Hi everyone!

I wanted to do a blog about the things there are to do in Leeds at Christmas time – Leeds always has loads going on, so it’s worth having a gander around the city and joining in the festivities!

German Christmas Market

Located in Millennium Square, the German Market is a lovely showcase of all things Christmassy – food, gifts, fairground rides, mulled wine and beer! Its open during the day as well as at night so you can go at a time that suits you with your uni friends, or take a trip with your family if they come to visit!

There is also a giant Tipi outside of the art gallery down the road, which is a beer and wine tent with an open fire – it's very cosy when its cold outside.

Jenny blog Christmas market

Leeds Big Wheel

Outside the town hall the Big Wheel appears every year. It is a giant Ferris wheel that is lit up with all colours of the rainbow. It lights up the whole of the Headrow and gives you great views over the city.

Leeds Christmas Trail

This year Leeds has set up a trail for you to see different Christmas decorations and trees placed all around the city. A definite highlight is the giant Christmas tree in City square (just opposite the train station) it’s beautiful!

The rest of the trail includes trees around:

  • Briggate
  • St Johns Centre
  • Outside the First Direct Arena
  • Trinity shopping centre
  • Leeds Train station

The whole map can be found online if you search ‘Leeds Christmas Trail’ - it's fab.

Jenny blog Christmas tree

Christmas Shopping

The Christmas shopping in Leeds is fantastic. There's every shop you could wish to find. In the city centre, there's Trinity and the White Rose shopping centre (which also has a new cinema and TGIs!) Its always worth a wander around the city centre to shop too, as you can see all of the gorgeous decorations and all the Christmas lights around the city – there are loads! If you pop into Leeds Kirkgate Market you can also find lots of festive bargains and a lovely little Christmas tree in the centre of the indoor shops (next to the first ever M&S).

Jenny blog Kirkgate market

The Hot Roast Chestnut Man

Every year, in the winter, the hot roast chestnut man comes out into Leeds centre for you to buy some Christmas roast chestnuts! They are £2 for a bag and worth a try if you haven’t before – they're the perfect winter warmer! If you can’t find him, you will probably be able to hear him shouting ‘hot roast chestnuts!’ down Briggate!

Jenny blog Chestnut man

Kirkstall Abbey

A trip with your housemates to Kirkstall Abbey is a lovely thing to do in the festive season – grab a flask of Yorkshire tea and have a wander around the grounds and see one of the oldest sights in Leeds. Whatever your tastes, there are a whole host of things to do in Leeds at this time of year, which are sure to put you in the Christmas Spirit!

Jenny blog Kirkstall Abbey

Jenny

My name is Jenny, I’m from Halifax and am studying Speech and Language Therapy. I enjoy travelling and am very lucky to have had lots of opportunities to do this - exploring new cultures and seeing animals from around the world makes me so happy. I absolutely love Leeds, it’s a wonderful city that always has something going on and loads of places to explore - I am super proud of saying I live here and study at Leeds Beckett!

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