The sun has finally got his hat on so it's the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy what our vibrant city has to offer.
August has already been a jam-packed month, but Leeds is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down.
As we edge closer to the highly anticipated Bank Holiday Weekend, we've got some great exhibitions popping up in the city, a music festival by the sea and some epic foodie deals to be taken advantage of.
As usual, we've handpicked some of the best things that you can get up to in and around Leeds.
So what your diary out, and get reading...
Projecting Grief Exhibition
Friday 18 – Sunday 27 August | Victoria Gate
Image: Supplied
Projecting Grief is the profound work of photographer Jo Ritchie and writer Laura McDonagh. Collaborating with Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023, they are presenting an inspiring exhibition focusing on the complexities of loss and how art can be a useful medium for grieving.
Viewers can fully immerse themselves in real-life stories of grief and will also have the opportunity to take part in creative workshops covering textile art, writing and paper flower making.
Monday 14 - Sunday 20 August | Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Fizzy cola bottles, strawberry bon bons, flying saucers…there really is nothing better than a delicious bag of pick ‘n’ mix. And now to our delight, Trinity Leeds shopping centre will be dishing out free sweets as part of their ‘Pick Your Mix’ installation on the top floor.
Every day of the week, ‘Pick Your Mix’ will feature super-size DJ decks being installed underneath the main atrium, where guests can listen to top summer tunes and fill up free goody bags with sweet treats to take home.
This Feeling By The Sea Festival
Friday 18 – Saturday 19 August 2023 | Bridlington Spa, South Marine Dr
Some huge names will be playing by the sea this weekend and it's going to be a great one. Liverpool rockers Red Rum Club will get the ground shaking and Manchester band the Lottery Winners are sure to give a performance to remember.
Tickets are just £50 and you can get yours via Skiddle here.
Negroni Month at Friends of Ham
Monday 14 – Sunday 20 August | New Station St, Leeds and Brook Street, Ilkley
Yes, you read that correctly. For the entire month of August, Friends of Ham will be serving £5 negronis in both their Ilkley and Leeds locations.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get together with mates, sink a few negronis and indulge on the delicious cheese and charcuterie that Friends of Ham have to offer. You’d be a fool not to get involved in this absolute bargain.
Now we all love a bottomless brunch don't we? And this Italian-themed extravaganza is not one to miss. All Gusto diners will be treated to two delicious Italian courses alongside 90 minutes of non-stop cocktails and Prosecco - mega.
We're talking decadent pasta dishes, juicy burgers, and enough Italian aperitifs to sink a ship. So get your mates together get involved in this unmissable bottomless brunch, you won't regret it.
City Beach Summer Sessions
All of August | The Light Leeds, Cookridge Street
Image: The Light Leeds
Following its huge success in 2021 and 2022, The City Beach invites anyone and everyone to take part in fun beach activities throughout the summer.
The Light will be transformed into a huge sandpit to make you feel like you’re on holiday. The City Beach this year will also host a series of exciting events named ‘Summer Sessions’ for families and cocktail lovers alike, throughout the month of August.
From live music nights to evenings dedicated to Aperol Spritz, there’s a fun event for everyone to get involved in at The Light this summer.
Whether you're a fan of a classic Mr. Whippy or after something a bit more artisanal, we've got you covered in this list of the best ice cream places in Leeds.
It's hot enough to warrant a treat, we'd say, and if you're going to do it you might as well go the whole hog and truly indulge in the best ice cream the city has to offer.
Keep reading to discover the very best ice cream spots in Leeds.
Melting Point
The Corn Exchange, Leeds
New to Leeds and new to the Corn Exchange is the fabulous Melting Point, an independent ice cream and gelato serving up weird and wonderful flavours.
It's like Willy Wonka if he made ice cream instead of chocolate, and we're absolutely obsessed. The list of flavours change daily, so not visit is the same but you can rest assured each one is delicious.
Tsujiri
17 Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up authentic flavours like matcha and hōjicha, Tsujiri is one of our new favourite dessert spots in Leeds.
This Japanese dessert house offers everything from classic soft serves to more adventurous sundaes, with an array of toppings to customise your treat. Options include boba pearls, cracker, genmai, kinako, kuromitsu, red bean, sesame, shiratama. Perfect for those seeking a unique and refreshing dessert experience.
Knoops
Trinity Centre, 26-28 Albion St, LS1 6HX
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you adore chocolate, you'll be thrilled to know that Knoops has ventured into ice cream. Their soft serve is a dreamy treat topped with your choice of chocolate flakes – whether you prefer milk, white, or dark chocolate, you get to pick the chocolate you love the most, all finished with a signature Knoops chocolate disc.
Their ice cream also stars in their thick, creamy milkshakes. Choose from six different chocolate percentages and add extra flavours for a personalised indulgence. Perfect for those who love to mix things up.
Mr Whippy Leeds
Around Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Mr Whippy Leeds has been around for over 50 years, operating the largest fleet of modern ice cream vans and trailers in Leeds.
Mr Whippy Leeds is, simply put, iconic. The fleet of vintage ice cream trucks, painted pink, white and blue, are gorgeous to look at and serve just as wonderfully pleasing ice creams. In recent years, they've noticed a shift from 99p cones to more extravagant options - now they are creating thee 'super Sundaes' which you can pick up from one of the trucks around the city.
Ice Scoop Gelato
From Ferrero Rocher to Kinder Bueno, if you fancy a naughty chocolate ice cream Ice Scoop Gelato has you covered. Honestly, there's a whole host of amazing flavours here. All are available to enjoy by the scoop or in a cone, or alternatively push the boat out and order yours with a crepe or waffles.
Amorino
Victoria Gate, George St, Leeds LS2 7HY
Image: Amorino
This authentic Italian gelato spot is famous in Leeds and for good reason. Scoops come served in a chocolate cone, with gelato presented in the shape of a flower and the option to add on macarons. Find flavours like Banana del Brasile and Dulce de Leche here alongside more traditional choices.
Famous Leeds restaurant receives £500,000 investment ahead of landmark refurbishment
Clementine Hall
One of Yorkshire's most celebrated restaurants, The Box Tree, has announced a £500,000 investment in the future of the business.
Set within one of Ilkley's oldest buildings, The Box Tree is a renowned restaurant that has been a defining name in British fine dining since 1962.
Originally a 1720 stone farmhouse, The Box Tree became one of the North's most celebrated restaurants, earning two Michelin stars in 1977 and establishing a legacy shaped by chefs including the one and only Marco Pierre White.
And now, The Box Tree is heading in a brand-new direction having received a £500,000 investment.
Images: Supplied
From August, the restaurant will temporarily close before reopening on early September, unveiling a new dining experience that honours more than 60 years of heritage and history.
The refurbishment will be led by award-winning interior designers Studio Two, who's work is known for creating spaces that are both timeless and individual.
Alongside the refreshed interiors, guests can look forward to an enhanced dining experience, where every element has been thoughtfully considered to complement Head Chef, Brayden Davies' modern approach to British cuisine.
But before closing its doors for refurbishment, The Box Tree will present The Box Tree: Eras – a limited four-week dining series celebrating defining moments from the restaurant's culinary journey.
Head Chef, Brayden Davies said: "The Box Tree has an incredible history, and before we begin the next chapter, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate everything that has come before it.
"The Eras dinners are inspired by the chefs, dishes and moments that have shaped the restaurant over the decades, while reflecting where we are today. At the same time, we're incredibly excited about what's ahead. This investment is a huge vote of confidence in The Box Tree and allows us to create a dining experience that reflects where we are today while respecting everything that makes this restaurant so special."
Clementine Hall -
11th August 2023 
