The popular Valentine’s Fair will be back in Leeds city centre next month and marking its 30th anniversary.
Leeds City Council is teaming up with International Funfairs to bring the Valentine’s Fair back to Leeds city centre over the half term holidays. Celebrating three decades, the popular event will take over Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street from Friday, February 10 until Sunday February 19.
Launched in 1992, the seasonal event has been taking place every year since, except for 2021 when it had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously hosted in locations including Elland Road and Woodhouse Lane, the fair will return to its birthplace in Leeds city centre for the second consecutive year.
Read more: 30 Leeds restaurants offering huge discounts in February 2023
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy culture and education, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Valentine’s Fair returning to Leeds and to be giving people a chance to enjoy such a fun, popular and spectacular event at the heart of the city centre. Events like this are a great way of bringing people together and showcasing what a vibrant, diverse and thriving city Leeds is.”
A huge selection of rides, attractions and games will be available for families to enjoy. Highlights include spinning ride The Superstar, the 40m-high Booster Ride, huge swinging pendulum The Devil Rock, family favourite the dodgems, and the Leeds Wheel of Light.
A selection of food stalls will also be available on site serving traditional favourites including hot dogs, churros, donuts and candy floss as well as coffees and hot chocolate.
Roger Tuby, of International Funfairs, said: “We are so proud to not only have been involved in the first ever Valentine’s Fair in the UK but to be able to bring it back to its original home. Last year was exciting to be back in the city centre and we were so grateful to Leeds City Council for helping to make this happen.
“The advantage of being in the city centre is that it is so accessible to everyone with fantastic transport links and car parking options. The fair has always been well supported and this year we have brought together a huge selection of rides, attractions and games together with a selection of hot food and drink and sweet treats for all the family, friends and our visitors to enjoy.”
Tell us the shops and restaurants you'd like to see open in Leeds by completing our poll. You can also do so here.
Opening hours
As previously mentioned, the event will be running between Friday, February 10 until Sunday February 19. It will be open daily from 12pm until 9.30pm - other than Friday, February 10 when it will run between 4pm and 9.30pm Entry to the site is free, with individual admission fees for all rides and attractions.
You can find out more by visiting the Leeds Valentine’s Fair’s website.
To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
Read next:
