Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Your Guide To A Budget Friendly Christmas in Leeds
Christmas can be a pretty expensive time of the year, especially in a bustling hub like Leeds. So how do we make it cheaper? No need to worry - I've compiled a to-do list of budget-friendly festive activities if you're looking for an affordable Christmas this year!
LEEDS CHRISTMAS MARKET AT CITY SQUARE
Leeds resurrects its famous Christmas market every year in slightly different shapes, but the vibe stays the same: twinkly lights, the smell of bratwurst, and big crowds. It's totally doable on a tight budget, especially if you treat it like a browse first, buy later adventure and bring your own hot drink in a flask. Wander through the wooden huts and let yourself feel festive for cheap - though if you do want a treat, the glühwein or churros usually hit that sweet spot where you only have to spend a little. Perfect low-cost Christmas magic!
Friday 21 November-Sunday 21 December
- Monday-Wednesday, 10am-7pm (Bars until 10pm)
- Thursday-Saturday, 10am-9pm (Bars until 11pm)
- Sunday, 11am-6pm (Bars until 7pm)
© Tom Martin for Visit Leeds Christmas 2023 (Also header image)
MILLENIUM SQUARE CHRISTMAS
Why not give ice skating a try this Christmas? Get your skates on with some friends and have a laugh as you all wobble around on the rink! As a student, you're in luck price-wise: tickets are around £11.50 for LeedsCard or student holders, or £10 for off-peak slots through the week. Once you're off the ice, it's worth checking out the chalet stalls for some seasonal eats, and the family funfair with festive-themed rides. It's definitely worth checking out the Wheel of Light too for a great view of the city centre from up high.
Friday 21 November-Wednesday 31 December
- Monday-Friday, 12pm-9:30pm (10pm on Fridays)
- Saturday, 11am-10pm
- Sunday, 11am-7pm
© Sarah Zagni Photography for Visit Leeds - Christmas 2023
CHRISTMAS DINNERS ON CAMPUS
If you're looking to enjoy a Christmas dinner without breaking the bank or labouring over the oven yourself, you should give the Christmas dinners on campus a try, courtesy of Beckett Kitchen! You'll get a whole Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for only £9, and if you're in the mood for something sweet afterwards, you can even add on a dessert for a very affordable £1.95. Why not bring others along and enjoy a Christmas dinner spent with your friends? The more the merrier!
- Week 1: Thursday 27-Friday 28 November
- Week 2: Wednesday 3-Friday 5 December
- Week 3: Wednesday 10-Friday 12 December
CHRISTMAS CAROLLING ON CAMPUS
Spread some Christmas cheer on campus with some carol singing! One of the most charming (and cheap!) ways to soak up the Christmas spirit is joining in with the carol services outside the Leslie Silver building. There's FREE entry so it's perfect for students on a budget, with a warm, inclusive atmosphere. It's a great way to connect with other students, especially if you're new or feeling homesick - because that's what Christmas is all about!
Thursday 4 December
- 1pm-11:59pm
WALKS IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
If you're on a particularly tight budget but craving that cosy Christmassy feeling, a winter walk is basically the perfect cheat code. Kirkstall Abbey is the easiest win: it's free to wander the grounds, and the ruins look gorgeously dramatic in the winter light. Wrap up warm and bring your own hot drink in a flask. If you're willing to venture a little further, Harewood House also has beautiful grounds you can wander, including the Terrace and Himalayan gardens. The state paths and rolling hills make you feel like you've stepped into a Jane Austen Christmas special. Bring a friend, bring a flask, take cute photos, and done!
Whenever you want!
©Harewood House Trust. Carl Milner Photography
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Not everyone feels festive and light during December, and a Blue Christmas service is exactly for that. Leeds Beckett hosts one in the Acre Room of the James Graham building on Headingley Campus, creating a quiet, reflective space to acknowledge grief, loneliness, anxiety - basically all the complicated feelings that can come with the season. This service includes prayers, readings, and more, and attendees are encouraged to light candles in memory of loved ones. It's free and deeply calming, a break from all the Christmas hype, and it's inclusive: people of all faiths (or none) are welcome, because Christmas isn't just tinsel and carols.
Monday 24 November
- 1pm-2pm
CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT HYDE PARK PICTURE HOUSE
Consider yourself a cinephile? If you're craving festive feels and somewhere to escape the cold (and maybe avoid flatmate drama), Hyde Park Picture House is a gem! Their 'Wintertime' season brings classic Christmas films, all with that indie-cinema charm. The screenings here are Pay What You Can, so you get to pick how much you spend, which is perfect for someone on a tight budget. It's a relaxed and cosy way to hang out: grab a cheap ticket, grab some friends, and enjoy the show with some popcorn.
Monday-Sunday throughout December
And that's only a handful of the student budget-friendly activities available over Christmas time! No need to stress about having the 'perfect' student Christmas: Leeds has enough cheap eats and events to keep you in the holiday spirit without cleaning out your overdraft. Here's to making it special in your own way. Enjoy!
Hi, I’m Ellie! I’m an English & Creative Writing student with a passion for all things artsy. I’m originally from Doncaster but could probably find my way around Leeds with my eyes closed by now. When I’m not tucked away working on my dissertation draft or hunting for the best new vintage café in Leeds, I’m probably off gaming or doodling somewhere.
