Christmas Markets in West Yorkshire 2012
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes all the excitement of fayres, markets and Christmas lights being switched on across the nation.
Below you’ll find a list of many of the Christmas Fairs and Christmas Markets in West Yorkshire in 2012, starting in mid-November and running right up until the holiday period. The details are listed in alphabetical order, by town.
If you’d like to visit other areas of Yorkshire during this time, check out the links below:
Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire in 2012
Christmas Markets in South Yorkshire in 2012
Christmas Markets in East Yorkshire in 2012
Batley
Batley Christmas Fair
29 November 2012 – 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Town Hall, Batley WF17 5DA
Craft stalls, Santa’s Grotto, seasonal entertainment and much more.
Plus Pulse Roadshow in the Square
Batley Christmas Lights Switch On
29 November 2012 – 7.00pm
Market Place, Batley WF17 5DA
The Big Switch On followed by a fantastic Fireworks Display.
T: 01924 326 428
E: viv.edmonds@kirklees.gov.uk
Bingley
Bingley Christmas Fayre & Lights Switch-on at Bingley Town Square
Saturday 24 November 2012 10.30 am
Bingley Town Square, Main Street, Bingley BD16 2LZ
(next door to Bingley Arts Centre).
Christmas lights switch on at 4.00 pm
01274 566 911
Birstall
Christmas Craft Fairs at Oakwell Hall Country Park, Birtstall
Sundays 25 November, 2 & 9 December 2012 from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Oakwell Hall, Nutter Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG
The stalls will be set out in the Visitor Centre Barn for you to buy a great selection of seasonal crafts and gifts. Free admission to the Craft Fairs and Park.
oakwell.hall@kirklees.gov.uk
T: 01924 326 240
Bradford
Bradford Christmas Lights Switch On at City Park
Saturday 17 November 2012 from 12.00 noon to 6.30 pm
City Park, Centenary Square, Bradford BD1 1HY
The fun starts at midday with live music in the Park and street performers in the city centre, but it’s at 5pm when the real magic takes place. As it gets dark, a parade of jesters courses through the crowds to a magical chandelier of trapeze artists, acrobats and musicians which ascends to 200 feet above ground. And to cap it off there’ll be a fantastic firework display.
Free entry
01274 434 874
Bradford Christmas Market
Thursday 29 November to Sunday 2 December 2012
Darley Street, Kirkgate, Bank Street and Tyrell Street, Bradford
More than 30 stalls with tons of Christmas treats for all the family, plus some great seasonal food too.
T: 01274 432 245
E: bradford.markets@bradford.gov.uk
Clayton
Clayton Dickensian Market
Saturday 1 December 2012 – 11am to 5.00pm
Clayton Lane, Clayton, Bradford BD14 6RE
Last year over 7,000 people visited the Clayton Dickensian Christmas Market and it’s become a highlight of the season for people from far and wide.
The market will be opened by players from the Bradford Bulls Rugby League team at 11.00 am and there’ll then be a parade leading up to the crowning of Clayton’s very own Snow Queen for this year.
Not only will it be great fun but it also helps a great cause – the Motor Neurone Disease charity MND, to which all this year’s profits will be donated.
There’ll be approximately 100 stalls with things to buy, food and drink to consume and prizes to win. The food and drink stalls will feature a barbecue and sell cakes, old-fashioned sweets, chestnuts, chutneys, crêpes, delicious mince pies and cakes and all washed down with coffee or mulled wine. There’ll also be an indoor refreshment tent and a bottle stall. Other stalls will have jewellery, toys, craft items and soaps to buy and, as you’d expect, tombolas with prizes to win.
To keep the kids’ smiling there’ll be a climbing wall, fairground rides, carnival games and a miniature pony and carriage. The Christmas lights will be turned on as it gets dark before the market closes at 5.00 pm.
Clayton Dickensian Christmas extends an invitation to everyone to join in the fun and wear Victorian costume, like many of the villagers and stallholders. Wrap up warm and experience a truly magnificent start to the festivities in Clayton village.
www.claytondickensianmarket.com
Cleckheaton
Cleckheaton Christmas Market & Lights Switch On
Saturday 17 November 2012 from10.00 am
Cleckheaton Market, Horncastle Street, Cleckheaton BD19 3HJ
Superb Christmas market, live entertainment and a funfair – and it kicks off at 10 in the morning.
