Christmas market returns to Millennium Square

The annual Christkindelmarkt returned to Millennium Square in Leeds today as the city’s countdown to Christmas continues to gather pace.

The German Christmas market, which is now in its 14^th year, is expected to attract an estimated 750,000 people to the square over its five week long stay in Leeds and is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the festive season.

Organised by Leeds City Council in partnership with Frankfurt City Council, the market includes more than 40 traditional wooden chalet stalls colourful lights and themed indoor venues along with a traditional Christmas carousel ride.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, officially launched the market today along with representatives from Frankfurt City Council.

She said: “The return of the Christkindelmarkt is always one of the highlights of the year and we’re delighted to welcome such an exciting and popular event back to Leeds once again.

“The market is one of the biggest and best in the country and something we’re really proud to host, especially because it’s become such an established and much-loved part of the festive season for so many people.”

Stalls at the market will include seasonal food and drink alongside German delicacies like gluhwein, bratwurst sausages, schnitzels, soups and goulash, stollen, gingerbread, roasted nuts and candied fruits.

The Alp Chalet Bavarian eatery, Frankfurter Scheune festive meeting hall and the Kuh Stall venues will once again offer visitors a cosy retreat in authentically-themed surroundings where they can take a break from the shopping.

Reservations are recommended in advance at the Alp Chalet Bavarian eatery and can only be made in person at the venue.

The popular weekly children’s event every Sunday morning between 10.30am and 1pm will take place in the Frankfurter Scheune offering face painting, balloon modelling, show band sing-alongs and creative arts and crafts for those attending. T

here will also be the opportunity to meet winter wonderland princesses and other costumed characters.

The market will be open daily from 10.30am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 6.30pm on Sundays.

The annual Christkindel Fair will also be taking place on Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street (between the Headrow and St Anne’s street) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Friday, November 20 and Sunday, December 20.

Open from 11am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11am to 6pm on Sundays, the fairground will feature dodgems, flying chairs, convoy, cups and saucers rides amongst others together with a traditional candy floss and refreshment stall.

A selection of Christmas stalls serving a variety of festive refreshments together with themed children’s rides will remain open on Victoria Gardens throughout.

The German market is one of the centrepieces of the council’s Magical Leeds campaign.

Part of a wider three-year strategy, the ‘Magical Leeds’ campaign aims to raise the profile of the city, to increase visitor numbers and encourage overnight stays over the festive period, by highlighting Leeds’ fantastic visitor offering, attractions and events.

To find out more about Magical Leeds, please see whatson.leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The German market will be open from Friday November 13 until Sunday, December 20.

For more information, call Leeds City Council’s Events team on 0113 395 0891 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/christmasmarket

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 395 0244

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk