October always brings colder nights and the return of rainy season (although this year you could argue it never quite went away), but that certainly doesn't mean we're shy on things to do.
From pumpkin picking and Light Night trails around the city to food pop-ups and a gig every single night of the month, we've got everything you need to plan out your October around the city...
Horsforth Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Saturday 1 October – Monday 31 October 2022
Image: Kemps Farm
There’s far more than just grabbing your pumpkin for spooky season here. There’s 18 different varieties to choose from so grab your favourite white, blue, orange, green, warty big or small one and take a tractor ride through the picking fields. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of photo ops here, an onsite cafe and even facepainters to bring your spookiest ideas to life
Sunday 1 October - Friday 20 October 2023 | Various locations
Image: National Trust
The National Trust is giving families the chance to visit its dozens of sites across England for free of charge this autumn.
When booking, you’ll need to select the free member’s ticket option and use the code ESCAPEINTOAUTUMN2023 when asked for your membership number, but it’s worth nothing that some National Trust places are exempt from this offer, so it’s advised that you check before planning your visit.
Saturday 7 October / Saturday 28 October 2023 | Meet at the Parkinson Building
With two dates available this month, the Black History Walks last two hours each and explore 'local narratives with African connections'. The interactive walks are available to the public but booking is recommended.
One of Yorkshire's biggest pop-up vintage stores is returning to Leeds, this time at new event space Project House. For second-hand fits and preloved garms, this place will become a true treasure trove for all savvy thrifters.
Thursday 12 October - Friday 13 October 2023 | Around Leeds
Image: Light Night Leeds
Light Night is back for another year, and there's just two weeks until the streets of Leeds will be transformed into an incredible illuminated playground. Now in it’s nineteenth year, the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival returns with the theme ‘Future Dreaming’ and will span across two nights.
There's more than 50 breathtaking light installations, dynamic projections and spectacular interactive artworks are set to wow thousands of visitors to the highly anticipated, annual cultural event - and it always feels like the whole city has come out to visit in anticipation.
Extending Light Night into a three-night adventure, Chapeltown will be hosting a walk down the ginnels across the suburb. The idea is the night brings locals together for a mile-long walk and then it's over to Mandela Centre for a film night - it's perfect for the whole family.
Earlier this week, The Tetley announced that its current lease has come to an end, and as a result will be closing its doors later this month. The exhibition space, Tiny Tetley play area and T Bar and Cafe will both close from Sunday 22 October, so make sure to get in beforehand for one last visit.
If you’ve been down to The Cheesy Living Co. before, you’ll know just how well these guys know their cheeses. Initially launching at Trinity Kitchen, the feedback across Leeds has been overwhelmingly positive, leading the chip shop to continue with an additional pop-up in the city centre.
Catch the last day of residency on Monday and you’ll be able to find all kinds of gooey, cheesy goodness over at Northern Monk Refectory at Marshalls Mill.
Bundobust Oktoberfest Specials
Sunday 1 October - Sunday 15 October 2023 | Bundobust, Mill Hill, Leeds City Centre
It’s time to dust off your Lederhosen and head to Mill Hill because Bundobust are raising a stein to Oktoberfest.
From Friday 15 October, they’ll be shaking a spice rack over some iconic German dishes for hungry punters to enjoy alongside a cold craft beer. A real match made in heaven.
Making a triumphant return is the Bundo Pretzel, in collaboration with Bolton-based Bavarian bakery Pretzel & Spelt, the German baked good is spiced with garam massala and turmeric, flecked with ajwain seeds, black salt and mango powder.
Ivy Asia ‘Sake Sensations’
Sunday 1 October 2023 - Tuesday 31 October 2023 | The Ivy Asia, Vicar Lane
‘Sake Sensations’ is a brand new, unique collaborative menu between Akashi-Tai and The Ivy Asia.If you’re a fan of the Japanese rice wine Sake, then this elegant and refined pairing menu is the one for you.
An exciting new collaboration between The Ivy Asia and Akashi Tai, the UK’s leading sake brand, the menu will showcase the best flavours from the continent paired perfectly with a range of sakes.
This menu is available until Sunday 5 November 2023. The experience costs £85 per persona and you can book your table here.
Trinity Kitchen
Sunday 1 October 2023 - Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Trinity Shopping Centre
In came the downpours, the nights suddenly got a lot longer and to make the new season, Trinity Kitchen’s new food trucks arrived with plenty of winter warmers. Choose from Tikks Thai Kitchen, Little Red Eats, Fish&, Cheese Yard and Spuds & Bros throughout the month.