There’ll be a grand parade through the town with the Big Switch On at 6 pm.
Christmas Victorian Indoor Market
Sunday 9 December 2012 from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
The George, Mead Hall, Parkside, Cleckheaton BD19 3RA
30 stalls with food, gifts, decorations and much more.
Dewsbury
Dewsbury Christmas Lights Switch On
24 November 2012 from 1 pm
Dewsbury Town Centre, Dewsbury WF13 1DQ
With stalls & yuletide entertainment
Come and joint the Festivities at Dewsbury’s Christmas Switch On in the town centre. Lots of entertainment during the day and the big switch on at 5.30pm
Elland
Elland St Marys Church Christmas Fayre
Saturday 24 November 2012 – 10.00am to 2.00pm
Elland St Marys Church, The Cross, Church Street, Elland HX5 0RU
Stalls with seasonal goods, plus festive refreshments
For more details contact Rev Philip Chadwick
T: 01422 373 298
Golcar
Colne Valley Museum Stir up Sunday and Christmas Market
Sunday 25 November 2012 from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Colne Valley Museum, Cliffe Ash, Golcar, Huddersfield HD7 4PY
Every year Mrs Sykes makes her mincemeat and Christmas puddings. You can join in too and help her with her cooking – and buy some she’s already made.
There’s also a Christmas market with unusual and hand-made gifts, cards and those last-minute stocking fillers which always come in handy. And when you need a break, sit and relax for a while in the café with a hot drink and delicious home-made mince pie.
info@colnevalleymuseum.org.uk
T: 01484 659 762
Colne Valley Museum Victorian Christmas Fair
Saturday 1 December 2012 from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Colne Valley Museum, Cliffe Ash, Golcar, Huddersfield HD7 4PY
Enjoy the delights of a traditional Christmas fair in Colne Valley Museum’s Victorian cottages – a great experience for everyone in the family with traditional games, mince pies from the Victorian kitchen and stocking-fillers and Christmas gifts to buy. And kids can meet Father Christmas and receive a present (there is a charge for the Christmas gift, though entrance to the fair is free).
T: 01484 659 762
M: 078 252 77 902
annelord@colnevalleymuseum.org.uk
Hade Edge
Hade Edge Christmas Fair
Monday 19 November 2012 – 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Hade Edge Sunday School Room, Dunford Rd, Hade Edge, Holmfirth HD9 2DU
Fairandfunky (Fairtrade gifts, toys, Barefoot Books and more), Bags n Bling (jewellery, bags and accessories), Phoenix Cards (wrapping paper, cards etc), Bodyshop at Home (with a 50% reduction off the recommended retail price on many items), Coocakecachoo (custom made celebration cakes and toppers), Chocolate and Dreams (yummy chocolate treats and gifts), Imagine (gifts and toys). Refreshments available. To raise funds for the Hade Edge Pre School and Baby & Toddler Group.
For more info contact Kerry Sykes
T: 01484 680 235
M: 07769 536 612
Haworth
Haworth Christmas Market
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 November 2012
Central Park, Haworth
20-25 stalls, with Christmas gifts – and something for all the family
T: 01274 432 245
E: bradford.markets@bradford.gov.uk
Heckmondwike
Heckmondwike Christmas Lights Switch On
5 December 2012 from 5pm
Heckmondwike Town Centre, Heckmondwike WF16 9QD
It’s said that no-one does the Christmas Lights switch on better than Heckmondwike, but then they do have the experience as this tradition started in the town in 1868 – the first town in the country to do so. This year there’ll be Santa and his helpers, arriving by sleigh and riding in style to his grotto in The Green. As well as lots of other festivities they’re be carol singers and fairground rides – something for everyone.
Hepworth
Hepworth Christmas Market
Hepworth Village Hall, Towngate, Hepworth HD9 1TE
Christmas decs, plants & bulbs, cakes, tombola, bottle tombola, children’s books and gifts, haberdashery, craft stall with items for sale kindly donated by local artists (professional and amateur), and lots more.
Refreshments include a Pop-Up Café (hot & cold drinks and food – for takeaway or eat in), plus a barbecue with takeaway food for passers-by.
Contact Sheena Blunden for more info.
