As the colder months start to creep up on us, we're on the hunt for beer festivals soaking up the last of the light evenings, intimate gigs and cosy evenings inside bars - and it seems like the rest of the city is too.
Leeds International Festival of Ideas will bring some of the UK's greatest minds together whilst Leeds Beer Festival is bringing back Bundobust for it's tenth anniversary - and there's new brunch spots and bars and kitchen takeovers to check out too.
Keep reading for the best of what's on, new openings and our September gig guide for September 2023...
What's on this month
Chapel Allerton Arts Festival
Friday 1 September - Sunday 3 September 2023 | Various venues, Chapel Allerton
Celebrating 25 years of the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival, this year is going to be a true celebration. Expect a huge parade and family events throughout the weekend as well as street food, arts trail, festial bar, community choir, jazz Sunday, folk roots fringe.
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Hyde Park Picture House, Brudenell Road
Image: Supplied
In case you hadn’t heard, this Saturday 2 September is National Cinema Day, and lots of cinemas all across the UK have made the decision to slash the prices of tickets down to just £3 on some of the summer’s biggest blockbusters – including Barbie, Equalizer 3, Blue Beetle, and Elemental to name just a few.
But Hyde Park Picture House is taking things one step even further in a bid to give cinephiles a proper reason to celebrate with two showings of Oppenheimer at the slashed price.
Wednesday 6 September – Saturday 9 September 2023 | Harewood House, Harewood
Image: Harewood House
Ranked as the number one outdoor cinema, Luna brings the best of that old school drive-in experience to modern life. Over at Harewood House, films like Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody; Pretty Woman; Top Gun: Maverick and Mamma Mia will all be shown - but make sure to book a ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.
Thursday 7 September - Sunday 10 September 2023 | Kirkstall Abbey
Image: Leeds Beer Festival
Now in its 11th year, Leeds International Beer Festival is returning to Kirkstall Abbey for four days of craft beer, street food and live music. As a special anniversary treat to Bundobust, who held their very first pop-up stall here a decade ago, the popular Indian Street Food restaurant return to the site, serving the same
Find out more here.
Springwell Sessions
Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 2023 | Springwell Brewery and Taproom
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To say farewell to the summer season, North Brewing Co’s biggest beer festival Springwell Sessions will return for one last hurrah. Expect three days of craft beer from local favourites and international breweries, as well as cocktails, street food and live music.
Saturday 23 September 2023 | Royal Armouries Museum
Image: Chapter 81
Drawing a crowd of rum lovers across the city, Leeds Rum Festival is exactly what it says on the tin. Expect over 100 brands, pop-up shops, spirit masterclasses and of course, plenty of rum to sample.
Wednesday 27 September – Saturday 30 September 2023 | Leeds Playhouse
Image: Chapter 81
Asking some of the most crucial questions of our time,Leeds International Festival of Ideas brings together panels of international experts to discuss everything from handling grief to true crime obsessions and mental health with fireside chats, panel discussions and key note speeches.
Friday 1 September 2023 | East Parade, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Having dipped their toe into the nighttime market with If Bar on Call Lane, they most recently opened If Rooftop which took over from East Parade Social. We fell in love with If though for their absolutely banging brunch, and their new location on East Parade will be serving that and so much more.
And the best news is, they will be serving bottomless brunch.
From Thursday 7 September | Inside Meanwood Tavern, Stainbeck Road, Meanwood
Image: Supplied
Pizza Loco will be taking over the kitchen at Meanwood Tavern this month.
Expect soft, light and airy crusts, with interesting, generous toppings and an emphasis on sustainable British ingredients including Wildfarmed UK-grown and milled organic flour, Yorkshire-grown organic tomatoes, and British charcuterie.
Lunchtime will see the signature Pizza Loco Panuozzi pizza-dough butties showcased, whilst evenings will be reserved for those big Neapolitan slices.
From Monday 11 September 2023 | Lands Lane, Leeds city centre
A popular Harrogate brunch spot is opening a Leeds site and to celebrate the new opening, Farmhouse will be giving you the chance to try brunch on the house.
Those heading over to the 100-cover restaurant will be able to get a free main meal to the first 300 customers to book on Monday 11 September and Tuesday 12 September. Bookings are now already from 8am and will be free on a first come first served basis by booking here.
Find out more here.
You can find the full list of new openings across Leeds here.
September Gig Guide
Monday 4 September: Royal Blood at Project House (here)
Wednesday 13 September: JP Cooper at Brudenell Social Club (here)
Thursday 14 September: deathcrash at Mill Hill Unitarian Chapel (here)
Saturday 16 September: Mint Festival at Newsam Green Park (here)
Sunday 17 September: Busted at First Direct Arena (here)
Sunday 17 September: Wheatus at Brudenell Social Club (here)
Saturday 23 September: The National at First Direct Arena (here)
Monday 25 September: Anna Erhard at Brudenell Social Club (here)
Thursday 28 September: Shania Twain at First Direct Arena (here)
Feature Image - Harewood House
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Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up
US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.
Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.
Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.
Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.
This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.
Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots
Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.
The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.
It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.
The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music.
This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.
These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.
Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.
Bad Bunny: What you need to know for Super Bowl halftime show
Thomas Melia
Global superstar Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show and we're giving you the rundown about this reigning reggaeton artist.
Born in Puerto Rico, Benito Antonio, now more widely recognised by artist moniker Bad Bunny, is a Spanish-speaking act who has transported modern-day reggaeton from Latin America to all new heights.
The Puerto Rican powerhouse has only ever visited the UK once, performing at O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, seven years ago back in 2018, as part of his first ever world tour titled La Nueva Religión.
Since then, El Benito has dropped seven full-length studio albums and nine musical projects overall, which have all helped establish him as a major force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Alongside his musical career, Bad Bunny has seen himself at the forefront of various pop culture moments thanks to his innovative fashion sense and notable charm.
Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show on 8 February / Credit: Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)
What iconic moments is Bad Bunny known for?
With his first album X 100Pre (Forever) dropping back in 2018, Bad Bunny has spent almost a hefty eight years in the limelight, so it will come as no surprise that there's plenty of iconic moments you might remember.
Bad Bunny as a Drag Queen - To coincide with the release of his single 'Yo Perreo Sola' (I Twerk Alone), Benito stepped into unchartered territory, debuting three different Drag personas to combat toxic masculinity in the reggaeton music scene.
WWE - Benito is a huge fan of wrestling. He first appeared for a performance at the Royal Rumble in 2021, before returning later that year and teaming up with Damian Priest to take down The Miz and John Morrison.
VMA Performance - The Latin multi-hyphenate made headlines in 2022 after kissing a male dancer on-stage. Both fans and media outlets stated the performance harked back to Madonna's similar showcase two decades prior - Watch Bad Bunny's kiss HERE (skip to 2:50).
Met Gala - Well-recognised for its glamourous and glitzy outfits, the Met Gala brings together A-Listers for a showcase of all things fashion. Bad Bunny was styled by fashion house Jacquemus and wore a backless suit with a 26 foot train.
The Super Bowl is a huge accomplishment for all artists, now Bad Bunny joins the headlining roster / Credit: Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
SNL - The LATAM star has appeared on American comedy sketch-show SNL numerous times, both as an artist and as a part-time comedian. In 2023, Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal became an overprotective aunty and mum duo and had crowds laughing uncontrollably.
Carpool Karaoke - James Corden's nighttime show segment was welcomed into the reggaeton world courtesy of Bad Bunny. However, it's his cover of 'Break Free' by Ariana Grande where he discusses it's the first English-spoken song he ever learnt that had people falling in love with him.
Coachella - This desert-based music festival is known for its large-scale productions and in the early summer of 2023, Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-singing artist to headline this mega music celebration.
No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí - Translating to 'I don't want to leave here', this was the title of his Puerto Rico residency. As well as creating lifelong memories for fans, this 31 date experience also boosted the economy of his home country.
What songs will Bad Bunny perform at his Super Bowl halftime show?
With 28 songs over one billion streams, Bad Bunny is going to have a tricky time deciphering which of his hits to include in his upcoming halftime show performance.
His most recognisable album is the beach-inspired Un Verano Sin Ti (A Summer Without You) which features six tracks with over one billion streams, so it's safe to say this LP is guaranteed some love.
The latest addition to El Benito's discography DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I Should've Taken More Photos) might also steal the spotlight due to its focus on exploring traditional Puerto Rican sounds.
And, after reconciling late last year, Bad Bunny might take his friendship with J Balvin to Super Bowl status, performing songs from their collaborative album OASIS as well as their Cardi B link-up 'I Like It'.
The Hoot's Bad Bunny Super Bowl setlist predicition:
NUEVAYoL
Tití Me Preguntó/ Me Porto Bonito/ Moscow Mule (Medley)
Dákiti
I Like It (With Cardi B and J Balvin)
La Canción (With J Balvin)
Callaíta (With Tainy)
Un x100to (With Grupo Frontera)
Baile Inolvidable
Super Bowl halftime show performances normally contain around 10 songs and the setlist is very tight-lipped, however, it's always fun to throw out a predicition or two before the event on Sunday 8 February.
Which special guests will join Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show line-up?
Bad Bunny has worked with a multitude of artists from reggaeton sidekicks to pop supremes like Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and Drake.
Although it's highly unlikely these big names will all be free at the same time, when it comes to the Super Bowl anything is possible.
The 'Tití Me Preguntó' songwriter is heading to the UK for the second time ever in his career, for his Debí Tirar Más FotosWorld Tour and he's chosen Tottenham Hotspur as the location for this huge cultural moment.
If you're wondering where to get tickets, you have two chances to watch this superstar in his element as he's performing on June 27 - Tickets HERE and June 28 - Tickets HERE.
Hopefully now you've discovered more about who this Latin American artist is so you're not left clueless when the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots take a quick 15 minutebreak mid-game.
Featured Images - Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)/ Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
Sophie Smith -
1st September 2023 
