Marking its 20th year, Light Night Leeds will return transforming the city into a dazzling array of illuminated artworks.
Light Night Leeds is the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival and will return next Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October 2024, from 6 - 10pm.
Celebrating its 20th year in the city, this year's festival will welcome a mesmerising array of new creations as well as some popular artworks from previous years making a comeback.
With a colossal programme of artworks to view, we've highlighted ten of the best pieces covering all locations which you won't want to miss out on.
Monad at Leeds Dock
Image: Leeds City Council
Created by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen, Monad, will be projected onto the water at Leeds Dock.
Inspired by the circular nature of life, rebirth and the universe, the piece will be accompanied by a compelling soundscape.
Where: The Dockside, Leeds Dock, LS10 1EG When: Thursday and Friday 6.45-10pm
Parallels at Aire Park
Image: Leeds City Council
Parallels will see thousands of multi-coloured laser beams pulse and flicker overhead to an amazing electronic soundscape.
Inspired by dynamic movement and tones from the natural environment, the stunning artwork is sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s event.
Where: Aire Park, The Tetley, Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ When: Thursday and Friday 6.30-10pm
The Bookbinder at The Queens Hotel
Image: Leeds City Council
A magical journey into the realm of fiction and fairy tales The BookBinder is set to be one of the highly-anticipated cultural event’s most spectacular installations when it is projected onto the façade of the iconic Queens Hotel.
A collaboration with the British Library, the enchanting, large-scale artwork is inspired by their vast collection, and features a stunning, specially commissioned animation and an immersive soundscape.
Where: Queens Hotel, City Square, LS1 1PJ When: Thursday and Friday, 7pm-10pm. Performance duration: 10min (repeats throughout the evening)
Out of the Aire at Leeds Civic Hall
Image: Leeds City Council
The fantastic Out of the Aire returns after first being shown during a memorable Light Night 2017. With some updated content, the piece celebrates Leeds as a centre of innovation, engineering, sports and the arts.
Featuring Leeds singers and bands, Out of the Aire includes tributes to the testing of rocket powered torpedoes on Waterloo Lake, the world’s first motion picture and the city’s many sporting achievements.
Always one of the most popular performers at Light Night, The Spark Drummers return to Trinity Leeds for what’s sure to be a showstopping spectacle.
A mix of high-impact drumming, stunning costumes and kaleidoscopic lighting design the drummers interacts with the crowd during each performance.
Where: Trinity Leeds Main Atrium, LS1 5AR When: Thursday and Friday: 6pm 7pm, 8pm, 9pm (20min performances)
Dragon Heart Beats at The Royal Armouries
Image: Leeds City Council
Featuring a five metre fire-breathing dragon, this spectacular piece is inspired by carnival from Trinidad and Tobago.
Accompanied by high energy percussion and special fire effects, it’s set to be a magical performance.
Where: Armouries Square, Armouries Drive, LS10 1LT When: Thursday and Friday, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Duration 15 minutes.
NocturnFox: The Silent Observer on Cookridge Street
Image: Leeds City Council
A striking illuminated fox will prowl the city centre, adorned with floral mandalas representing life cycles in nature.
One of a number of illuminated animals that can be spotted at this year’s event, including a giant hedgehog at Leeds Bus Station and two huge glowing owls at the Stourton Park and Ride.
Where: Cookridge Street, LS1 8TL When: Thursday and Friday, 6pm-10pm
Valkyrie at Soyo Square
Image: Leeds City Council
Crafted from recycled plastics, Valkyrie is a huge suspended glowing orb which responds to sound and voices.
Inspired by the Northern Lights, visitors will be able to create their own aurora by speaking into the sculpture, creating new colours to ripple across its surface.
Where: Soyo Square, LS2 7PA When: Thursday and Friday, 6pm-10pm
Ghost Caribou on Briggate
Image: Leeds City Council
A stunning street performance, Ghost caribou features giant illuminated creatures, part caribou, part spirit which roam a mystical world after dark.
