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The best things to do in and around Leeds this month | March 2024

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Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 29th February 2024

Spring is finally here.

Well, even if it doesn't quite feel like the weather has got the memo yet.

And there's so much going on in Leeds this month to celebrate the changing of the seasons.

We've got International Women's Day to celebrate, St Paddy's Day, Mother's Day, Holi Festival, Easter weekend - and that's all without the new openings, one-off foodie menus and live music events going on in the city.

So take your pick, we've got you covered Leeds!

Self Leeds

All month long | Wellington Street, Leeds City Centre

If a bit of TLC is in the books for March, our recommendation is to book yourself into Self.

Self.’s vibrant studio is just the most incredible atmosphere to fully relax whilst indulging in a treatment. There’s a real community feel at Self. and you’ll feel as soon as you step into the creative space. Alongside treatments, you can attend holistic well-being pop-up workshops held on numerous occasions - make sure to keep an eye out for the next one.

Find out more here.

Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards 

Friday 8 March 2024 | The Marriott, Leeds City Centre

person stood with a microphone.
Image: Yorkshire Businesswoman via Instagram / Roth Read Photography

Founded by regional magazine Yorkshire Businesswoman, the awards recognise the talents and achievements of inspiring women across the wider Yorkshire area.

There’s 11 awards in total that celebrate women from all four corners of Yorkshire, at varying stages of their career. From the rising stars to lifetime achievement, the Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards plan to showcase the very best of mentors, managers and founders in a ceremony right here in Leeds.

Find out more here.

Ne-Yo Live

Friday 8 March 2024 | First Direct Arena, Leeds

Ne-Yo with hat and gold sunglasses on.
Image: Spotify

The Closer singer is going back on tour this year with Champagne & Roses with special guest Mario along for the ride too

When: 8 March 2024

Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY

Tickets: Last few seats are available via See Tickets for £64.55 here

Find out more here.

Psycho Sandbar opening

Friday 8 March 2024 | Vicar Lane, Leeds City Centre

Image: Psycho Sandbar via Instagram

The new venture from Michael O'Hare is going to be unveiled later this month. The restaurant will still be refined "but in a more accessible way" and will have a 'surf shaky' feel to it.

Priced at £165 per person, the taster menu will be available for tables of one to four and features a pesci-heavy luxurious menu with turbot, Caviar Donburri, hand dived scallops and oysters along with Bresse Chicken AOC and A4 beef with froi gras.

Find out more here.

Jason Derulo Live

Saturday 9 March 2024 | First Direct Arena Leeds

Jason Derulo in feather coat with green hair.
Image: Spotify

When: 9 March 2024

Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY

Tickets: From £42.30 – £527 if you want a VIP experience, including the chance to make a TikTok with Jason Derulo himself. All available via See Tickets here

Find out more here.

Mother's Day at The Leeds Deli

Sunday 10 March 2023 |  Chelwood Drive, Moortown

The Leeds Deli is offering you possibly the best gift ever on Mother’s Day. The morning off! Owners Tory and George have said: “We know only too well how valuable grown up time is but also how quickly the parent-guilt creeps in.

“This Mother’s Day you can have the best of both worlds; enjoy a family breakfast, brunch or lunch at *The Leeds Deli* with the kids and then let Katy & Izzy entertain your little ones next door in Little Leeds with crafts and creative play; meaning grown ups can enjoy five minutes peace whilst the kids are having fun too”.

Find out more here.

St Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday 17 March 2024 | Millennium Square and around Leeds

Image: Tom Blackwell, Flickr

Now in its 17th year, the St Patrick's Day parade will leave Millennium Square via Great George Street at 11am sharp and travel through the city.  This year, expect colourful floats and walking displays crafted by schools and Irish community groups, as well as music from pipe and brass bands until around 4pm.

Find out more here.

Skills Bootcamp in Event Management

Monday 18 March 2024 | Academy of Live Technology

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This five-week course covers all areas of Event Management, splitting into different areas of planning, as well as marketing strategy; communication and credentials; health and safety and professional etiquette.

Planning is split into multiple sections, including: strategic, stakeholder, sustainability, financial planning (and procurement), as well as exploring site management plans.

