The clocks go forwards this month, we're celebrating St Patrick's Day, Holi Festival, Mother's Day, International Women's Day and the Six Nations- so even if you don't have many plans for the month yet, there's going to be plenty to choose from.
Keep reading to find out more about our top picks for this month, including how to get yourself tickets to the opera, festivals and even TWO pop-up dog cafes.
Ariadne auf Naxos Live
Wednesday 1 March 2023 from 7pm | Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre
Image: Opera North
Directed by multi-award nominated Rodula Gaitanou, this humorous, romantic, and drama-filled production will tell the tale of a bustling 1950s Italian studio where two films are about to be made.
One’s a heartbreaking myth, the other a light-hearted comedy – imagine the mischief that unfolds when disaster strikes and the films suddenly become one…
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.
Sunday 5 March 2023, 10am-4pm | Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan Road, Burley
Image: Left Bank
Celebrating International Women's Day with the Left Bank's signature Sunday markets, the popular event space is bringing together stalls from women and non-binary creatives - and there's ample opportunity to check out the Left Banks' latest exhibition hosted by Assembly House too.
Sunday 5 March 2023 from 10am | Revolucion de Cuba, Call Lane
Image: Cockapoo Cafe
Pop+Bark is the mastermind company behind popular Dachshund Cafes which have been held in Leeds since 2019. But now the company are kicking it up a notch and hosting a Cockapoo Cafe for the very first time.
Those looking to party with the pooches can head down to Revolucion de Cuba for an afternoon of fun for both you and your furry friends. This year’s theme is the 90’s, with a fitting soundtrack and of course a 90’s dress code very much encouraged.
Sunday 5,12,19,25 March 2023 at 12pm and 2pm | Cheesy Living Co, Corn Exchange
Image: The Hoot Leeds
£20 per person gets you a fondue for two (or more) filled in the classic Swiss style with melted cheese, then your table is filled with roast dinner staples like rosemary potatoes dusted in paprika, half roasted garlic and of course, Yorkshire puddings.
Then you can build on your roast selection as you see fit to make up the ultimate roast dinner, adding a board of Lishman’s cold cut roast ham and beef; honey roasted carrots and parsnips; stuffing balls or even a DIY cauliflower cheese offering to dip into the Alpine-style fondue pot and cover in as much cheese as possible.
Friday 10 March 2023, 11am-4pm | The Wardrobe, Quarry Hill
Image: The Wardrobe
We all love a bit of ABBA don’t we? As soon as Dancing Queen comes on you can’t help but get up on your feet to bust out some pretty questionable moves. The Wardrobe is hosting a non-stop ABBA night and it's going to be the perfect opportunity to let your hair down and dance all night long. Five hours of non-stop classics? Count us in!
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Beaverworks, Whitehouse St, Hunslet
Image: Leeds Holi Festival
Here in Leeds, the celebrations of Holi will involve the traditional dry powder paints, as well as the serving of street food, live DJs, performances and guest artists at the Beaverworks.
The festival last took place in 2022, and returns this year bigger than ever- doubling their previous capacity. Tier one and two tickets have already sold out for the seven hour event, but remaining tier three tickets are still available for purchase.
Saturday 11 March - Saturday 18 March 2023 | Around Leeds
Image: Beck & Call
There's two weeks of rugby left, and the competition is really heating up now. Whether you’re secretly rooting for France to keep hold of the title or ready to cheer on England this year, we’ve found all the best places to go and pull up a seat in Leeds.
Sunday 12 March 2023, 11am-4pm | Around Leeds city centre
Image: Tom Blackwell, Flickr
St Patrick’s Day isn’t until the 18th, but the annual parade is due to take place on Sunday 12 March this year from 11am.
The parade will bring together floats, bands, walking displays, and representatives from Irish organisations, schools, clubs and societies from across Leeds- making it a great family day out. You can join in with the parade and head through Leeds city centre before reaching the party on Millennium Square from 11am until 4pm where there will be a full afternoon of music and dance from Leeds musicians, dancers and invited guests. Guinness isn’t mandatory but widely encouraged.
Sunday 26 March 2023 from 10.30am | Revolution Electric Press, Leeds city centre
Image: Pup-Up Cafe
Walk through the doors into the fairground-themed bar of Revolution Electric Press and wander between dog-friendly stalls stocking everything from a puppacino to luxury dog collars, and that's before you've seen the many, many Dashchund's making friends inside the venue.
Find out more here.
Snoop Dogg Live
Monday 27 March 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Snoop Dogg has finally rebooked the gigs that got pushed back during lockdown (then again for other reasons) and will be performing in Leeds with Xzibit as a special guest plus support from Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Obie Trice and D12, and Irish rap duo Versatile.
Tickets are still available, costing between £45.50 and £68.50 via See Tickets.
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 -
1st March 2023 
