Fancy getting festive? Then Millenium Square’s Christmas market is just the place to visit before the end of term! Formally named ‘Christkendelmart’, this traditional German market is one of Leeds’ biggest festive attractions. It hosts over forty wooden chalet stalls selling food, drink, Christmas decorations and traditional gifts, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The market’s central attraction is its beer tent, which I visited last Thursday. It’s an indoor tent with rows of benches, which turned into dancing platforms as the night went on! There’s also a stage at the end of the tent where a band was performing classic hits, including Christmas songs which were great for boosting the Christmas spirit! The music choice was also perfect given that the tent doesn’t just host students – we were next to a group of middle-aged men and women who put us all to shame with their drinking and dancing capabilities! At the side, there are stalls selling sausages longer than a ruler could measure, in fresh, crusty bread rolls, for £3… and I’m talking 30cm rulers, not fifteen! You could also get chips, pasta and slightly smaller sausages, for those not feeling quite as peckish!
Additionally, sweet treats were being sold, such hot chocolate and also German Christmas cake, which was delicious and a pretty satisfying bargain at only 50p. One of my friends also got a kebab stick consisting of skewered grapes covered in milk chocolate, but at £2.50 I had to decide my money was better put towards more worthwhile investments… or, in other words, alcohol. Given its name, it won’t come as a surprise that the steins of beer sold in the tent are what most people seemed to be there for. Two and a half pints of beer in a stein costs a tenner. Three quid of this is a deposit which can either be refunded, or exchanged for a glass stein, at the end of the night. Similarly, mulled wine is sold for six quid in festive mugs which can be either returned for the £2.50 deposit or kept at the end of the night. If you get a mug you like, make sure you keep hold of it! My friend was gutted when she lost her super cute heart-shaped mug for a slightly dull yellow and green one upon going back for a refill! There is the option of flavoured mulled wine, such as cherry and blueberry. However, for me the roast apple flavour I braved second time round just wasn’t as exciting, given how much I like the standard version.
The beer tent
Once a couple of drinks had gone down, everyone was definitely appreciating the cheesy, festive atmosphere. Despite how big it is, the tent felt very inclusive as everyone was in such high spirits. I’m definitely planning on going back again closer to the time: it’s a perfect place for presents. My only warning is that we waited for an hour to get in at 7pm on a Thursday night. However, the tent is extremely busy on weekends, so get there early to beats the queues because you definitely don’t want to be the only one missing out on this infamous annual event!