To take part in the Events Management course, you must be aged 19 or over and live in West Yorkshire (including Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield) and you cannot be in full-time education or undertaking an apprenticeship at the time of joining.

You can register your interest and start the application process here.

Leeds Holi Festival

 Saturday 23 March - Sunday 24 March 2023

Image: Leeds Holi Festival

Holi Festival, known as the Festival of Colours , is a joyous celebration of peace, love, happiness and equality through live music and bright colours.

This year, the festival has been extended to a two-day extravaganza and is set to light up the iconic Beaver Works venue on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March from 12.30 to 8pm. The Sunday will be a special day dedicated to families, specifically children, with the addition of family-friendly activities including bouncy castles and funfair rides.

The joyous celebration is globally renowned for the colourful powders friends and families throw at each other, as well as well as the serving of street food, live DJs and performances right in the heart of the city.

Find out more here.

TESTBED opening

Sunday 31 March 2023 | Hunslet Lane, Leeds

Leeds is getting a brand new venue: the city's largest industrial warehouse party arrives at the new 10,000sq foot TESTBED on Easter Bank Holiday Sunday 31 March 2024.

The lineup features Fleur Shore,  Luuk van Dijk,  Paige Tomlinson,  wAFF,  Wheats, Emma Forster, Mason Talbot, Charlotte Ord and has capacity for 2500 guests.

Find out more here.

Bloody Mary Pizzas

All month long | Homeboy Pizza Co. inside Rolands, Call Lane

Located inside Rolands, Homeboy Pizza Co. is truly one of our favourite hidden gems in the city - and now there’s three new additions to the menu that you’ll want to get your hands on, each sweet, spicy and baked in cheese.

The Bloody Burrata is a far cry from your usual bland Margherita. Playing on the popular drink, this one’s topped with a vodka sauce, Burrata and a Bloody Mary mix that’ll cure any hangover before it’s started.

Find out more here.

Gig Guide

Friday 1 March 2024 - Beans on Toast at Brudenell Social Club - tickets here

Sunday 3 March 2024 - Everything Everything at Brudenell Social Club - tickets here

Tuesday 5 March 2024 - Saint Joshua at Oporto Leeds - tickets here

Thursday 7 March 2024 - Grace Petrie at Brudenell Social Club - tickets here

Friday 8 March 2024 - Ne-Yo at First Direct Arena - tickets here

Saturday 9 March 2024 - Jason Derulo at First Direct Arena - tickets here

Sunday 10 March 2024 - Red Rum Club at Leeds University Union Stylus - tickets here

Tuesday 12 March 2024 - Say She She at Project House - tickets here

Wednesday 13 March 2024 - Berlioz at The Wardrobe - tickets here

Thursday 14 March 2024 - The Mary Wallopers at O2 Academy - tickets here

Friday 15 March 2024 - Simple Minds at First Direct Arena - tickets here

Saturday 16 March 2024 - Dead Poet Society at Brudenell Social Club - tickets here

Sunday 17 March 2024 - Sea Girls at Leeds University Union Stylus - tickets here

Friday 22 March 2024 - Echo and the Bunnymen at O2 Academy - tickets here

Friday 22 March 2024 - Peter Kay at First Direct Arena - tickets here

Saturday 23 March 2024 - Liam Gallagher and John Squire at O2 Academy - tickets here

Tuesday 26 March 2024 - Caity Baser at O2 Academy - tickets here

Wednesday 27 March 2024 - Everything Everything at Leeds University Union Stylus - tickets here

Thursday 28 March 2024 - Madison Beer at O2 Academy - tickets here

Friday 29 March 2024 - Happy Mondays at O2 Academy - tickets here

Saturday 30 March 2024 - James Blunt at First Direct Arena - tickets here

Feature Image - Leeds Holi Festival

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The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.

'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.

This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.

Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.

The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.

Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.

There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.

Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.

As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.

Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.

The Script UK tour dates

  • Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
  • Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
  • Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
  • Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
  • Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
  • Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
  • Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
  • Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
  • Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2

The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.

