Leeds

10 of the best things to do in Leeds this October

There's loads to enjoy in Leeds in October, including the Light Festival, pumpkin picking, drive-in cinema or celebrating Black History Month.

Sophie Smith - 4th October 2021

October is one of the spookiest months of the year, but there's far more to do in Leeds than just trick-or-treating this month.

As the nights get longer and the rain pours down on the city centre, we're looking for new things to do in Leeds. October is set to bring some of the most exciting events of the year that are bound to get you through the weeks until Halloween.

Our top ten favourites cover everything from family day-trips to LGBTQIA+ events: which ones will you try out this month?

Oktoberfest Leeds

inside a beer tent in oktoberfest — Enjoy a stein or a few at Oktoberfest this year, just remember to book your ticket for guaranteed entry / Image: Oktoberfest Leeds

The Globe Waterside will be transformed this month into every lager lover's dream. Oktoberfest lands in Leeds for a long weekend of beer and bratwurst. Each ticket allows fest-goers three hours inside the bar, giving you plenty of chance to see the oompah band in action and get in a few steins.

This year tables can be reserved in four, six or eight to ensure that large groups have the opportunity to sit together. Unreserved seats are also available, but due to the popularity of the event, most nights are now down to their ‘final release tickets’ only so make sure you grab a ticket before Oktoberfest sells out.

7 - 10 October. Find out more here.

Austentatious

The final Jane Austen novel has landed in Leeds thanks to the UK’s quickest comic performers. After multiple sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, critically acclaimed improv artists are coming together to conjure up a new ‘long-long’ Austen novel based on audience suggestions.

Previous masterpieces have included ‘Double O Darcy’ and ‘Game of Scones’, but no two shows are ever the same. This literary performance is designed to delight and astonish lifelong Austen fans and newbies alike with its period costume and live musical accompaniments.

9 - 10 October. Find out more here.

I can see queerly now

Headrow House is hosting an afternoon of inspiring, in-depth interviews with talented queer musicians from across the UK. An insightful panel, including DJs and producers from alt-rock band Witch of the East will be trying to answer important questions like: 'how do we ensure that queer voices are heard and celebrated in music scenes across the North?'

Aiming to inspire a generation and make the music scenes of the north more LGBTQIA+ inclusive, this one day event is free to attend for all guests. There will be a live DJ set, as well as a preview of the Rainbowtopia exhibition, curated by Aeris Houlihan.

11 October. Find out more here.

Leeds light festival

Leeds Town Hall lit up by the World Climate Clock light installation — Previously featured in Korea, Kazakhstan and Glasgow, the World Climate Clock will finally make its way to Leeds during the Light Festival / Image: Leeds City Council

The annual Light Festival is back with ten exciting zones to explore over the weekend event. From late-night exhibitions at Leeds art gallery to audio-visual shows from electronic composers, this year’s event is going to light up the night.

This year, many installations will focus on climate change, including the Climate Clock. The light display will show a visual representation of the critical time window it will take the world to reach zero emissions and transition into a ‘safe climate future’ at Leeds Town Hall between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm each evening.

14 - 15 October. Find out more here.

Live at Leeds: in the city

Live at Leeds is truly bringing gigs back to life with their one-day extravaganza. The twelve-hour event will see the likes of Circa Waves, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes and Jack Garratt at intimate venues across the city.

The annual event kicks off at midday, where undiscovered artists will warm up the crowds with melodic tracks and as the skies turn darker, both the adrenaline and bass will build at over twenty stages across the city centre. Whether it’s a new venue or up-and-coming band, you’re guaranteed to discover something you love at the fifteenth anniversary of Live at Leeds.

16 October. Find out more here.

Pumpkin picking at Farmer Copleys

Boasting over 130,000 pumpkins in 27 different varieties, Farmer Copleys is just forty minutes from the city centre and provides the ultimate autumnal day out for the entire family. Both the Pumpkin Princess and the 'Not so Wicked' Witch of the West are on-hand throughout the day to help you choose the perfect pumpkin before making the most of the plethora of activities on the farm.

From tractor rides to archery, vintage fairground rides to face painting, it seems impossible for boredom to set in here. If you're only heading to a pumpkin patch for the 'gram, you'll find plenty of photo opportunities to cherish memories or just to get a good ol' selfie.

16 - 31 October. Find out more here.

Chow Down Halloween event

skull sign at Chow Down — The Chow Down Halloween event will be one of the spookiest of the season / Image: Chow Down Events

Chow Down is known for its open-air drink and dining experience, but on Halloween weekend the popular venue will host four days of spooky street food, live DJs and bands. The day is a full family day out with craft workshops designed for the little ones and a full Halloween production to keep them entertained as the day goes on.

The Halloween weekend event will also host a drag brunch, set to give Ru Paul some serious competition. Down by the arches you’ll find everything to get you in the mood for Halloween whilst you chow down on some Homeboy Pizza, plus much more.

28 - 31 October. Find out more here.

Black history month celebration: African and Caribbean food, arts and craft

Kirkgate Market are celebrating Black History Month at the end of the month and sharing this year’s important theme of ‘never judging a book by its colour’. A pop-up library will be brought to life through a series of human Black History books and lived experiences from 10am until 5pm.

The aim of the free-to-attend event is to promote intercultural respect for each other and challenge prejudices and unconscious bias. A very important event fully equipped to let you learn about Black History Month and enjoy an array of Caribbean and African cuisine at the same time.

30 October. Find out more here.

Hyde Park folk festival

Fancy a day with Yorkshire’s finest acts? The Hyde Park Folk Festival is an all-day event that pays back to the community and its artists. Hosted at Hyde Park Book Club, the festival will run from 11 am until 11 pm in The Basement and The Snug.

All proceeds go towards paying artists and acts involved, plus a portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Leeds-based charity, the Manuel Bravo project. The donation will help to provide legal advice and representation to asylum seekers that struggle to access traditional Legal Aid.

31 October. Find out more here.

Temple Newsam drive-in cinema

open air cinema with a scared child on the screen — Dare to watch a horror in the dark? You're braver than us / Image: Instagram/Dan Pollock

Nothing quite says Halloween like watching a scary movie in your car in the pitch black. Take the whole family down to Temple Newsam and get the popcorn ready. Just don’t send it flying when the inevitable jump scare comes.

In the afternoons, a range of family-friendly classics will be shown across Halloween weekend including Harry Potter, Grease and the Nightmare before Christmas. But as the evening draws nearer, adult horrors like IT and The Exorcist will be shown to those that are brave enough to drive-in.

29-31 October. Find out more here.

Feature image - Leeds.gov