T: 01484 688 131
M: 07751 751 749
Holmfirth
- Holmfirth Christmas Lights Switch On
Holmfirth Lights Switch On
Saturday 24 November 2012 – from 3.00pm
Great festive fun with carols, bands, Santa’s Grotto. a mini fairground, stalls, and refreshments.
Santa’s sleigh starts a parade with celebrities at 4.45 leaving School Street via Crown Bottom to Towngate Car Park. The Big Switch On takes place at 5.30pm with a grand firework display to brighten the autumn evening.
Image: WY – Holmfirth Christmas Lights Switch On
Christmas Shopping at Holmfirth Market
Holmfirth Market, 38 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth HD9 3JH
Sunday 25 November 2012 10.00 – 4.30pm
Sunday 2 December 2012 10.00 – 4.30pm
Sunday 9 December 2012 10.00 – 4.30pm
Sunday 23 December 2012 10.00 – 4.30pm
Terrific gifts and much more from local businesses and suppliers
T: 01484 223 730
www.kirklees.gov.uk/events
Honley
Honley Christmas Lights Switch On
30 November 2012 from 3pm to 7pm +
Honley Village Hall, Roundway, Honley, Holmfirth HD9 6DE
Window Display Judging, Santa’s Grotto, Bands/Choirs, Hog Roast, Festive Food & Drink, Stalls, Festive Fun & Music
St Mary’s Christmas Street Market
Saturday 1 December 2011 from 10am to 3.30pm
Church St, Honley, Holmfirth HD9 6AH
Lots of stalls with a large selection of cards, gifts, books, jigsaws, confectionery, flowers, beer, wine, jams, with burgers, hotdogs, pie and peas and mulled wine available. Plus free musical entertainment in St Mary the Virgin Church by Holme Valley Singers, and the Grange Moor Brass Band
T: 07505 626 295
Image: WY – St Mary’s Honley Street Market – 02.jpg
Huddersfield
Huddersfield Christmas Lights Switch On
Saturday 17 November 2012 from 4.30pm, with switch on at 6.30pm
The Piazza Centre, Princess Alexandra Walk, Huddersfield HD1 2RS
Ben Faulkes, better known as Mr Bloom from the BBC’s CBeebies, will press the button to light the lights on what promises to be a fantastic evening of family fun. Singers and dancers from Kirklees College and Huddersfield Town FC’s Terry the Terrier club mascot will be joining in the fun to make it an occasion to remember. And, to get everyone in the Christmas spirit, a Pulse Radio Roadshow will kick things off at 4.30 with entertainment and competitions.
T: 01484 221 677
Christmas Craft Fair at Parkwood Methodist Church
17 November 2012 from 10 am to 3.30 pm
Parkwood Methodist Church, Parkwood Rd, Longwood, Huddersfield HD3 4TT
Christmas gifts and crafts stalls, tombola, home-made jams, cakes and refreshments.
Huddersfield Festival of Light
Friday 7 to Sunday 9 December 2012
St George’s Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JB
A host of performers takes over Huddersfield town centre for this year’s Festival of Light – with professional high wire artists walking above the rooftops of St George’s Square. You’ll need to wrap up warm and be careful you don’t get a crick in the neck as they will be performing 25m above the heads of the onlookers, and they won’t be wearing harnesses or using safety nets.
To help with keeping warm there’ll be a range of tasty food and drink and plenty of interesting and creative gift ideas for the season from the Art Arcade Craft Fayre.
The principle festivities start from 6.00 pm on Friday, from 4.00 pm on Saturday and the weekend ends with a concert of carols and a colourful firework display in the Square on Sunday, starting at 4.30 pm.
www.huddersfieldlightfest.co.uk
www.facebook.com/festivaloflight
Image: WY – Huddersfield FoL
Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair
Saturday 8 December 2012 from 10am to 4pm
Cathedral House, St Thomas Rd, Huddersfield HD1 3LG
A truly magnificent market and fair with carol singers, lanterns, reindeer, elves and Santa’s Grotto, donkey rides, bouncy castle, fairground rids, and a fire engine to keep the children amused. Plus hand-made crafts and gifts, Christmas cards and decorations, children’s clothes, toys, books and accessories, The Body Shop, jewellery, pocket money stalls, savoury and sweet food, cakes, crêpes, hog roast, and lots more.