Featured Image - Publicity Picture (Supplied)

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Louis Tomlinson at First Direct Arena – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson is heading out on a UK tour, visiting First Direct Arena for his biggest Leeds solo show to date.

Ten years since launching his solo career with debut single 'Just Hold On', Tomlinson is hitting the road again for his tour, which shares its title with the name of his latest LP - How Did I Get Here?

Tomlinson's last visit to Leeds saw him play an intimate show at The Wardrobe back in 2020 and is set to perform to 13,500 - he has definitely made sure to 'Jump the Gun' in terms of crowd size.

Now, the Doncaster-born musician is visiting one of Leeds biggest indoor live music venues First Direct Arena and it's sure to be a jam-packed night of live music.

Gig guide | Louis Tomlinson at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know

Louis Tomlinson UK tour dates

  • Fri 24 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
  • Sat 25 April - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Mon 27 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
  • Tue 28 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena

Are there tickets left for Louis Tomlinson at First Direct Arena?

Louis Tomlinson is bringing the How Did I Get Here? tour to Leeds on 28 April / Credit: Flickr via Javie Rosh / Wikimedia Commons via Kurt Kulac (Supplied)
Louis Tomlinson is bringing the How Did I Get Here? tour to Leeds on 28 April / Credit: Flickr via Javie Rosh / Wikimedia Commons via Kurt Kulac (Supplied)
Louis Tomlinson is bringing the How Did I Get Here? tour to Leeds on 28 April / Credit: Flickr via Javie Rosh / Wikimedia Commons via Kurt Kulac (Supplied)

Well if you've made it this far through, it's safe to say the fact you're after Louis Tomlinson tickets is 'Written All Over Your Face'.

If you're wanting to 'Face The Music' or 'Jump the Gun' you can do so as there's tickets to his Leeds show at First Direct Arena HERE.

Standing tickets are still available priced at £55.85, while seated tickets remaining are priced between £55.85 and £83.35 each.

Louis Tomlinson setlist for 2026 tour

The How Did I Get Here? Tour officially kicked off in Europe and it prioritises songs from his latest LP.

Here is the set list:

  • Lemonade
  • On Fire
  • Written All Over Your Face
  • Out Of My System
  • Bigger Than Me
  • Saturdays
  • Angels Fly
  • Dark to Light
  • Broken Bones
  • Defenceless
  • Just Hold On
  • Lazy
  • Sunflowers
  • Lucid
  • Jump the Gun
  • Imposter
  • Sanity
  • Kill My Mind
  • Face the Music
  • Silver Tounges
  • The Observer
  • The Answer
  • Miss You
  • Palaces

Wristbands and queue system

To manage crowds and ensure a 'fair and comfortable' experience for fans, a randomly allocated wristband system will be in place for standing ticket holders.

This is how it works:

  • Arrive at the arena between 11am and 2pm on the day of the show, Tuesday 28 April 2026.
  • Wristbands will be given out in batches at random to standing ticket holders, while availability lasts
  • Once you have your wristband, you will be asked to leave the area surrounding the venue and return between 4.30pm and 5.30pm
  • Upon your return to the arena, you will be asked to join a dedicated queue related to the number or colour on your wristband as guided by the dedicated venue team.
  • Doors open to the show at 6pm for general admission.

Stage times for Louis Tomlinson at First Direct Arena, Leeds

First Direct Arena has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning you can get home before having to watch the sky turn from 'Dark to Light'.

Anyone attending this show is in luck as the North has been well and truly represented in the form of Manc-based rock group Pale Waves and Doncaster talent ADMT.

Alex Spencer, another Northern act from Manchester is also joining the bill, but he's only playing at select Europe dates of the tour.

These are the expected stage times for Louis Tomlinson in Leeds tonight, based on his other shows so far:

  • 6pm - Doors open
  • 7pm - ADMT
  • 7.45pm - Pale Waves
  • 9pm - Louis Tomlinson

How to get to First Direct Arena

Bus Station

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.

Read more: Kesha pulls out of Roundhay Festival as all-new Pitbull line-up revealed

Featured Images - Press shot / Flickr via Javie Rosh / Wikimedia Commons via Kurt Kulac (Supplied)

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