The countdown is on until one the Yorkshire's biggest festivals of culture kicks off - and there's a seriously exciting line-up for this year.
That's right, we've got the likes of Davina McCall, Dame Prue Leith and Will Young taking to the stage alongside huge names from the world of entertainment, politics and business. This includes Matt Baker MBE, Gemma Whelan, Amber Rudd, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Rob Rinder, Sir Jon Cuncliffe, and many more.
These exciting names will be joining TV personality Bimini, who will be talking about ‘a world beyond the binary’; author and comedian Ruby Wax OBE will be bringing ‘my journey to mindfulness’ to life with a key note speaker show whilst ‘a new generation of entrepreneurism’ will be covered by Diary of a CEO’s Steven Bartlett.
And for those wondering how to grab tickets or where the festival is located this year (yes, new year, new venue) keep reading for everything you need to know about Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023...
What is Leeds International Festival of Ideas?
Leeds International Festival of Ideas has announced its full festival lineup, and it’s combining some of the UK’s most influential speakers with some of the most important questions of our time.
Working in partnership with LeedsBID, The Hoot Leeds (that's us!) and Weightmans, the idea of the festival is to bring conversations to the surface, using a combination of panels, fireside chats and speeches to inspire, provoke and encourage discussions.
Questions vary from ‘what’s our obsession with true crime?’ to ‘who does our political system benefit?’ and ‘how do we talk about grief?’ – and this year’s lineup is perfectly certainly won’t be shying away from the hard questions.
The four day festival will take place from Wednesday 27 September - Saturday 30 September 2023 with most events running at 7pm and 7.30pm - and an additional 2.30pm slot on the Saturday.
Where is the festival?
This year Leeds International Festival of Ideas is held at Leeds Playhouse.
The award-winning cultural hub was recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards as the Most Welcoming Theatre in 2022. With a mission to seek out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds Internationals Festival of Ideas, will be joining the long list of exciting productions, festivals and events that Leeds Playhouse have hosted over the past 50 years.
The full address for Leeds Playhouse is: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
Leeds International Festival of Idas Full Lineup
The full programme schedule is as followed:
Wednesday 27 September 2023
Davina McCall will be on the panel for ‘when will women’s health be taken seriously’. / Image: Chapter 81
7pmPanel: When will women’s health be taken seriously? with Davina McCall, Dr Christine Ekechi Lauren Mahon, Cherry Healey, Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin and Kenny Ethan Jones
7.30pmFireside chat: A New Generation Of Entrepreneurism with Steven Bartlett
Tickets cost £8 - £12 depending on whether you're heading off to a gireside chat or panel discussion, with additional discounts available to those with a Leeds Card, registered unemployed or Under 18.
Plus there's a multi-buy discount for those buying tickets to more than three events. Book 3-4 events and get a 15% discount or book five or more for 20% off.
Where can I read more about the events and the thoughts behind the speakers?
Leeds International Festival of Ideas has its very own journal on the LIFI website here.
Plus, there's a dedicated podcast series named LIFIcast discussing everything from wellness, adult entertainment, Brexit and music hosted by journalist Lotty Leaming. All episodes are available the LIFI website here.
How to get to Leeds Playhouse
Image: Anthony Robling via Wikicommons
Leeds Playhouse is about a 15-minute walk from Leeds Train Station and less than five from Leeds Bus Station.
Leeds International Festival of Ideas has collaborated with partners North Brew to make a very special LIFI beer.
The vegan session pale ale for all you beer enthusiasts has 'aromas of lemon zest and freshly cut grass, bringing a note of vibrancy that balances against the juicy flavours of white peach and sweet mango'.
The following locations will be serving North Brew X LIFI until the festival's end:
Food might be the last thing you want to think about right now, but if there's anything to brighten up the gloomy month of January then it's the deals.
Right across the city centre, you’ll find generous discounts, special set menus, and other offers all the way through January, to help our local hospitality scene through famously one of the most difficult times of year.
You'll be able to save money on just about every kind of food you can think of, from steaming bowls of ramen to champagne and steak.
There are a lot of January offers to discover around Leeds, and it can get a bit overwhelming to narrow it all down, so we’ve done the hard work for you with a fairly comprehensive guide to the very best January deals.
The Cut & Craft
23 King Edward Street, LS1 6AX
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A luxury steak and seafood restaurant in the heart of the city centre.
The offer: Steak and Chips for £19′ offer, available Monday to Friday from 11:30am-4pm; there’s also a new set evening menu priced at £26 for two courses – Monday to Thursday, 4:45-10pm.
Blackhouse
What is it: An iconic Leeds steakhouse just moments away from the train station.
The offer: Enjoy 50% off food when you book online.
Galleria
Armley Road, LS12 2DR
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:One of Leeds' trendiest all-day hangouts and restaurants, located next to Project House this spot is perfect for some pre-gig scran.
The offer:Every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm through January (starting on the 9th), guests will be able enjoy a whopping 25% off their evening menu when booked advance.
House of Fu
15-19 The Headrow, LS12 2DR
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A staple for ramen lovers in the city with an interior so bright it'll blow away the January blues in an instant.
The offer:£10 ramen and rice bowls on weekdays plus a scratch card revealing a special prize.
Oporto
33 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:The city's most iconic late night Irish bar.