Ilkley
Craft Fair at Christchurch Methodist/URC
Christchurch Methodist/URC Ilkley, The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9LW
Saturday 17 Nov 2012 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Saturday 1 Dec 2012 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Craft and Gift Fair
Saturday 8 December 2012
The Clarke-Foley Centre, Cunliffe Street, Ilkley LS29 9DZ
T: 01943 607 016
Otley & Ilkley Christmas Extravaganza – Winter Craft and Gift Fair
8 Dec 2012 10:00 – 16:00
Winter Gardens/King’s Hall, Station Road, Ilkley LS29
Not just a Christmas Fair, but entertainment too. Music from the Otley Hand Bell Orchestra, the Knaresborough Accordion Band and the Hall Royd Brass Band. Plus face painting, Punch and Judy, magic and very special guest Santa Claus. Admission free.
Dozens of gift and craft stalls for all your Christmas presents
T: 01943 463467
E: nigelfrancis@btinternet.com
Leeds
Christkindelmarkt, Millennium Square, Leeds
To Sunday 16 December 2012
10.30 am to 9.30 pm* Monday to Saturday
10.30 am – 7.30 pm Sundays
* Some stalls will stay open until 10.30pm (last orders at 10.15 pm for licensed stalls)
A flavour of Germany returns to Millennium Square in Leeds City Centre.
The Christkindelmarkt is aGerman winter village with more than 40 traditional wooden chalet-style stalls, Alpine log cabins, a carousel and with covered seating areas.
Lots of gift ideas – including hand-made jewellery, toys and decorations.
Seasonal food and drink with a German flavour: stolen, gingerbread, bratwurst, goulash, schnitzels, currywurst, soups, glühwein, feuerzangenbowle, German beers and lagers and lots more in the Alp Chalet and the Frankfurter Scheune meeting hall (with live music performances).
Free entry (booking required for the Alp Chalet via email info@frankfurter-scheune.com at least two days in advance)
T: 0113 395 0891
events@leeds.gov.uk
www.leeds.gov.uk/Events/Pages/christkindelmarkt-german-christmas-market.aspx
Christmas Market at the Corn Exchange
Saturdays 17, 24 November, 15 December – 11.30 am to 4 pm
Christmas hampers, party dresses, decorations and lots of ideas for presents and party gifts – just about everything needed for a successful festive season.
The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BR
0113 234 0363
Fair Trade & Christmas Craft Fair
Tuesday 20 November 2012
10.00am to 16.00pm
Parkinson Court, Parkinson Building. University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane LS2 9JT
With stalls for Christmas decorations, fair trade goods, home-made cakes, jewellery and much more. A great way to kick off your Christmas shopping.
Image: WY – Leeds Uni – Fairtrade Christmas Fair – poster version landscape.jpg
Marsden
Standedge Christmas Craft Fair
17 & 18 November 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm
Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, Waters Rd, Marsden HD7 6NQ
Local craft workers showcase their seasonal offerings.
Admission free
01484 844 298
www.standedge.co.uk/events.htm
Marsden Christmas Fair and Lights Turn On
1 December 2012 from 1 pm to 4pm
Marsden Mechanics Hall, Peel Street, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6BW
The events start with the Christmas Fair in the Mechanics Hall, with performances from local schoolchildren and other groups. A Christmas market opens at 4.00 pm and the lights will be turned on at 6.15 pm. With a competition for the best shop window display, Santa’s grotto, craft workshops, a raffle and lots more.
01484 844 587
New Mill
New Mill Christmas Market
Saturday 8th December 2012, 10:00AM – 4:00PM
New Mill Christ Church, Sude Hill, New Mill Huddersfield HD9 7DT
Brenda on 01484 684 745 or brenda.malcolm@sky.com
Newsome
Newsome St John’s Christmas Craft Fair and Coffee Morning
Saturday 24 November 2012 – 10.00am to – 2.00pm
Newsome St John’s Church Hall, Newsome Road South, Newsome, Huddersfield HD4 6JJ
Christmas gifts for all on sale, plus cards, books, local produce, household items and much more.
Seasonal craft activities for the kids and a tombola and refreshment (lunch consisting of sandwiches and a soup appropriate for the season served from 12.30 pm).
