Leeds Steampunk Market, West Yorkshire, England

Welcome to Leeds Steampunk Market!

Also includes Bradford Steampunk Market, Halifax Steampunk Market and LSM on tour.
Est. October 2011
5 weekends of markets a year in West Yorkshire.
Held at places of interest, usually museums as their surroundings complement the
steampunk theme and we like to support local community places to help keep them
going.
The range of traders at our events is quite varied as there is a crossover between
steampunk and several other genres.
If your products are interesting, peculiar or unusual then they’re likely to fit in
- they don’t necessarily have to have cogs on them!
Event attractions usually include hot food vendors, vintage tea room, interactive
demonstrations & working machinery, a
small amount of entertainment every day with a bird of prey flying display &
exclusive to LSM- prize winning coffee jousting.
Every event is advertised with at least 1,000 flyers, local press, online & via
social media.
Leeds, Halifax & Bradford Steampunk Markets operate only local authority licenced events.
Full details at www.leedssteampunkmarket.co.uk including weapons policy.
Enquiries to trade/exhibit, please email leedssteampunkmarket@gmail.com
Proudly sponsored by Captain Cumberpatch’s Curious Creations

WHAT IS STEAMPUNK?!

Everyone at all steampunk events gets asked this. If you’re new to the scene, ask six different people and you’ll get six different answers.

This is mine...

Take a generous dose of 19th century Victorian writers, such as Jules Verne (author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and H.G. Wells (author of The Time Machine) as to me this is the main ingredient and starting point.

Add plenty of science fiction, a handful of clocks and zeppelins, a sprinkling of cogs and gearwheels, bring to the boil over a steampowered heat and simmer.

Goggles are a trademark/icon/symbol of the Victorian age - it screams industry. Aviators and drivers often did wear goggles as they kept dirt, oil, sparks, wind and steam out of their eyes. As far as steampunks are concerned, they offer protection against laser guns of course but they are NOT a crucial part of your costume, nor is a top hat, nor a corset.

As far as "dressing the part" goes I suggest the following:

Go through your wardrobe (stop before you get to Narnia). Pick out all the bits that never go with anything, pile them all up on the bed then figure out a way to wear as much of them at the same time. Perhaps the bedspread or the curtains could be made into a coat?! Anything you are lacking, rummage through car boot sales and charity shops.

There are no hard and fast rules about what is and isn't considered steampunk and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Steampunk is fictional, it's not historical re-enactment!

It's all about escapism, doing what you want and dressing how you like. We're all different, misfits even, and this is one place where all of those quirks help define you as to who you are but makes you part of one big family.