The offer: This one's a good one, £3 pints of Guinness from 12 - 3pm and £5 Guinness 3pm - close. Every single day throughout January.
Olive Tree Brasserie
8 S Parade, LS1 5QX
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A modern Greek-inspired restaurant in the heart of the city centre.
The offer:Diners can enjoy 40% include Sunday - Friday throughout January and half of February.
Harvey Nichols Brasserie and Bar
107-111 Briggate, LS1 6AZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A restaurant serving brunch, small plates, and lunch options at any time of day.
The offer:30% off the a la carte menu from from 12pm between 6 - 30th January, excluding Saturdays.
Tattu
29 East Parade, LS1 5PS
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A swish Chinese restaurant famed for its enormous cherry blossom tree in the dining room, and its refined take on Chinese favourites.
The offer:30% off the a la carte menu, all Sunday to Thursday (plus until 4.45pm on Fridays) between 1 January and 8 February, when you book online.
Bundobust
6 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:Indian street food at its finest, Bundobust is a firm favourite amongst Leeds locals and has been for the past 10 years.
The offer: Two dishes and a beer for just £12.50.
Belgrave Music Hall
Cross Belgrave Street, LS2 8JP
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A laidback bar and music venue serving up delicious food from different vendors.
The offer: Get half price slices from Dough Boys Pizza until 7pm Sunday to Thursday and 5pm Friday and Saturday, or between Sunday and Friday choose from five dishes for just over a fiver from Patty's Burgers - we're talking smash burgers and their iconic session fries.
Power, Corruption and Lies
36 Call Lane, LS1 6DT
What is it: The funkiest bar on Call Lane serving dim sum and great cocktails.
The offer: Get 50% off dim sum and £20 bottles of prosecco every Monday throughout January.
Meat:Stack
3 Bishopgate Street, LS1 5DY
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A laidback burger joint serving American-style smash patties, fries and milkshakes.
The offer: Get a burger, chips, dip AND drink for just £10 between 11 and 3pm Monday to Friday.
Cinnamon Kitchen
City Square, LS1 1PJ
What is it: Leeds' newest Indian restaurant located in the beautiful Queen's Hotel.
The offer: Dine on two courses for £19 or three for £22 if you visit between 12 and 5pm, Monday to Sunday.
Neon Cactus
35 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A Mexican cocktail bar and taqueria that gives ultimate party vibes.
The offer:A whopping 50% off food throughout January. Simple, but very effective.
Waterlane Boathouse
Canal Wharf, LS11 5PF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:The city's best canal side pub and eatery.
The offer:From 5 - 22nd January, enjoy 35% off all food all day every day and a sandwich plus drink for just £9.95 lunchtimes from Monday to Friday.
Where to get the best bagels in Leeds at any time of day
Clementine Hall
Looking for the best bagels in Leeds? Look no further.
In honour of National Bagel Day, we've chosen five of our favourite cafes, shops and bodegas to get our hands on a delicious bagel.
Thought of as an iconic New York food, the big apple has done wonders for the reputation of this chewy, boiled breakfast snack - and it's even come over to Leeds, where there are plenty of bakers turning their hand to the humble bagel.
Whether you like yours slathered in cream cheese and loaded with smoked salmon, or kept simple with a lick of butter, keep reading to discover some of our top picks for the best bagels in Leeds.
Slow Rise Bakery
2a Sunnybank Ave, Horsforth, LS18 4LZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In the bagel game since 2014, where they learnt their trade assisting Berlin's formidable Fine Bagels, Slow Rise knows what they're doing when it comes to boiling bagels. Whilst they already supply wholesale to quite a few different places in Leeds, you can also find their famous bagels at their own cafe in Horsforth.
Served freshly toasted and stuffed with your choice of hummus, turkey, salt beef, pastrami; or salmon, or simply slathered in the likes of butter, cream cheese, or avocado, there are over twenty different ways to enjoy a bagel here. These are some of the best bagels in Leeds, no doubt about it.
Streetlane Bakery
Caretakers House, 399 Street Ln, Moortown, LS17 6HQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This community bakehouse seemingly does it all, bagels included. These can be bought individually or in packs of six and are made fresh daily to a classic Jewish recipe, with flavours including plain, onion and poppy seed. Filling choices are quite limited if you're eating in, with options including Nutella and smoked salmon.
Fika North
94 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 4BA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Situated in the leafy suburb of Far Headingley, this speciality coffee shop also knows a thing or two about bagels. Served from 9 am - 3 pm daily, there are nine different options to choose from including nduja and avocado, rose harissa chickpeas with pink pickles and pea shoots, peanut butter and banana.
Alfonso's Deli
Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you've got a hankering for a proper New York-style breakfast bagel, then the Grand Arcade is where you should be heading.
Relatively new to Leeds, Alfonso's breakfast bagels are the perfect hangover cure - loaded with hash browns, perfectly cooked eggs and dripping in melted cheese.
The Cheesy Living Co.
Oakwood and Pudsey
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You already know by now that everything that Jake and team at Cheesy Living Co. does is absolutley stellar, and their bagels are no exception.
Baked and boiled at their own bakery in town, they're then filled with whatever your heart desires and served with a coffee of your choice for just a tenner.
Sophie Smith -
6th September 2023 
