Leeds at Christmas

If you’re short of ideas for what to do around Christmas-time, Stan Graham has a few ideas which you might like to pursue:

For something a bit different to eat and drink there is the annual German Christmas Market in Millennium Square until 22nd December. Whilst there are clothing and gift stalls, the main focus is on the traditional teutonic beers and foodstuffs. There are the usual sausages and beer, but also mulled wine, filled bagels and sweet treats.

Photograph by Stan Graham

Close by you will also find the Cristkindelmarkt, again until 22nd, with its fairground attractions, and more food. Another short stroll will take you to Victoria Gardens and Thor’s Tipi Bar selling beers, mulled wine, hot cider etc. Wot no food! Well yes, The Mussel Pot and Grill just outside is selling guess what, yup, mussels and grilled meats, both are there until New Year’s Eve.

Photograph by Stan Graham.

The Wheel of Light is also just next door if you fancy going up in the world and is in operation until New Year’s Day.

Photograph by Stan Graham

Moving to another part of the city centre there are events happening at Kirkgate Market with KirkLATE Xmas Party on 6th December, Leeds Record and Book Fair on the 8th with Santa and the Goblin Market (I didn’t think that you were allowed to sell goblins) on Saturdays 15th and 22nd, Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th. That Santa is certainly getting about a bit as he will be at both the White Rose Shopping Centre and at his Grotto in the Merrion Centre both from now until Christmas Eve. He is such an attention seeker I wouldn’t mind betting that he crops up in other places during the month.

One-off events include Let’s Youth Curate Christmas! At Leeds Art Gallery on Saturday 8th, Leeds Vegan Winterfest at the Civic Hall on Sunday 2nd. Leeds City Museum hosts Etsy Made Local on 1st and 2nd December and Hibernate on Thursday 27th to Monday 31st December and then again on Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th January.

Photograph provided by Creative Marmalade

Kirkstall Abbey is packed with events during December with carols on Sunday 9th, a Hidden Festival from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th and a Sleepy Santa Trail from Thursday 27th until Sunday 30th. There are also events taking place at Abbey House Museum opposite with that Santa Claus popping up yet again. Check their website for details.

For those who want to leave the bright lights of the big city behind there is The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall which runs until 23rd December and Christmas at Harewood until 6th January.

If you don’t fancy any of that lot then why not just go shopping and sample all of the permanent attractions of our wonderful city perhaps taking in one of the many pantomimes. Oh yes you can!

Photograph by Stan Graham

 

Should you still not be tempted then why not nip into a sweet shop for a very large bag of humbug.

Merry Christmas to you all, and may 2019 bring you nothing but good stuff.

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