A sombre mood follows Leeds this week as the city, and indeed the country, this will certainly be a time period we remember for a long time.
Whilst there are a number of events that have been postponed or cancelled due to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but at present, we've rounded up the best of what's on offer in and around the city centre that are still going ahead throughout the week.
Keep reading to find out the best things to do in Leeds this week.
Sistine Chapel Experience
Tuesday 13 September - Sunday 18 September 2022 | Versa Studio Leeds, Holbeck
Image: The Manc Group
Previously, people would have to travel to Vatican City to see the collection of intricate paintings that cover the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But now the frescoes have been recreated as huge prints covering walls and ceilings, giving visitors a chance to see them on the same scale as Michelangelo.
The art experience has already travelled to cities including London, Shanghai, Chicago and Berlin, and more recently in neighbouring Greater Manchester. Now coming to Leeds’ Versa Studio Leeds in Holbeck, it gives a life-size perspective of this remarkable feat of artistry.
MorMor is the first kitchen residency to be announced by Kino, and is likely to impress customers with its inventive menu, serving up light dishes like Soft Shell Crab, Chicken Shish Tawook with Grilled Lombardi and Grilled Aubergine with Date & Dukkah Crumb and Tahini Yoghurt. After a successful summer, Kino will continue to serve up craft beers and cocktails, and integrate their drinks list with the new kitchen collaboration from Wednesday 14 September 2022.
For those searching for a mid-week boost of serotonin, we reckon we’ve found the best way to de-stress from the week. Puppy Yoga is a new concept combining easy to practice yoga moves with the smallest of puppies. The idea is that you get a combination of 45 minutes of yoga and then an additional 30 minutes of ‘pure puppy playtime’ where there’s ample opportunity to have some one-to-one puppy time and get some snaps with the pups too.
Puppy Yoga states that “The puppies will not be directly involved in any yoga positions but will be free to move, play, and cuddle during the yoga class as part of their socialisation and development”- we really can’t think of a better way to spend our evenings.
Saturday 17 September 2022, 11am-3pm | Various locations, Leeds
Image: Leeds Walking Tours
Explore the city past and present with a designated guide that can tell you far more than a quick Google search about the city. Taking place every Saturday morning, local Yorkshire Blue Badge Guide will show you round some of Leeds' best known landmarks, journeying from the very beginning of Leeds as a city over 800 years ago, and transport you and your chosen company through the ages to the present day in a fascinating way that's bound to make you fall in love with the city centre all over again.
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane
Image: Chapter 81
Taking place on Saturday 17 September 2022, Leeds’ Corn Exchange is set to host this exciting festival from Rolling Social Events, following the success of sister events, Leeds Whisky Festival and the upcoming Leeds Tequila Festival. The one-day-festival will see 100 different rums on show, including popular names like Plantation, Takamaka, Nusa Caña, El Dorado and Skipper, as well as new up-and-coming boozy brands too.
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Beaver Works, Hunslet
Image: Better Days
The multi-arena outdoor festival promises a fantastic day full of disco, drum n bass, DJs and plenty of dancing. After kicking off the festival season with a bang back in May, creators Fresh2Death and Good Life thought it only right to bid summer a farewell in the exact same way, only this time with a brand new indoor stage which is sure to take Better Days to the next level. An eclectic mix of music genres will be taking over the multiple stages, ranging from Tech House and UK Garage to House and Disco.
Get tickets for Better Days Festival Chapter 3: Summer Closing on Saturday 17 September 2022 here.
Sukhothai Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 17 September - Sunday 18 September 2022
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Served every weekend, 12 – 3.30pm, Sukhothai is getting in on the bottomless trend and bringing unlimited cocktails, wine and juices to the table for a ninety minute brunch experience. There’s two different options on the menu. Choose either a two course lunch with starter and main course or opt for a Thai tapas-style serving of three small plates per person. These small plates come with the likes of crispy duck bao buns with hoisin sauce and spring onions, or Sukhothai Dumplings with steamed taro and vegetable dumplings, served with sweet soy sauce and topped with crispy garlic.
Find out more here.
Fresher's Week at Cargo Leeds
Saturday 17 September - Sunday 18 September 2022 | Albion Street, Leeds
Image: Cargo Leeds
Cargo Leeds is home to four huge new rooms as well as a newly installed lighting rig and cutting-edge sound system. Whether you want to sing your heart out to the best songs from the 90s or dance the night away in their state of the art techno room- Fresher's Week kicks off here.
Get tickets for Cargo Leeds on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2022 here.
Leeds Piano Trail
Monday 12 September - Sunday 18 September 2022 | Various locations, Leeds
Image: Leeds Piano Trail
Led by the Leeds International Piano Competition, the trial aims to share live music across the city, helping to bring music and happiness into the lives of residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.To achieve this, they have placed 6 free-standing pianos across the city, each designed by a different artist, for you to find and maybe have a go on. All abilities and ages are welcome to have a tinkle on the ivories if they feel like it.
And it doesn’t stop there, on the first Saturday of every month there will be pop-up performances at 1pm taking place at each piano, showcasing some incredible pianists who are sure to leave jaws dropped.
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Leeds for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at First Direct Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70's, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone onto achieve much success including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band's lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who's taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some 'Red Red Wine'.
There's no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don't Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can't Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Leeds?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Leeds' impressive over 13,500 seater First Direct Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6.45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early as you really won't want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest - It really is a reggae revolution.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Featured Images - Press Shot (Mara Publicity via supplied)
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Iconic band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Stockport-originating band Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked line-up.
They might have a 'Joke About Divorce' from time to time but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, playing at Bramham Park three times in the past decade.
This band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track 'Charlemagne' and more recently with the addition of their fifth album studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot-tall gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they pay us a visit this August.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as 'Special Guests', appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the line-up are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K's and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Leeds Festival 2026 is set to be a belter with the addition of Stockport band Blossoms returning for a fourth time / Credit: Publicity Video (Supplied)
Whether you're there for 'Your Girlfriend' or 'What Can I Say After I'm Sorry', one thing's for sure, you're guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Sophie Smith -
12th September 2022 
