With the Leeds Christkindelmarkt no longer taking place, here are some alternatives to get you in the spirit over the festive build-up.
In news which broke many hearts across the city, it was announced last week that the Leeds Christmas Markets have been cancelled for the third year in a row.
Usually held from early November to the end of the year at Millenium Square, it's a joyous occasion which marks the end of the calendar and brings people together with plenty of mulled wine and bratwurst.
But do not fear, we have pulled together a list of alternative events in and around Leeds for you to attend and get you in the festive spirit.
Corn Exchange Christmas Market
Image: Supplied
Luckily for us, Rolling Social Events, the brains behind the legendary Leeds Rum Fest, Leeds Whisky Fest, and Leeds Tequila Fest are returning to Leeds Corn Exchange for the 2022 Christmas Market.
Kicking off on Friday 11 November, the beautiful space will be filled with a whole host of festivities to truly get you in the Christmas spirit.
Think a host of independent stalls to snap up your Christmas pressies from, a range of delicious food offerings from local chefs and all in the most beautiful building in Leeds. Sounds good? We think so too. Read all about it here.
Chow Down Winter Village
Image: Chow Down
One of Leeds’ best loved outdoor bar spaces Chow Down is back for the winter months, opening on Thursday 10 November, many a cosy winter night will be spent tucked inside the tipis or watching the World Cup inside the brand new beer hall.
To keep warm, grab a seat by the fire pit, heaters and take a snug, boozy hot chocolate or soothing mulled wine in hand and join your nearest and dearest to cheers to the wintry season ahead.
From November onwards, the much-loved magical Christmas grotto will be returning to the White Rose Shopping Centre.
And the good news doesn't stop there, new for this year is a magical ice rink inside The Village, where all ages can grab skates and take to the rink to ice skate, regardless of whether we’re experiencing snow or not.
White Rose has confirmed that the magical ice rink will offer skates to hire, as well as skating aids for children or those looking fro additional support on the rink.
Gather round the famous City Square Christmas Tree from Friday 19 November and witness the festive overhaul that will be bestowed upon the city thanks to Leeds City Council.
Drawing inspiration from Christmas Favourites from previous years, Millennium Square is going to be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice rink, Igloo bar and pop-up markets.
There will also be a festive-themed family trail around the city centre, taking children and grown ups on a wintry walk that highlights some of Leeds’ best landmark locations. You can read all about it here.
If you're really craving that outdoor, German market feeling then you can still get it in the beautiful and historic city of York.
And this year especially it's worth the trip, as joining the York Christmas Market for 2022 is the Winter Hütte, a two-storey traditional Swiss chalet with a fully licensed bar. Think cheese fondue, raclette and mulled wine, all served in a beautiful alpine setting.
The market is taking place from Thursday 17 November 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023, you can read all about it here.
Feature image - Chow Down
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Clementine Hall -
11th October 2022 