Contact Julie Stewart-Turner
T: 01484 427 245
M: 07753 676 679
julie.stewart-turner@kirklees.gov.uk
Otley
Otley & Ilkley Christmas Extravaganza – Winter Craft and Gift Fair
8 Dec 2012 10:00 – 16:00
Winter Gardens/King’s Hall, Station Road, Ilkley LS29
Not just a Christmas Fair, but entertainment too. Music from the Otley Hand Bell Orchestra, the Knaresborough Accordion Band and the Hall Royd Brass Band. Plus face painting, Punch and Judy, magic and very special guest Santa Claus. Admission free.
Dozens of gift and craft stalls for all your Christmas presents
T: 01943 463467
E: nigelfrancis@btinternet.com
Otley Victorian Fayre & Christmas Market
Sunday 9 December 2012 – 12 noon to 6pm
Kirkgate, Boroughgate & Westgate, Otley
Now in its 27th year. The town centre closes to traffic to accommodate around 80 stalls and over 16,500 visitors for this splendid event. With street entertainers, dancers, a troupe of traditional Mummers, children from 5 local schools singing carols and Christmas songs, adult choirs, brass bands, real reindeer, Punch & Judy, a small fairground, hog roasts, street food and lots more. Plus an indoor handmade craft area in the Black Horse Stable Yard. It’s a real family day out. Dust off your Victorian clothes and join us.
Admission free.
www.facebook.com/OtleyVictorianChristmasfayre
Roberttown
Christmas Lights & Victorian Evening
30 November 2012 from 4.45 to 8.30 pm
Roberttown Village Centre, Roberttown Lane, Roberttown WF15 7LE
With stalls and Santa and Victorian-themed shops throughout the village, free mince pies and drinks at Jubilee Gardens, youth band, church choir, and lots of events throughout the day. The lights switch on at 5.45 pm in the Children’s Garden.
Colin Smith
colinedna@tiscali.co.uk
Saltaire
Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday Nov 24, 2012 – Sunday Nov 25, 2012
Victoria Hall, Saltaire BD18 3JS
Wide array of gifts and craft items not available in the shops.
T: 01274 835 588
M: 07956 860 380
Saltaire Christmas Lights Switch On at Victoria Hall –
2 December 2012, 4.00 pm
Victoria Hall -Saltaire, Victoria Road, Saltaire, BD18 3JS
Carol singing with the Hall Royd Brass band, free juice and mulled wine. Artists and craft stalls.
01274 593 585
Saltaire Local Produce Market
Saturday 15 December
Caroline Street car park, Victoria Rd, Saltaire
A last minute chance to get locally sourced goods before Christmas. Products from some of the region’s best local producers will be on sale to help you make your Christmas one to remember.
T: 01274 432 245
E: bradford.markets@bradford.gov.uk
Shipley
Santa’s Extravaganza at Shipley
Market Square, Shipley, Bradford, BD16
Saturday 1 December 2012
Santa’s Extravaganza marks the start of Shipley’s Christmas celebrations – come along for dancing, singing, lots of laughs and bags of fun, and welcome Santa as Rudolph the Reindeer guides his sleigh into Shipley,
01274 589 010
Shipley Christmas Craft & Produce Market
Friday & Saturday 7 & 8 December 2012 – 9am – 5pm
Shipley, Bradford, BD16
Right next door to Shipley Open Market, and with up to 25 stalls with Christmas gifts and festive treats for everyone.
01274 432 245
E: bradford.markets@bradford.gov.uk
Slaithwaite
Slaithwaite Christmas Lights – The Big Switch On!
Saturday 1 December 2012 at 2.00 pm
Slaithwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5AF
Bigger and better than ever, Slaithwaite’s Christmas lights and events are a much-anticipated part of the seasonal calendar.
Santa’s Grotto will be at the Community Centre from 2 – 4 pm with other activities to keep the kids busy. There’ll be arts and crafts stalls in the Methodist Chapel to help you get your Christmas pressies in good time. A Christmas Tree Festival will be held at St James Church from 2 – 8 pm.
Food and drink will be available in the Carr Lane car park and the Big Switch On will be at 4.45 pm!!!!
Buy a programme for £2 from November or on the day to find out all the details of events and times (profits go towards the Christmas Lights Fund to make future years even better).
Clare Norman: slaithwaitecommunitycentre@hotmail.com
www.slaithwaitecommunitycentre.btck.co.uk