Now in it's eighteenth year, the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival returns to Leeds next month with the theme of 'Playful City'.
The streets of Leeds will be transformed into an incredible illuminated playground when Light Night returns to the city this October.
Across Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October 2022 from 18:30 to 22:00, more than 50 breathtaking light installations, dynamic projections and spectacular interactive artworks are set to wow thousands of visitors to the highly anticipated, annual cultural event.
This years theme is 'Playful City' which will invite visitors to engage and interact with the city in exciting, new and innovate ways. Iconic Leeds landmarks and locations will host jaw-dropping illuminations and installations, from The Queen's Hotel to the Leeds Art Gallery.
Here's where you can find all the incredible pieces of art work and captivating performances by local, national and international artists around the city.
Millennium Square Zone
Image: Leeds City Council
There are five beautiful art pieces to view in this zone, the most unmissable being the Leeds Civic Hall paying homage to the classic video games of the 1980s. Visitors can take control of a high tech augmented reality experience, played out across the historic building's impressive façade.
Headrow Zone
The Headrow will welcome three installations and if you've got a competitive streak in you, head to The Light where you can try your luck and skill as you compete against each other at the Kosmo-Lounge.
Briggate Zone
Image: Leeds City Council
Spark! are returning to Light Night Leeds to take you on an otherworldly adventure with a mesmerising mix of music, movement and mayhem. Head to Trinity where you’ll be immersed in an electrifying experience with live music, choreography and a visual spectacle of light and colour. On top of this, there's three other experiences in this zone for you to enjoy as well.
Victoria Zone
Image: Leeds City Council
Three instillations are in this zone, outside Victoria Gate you will find an incredible structure entitled House of Cards, created by Israeli artists OGE Group, it will be made up of 128 beautiful light boxes, each taking the form of a playing card which will light up in sequence.
This is a spectacle not to be missed, the eye-catching creation will appear different when viewed from various angles, looking like a modern church from one side and like a classical structure of building blocks from the other.
Town Hall Zone
There's a whopping five instillations to feast your eyes on around the Town Hall, from activities for all the family to enjoy at the Henry Moore institute to part of the Leeds Art Gallery being transformed into an LED aquarium. Everywhere you look you'll be bowled over by the magnificent power of light, colour and music.
SOYO Zone (Quarry Hill)
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled and look up when around Quarry Hill as you don't want to miss out on the 'Goofs' hanging out on the roof of Leeds Bus Station. The friendly, inflatable creatures will give visitors entering the city a cheery welcome as they explore a further six artworks dotted around this area.
Wellington Place Zone
Image: Leeds City Council
Who can resist some free UV face paint? If you're looking to really embrace the Light Night way of life, then head to the Family Friendly Fun area at Wellington Place. Get your face painted and catch a beautiful performance by the LED Winged Ballerinas, a stunning, choreographed ballet performance incorporating light and movement, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.
Here you can also view the Zauberin des Mondes, a modern take on the enchanting Rapunzel Tower which tells the quest of a character through impossible architectures, placed under the protection of the mysterious and luminous figure of the Moon.
Station Zone
Taking this year's festival to another level, a thrilling large scale projection of a futuristic, digital rollercoaster ride will be taking over The Queen's Hotel. Be prepared to take a trip into the future for the night with this dynamic, innovative and multi-sensory experience.
South Bank Zone
Image: Leeds City Council
With eight instillations to visit, this is the busiest zone in the city. Outside The Tetley you will find 'Affinity', a large-scale immersive interactive light and sound installation created by Australian artists Amigo & Amigo. Inspired by the human brain, each light globe represents a neuron and connection in the brain.
Outside the Centre
Surrounding the centre are eight spectacles welcoming you into the city, including an immersive and playful light installation in the historic setting of Bramley Baths. Here you can experience a swim like no other, as a cloud of colour and light hovers over the waters of the pool, creating an ever changing and surreal environment as you move through the water. Booking for this unique experience is essential and can be done here on the Light Night website.
For more information including a full list of all the installations included in Light Night Leeds, take a look at their website.
American chart topper Jason Derulo is visiting Leeds for a night of radio bangers that will get stuck 'In My Head' and yours too.
Known for soundtracking the early 2010s and beyond, Derulo is heading back to Leeds playing out at the iconic First Direct Arena.
The Florida-born performer has five UK number one singles to his name, so it's safe to say his setlist will be stacked with massive hits sure to 'Take You Dancing' all night long.
His latest effort The Last Dance is an eight track EP featuring collaborations with INNA and Melody as well as the bouncy lead single 'Sexy For Me'.
This leg of shows is titled after this project and Derulo is asking anyone going to wear their best futuristic or metallic attire and accessories - You might end up being his 'It Girl'.
Jason Derulo gig guide
Jason Derulo is coming to First Direct Arena Leeds on 6 February / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Derulo UK tour dates
Fri 30 Jan - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 31 Jan - London, UK - The O2
Mon 2 Feb - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Tue 3 Feb - Brighton, UK - The Brighton Centre
Thu 5 Feb - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Fri 6 Feb - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Sat 7 Feb - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 Feb - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Jason Derulo tickets for First Direct Arena gig
If you want to see Jason Derulo 'Talk Dirty' to a huge 13,000 arena crowd over some 'Trumpets' then you'll want to get tickets to this event.
Luckily there's plenty of opportunities for you to see Mr. Derulo 'Wiggle' right in front of your eyes as there's tickets available HERE.
Jason Derulo setlist
Although the tour hasn't kicked off yet, here's one of the Pop/ R&B champs latest sets from September last year which contains some 2010s classics and big belters.
Swalla
Wiggle
Take You Dancing
Acapulco
Savage Love
Whatcha Say
Who Hurt You
Tip Toe
Breathing
In My Head
Ridin' Solo
Spicy Margarita
Love Tonight
The Other Side
Dame Un Grrr
Talk Dirty
Want to Want Me
Don't Wanna Go Home / Shots
Who Hurt You
What are the stage times for Jason Derulo in Leeds?
The 'It Girl' hitmaker is visiting the UK for his The Last Dance Tour / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning as much as we ′Don't Wanna Go Home', at least we'll be tucked up in bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6.30pm with a kick-off time expected to be 7.30pm with support from Czech rising star THERA and Manchester EDM group LZ7.
How to get to first direct arena
Bus Station
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.
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Clementine Hall -
28th September 2022 
