Ready for the return of Europe’s biggest fun fair? Hull Fair is back for 2021 and this year might just be the best in its 700-year history.
The funfair is the only place where you can eat endless donuts, watered down by liquid sugar, and then a snack of candyfloss and burgers as you get lost in a maze of neon lights and hook-a-ducks.
Regardless of how many sweet snacks you grab or the number of rides you brave it on, the Hull Fair is ready to warmly welcome each visitor after its absence in 2020.
This year, fun fair will be open to the public from Friday 8 October until Saturday 16 October. On its debut, rides will open from 5 pm, but every other day the fair plans to welcome visitors from midday until 10 pm.
According to Hull City Council, the fair will be open with the exception of Sunday 10 October when the fair will be closed.
On the Yorkshire fair's Facebook page, spokesperson Aaron Gray has told the public that “This year there are no wristbands, it’s free entry then pay per ride”.
Prices will range from £2 to £3.50 depending on your choice of ride, with the exception of the reverse bungee, which costs £10 per person.
The fair holds fond memories for generations of Yorkshiremen, and we expect its return this October to be bigger than ever before. Expect the usual fun houses, helter-skelters, and mini rollercoasters, for children and grownups alike.
Get your adrenaline pumping on the reverse bungee jumps or see how many rides on the waltzers you can fit into your trip over the ten-day extravaganza at Walton Street car park.
One of the confirmed rides for this year is the ‘Xtreme’, the only travelling Top Scan ride around. This is believed to be one of the most ‘iconic rides on any fairground’ and is sure to make your stomach do backflips as you’re twisted 360 degrees whilst in the air.
Xtreme in action at another fair. Image: Hull Fair
Get ready to scream, laugh and occasionally vomit. It’s all part of the fun after all.
For more information, visit the Hull Fair Facebook Page or turn up to Walton Street (HU3 6JR) from Friday 8 October and see for yourself why everyone in Leeds will be making the 75-minute trip to the Hull Fair.
It’s the 27th year of St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Leeds, and this year they're going to look a little bit different.
Although St Patrick's Day is officially on Tuesday 17 March, Leeds will host its annual celebration this Sunday 15 March 2026.
Guests can expect a day packed full of entertainment and plenty of Guinness although this year, there will be no parade running.
In a statement on social media, the team said: "The Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade committee would like to inform you of an important change to this year’s festival day.
"Due to matters out of our control, we have had to make the decision not to have floats and walkers travel the parade this year. This is a decision which was not made lightly and we hope to have this aspect back next year - bigger and better than ever.
Image: Leeds St Patricks Day
“However, we will still be celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Millennium Square. There will be lots of entertainment and displays in the square for all to enjoy. It is still set to be a brilliant day - so don’t miss out."
So, from 10:30am this Sunday there'll be a whole host of people heading to Millennium Square to celebrate.
The event itself is completely free of charge, with plenty of opportunities to raise a glass of Guinness or for the little ones to make the most of a day out with rides and refreshment stalls.
This is a community led event co-ordinated by the Leeds St Patricks Day Parade Committee supported by local sponsors, with funding support from Leeds City Council, and the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
Northern rock and blues veterans Proud Mary announce run of reunion shows in 2026
Danny Jones
Veteran Manchester rock and blues band Proud Mary recently announced a limited run of UK reunion shows, including one right here in Leeds.
The seasoned Northern outfit may have seen plenty of lineup changes and a long hiatus of sorts, but now they’re returning for just a small handful of comeback gigs across the country.
Ahead of their seminal debut album turning 25 years old this year, 2026 also seems them steadily creeping up on the best part of three decades as a group in some form or another.
For anyone uninitiated, the native 90s and early noughties name was the first band signed to Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash Records in 2001.
Their first-ever LP, The Same Old Blues, still remains their most revered work to this day.
Dubbed by the older Burnage brother and legendary Manc musician as “a lesson in songwriting” in an interview with the NME way back when, they started out as long-time friends and turned into fellow studio peers.
As well as supporting the likes of Oasis, Neil Young, The Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Ryan Adams, Noel’s High Flying Birds and more on various tours over the years, they also famously headlined Isle of Wight Festival in 2004.
Having collaborated with the likes of another Britpop legend, Gem Archer, as well as The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, not to mention gaining plaudits from so many other contemporaries, they’re likely one of your favourite bands’ old faithful bands.
Moreover, in regional terms, rising local indie rock quintet Rosellas are also joining them on the road for their shows.
Proud Mary will be playing at The Warehouse in Leeds on Friday 8 May and you can grab your tickets HERE.
Sophie Smith -
30th September 2021 
