Time to get into the festive spirit as Leeds Christkindelmarkt returns

The city's ever-popular German Christmas market returned to Millennium Square today.

Running over six weeks until Saturday 21 December, the Christkindelmarkt is once again boasting a wide range of festive stalls and authentic German food & drink alongside the traditional Christmas Carousel and other themed children’s rides.

Now in its 18th year, the annual festive event will feature a mix of traditionally decorated wooden chalet stalls selling seasonal gifts, ornaments, toy decorations and German delicacies including gluhwein, bratwurst sausages, schnitzels and much more.

The seasonal showpiece will also provide cosy indoor retreats for all visitors alike at the much-loved Alp Chalet, Kuh Stall and Ski Hutte bar, offering a delicious choice of traditional German food and drink and authentic evening entertainment.

There will also be a daily evening programme of light entertainment as well as a weekly children’s show on Sunday mornings (except Sun 10 Nov) with face painting, balloon making and sing-alongs with appearances from our Winter Wonderland Princesses and other characters. The Radio Aire street team will also be on hand every weekend with glitter stations and competitions to turn up the Christmas cheer.

The family-favourite Santa’s Breakfast will once again take place in the Bavarian-styled Alp every Saturday and Sunday morning from 23 November until 21 December. Families will have a chance to enjoy a festive buffet breakfast with Father Christmas himself and take part in table arts and crafts organised by event partners Pop Up and Play. Tickets for Santa’s breakfast is by advance booking only and are available to purchase now from the City Centre Box Office in Leeds Town Hall by telephone on 0113 376 0318 and online at www.millsqleeds.com/christmasmarket

Councillor Eileen Taylor, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, said: “The German Market has been an established and much-loved part of the festive season for the last 16 years now and it’s one of the biggest and best in the country and something we’re really proud to host.

“We’re always pleased to work with our partners from Frankfurt City Council to find new ways make the market bigger and brighter each and every year. Christmas in Leeds is always a very special time and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying this year’s memorable festive season across the city.”

Kurt Stroscher, director of tourismus + congress, Frankfurt City Council added: “I am proud, to share our German Christmas Culture with the citizens of Leeds once again this year. I invite them to come to the Christkindelmarkt in order to use this amazing meeting point for social life. Enjoy the typical German Christmas Atmosphere with Bratwurst and Christmas decorations and Gifts. “

The market will be open daily from 10.30am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 7.30pm on Sundays from 8 November until 21 December. In respect of Remembrance Day commemorations, the market will not open until 12pm on Sunday 10 November.

For more details about this year’s German Christmas market, please visit: www.millsqleeds.com/christmasmarket

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• Leeds Christkindelmarkt forms part of the city’s collaborative Make It Leeds this Christmas campaign which 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.
• Established in 2002, the Market is a partnership between Leeds City Council and Frankfurt Am Main (City Council) in Germany.
• In respect of Remembrance Day commemorations, the market will not open until 12pm on Sunday 10 November.
• In 2018, Leeds Christkindelmarkt welcomed over 800,000 visitors.