium Square.
Festive rides and carousel: Cookridge Street.
Ice skating: Ice Cube at Millennium Square. Buy tickets online or at the door.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Dogs are allowed in outdoor areas.
Leeds Corn Exchange
Several events for festive shopping, supporting independent businesses, local music, and food from local restaurants, plus products from artisan distilleries and breweries.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Little Fox Charity Craft Fair: 1st to 2nd November and 19th to 20th December.
The Mindful Lock-In Night Market: 4th December – 6pm to 9pm.
Location: Leeds Corn Exchange.
Kirkgate Market
One of the UK’s largest indoor markets and the original site of Marks & Spencer. It hosts pop-up markets with handcrafted items and seasonal treats.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Little Fox Charity Craft Fair: 21st November.
Location: 34 George Street.
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm.
Sunday: Closed.
Christmas at Harewood
Held at Harewood House, 25 minutes north of Leeds, showcasing local crafts and artisanal products in a historic setting. A
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Christmas at Harewood: 7th November 2026 to 4th January 2027
Harewood Christmas Market: 7th to 10th November 2026
Location: North Park Walk, Harewood House.
Website: Full details available here.
Sunny Bank Mills
Artist and Makers Market at Sunnybank Mills Gallery, 25 minutes outside Leeds, featuring local artisans and independent makers.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Dates: 27th to 29th November 2026
Location: Sunny Bank Mills.
Opening times:
Friday: 2pm to 8pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm.
Admission: £3.50 at the door.
Website: Full details available here.
What to Expect
This year, Leeds welcomes back the German-style Christkindelmarkt, set at City Square, Briggate, and surrounding streets, including Dortmund Square and Albion Place. The city also offers a variety of seasonal events and markets.
Ice Cube at Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens offers an ice-skating experience under the city lights, accompanied by fun fair rides and attractions on Cookridge Street.
The Corn Exchange hosts its annual market featuring unique gifts and artisan crafts. Kirkgate Market is lively, offering local produce and seasonal goods, making it an ideal destination for food shopping.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Eco-Friendly Hotels: Book a hotel in Leeds that utilises renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power, to support local sustainability initiatives.
- Minimise Food Waste: To avoid food waste, choose smaller portions or share meals at local eateries, and support businesses that prioritise sustainable practices.
- Ethical Shopping: Purchase handmade or locally crafted items from markets to reduce environmental impact and support local artisans.
- Sustainable Dining: Dine at restaurants focusing on locally sourced or plant-based produce to support regional agriculture.
- Green Transport: To reduce emissions, use Leeds’ public transport system, including buses and trains, or walk and cycle.
- Support Local Housing: Stay in hotels instead of short-term rentals to help alleviate pressure on the local housing market.
- Reduce Plastic Use: Bring reusable water bottles and shopping bags to help reduce plastic waste. Many markets in Leeds feature water refill stations to encourage the use of reusable bottles instead of single-use plastic.
- Explore Lesser-Known Areas: Visit less-touristy districts in Leeds to spread your spending across the city and support a broader range of local businesses.
- Engage with the Arts: Attend local theatre performances or visit art galleries to support the cultural scene.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
People are free to make their own choices. Many of us value the environment and are concerned about climate change. I’ve listed some small actions we can take to help lower our impact at this event.