After a few years of absence, the fabulous Leeds Christmas Market is set to return to the city for the first time since 2019 after council leaders confirm striking a new deal.
The German-themed Christmas markets have become synonymous with the Christmas period with bratwursts, beer and mulled wine spilling into cities across the country.
Leeds Christmas market, as we knew it, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in both 2020 and 2021 and failed to come to fruition in 2022, but this year will see its return.
Signing a deal with Market Place Europe, Leeds City Council has secured an event each year until 2025, in its new form.
Leeds Christmas Market 2023 will return bringing “festive life, colour and vibrancy to some of the best spaces in Leeds”, according to organisers.
Visitors can expect the traditional stalls including Yorkshire and Leeds traders along with international ones.
There will also be three outdoor bars located on Briggate, Quebec Street and Dortmund Square with family-friendly experiences such as the return of an ice rink.
The previous Christmas market would take place in Millenium Square in Leeds City Centre but this year it will be over a variety of locations including City Square and outside the Corn Exchange.
The council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes for some time now to find the right Christmas market that will give more people, places and businesses the chance to be part of one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year.
“This new market will make the most of the fantastic, newly pedestrianised spaces we have across the city and make Leeds feel more special and magical than ever before.”
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The event is set to take place between 14th November and 22nd December, according to the documents detailing the contract and the authority will be paid £336,000 across three years as part of the deal.
Market Europe is said to be the largest operator of Christmas markets across the UK with 5,000 traders on their books.
A range of factors such as rising travel and work visa costs were what made the council take the tough decision last year.
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[Featured image: Leeds Council]
