Magical Christmas fun 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 throughout December.

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.

Little ones (and not-so little ones) can meet and have their photograph taken with a real-life Rudolph and his reindeer friend when they make special visits to the open market every Saturday throughout December.

Visitors are also being invited to take part in a special Frozen-themed treasure hunt. Those taking part need to search out six stalls which have been adorned with a Frozen character picture. Once they find the picture they will receive a chocolate. The final stop on the hunt will include a chance to have a photograph taken with the Frozen characters themselves in Unit 19, 1904 hall at 12 midday-12.30pm and 2pm to 2.30pm, every Saturday until 19^th December 2015

To add to the festive atmosphere, each weekend the West Yorkshire Police Brass Band will be playing Christmas songs around the market starting 11-11.30am at the bottom of butchers row.

On Sundays, Santa will be in place on his Christmas throne in the 1904 Hall under the Marks and Spencer clock; children who visit him will receive a free Christmas chocolate gift. Children can also post their letters to Santa in his special Santa Post Box situated in the Information Centre until 5.00pm on 17 December and Santa promises to send them a letter back.

Each weekend, children can also have their face painted for free in unit 19 in the 1904 Hall from 12.00noon to 4.00pm.

A special Christmas Farmer’s Market will also be on Briggate each Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, bringing a feast full of festive food and drink to the city centre.

Councillor Gerry Harper, deputy executive member responsible for regeneration, transport and planning, 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 his reindeer, we also have the usual fresh and quality produce and friendly knowledgeable traders on hand to help shoppers prepare for the big day.

“There’s something for all the family in #MagicalLeeds this Christmas.”

As part of the major refurbishment works currently taking place at Kirkgate a new combined fresh food hall will be ready in early 2016, which is a completely new concept for the market. For the first time in its history, the market is bringing together meat, fish, game and other fresh food produce in one area. The existing well-known fishmongers, butchers, seafood stalls and greengrocers will already be there and some exciting new traders will be joining them.

Cllr Harper added:

“The New Year marks a new era for Leeds Kirkgate Market when our multi-million pound refurbishment will come to fruition, we are especially excited about our new combined fresh food hall which will be ready early in the New Year.”

In order to help lighten the load of all those heavy shopping bags, discounted parking has been arranged for shoppers at Kirkgate Market, who can park at the NCP on New York Street for two hours for £2.50 when they spend £5 or over in the market. Tickets must be validated at the Market Information Centre.

Kirkgate Market has also been nominated in the Britain’s Best Market competition which is run by National Association of British Market Authority. More information and how to vote can be found at: http://www.nabma.com/britainsfavouritemarket/