Theatre shows, non-stop pancake stacks and indie food collaborations from some of the city's biggest names- that's exactly what to expect from the city this week.
This week there's plenty to get stuck into, with live music seemingly every night (with top picks from The Wardrobe and the O2 Academy) and foodwise, whether you're looking for a spot to celebrate pancake day or making the most of the exclusive menus for @eat.leeds Restaurant Week, there's plenty to tuck into this week in Leeds.
Keep reading to find our top picks of things to do in Leeds this week...
EAT Leeds Restaurant Week
Monday 20 February – Sunday 26 February 2023 | Around Leeds
Banyan is just one of the restaurants taking part this year. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back for another round of incredible menus that cover everything from a £5 lunch to hearty three course dinners- each with an exciting spin on the classic menus offered at some of Leeds’ favourite restaurants.
Taking place from Monday 20 February 2023 over the course of one week until Sunday 26 February 2023, this foodie-fuelled celebration of Leeds’ favourite spots allows you to taste-test plenty of good grub.
The Irish post-punk band set up their own record label back in 2018. One of the best descriptions of the five-piece comes from The Guardian’s Damien Morris, who described The Murder Capoital as “reaching back to Joy Division’s drum tattoos, interlocking with surging, wave-break bass”. The Leeds show is likely to feature much of the band’s latest album, Gigi’s Recovery, which was released just a few weeks ago.
Tickets cost £16.50 and includes the booking fee via See Tickets.
Get your foodie fix on Pancake Day
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Around Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The best foodie day in the calendar is here and if you're looking for the best way to celebrate it then we have got you covered. From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings – there’s a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.
Patty Smiths at Belgrave are serving stacks for one day only and Meat: Stack has £1 stackable pancakes, so there's going to be plenty to choose from.
If there’s a local collaborative menu to get excited about, this is it. Five courses and five cocktails will be served as part of this one-of-a-kind night between The Hedonist, Stuzzi and Cocchi vermouth.
Tickets cost £75 per person but come with a unique night of food, drink and ‘a whole lot of knowledge about the world of Cocchi vermouth alongside Stuzzi Gin’.
Launching to fame in the late 00s after Lenny Kravitz was tipped off about Lissie’s MySpace page (as you did in 2008) and invited her on tour, Lissie has continued to fuse rock, country folk and pop across five albums. Her most recent release, Carving Canyons, is likely to feature on tour in Leeds, having only just been released last year.
£27.50 for regular tickets, available via See Ticketsand there’s also Meet and Greet tickets are also available here viaSee Tickets.
£5 Safari Bar from Well Oiled
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Inside Meanwood Tavern, Meanwood
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Offering a carefully-selected menu of delicious Detroit-style pizzas, the popular pizza joint has everything you’d possibly want from a lunchtime snack or dinner time treat.
The popularity for the sellout pizzas speaks volumes for itself, but there’s never been a better time to head down to Meanwood Tavern and give these slices a taste-test with the return of the Slice Safari – which gives you access to any of the pizzas as a XXXL slice for a fiver.
Thursday 23 February 2023 | Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate
Image: Opera North
This bittersweet fairy tale will transport you to the depths of the forest and take you on an emotional yet life-affirming journey. Expect energising, folk-infused melodies sung by a flurry of mischievous creatures who join our protagonist, Vixen Sharp Ears, as she embarks on an adventure to take on the world.
First timers at the opera will absolutely love this option. This production is sung in English (with surtitles too!) so it allows just about everyone to follow the storyline through the heartfelt vocals, as well as the actual performance itself.
R' Theatre Company are brining their triumphant working class comedy to Leeds for one night only, and it's set to be a riot. 'Waitin for Robbo' tells the tale of Johno, Mikey and Sully, a group of misfits who live on a council estate in Manchester and lead nothing short of chaotic lifestyles complete with fractured relationships and drug addiction.
One of their ticket options is 'A PLAY, A PINT & A PIE'. which the company curated in the hopes of giving value for money, as well as an opportunity to a new independent start up baking company. Get your tickets here.
Paint Leeds!
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Brasserie Blanc, Leeds
Image: Skiddle
Paint your way through Thursday night and create your own version of Andrew Sales’s Van Gogh-inspired Starry Night over Leeds. Painting in blue and green, it’s an opportunity to unleash your creative side with a glass of wine in one hand and paint brush in the other.
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Successful Sheffield charity walk returns to Meadowhall to support people living with dementia
Clementine Hall
Sheffield Hospitals Charity and Meadowhall have announced the return of the Red Shoe Walk for 2026.
After a hugely successful debut event last year that brought hundreds of people together and raised over £12,000 - The Red Shoe Walk is back.
The community event returns on Sunday 2nd August and will once again see families and friends walk the accessible route around Meadowhall to raise vital funds for people living with dementia across Sheffield.
The Red Shoe Walk was inspired by one woman's lifelong love of red shoes - a simple memory trigger that helps her connect with her past.
As you lace up, you're invited to take a moment to reflect on your own memories. Photos, music, familiar objects and special places can help bring back older memories and create a sense of connection.
Image: Supplied
Everyone taking part will walk a 2km route round Meadowhall. The walk starts at 10am with registrations open from 9am at the Summer Beach Club. The route is flat, accessible and suitable for all ages - so nobody has to miss out.
After the walk has finished you will get free access and unlimited rides until midday at Meadowhall's Summer Beach Club.
.Not only that, but singer songwriter Joe Carnall Jnr will perform live at the start of this year’s Red Shoe Walk.
Best known as a member of Sheffield-band Milburn and previously Reverend & The Makers, Joe will be joined by cast members from his brand-new musical ‘How Could I Forget?’ as part of the warm-up for the walk.
Image: Supplied
The musical is a heartfelt love letter to grandparents, inspired by Joe’s own family experience with dementia and loss. The show has sold out an impressive three nights at Sheffield Theatres and tickets have recently been released for the Carriageworks in Leeds.
Joe said: “My grandad passed away with dementia over 10 years ago and I got the inspiration for the musical from him. I want to do the walk with my three young children, reminisce and tell stories about him and connect with other people who have their own experiences of dementia.”
Beth Crackles, CEO of Sheffield Hospitals Charity said: “We’re thrilled with how the first ever Red Shoe Walk brought our community together in solidarity and are beyond excited to bring it back for 2026. It will be such a poignant moment to have Joe and the cast from ‘How Could I Forget’ perform live ahead of the walk, and we’re so grateful for their support.
"We hope to see lots of people there, walking together as a community to make a real difference for people living with dementia and their loved ones.”
Image: Supplied
Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall said: “Dementia touches the lives of so many families across our local community, and we’re incredibly proud to be working with Sheffield Hospitals Charity to host the Red Shoe Walk for a second time.
“Building on the success of last year’s event – which raised over £10,000 for the charity – it’s brilliant to be welcoming Joe Carnall Jnr to perform this year. The performance will start the event perfectly, as people once again come together to raise vital funds for those affected by dementia throughout the city.”
Not only that, but football legends Tony Currie, John Pearson and John Breckin from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United have also joined forces to back the walk, raising awareness and funds for dementia care across Sheffield.
Prices are £7 per adult, £4 per child, £18 for a family of four and under 3’s go free. Each ticket includes an exclusive Red Shoe Walk t-shirt to wear on the day, access to a range of exclusive discounts at participating Meadowhall retailers plus free entry and free rides at the Summer Beach Club until midday.
Clementine Hall -
20th February 2023 
