Leeds Christmas Market 2026: Big changes unveiled
The 2026 Leeds Christmas Market is gearing up to be the most exciting to date, with the brains behind Thor’s Tipi taking the reins with some big plans for the festive celebrations.
Bringing together 60 of the region’s very best independent and artisan traders, there will be a big focus on keeping things local and curated this year.
With two new bars, familiar favourite foodie spots and heaps of live entertainment, this is the place to be this Christmas. Whether you’re passing through or on the hunt for gifts, whatever you do, make sure to come hungry.
The important information for Leeds Christmas Market
19th November – 23rd December 2026
Leeds Christmas Market will run seven days a week, stretching from City Square to Millennium Square, where the much-loved Ice Cube outdoor ice rink returns for another year of festive skating.
Trader Village & Leeds Street Food
Sunday-Wednesday: 10:30 am – 7 pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10:30 am – 8 pm
THOR’S Highland Lodge & Folié Ski Bar
Sunday-Tuesday: 11 am – 9 pm
Wednesday-Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
Top picks for food and drink at Leeds Christmas Market
Leeds Christmas Market has upped the ante with their food and drink offerings this year, with appearances from Leeds favourites like Stuzzi to boujee bites from Cut & Craft; the bar has officially been raised.
There are also two new bars to look forward to: Thor’s Highland Lodge, bringing Highland-inspired cocktails, roaring fires, live music and Little Bao Boy street food, and Folie Après Ski Bar, promising a lively après-ski atmosphere right in the city centre.
Beth Bakes Cakes
Following the success of Beth’s Bakes Cakes’ ‘Beth Cake’ in York, the baker is bringing her signature eight-layer chocolate cake to Leeds. Expect a Bruce-Bogtrotter-style chocolate ganache with pouring chocolate and whipped cream that’ll keep you going far longer than a selection box.
Yorkshire Food Guide’s favourite: Split a Beth cake with cream between friends as the last treat of the night
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La Grassa
From Farsley to the city centre, La Grassa (from the people you know and love from Stuzzi) are bringing festive sandwiches to Leeds Christmas Markets this year.
Little Bao Boy
Little Bao Boy will be serving their Asian-inspired street food at Thor’s Highland Lodge, with pillowy steamed bao, seasonal specials and their popular Salt & Pepper spice bags on the menu.
Cut & Craft
The Cut & Craft and Lucia are serving something hearty to the Leeds Christmas Markets with Pasta alla Ruota: fresh pasta finished in a cheese wheel and topped with seared steak. Rich in flavour and theatrical, we’re hungry just thinking about it.
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House of Trembling Madness
Perfect for gifting, sharing and indulging, one of Yorkshire’s best-known independent beer names, House of Trembling Madness will be there with craft beer and warming drinks to enjoy at the market.
Misu Tiramisu
After an autumn residency at Trinity Leeds, Misu Tiramisu is back for Leeds Christmas Market, and good, because we weren’t ready to say bye. Their adorable tiramisu drawers are packed with layers of rich mascarpone and indulgent flavours.
The Savvy Baker
Another Leeds Christmas Market classic, The Savvy Baker is back for another year of brownie-filled deliciousness. Baked locally by a small team, expect generously loaded brownies and cookies made with quality ingredients and plenty of indulgent fillings.
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Farsley Fire & Smoke
Farsley Fire and Smoke have become a Christmas market favourite, and the team will be back at Leeds Christmas Market this year with their notorious brisket and smoked meats. One to seek out if you’re after something hearty while browsing the stalls.
Gander Coffee Co.
York natives Gander Coffee know a thing or two about speciality coffee, serving up quality brews to keep you warm as you wander the Christmas market stalls.
Crumble Pots
The ultimate comfort food, these crumbles are customisable with a pick-and-mix selection of toppings. For something a little different, keep an eye out for their savoury Roast Dinner Crumble – a festive take on a Sunday favourite.
Chocolate Circus
Chocolate Circus is bringing the indulgence with its towering hot chocolates, piled high with gooey cookies, toasted marshmallow fluff, whipped cream and a Leeds-themed wafer.
