Easter week is upon us and here are our top picks of what to do.
We are well into April now and with Easter kindly gifting us a 4 day weekend, there is lots to do this week to make the most out of the festivities. Of course we will all be indulging in chocolate on Sunday, that goes without saying. But if you're looking for something else to do then here are our top picks of what's happening in and around Leeds.
From Yorkshire's biggest Easter Egg hunt to award-winning theatre, there's something for everyone in this week's What's On.
Chow Down Opening
Temple Arches, Leeds | Opening Thursday 14th April 2022.
Image: Chow Down
The beloved outdoor food and drink bonanza, Chow Down, is back for the Summer and opening on Thursday 14th April.
From April to September, Temple Arches will be transformed into a Summer-themed haven with a new food village, three-tier sun terrace, DJ huts and much more. There will even be a nine-hole alfresco crazy golf course where you can challenge your mates whilst sipping on your favourite cocktail. There will be a host of street food vendors to cater to all tastes which will change every few weeks to keep you coming back for more.
Chow Down will officially reopen on Thursday 14 April, opening 4.30pm – 11 pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the season. On the weekends, the venue will open 12pm – 11pm on Saturdays and Sunday 12pm – 9pm. Tickets can be purchased here and we encourage you to not miss out, this is a unique experience which is truly unmatched in Leeds.
Bradford trio Bad Boy Chiller Crew are coming to Leeds and performing at the 02 Academy on the 13th and 14th April. The British group began by uploading comedy and prank videos onto Youtube before producing music influenced by the UK Bassline scene. They quickly rose to fame and have a loyal fanbase, especially in the Yorkshire region.
These gigs are sure to have an electric atmosphere in this intimate venue and are not to be missed. Tickets are running low so if you want to party with the chiller crew, you best me quick. Find them at thislink.
Eggcelent Easter Egg Hunt
Thackray Museum of Medicine, Harehills | Monday 4 April – Friday 22 April 2022.
Image: Chapter 81
This Easter, the Thackray Museum of Medicine is hosting a whole range of egg-citing activity programmes to bring the Easter holidays to life. Visitors are invited to explore the museum as part of the ‘Eggcellent Easter Egg Hunt’, in which several eggs will be hidden throughout the exhibitions, and participants asked to complete a trail to get their hands on a mini Easter treat.
Suitable for even young children, there will even be an ‘Egg and Sperm Race’, where players will compete to reach the egg first, and an ‘Absolutely Smashing Matching Hatching Game’, which will put your knowledge of eggs and growth in the animal kingdom to the test. Please note that parental supervision required at these events.
Monday 4 April – Friday 22 April 2022. Find out morehere.
Yorkshire's Biggest Easter Egg Hunt
Multiple locations across Yorkshire | Friday 15th April – Sunday 17th April 2022.
Image: Jason Jarrach, Unsplash
Provenance Inns and Hotels will be hiding chocolate eggs across the county this month in the lead-up to Easter.The event is thought to bring ‘Yorkshire’s biggest Easter egg hunt’, spanning across Harogate, Moulton, Helperby and other Yorkshire hotspots. Lucky hunters who seek out the eggs will be able to enjoy a free drink at any Provenance site and there will be a host of Easter-themed dishes on the menu for those looking for a little more than a chocolate egg to satisfy their hunger.
Raising money for the Red Cross, Yorkshire’s biggest Easter egg hunt is set to take place across the bank holiday weekend, beginning on Good Friday and running until Easter Sunday. The idea is that clues will be dropped across Provenance Inns social media pages and those successful in finding the eggs can then redeem a free drink from the bar.
Leeds Grand Theatre | Tuesday 12 April – Saturday 16 April 2022.
Image: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg
The National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time returns to Leeds this April for one week only.
This life-affirming and unmissable production follows the story of Christopher, a 15 year old boy with an extraordinary brain. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world. Become immersed into Christopher's world and experience theatre at it's very best.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026 guide – everything you need to know
Clementine Hall
The 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (RBLM) is nearly upon us.
And with thousands set to flood the region, we thought we'd round up all the important information you need to know, from waves and start times to the route and more.
Getting underway this weekend, this year marks just the third-ever edition of the modern Leeds Marathon, which was set up in honour of Rhinos legend and MND champion Rob Burrow in 2023.
In addition to over 12,000 locals, marathon enthusiasts, fantastic fundraisers and casual runners alike taking part in the 2025 RBLM , there are set to be even more spectators expected to line the streets, so it's best you're all kept in the loop.
So, without further ado, here's our comprehensive guide for the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
Hosted by Run For All yet again, this year's Leeds Marathon is set to be just as special.
What is the route?
Where else to start other than, well, with where the run will be starting?
Getting underway once again from the Headingley Stadium, the 26.2-mile slog will see Yorkshire's finest pass through the busy student district, as well as around Golden Acre Park, towards Bramhope, around Otley, into the city centre and back.
You can see the full route map down below.
Leeds Marathon Map 2026
If you're running it, you'll also be glad to see that there are a total of eight different toilet stops and water stations, meaning you'll have the opportunity to take any necessary breaks every few miles.
How to get there?
For those travelling to the start/finish line (yes, it finishes back at the iconic cricket ground too), it is advised that people avoid driving and use public transport where possible to avoid further congestion.
Upon arriving, the only way to access the start line on race day is via Gate G behind the western terrace of the cricket stadium off Kirkstall Road.
Spectator shuttles will also be running between Queenswood Drive and the two main spectator hubs: Adel and Otley. You can find out more details on where to watch HERE.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon waves and start times
Now, as for start times, participants will be set off in waves depending on their estimated finish time, which corresponds to the colour of their bib.Wave start times
Blue – 09:00
Red – 09:04
Green & Yellow – 09:10
MND Wave – 09:19
Purple - 09:21
Meanwhile, those doing the half-marathon distance and fun runners will be starting at 10am.
Leeds Marathon road closures and travel advice
Now, it goes without saying that setting up a major marathon that spans all the way from Headingley to Leeds, passing through some of the busiest parts of West Yorkshire, involves quite a lot of logistical planning.
Luckily, Leeds City Council have worked closely with the event team to make the marathon route run as smoothly as possible whilst also trying to minimise the impact on traffic and general travel.
You can find a full breakdown of all the road closures for this year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon here.
So, for everyone taking on the Leeds Marathon to honour not just Rob Burrow but whoever they might be running it for, we wish you the best of luck and just know that you've already done him, us, yourselves and everyone else SO very proud.
Clementine Hall -
11th April 2022 