Sunday 1 October 2023: Damien Lewis at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Monday 2 October 2023: Holly Humberstone at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Tuesday 3 October 2023: Scene Queen at Leeds University Union (tickets here)
Wednesday 4 October 2023: Dolores Forever at Oporto (tickets here)
Thursday 5 October 2023: Honeyblood at Hyde Park Book Club (tickets here)
Friday 6 October 2023: This Will Destroy You + The Ocean at Project House (tickets here)
Saturday 7 October 2023: New Order at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Sunday 8 October 2023: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at The Key Club (tickets here)
Monday 9 October 2023: Funeral For A Friend at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Tuesday 10 October 2023: Cate at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Wednesday 11 October 2023: Adam Rowe at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Thursday 12 October 2023: The Northern Boys at The Hi-Fi Club (tickets here)
Friday 13 October 2023: Whitney Queen of the Night at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 14 October 2023: Live at Leeds Festival (tickets here)
Sunday 15 October 2023: Neck Deep at The Key Club (tickets here)
Monday 16 October: The Damn Truth at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Tuesday 17 October 2023: Squid at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Wednesday 18 October 2023: Birds In Row at The Lending Room (tickets here)
Thursday 19 October 2023: Newton Faulkner at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Friday 20 October 2023: S Club at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 21 October 2023: The Royston Club at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Sunday 22 October 2023: Jurrasic Park In Concert at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Monday 23 October 2023: Nature TV at Hyde Park Book Club (tickets here)
Tuesday 24 October 2023: English Teacher at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Wednesday 25 October 2023: James Acaster at Leeds Playhouse (tickets here)
Thursday 26 October 2023: Venbee at Belgrave Music Hall (tickets here)
Friday 27 October 2023: Fall Out Boy at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 28 October 2023: Punk Rock Factory at Leeds University Stylus (tickets here)
Sunday 29 October 2023: Elvis - The Best Of at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Monday 30 October 2023: Alfie Blue at Oporto (tickets here)
Tuesday 31 October 2023: Queercore: Night of the Living at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Live at Leeds Festival
Saturday 14 October 2022 | Various locations, Leeds
Image: Live at Leeds
150+ Artists. 14 Venues. 16 Stages. 1 Day. 1 Wristband. The festival has previously seen the likes of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The 1975, Lizzo, Sam Fender, Royal Blood, Sam Smith, Tom Grennan and many more take to the stage before going to become global successes, so those looking to find up-and-coming talent will be sure to find some independent names destined for cities far bigger than Leeds in the future.
Leeds has some fantastic live music lined up next year, so we've rounded up 10 of the biggest concerts coming in 2026.
If there's two things that go hand-in-hand, it's Leeds and live music, so it'll come as no surprise that 2026 is shaping up to be another cracking year of gigs and concerts for the city.
No matter whether your ideal concert experience is a little boogie or some hardcore head-banging, this list has got you covered with a wide range of acts and artists.
It's been a brilliant year of live music this past year, but there's plenty more big names making their way to Leeds next year, so without further ado, here's 10 of the biggest gigs coming in 2026.
10 of the biggest live gigs coming to Leeds next year | 2026
Cast - The Wardrobe (Thursday 29 January)
Cast are gearing up to play a headline show at Leeds music venue The Wardrobe in January / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
After opening for Oasis earlier this summer one their Oasis Live '25 reunion tour dates, the Liverpool indie rockers are putting on a headline gig right here in Leeds.
Cast have chosen The Wardrobe as their latest live music spot, and they're ready for you to 'Live The Dream' with them when they play out in January.
If their support slot for Oasis is anything to go by, there's a lot of love for these rock legends. This gig will be one to remember, and you can find tickets HERE.
Whether you know him from his stint in The Rascals, alongside Alex Turner as co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets, or simply from his solo work, Kane's career is nothing short of remarkable.
His latest discography addition Sunlight In The Shadows dropped in October and features huge numbers like 'Love Is Cruel' and 'Without You'.
Fans will also be hoping he plays tracks from his 2011 album Colour of the Trap, with its hits including 'Rearrange' and 'Come Closer' when he visits in February. Get tickets HERE.
Bob Vylan - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 7 February)
The Bobs, better known as Bob Vylan, are expected to raise the roof at O2 Academy Leeds next year / Credit: Ki Price (via supplied)
London punk rap duo Bob Vylan released their first project Dread in 2019 with a full-length album We Live Here releasing one year later.
Since then, Bobbie and Bobby have released an array of singles including 'Makes Me Violent', 'Dream Bigger', and 'Sick Sad World'.
The alternative rappers garnered widespread attention after their Glastonbury performance this year with their songs addressing a number of social and political issues, such as racism and economic hardship. You can get tickets HERE.
The Beaches - Stylus, Leeds University Union (Saturday 14 February)
Canadian four-piece The Beaches are coming to Leeds and ready to rock out at Stylus / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
The 'Last Girls At The Party' are heading to Stylus to play tracks from their latest project No Hard Feelings, as well as a couple other hits.
Comprised of sisters Kylie and Jordan Miller alongside fellow bandmates Eliza and Leandra, The Beaches have been dropping bangers for quite a few years now.
The Canadian four-piece always put on a good show, and if you haven't joined The Beaches hype train yet, then we recommend the songs 'Blame Brett' and 'Edge of the Earth' to get you started. Find tickets HERE.
