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The best things to do in and around Leeds this week | 9 – 15 October 2023

Cosy season is upon us.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 9th October 2023

Autumn is here and October’s now well underway…and Leeds is overflowing with exciting things to do this week.

This week sees one of Leeds' most highly anticipated events illuminate the city, Light Night 2023 will be ending off the working week in the best way possible, bringing starry-eyed visitors from far and wide to marvel at the instillations.

Not only that but music lovers will want to get to town for Live at Leeds Festival on Saturday and foodies have just this week to get munching on Oktoberfest specials.

So without further ado, here's what you can get up to this week in and around Leeds.

Horsforth Pick Your Own Pumpkins

Monday 9 – Sunday 15 October 2023

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

Find out more here.

Free National Trust Pass

Monday 9 – Sunday 15 October 2023 | Various locations

two people walking a dog with trees in the background.
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.

Find out more here.

Light Night

Thursday 12 October – Friday 13 October 2023 | Around Leeds

big haunted house design on the Town Hall.
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.

Find out more here.

A Night Walk Down The Ginnel

Saturday 14 October 2023 | Chapeltown

Image: LEEDS2023

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.

Find out more here.

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.

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.

Find out more here.

Feature

Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.

You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.

FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.

Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.

Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.

A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.

“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”

You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Feature

The Leeds Supper Club bringing people together over incredible food

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.

The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.

Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.

We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.

I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.

From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.

By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.

Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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