Christmas Fairs and Markets in Leeds
Christmas is coming, the resolve is weakening: with Winter drawers on and hedgepigs roasting on an open fire, let us cast a bleary and weary eye over the Yuletide Fairs and Festivals the city of Leeds has to offer this season.
There are plenty to choose from, whether you are looking for a specific handmade gift or a glass of mulled wine with one of Santa’s little helpers, but here is a quick round up of three of the best!
Christkindelmarkt
The Christkindelmarkt is probably the largest market in Leeds, running from 13th November to 20th December 2009.
The market is held in the stylish Millennium Square and attracts thousands of visitors every year, it is one of the most popular German Christmas Markets in the country and for good reason!
Each year the square is packed full of traditional wooden stalls, green firs, and festive lights. The German traders who occupy these stalls sell everything you would want at this time of year.
You will find everything from traditional German delicacies and festive decorations to handmade toys and jewellery. Away from the stalls the whole family are provided for: you can watch your children ride the Christmas Carousel or dodgems whilst you enjoy a well-earned glass of gluhwein.
Like most Christmas Markets, the emphasis here is on the overall Yuletide experience – this is what makes the Christkindelmarkt so special.
Skipton Yuletide Festival and Christmas Market
For the past 15 years, Skipton High Street has hosted this famous market. This year promises to be particularly special as the High Street was voted the ‘Best Street in the UK 2009′! 
Run on two consecutive Sundays, the 6th and 13th December 2009, festive stalls run the full length of this famous street selling everything you might need in the run up to Christmas.
The Market runs from 10.00am to 4.00pm and there will be festive entertainments put on each of the days.
The festivities will culminate with a candlelit procession down the High Street leading to the Holy Trinity Church where there will be a carol service, to which everyone is welcome.
Grassington Dickensian Festival
The Grassington Festival takes the festive spirit to a different level altogether!
Each year the Dickensian Festival attracts hundreds of people dressed in period costume to enjoy what this beautiful town has to offer.
For three Saturdays and one Friday each year the town is filled with traditional market stalls, street performers and craft stalls. Here you can enjoy getting everything you need for Christmas whilst experiencing what the Yule season must have been like for the Victorians.
Following the day’s festivities there is a candlelit procession around the town which finishes with a carol service in the square.
Grassington is a beautiful place which is made very special by the efforts of the event organisers: the festive spirit influences the whole town, creating a particularly unique experience indeed.
The Grassington Dickensian Festival is held on Friday 4th December, Saturday 5th December, Saturday 12th December and Saturday 19th December 2009.
For further information, visit the Grassington Website.