Yorkshire Food Guide’s favourite: The Signature Melting Pot – molten chocolate served in an edible cup.
Stuzzi
One of our favourite restaurants in Leeds, Stuzzi has mastered modern Italian food. They’re joining us at Leeds Christmas Market 2026 with some of their signature dishes. Chicken Milanese, anyone?
Chocolate Kiss Co.
Chocolate Kiss makes bite-sized chocolates filled with smooth, flavoured mousse. Choose from 16 flavours or create a box to take home – if you can resist eating them first.
Street King Bratwursts
A Christmas market is not a Christmas market without a bratwurst, and the smell filling the air. Choose from Traditional Bratwurst, a deeply smoky Krakauer, a decadent Cheese Frankfurter, or a fiery Chilli Beef Bratwurst
Johnson’s Toffees
Family-run factory in West Yorkshire, Johnson’s toffees and fudges are made with traditional methods passed down through generations. Expect creamy, melt-in-the-mouth sweets made with locally sourced ingredients.
Irish Spice Bags
The viral Spice Bags are heading to Leeds Christmas Market, with crispy chicken, chunky chips, peppers and chillies tossed in salt and chilli seasoning, served with Irish curry sauce.
Yorkshire Food Guide’s favourite: For a festive twist, try with crispy sprouts, Parmesan and cranberry hot honey dip.
Storymaker Mead
Made in Yorkshire, Storymaker crafts mead using traditional methods and quality ingredients. Expect bold flavours and plenty of character in every bottle, perfect for a festive tipple or a unique gift to take home.
Artisanal Cheese
If you’re looking to populate your cheeseboard this Christmas, then you should certainly take advantage of the artisanal cheese selection at Leeds Christmas Market 2026.
Forged Spirits
Great for Christmas gifting or a Christmas drink, Forged Spirits, this independent Yorkshire distillery, produces award-winning small-batch gin, vodka and rum in Wakefield.
Everything else at Leeds Christmas Market 2026
Amongst one of the best foodie line-ups we have ever seen at Leeds Christmas Market is a whole host of local crafts and gift stalls. Some familiar names, but also some new on the scene, to make sure we get the shopping done before the big day.
Expect to see some Yorkshire icons like Stump Cross Caverns, who’ll be there with crystal jewellery, fossils and geodes and the Yorkshire Candle Company with candles, reed diffusers, room sprays and wax melts, all hand-crafted.
What else do we need to know about Leeds Christmas Market?
- Leeds Christmas Market is free to visit, with no general admission ticket required.
- Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually quieter, while evenings and weekends tend to be busier.
- Allow a couple of hours to browse the stalls, enjoy the street food and soak up the atmosphere, or longer if you’re planning to catch the live entertainment, Sunday performances, Santa visits or craft workshops.
- The market is primarily outdoors, so wrap up warm. Festive bars and heated Snow Globe pods offer somewhere to escape the cold.
- Four-legged friends are welcome.
- Both bars are cashless.
- City Square is step-free and centrally located, making it accessible for most visitors.
In the festive spirit? Take a look at all the festive markets happening over Christmas in Yorkshire…
Pignut and The Hare Stay with Tasting Menu & Champagne
- Michelin Guide recommended
- Rave reviews
- SAVE 15% off
The Cookery School at The Grand York
The Grand, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD- Offering a tempting selection of 43 classes
- Within the 5-Star Grand Hotel in York
- Save up to 15% off
Swinton Park Hotel Sparkling Afternoon Tea
Ripon, HG4 4JH- Featured on the BBC’s Amazing Hotels series
- Access to deer park and gardens
- SAVE 18%
£50 CrowdedHouse Leeds Restaurant Voucher
Level 5 & 6, Trinity Centre, 70 Boar Ln, Leeds LS1 6HW- Stunning rooftop bar and restaurant with great views
- Mouthwatering small plates
- SAVE 25%
Written by
21/10/2026