Christmas countdown begins at Leeds Kirkgate Market

Visitors to Leeds city centre are being invited to pop down to Leeds Kirkgate Market for a host of Christmas cheer from now until Christmas.

To make the run- up to Christmas extra special, Leeds Kirkgate Market is putting on a host of festive treats for all the family, making Christmas shopping not only affordable but fun too.

As part of the festive fun Santa himself will be in residence every Saturday in December. Youngsters can visit Santa in his grotto for a £1 donation to Candlelighters children’s charity, and can post their letters to Santa in a special Santa Post Box situated in the Information Centre until 5pm on Saturday 16 December

There will be festive fun for all the family with pop-up performances from Front Room Productions who will be performing “Twas the night before Christmas” every Saturday in December between 11:00 and 14:00.

Shoppers will also be able to enjoy an extra few shopping days before the big day, with the indoor market opening on the two Sundays leading up to Christmas from 10am – 4pm.

A giant Christmas tree will add to the festive atmosphere and this year it will also be a ‘giving tree’. Shoppers are being asked to buy one extra gift for a child living with cancer this Christmas which can be dropped off at the Markets information centre, in exchange for a gift tag to place on the Christmas tree in the event space and food hall. All gifts donated will go to Candlelighters to help support families of children living with cancer, and those shoppers donating gifts will also be entered into a free prize draw.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, lead member for markets said:

“We have arranged a host of Christmas themed activities to help visitors to Kirkgate Market really get the festive feeling. As well as the special visits from Santa and fantastic performances we also have the usual fresh and quality produce and friendly knowledgeable traders on hand to help shoppers prepare for the big day.

“Our new ‘giving tree’ will also be a great opportunity for our shoppers to demonstrate what Christmas is really about, by donating gifts to children who are living with cancer.”

For visitors looking for something a bit different this year the #KirkLATE Night Market returns on both Thursday 30 November and Thursday 21 December and a Christmas-themed Vintage market will take place on Saturday 2 December along with a Teenage Market and Record Fair on Saturday 9 December.

Cllr Pryor added:

“We are also excited to be bringing back the Night Market which was extremely popular last month, and with the additional festive atmosphere it promises to be a fun-filled night for all the family.”

As well as the enjoying the hustle and bustle in the main market, the Christmas Farmers Market is on Briggate each Sunday from 10am to 4pm, bringing a feast full of festive food delights to the city centre.

In addition to the free activities available over the festive period, the historic 1904 Market Hall is also being used as a unique backdrop for twice daily productions of A Christmas Carol by Frontroom Productions. The show runs from Monday 27 November until Saturday 2 December at 7pm and at 8.45pm. Tickets are priced £7.50 (Monday) and £15.00 (Tuesday to Saturday). Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

There’s something for all the family at Kirkgate Market this #LeedsChristmas

For timings and to find out more about any of the events, please go to www.leedsmarkets.co.uk