Chesney Hawkes - Brudenell Social Club (Thursday 12 March)
English singer Chesney Hawkes has chosen 'The One and Only' Brudenell Social Club to host his upcoming Leeds gig.
Hawkes became a recent frequent face on our screens after his appearance as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother, and now he's about to become a frequent UK music venue player too with his new Smash It To Pieces Tour.
His most recent release, Living Arrows, dropped back in April and you can expect this 90s icon to command the Leeds crowd with all his usual charm. Get tickets HERE.
After supporting pop icon Lionel Richie on his Say Hello to the Hits tour, Combe is headlining her own show and she's bringing it to one of Leeds' staple music institutions, The Wardrobe.
She's touring up and down the country, including in Wigan, Preston, and Blackpool to name a few, and has kindly decided to bless Leeds with her bouncy and upbeat tracks too.
Get ready to be 'Dancing At The Edge Of The World' when the soul singer-songwriter plays out her cathartic tunes to this packed out Leeds city centre gig hotspot. You can grab tickets HERE.
Jessie J - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 11 April)
Expect incredible vocals and stage presence when Jessie J visits O2 Academy Leeds / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
Stomp, stomp she's arrived. UK pop heavyweight Jessie J is making her way to Leeds on the back of her self-released LP Don't Tease Me With a Good Time.
The 'Price Tag' songwriter has soundtracked the 2010s with radio hits spanning from 'Do It Like A Dude' and 'Domino', to 'Who's Laughing Now' and 'Bang Bang' - a triple-billed hit alongside Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Earlier this year, Jessie J announced her recent breast cancer diagnosis saying it has inspired her to live life to the fullest. Now, the Brit vocalist is heading out on the road again and ready to thrill UK crowds.
Rick Astley - First Direct Arena (Saturday 18 April)
80s pop sensation Rick Astley is returning to Leeds for a stellar First Direct Arena show / Credit: Peter Neill (via supplied)
First Direct Arena is about to 'Keep Singing' because 80s chart-topper Rick Astley is heading to this major venue in April.
This arena has welcomed the 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer countless times, most recently in February when he surprised fans with some covers of modern-day tracks like 'As It Was' by Harry Styles.
The Newton-le-Willows star and First Direct Arena are destined to be 'Together Forever', and you can witness him live on The Reflections Tour by getting tickets HERE.
Lily Allen - First Direct Arena (Sunday 21 June)
Lily Allen is coming to Leeds next Summer playing at First Direct Arena / Credit: Charlie Denis (via supplied)
Get ready for an electric night when Lily Allen performs West End Girl as part of her biggest headline tour of her career.
Allen is getting ready to turn First Direct Arena into her pop-up 'P*ssy Palace' for one night only next summer.
The London star announced her arena tour after selling out a string of theatre dates one week prior. We expect this Leeds show to be just as exceptional, the only thing we don't know is "Who's Madeline?". Tickets are HERE.
Jane McDonald - First Direct Arena (Saturday 26 September)
Jane McDonald is gracing the Leeds crowd at First Direct Arena in September 2026 / Credit: Matt Crockett (via supplied)
Wakefield's finest Jane McDonald is also embarking on one of the biggest tours of her career too with the release of her new album Living The Dream.
The national treasure has amassed four UK top 10 albums, with her self-titled debut album spending three weeks at the top spot.
Expect to be out of your seat and singing along to quite a few hits when McDonald returns to First Direct Arena next autumn, and you can grab your seat HERE.
Featured Images: Matt Crockett / Ki Price / Charlie Denis (via supplied)
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Peter Kay announces final Leeds show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
Clementine Hall
Peter Kay has announced some final arena shows, including one in Leeds, and he’s donating all profits to cancer charities.
The Bolton-born comedy legend will be playing one more night at the First Direct Arena as well as extra dates at The O2 in London, The AO Arena in Manchester and plenty more.
What sets these arena shows apart from his record-breaking run, which has seen him sell out arenas for four years now, is that all the profits will be going straight to charity.
Peter Kay has pledged that ‘every single penny’ from his final dates will be going to 12 leading cancer charities.
These will include Children With Cancer UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, plus charities dedicated to 10 different types of adult cancer.
Peter Kay holds the record as the only artist in the world to have performed a monthly residency at the O2, and has performed more than 100 shows on this tour in his hometown, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The star made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show last night.
Speaking of the announcement, he said: “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to perform for audiences up and down the country.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support over the years, and it feels right to give something back. Every single penny of profit from these final shows will go to help fight cancer and support those affected.
“Unfortunately, just about everyone knows someone who’s been affected by one of the cancers on that list.
“I really hope people can get behind this – come out, have a great night, share a few laughs, and do something good for charity at the same time. It’s a win–win.
“You don’t even have to like me – raising money for these twelve charities goes far beyond that. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Peter Kay will perform one more night at the First Direct Bank Arena on Friday 24 July 2026 and you can get your tickets HERE.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Sunday 30 November
The cancer charities Peter Kay will donate his final profits to are:
Sophie Smith -
2nd October 2023 
