Really gets you ready for Christmas (Leeds German Christmas Market)

Member Name: Gav86

Product:	Leeds German Christmas Market
Date:	22/10/09 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic atmosphere, loads on offer

Disadvantages: Waiting all year for it to come back!

It was last year when i first visited the German Market in Leeds, and prior to that, i didnt even know it existed!

It is set up in Millenium Square in Leeds City Centre from mid November until just before Christmas (in 2009 it is November 13th until December 20th). As it is in Leeds City Centre, its incredibly easy to get to by walking, but there are plenty of car parks nearby.

The whole square is filled with wooden huts and stalls, a big beer tent and a few fairground rides. Along with all the usual Christmas lights and decorations. On a cold evening when it is dark and busy, the place looks fantastic and really does get you in the Christmas mood just wandering about.

There are a variety of things for sale through the market. Toys, gifts, ornaments, Christmas items etc fill up half the stalls. Everyone always ends up stopping at the stall with the hats to try them on!

Most of the other stalls are full of food! This is the big reason i love the market so much. Stalls selling salami, sausages and other meats are dotted around, along with those selling cakes, pretzels, biscuits, pancakes and a mass of other sweet items. I bought a few things from a stall selling sweet items last year, and they were fantastic. Lots of orange and Cinnamon! The smells wafting through the market are incredible and everything really is very tasty. Im counting down the days until i can go back and buy some food!

There is the odd fairground ride in amongst all of this, adding the noises of laughter to the market. Gets everyone in a happy mood!

The central part to all of this is the massive beer tent set up in the middle of it all. It is set up like an authentic German beer hall and has a stage at the front end. In the evenings and during the day at the weekends they have shows and traditional German bands on, and it is a massive amount of fun. Last year they disappeared off stage when i was there, came back on and did the whole Blues Brothers thing, walking down the hall over everyones tables. While they may be a traditional band, they like to have fun!
There is a large selection of authentic German beers on offer, and you can get them in the massive glasses/tankards for a small deposit - or you can buy a glass yourself. There is alot of beer in each of these!
We were drinking plenty of spirits in here last year too, with plenty of Jagermeister shots on offer!

They have a couple of food sections in here too, so if you can find somewhere to sit, you can have a meal too!

The atmosphere in here is fantastic, and along with everything else going on outside, you really do get that Christmassy feel.
I really cant wait for it to open up again this year... i just fear for my wallet!

Summary: Great fun, good beer, massive selection of things to eat and buy