Leeds Waterfront Festival is set to make a splash this summer with the return of the British Street Food Awards and iconic Dragon Boat Race.
The plans for Leeds Waterfront Festival 2023 have been announced, and it's going to be an unforgettable weekend full of fun and plenty of food.
Taking place on 1 and 2 July 2023, the festival is the largest of it's kind in the north and showcases the very best of the city's waterways.
This year, The British Street Food Awards will return to Leeds for the festival after a three-year hiatus, inviting 12 Northern traders to battle it out for the top prize.
Image: Supplied
The North heats will feature Leeds favourites Little Red Eats who will take on the likes of Oi Dumplings from Manchester and Acropolis from Newcastle to compete for the crowning title.
The competition will be judged by Michelin-starred Will Lockwood, Head Chef from Roots York. There will also be a People’s Choice winner, chosen by those attending the event. Both winners will go the British Street Food Awards finals taking place in London this August.
Image: Supplied
The notorious Leeds Dock Dragon Boat Race is set to be another highlight, sailing back into town with smaller boats this time for extra speed. Registrations are now open for up to 24 teams of 7-11 people per boat to take on the challenge to win the highly coveted trophy.
Leeds Dock’s event director, Alex Webb, said: “The smaller dragon boats this year mean more people can get involved. Groups of mates can take on the challenge, or if you’re planning a hen or stag do, or big birthday celebration, this would be ideal. It’s something fun and different to do, and you get to flex your sporting prowess at the same time!”
Image: Supplied
Local bar and kitchen, The Canary, will also be hosting live musicians and DJs throughout the festival, as well as serving cocktails, locally brewed beers and great food- perfect for sunshine catch-ups with friends.
For more information about the Waterfront Festival, take a look at their website.
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Leeds’ first sauna and ice bath cafe is coming to the city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Clementine Hall -
24th April 2023 
