From visiting Santa's Grotto to the annual panto and tucking into a turkey dinner, Leeds really has outdone itself this year.
"We all remember Christmas 2020 – even though it was pretty forgettable – and we’re counting on this Christmas to be better than the last.
The big thing about this Christmas is that we should be able to open up our doors and celebrate together – and we’ll never take that for granted again."
Steve Clarkson, Founder of Found Fiction, took the words out of our mouth's as he released this year's Christmas installation.
In the wake of last year's cancelled Christmas, the city has gone all-out to ensure that we celebrate with all the yuletide spirit we have.
There are so many events to get involved in around Leeds city centre, but we've rounded up the best to get involved in during the lead up to the big day.
Chow Down Winter Village
Play curling over mulled wine and cocktails at Chow Down. / Image: Simon Fogal
Ice Cube at Millenium Square. / Image: Zagni Photography
This year, Millenium Square is making up for the lack of traditional Christmas markets and bringing all our favourite festive activities to the city centre. The Ice Cube will be complete with a 400 sqm ice rink made from real ice and a transparent roof. Suitable for all ages and abilities, grab your gloves for an afternoon on the ice before grabbing a hot drink from the Spirit of Christmas Igloo Bar.
Christmas Tipis
Thor's Tipi will be located on Briggate this year. / Image: Leeds City Council
Along with the Leeds' favourite Thor's Tipi, there will also be a brand new boozy tipi on Briggate with refreshments, hopefully plenty of mulled wine and a ‘bring your own food’ policy that will allow you to bring the best of Leeds’ foodie favourites. This means as well as testing out the best of Thor's, you can sample cheeses, bratwurst and waffles from the pop-up stalls and bring them all brought back the cosy tipi retreat to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets.
My Christmas Home
Leeds BID have previously brought events like Made Up Leeds, Piano Trail and the Jurassic Trail to the city centre. / Image: Leeds BID.
My Christmas Home is an art installation inviting people to literally step into the world of Christmas. Step through the doors to discover an elderly couple’s bungalow, a packed student house, a homeless shelter and the home of an NHS nurse. It’s all about capturing the diversity of Christmas and sharing the celebratory energy of the entire festive season.
Abbey House Museum
Step back in time this Christmas at Abbey House Museum. / Image: Carl Milner
Ready to live out a true Dickensian Christmas? Look no further than the Abbey House Museum. The Victorian era theme is fun for all the family and a perfect opportunity to learn more about Christmases gone by. Stroll through the authentically recreated shops, pubs and houses with a range of different exhibitions to enjoy.
Santa's Grotto
Father Christmas will be visiting Leeds pop-ups throughout November and December. / Image: Lotherton
The festive season doesn't start until the Christmas tree goes up in the Corn Exchange. / Image: Carl Milner
The Corn Exchange will be hosting local food stalls, offering drink masterclasses all to the beat of DJs and live band performances as part of their foodie Christmas markets. Local and national breweries will also be on hand to give supply the boozy goods. North Brew Co and Camden Town Brewery will accompany the likes of Jack Daniels and Slane, Fords Gin and Finlandia Vodka to showcase a mix of world-class spirits and beers.
Garforth's Giant Gingerbread House
The Proctor's are well known in Leeds for their extravagant displays for the city to enjoy. / Image: Garforth Christmas
May and Rod Proctor are locally known for their mesmerising Christmas displays and this year will be no different. The Garforth estate will be transformed once again this year into a winter wonderland for all the family to witness, this time in the shape of a giant gingerbread house. There will also be a Hobbit house and a visit from Frozen's Olaf to look forward to.
Feature Image- Zagni Photography
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.
Sophie Smith -
19th November 2021 
