A massive new Mardi Gras festival is coming to Leeds this summer, bringing with it a host of Ru Paul’s Drag Race stars and a special DJ set from fashion icon Gok Wan.
The park is due to be completely transformed for the event, with two full-size festival production stages forming the focal point at Soldier's Fields in Roundhay Park.
The main stage will focus on all things house and dance with huge sets from international headliners like Jax Jones, SIGALA, Disciples and Gok Wan.
Support here will come from brilliant talents closer to home like Homoelectric's Will Tramp, Leeds' icon Angel Lee, Halifax selector Dale Castell, plus Essel, Marc Leaf and Tin Tin.
On the second stage, though, it's all about commercial, pop and cabaret acts. This is where you'll be able to catch the Drag Race gang, with performances from acts like Frock Destroyers, Tayce, Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea and Divina De Campo.
The festival Site at Roundhay Park will feature two huge stages, a fairground, street food area and market stalls
Pop acts the Cheeky Girls, Stephanie Hirst and Danny Beard are all confirmed headliners here, performing with support from Leeds-based DJs and hosts Dave Cooper, Luke Horsfield, Mamma Bear & The Rose and Miss Orry.
As well as a full-on music programme, there'll be a host of fairground rides and a street food market packed with tasty treats to keep you going throughout the all-day event.
Street food traders confirmed as taking part so far include Pizza Loco, Nok Thai Cuisine, Jenny’s Jerk Chicken, the Savvy Baker, newcomers The Chaat Walas and Pig Love Brewing Co.
The Chaat Wallas is a new street food venture that will make iits first appearance at Proud in the Park / Image: The Chaat Wallas
There'll also be a market village between the stages and the fairground rides, with craft stalls from local makers selling unique and lovingly hand-made items.
For those really wanting to push the boat out, there'll be VIP tickets on sale giving you fast-track entry and access to an exclusive Pavilion area with its own premium cocktail bar, a retro VW campervan called Mabel.
And for those unable to make it in person, DJs Wes and Leanne from LDC Radio Leeds will be covering the event live on the day so you can enjoy all the action from home.
“Whilst Leeds is known for its amazing festivals and events, including carnival in nearby Chapeltown, there hasn’t been anything quite like this before," said co-founder and organiser Shaun Wilson.
"So many big names have performed on-stage at Roundhay Park over the years and now we get to have it as the home to debut Mardi Gras. With many UK festivals sadly being cancelled for a second year running we felt it was particularly important to spread a little joy and positivity via this unique event.
"As well as amazing musical talent, we also have craft and food stalls, plus some white-knuckle fairground rides.
"It really is going to be a day to remember and we hope it will be the start of a new tradition for the city. It is so important for people to have a safe space to come and enjoy themselves with friends and loved ones and that is exactly what visitors can expect from Mardi Gras.”
Mardi Gras – Proud in the Park is taking place on Saturday 14th August, Roundhay Park and will celebrate love in all its forms. You can grab tickets starting from £30 here.
Leeds
Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.
'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.
This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.
Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.
The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.
Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.
There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.
Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.
As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.
Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.
The Script UK tour dates
Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2
The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
30th June 2021 
