Now that Christmas is round the corner, it seems that the gig schedule has turned its attention to tribute nights, theatre productions and Rod Stewart.
This Christmas there's a fantastic selection of nights of live music and performances ahead. Whether you've been waiting to see Craig Charles, UB40 or The Cure, the city is full of all genres to bring in the festive cheer, or help you forget about Christmas and enjoy a break from festivities with an evening of non-stop hits- either way you're in for a real treat.
Keep reading to find out the ten best live concerts that you can still grab tickets for this month.
Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club Xmas Party
Saturday 3 December 2022 | The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square
Image: Live Nation
Who better to bring in the festive cheer than Craig Charles? The actor, comedian, TV and radio presenter from Liverpool has become synonymous with British media during his career, but this DJ set is the latest of the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club performances to hit the town. Expect non-stop hits from one of Leeds' most exciting venues, and if this one can't get you in the mood for Christmas, we're not sure what will.
Tickets cost £18.00 each plus a £1.80 booking fee.
Get tickets for Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club Xmas Party here.
ABBA Christmas Party
Saturday 3 December, 2-6pm | 11-15 Hirst Yard, Leeds city centre
Image: Brunch Club
The ABBA Christmas party is a four-hour event where the resident DJ will be getting you in the festive spirit alongside live ABBA impersonators, fancy dress and tipsy cocktails.
So, what music can you expect? On the playlist there will be a mix of Christmas classics as well as all of ABBA’s top hits. So you can go from belting your heart out to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You to jiving across the dance floor to Waterloo or Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Tickets cost £15-£25 each, depending on whether you get tickets for the first, second or third release.
Get tickets for ABBA Christmas Party at Hirst's Yard here.
James Bay
Monday 5 December 2022 | O2 Academy Leeds, Millenium Square
Image: James Bay
The Hold Back The River singer-songwriter has been bringing soulful melodies to the UK and beyond since 2013, effortlessly intertwining folk rock with pop and classic Americana genres. Following from the original tour date in November, all James Bay tickets have been rescheduled for early December, but there's still a chance to grab tickets.
Tickets cost £31.65 each for either standing or balcony unreserved seat.
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: First Direct Arena
Forming part of the 2022 European Tour, The Cure has made Leeds one of the 44 shows in 22 countries, and naturally the punk-rock band has got the city excited and nearing sellout on all available tickets. The Friday I'm In Love band is expecting to bring a huge array of bestselling hits on tour- hopefully Pictures Of You, Boy's Don't Cry and Same Deep Water As You.
Tickets are extremely limited but can be found from £88.40.
Get tickets for The Cure at the First Direct Arena here.
Stick Man
Wednesday 7 December – Saturday 31 December 2022 | Leeds Playhouse
Image: Freckle Productions
This touching and funny adaptation of Julie Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is coming to Leeds for the festive season. The heartfelt children’s story follows the journey of a wooden stick who becomes separated from his family home and embarks on an Odyssey-like adventure to return there.
The production will showcase three fantastic actors whom will perform an array of puppetry, live music and funky dance moves. The play will run for 55 minutes and is aimed at children aged 2+, making it the perfect afternoon of fun for all the family.
Tickets cost between £14 and £21, plus a flat-rate booking fee of £2.50 each.
Get tickets for Stick Man at Leeds Playhouse here.
Being As An Ocean
Friday 9 December 2022 | The Key Club, Leeds Merrion Centre
Image: Wikipedia
The American post-hardcore band from California have made it over to the UK for a 10-year anniversary tour of Dear G-d, and Leeds is just one of a few chosen stops. This said, the band has five studio albums to choose from, so we're expecting a few hits from PROXY or maybe An A.N.I.M.O. Story?
Saturday 10 December 2022 | Mana Nightclub, Bradford
Image: Soundcloud
The Yorkshire lads began as a group that uploaded comedy and prank videos online before shooting to fame in 2020, becoming a huge lockdown success. Since then, they have been nominated for both the NME Award for Best New British Act and NME Award for Best New Act in the World, releasing album Disrespectful alongside EP Charva Anthems and a number of hit singles. Before heading on their UK tour next year, you can catch BBCC in their hometown Bradford.
Tickets cost £22.25 each (£20 plus the booking fee), and there's VIP packages for uo to eight people for £550.25 available too.
Get tickets for Bad Boy Chiller Crew at Mana Nightclub here.
Rod Stewart
Tuesday 13 December 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: Live Nation
Naturally as soon as December rolls around, Rod Stewart has to make an appearance. Whether you're listening to him telling you to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas on the radio or you're heading over to the First Direct Arena to listen to the legend himself bring his distinct voice to life in the company of 13,700 others- it's just not Christmas without him.
Tickets cost £64.40 each for remaining seats, with tickets up to £210.22 on resale.
Get tickets for Rod Stewart at the First Direct Arena here.
UB40
Tuesday 20 December 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
The English reggae-pop band has been bringing us bangers since 1978, and with over 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart since their humbled beginnings, there's a reason why UB40 can comfortably pack out an arena almost 45 years on.
Tickets cost £43.55 for standing, or from £46 on Ticketmaster resale.
Tuesday 27 December 2022 | Brudenell Social Club, Burley
Image: Slade UK
80s chart toppers and singers of the Christmas classic Merry Christmas Everybody, Slade is one of those bands that have truly stood the test of time. Now, you can relive the Slade era to bring the 2022 year to a close with the 'world's number one' Slade tribute act at the Brud with Slade UK.
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 -
30th November 2022 