With music, song and shadow puppets they tell stories of lost homes, impossible migrations and seeds of hope.
Where: 58 Briggate, LS1 6AS When: Thursday and Friday 6.10pm, 7.35pm and 9pm.
Celestial Sound Cloud at Wellington Place
Image: Leeds City Council
Celestial Sound Cloud is an interactive digital sound and light sculpture inspired by cosmic clouds and nebulas – the clouds of dust and gases in which stars are formed. Underneath the suspended sculpture, you can sing, move or dance to create your own visual and sound experience.
Where: Rose Walk Frames, 5 Wellington Place, LS1 4AP When: Thursday & Friday 6-10pm
Just moved to lovely Leeds for uni? Here’s how to eat out for less than a tenner.
With Freshers’ Week fast approaching, you're probably trying to work out exactly how far your student loan is going to stretch.
But don't worry, we're here to help.
Whether you’re after a cheap lunch between lectures, somewhere to grab dinner with your new flatmates or a bite to eat before heading out for the night, Leeds city centre is packed with places where you can eat well without blowing your budget.
So, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite places where you can grab a bite for under £10.
Let’s get into it...
Bundobust
Mill Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It wouldn't be a cheap eat round up without Bundobust. These Indian street food legends are the GOATS of dishes for under tenner, because every single thing is.
We recommend the Vada Pav - a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed in a springy bun. It'll fill you up good and proper and you can get two Vada Pav sliders for just £8. Class.
Mommy Thai
Duncan Street and Vicar Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Okay you may have to forgive us on this one...but we couldn't not include it.
For just £10.95 (close enough) you can get two courses at one of Leeds' best Thai restaurants. And there's loads to choose from, from chicken satay and Pad Thai to corn cakes and Pad Grapow - you won't be going home hungry. The perfect fuel before a mad night out on Call Lane we think.
Brod
Great George Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Brod is a staple for those looking for a lunch in the city, famous for their stacked sandwiches for super low prices. Most sandwiches are around the £6 mark, using fresh and homemade ingredients prepped daily.
Karpaty Bakery
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this one really is a bargain. In the market hall of Kirkgate Market you'll find Karpaty Bakery, a wonderful Polish bakery serving traditional baked goods for under £3. They're absolutely massive and such great value for money.
Bánh and Mee
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another classic from the market is Bánh and Mee, a brilliant lunchtime option for those wanting hot and fresh Vietnamese food all for under a tenner.
Our favourite is the lemongrass chicken rice box or the aromatic pho that'll warm you up in an instant.
Eastern Oven
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you hadn't gathered by now, Kirkgate Market is an absolute honeypot for cheap eats in the city centre where you'll find hundreds of dishes for under a tenner.
Another one of our favourites is Eastern Oven, a family-run stall selling fresh falafel wraps and pittas.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to be a bit naughty and get stuck into a burger and chips, then Meat:Stack is the spot for you.
American smash burgers, loaded fries and thick milkshakes all for great prices. They do a lunch deal where you can get a burger for just a fiver, or you can add on chips, a dip and a drink for a total of just £10. Available Monday - Friday from 11 - 3pm, it doesn't get much better then that.
Bakery 164
164 Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Based in Headingley just opposite the Parkinson Steps, this spot is the OG of great student deals. Gourmet sandwiches, all made fresh in-house for great prices - we wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself here every day of the week.
Kefiyo
17 Ash Rd, Headingley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a sweet treat, then look no further than Kefiyo in Headingley. Here you can get a large tub of frozen yoghurt with unlimited toppings (yes, unlimited) for just £6.49.
Dough Boys
Belgrave Music Hall
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As a student in Leeds you will no doubt find yourself in Belgrave Music Hall, but don't sleep on their food options. Dough Boys specialise in unusual flavours for their pizza, with one standout, the Queen Brie, featuring roasted grapes to complement its namesake French brie.
All the slices are under a fiver, and between 12-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 12-5pm Friday and Saturday they're all half price. Class.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Clementine Hall -
17th October 2024 
