Here's a roundup of what's happening in and around Leeds this week.
So we've seen the back of two major autumnal events. Halloween has left us all sufficiently spooked and Bonfire Night kept us toasty and warm into the night.
If you're feeling a bit deflated due to the end of these events then don't worry, as this week we are finally seeing the start of the exciting Christmas build-up in Leeds. We're talking the unveiling of Christmas markets, cosy winter tipis, the social acceptance of drinking mulled wine and much more.
It's finally time to get in the spirit and we could not be happier about it. Keep reading to find out what's going on in the city this week.
Rugby League World Cup
Wednesday 9 November – Friday 11 November 2022 | Headingley Stadium / Elland Road
Image: RLWC21
Leeds has been hosting more games at this year’s Rugby League World Cup than any other city, and there’s still plenty to get stuck in to.
Here are all the games happening this week:
Women’s Canada v Brazil on Wednesday 9 November, 5pm @ Headingley Stadium
Women’s England v Papua New Guinea on Wednesday 9 November @ Headingley Stadium
Men’s Semi Final on Friday 11 November, 7.45pm @ Elland Road
Find out more, including how to grab tickets, here.
Chow Down Winter Village
Thursday 10 November onwards | Chow Down, Temple Arches
Image: Supplied
Bringing together indie food trucks, live music, boozy bingo and the sports of the season, Chow Down’s Winter Village is returning in all of its glory- and you’ll have a full eight weeks to get yourself down there. There’s going to be plenty to get involved in too. We’re talking the return of the ever-popular drag brunches, as well as Bingo Lingo, comedy nights, a Christmas-themed dog social and the big pub quiz to round off the year with Chow Down Quizmas.
Friday 11 November 2022 onwards | Corn Exchange, Leeds city centre
Image: Supplied
Luckily for us, Rolling Social Events, the brains behind the legendary Leeds Rum Fest, Leeds Whisky Fest, and Leeds Tequila Fest are returning to Leeds Corn Exchange for the 2022 Christmas Market. Think a host of independent stalls to snap up your Christmas pressies from, a range of delicious food offerings from local chefs and all in the most beautiful building in Leeds. Sounds good? We think so too.
Saturday 12 November 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: First Direct Arena
The Leeds’ legends are back in town for one night only- and their homecoming gig is expected to be one of the biggest in the city. The indie-rock band will bring all their best known tunes like Ruby and I Predict A Riot to the First Direct Arena, along with (hopefully) their nostalgic hits about our own city.
Extended until Sunday 20 November 2022 | Holbeck, Leeds
Image: The Manc Group
Following the popularity of the new Sistine Chapel exhibition in Holbeck, Leeds, the Sistine Chapel exhibition has now been extended and you can visit this week.
Incase you missed the memo the first time round: a new immersive exhibition has been bringing Leeds to life this autumn, allowing guests to get up close to Michelangelo’s masterpiece. The Sistine Chapel is home to arguably the most awe-inspiring work of art on the planet – and now you’ve got even longer to set your sights on the recreation.
Tuesday 8 November - Saturday 19 November 2022 | Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate
Image: Fisherman Friends the Musical
Fancy a trip to the theatre? Well, head to the Leeds Grand for a bit of fisherman fun. Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 blockbuster, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about community, friendship and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs.
Van Gogh Alive takes people on a trip through the periods of Van Gogh’s life that defined him as an artist – showcasing 3,000 images including iconic works like Starry Night, Sunflowers and lesser-known paintings inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints. The exhibition is also home to a life-sized walk-in representation of Van Gogh’s ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting and a ‘Sunflower selfie room’ – a 360° mirrored space complete with hundreds of sunflowers.
Tuesday 8 November 2022, 6.30pm | The Headrow, Leeds city centre
Image: Headrow House
The Headrow House pub quiz is something quite special. Located in their huge beer hall, nestled amongst their sixty plus lines of beers from around the world, they promise a night of quizzes and games: start with the pub quiz and if you’re successful, your prize will be selected when you spin the wheel of fortune.
Head down to Headrow House for 6.30 pm on a Tuesday evening and take full advantage of their free entry and grab a pint before getting your game face on.
Wednesday 9 November 2022 | The Wardrobe, St Peter’s Square
Image: Spotify
The 20-year-old Canadian singer songwriter is on our side of the pond to bring tunes from her two EPs, Teenage Angst and Off Saint Dominque following a collaboration with longtime indie-alt band, The Maine and Travis Barker in We’ll Make This Ok.
Sunday 13 November 2022 | The Lending Room, Woodhouse Lane
Image: Delights, Instagram
Taking the number one spot on The Manc’s five Manchester bands to listen to back in August, the much-loved Manchester four piece will be taking to the stage at The Lending Room. Since then, the band have been spotted touring alongside Swim Deep single 1989 has just reached 200,000 streams on Spotify- so this is going to be a band to watch.
Tickets cost £8.80 each plus a booking fee.
Get tickets for Delights at The Lending Room here.
Feature image - Supplied/Headrow House/ Chow Down
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UB40 at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
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.
Clementine Hall -
4th November 2022 
