Head banging, crowd surfing, mosh pits and thousands of like-minded music lovers.
Slam Dunk Festival North is back for another year and there's a huge line-up to look forward to. Set in the heart of Temple Newsam, one of Leeds' best known festival venues is the hosting a one day set of metal, emo, punk and ska music from some of the industry's biggest names.
Dates for the diary...
The actual festival itself takes place over a single day, but there's a full two days of alternative music and festival antics to get through before the day itself.
Wednesday 1 June- You Me At Six at Temple Newsam.
Popular band You Me At Six will take over the Temple Newsam site to perform a special one-off set in honour of the ten year anniversary of their album Sinners Never Sleep. This might not be affiliated with SDF itself, but the 2021 headliners are long standing favourites of the festival so the band are certain to set the scene for the weekend's festivities.
Thursday 2 June - SDF22 North Launch Party Club Night at Leeds Beckett Student Union.
Mayday Parade, Real Friends and As It Is will be bringing irock/alt/emo/indie-pop tunes to Leeds the night before at Leeds Beckett SU. This incredible lineup will unite long-time music lovers with groupie newbies for one night only- and entry is under £10.
Friday 3 June - Slam Dunk Festival 2022 North at Temple Newsam.
The one-day festival kicks off on the bank holiday Friday, with live performances across five stages at Temple Newsam. Expect huge headline acts like Neck Deep, Sum41 and ALEXISONFIRE, amongst other exciting names (see below for the full list of acts).
The Wonder Years will be playing songs from their Upsides album at Slam Dunk Festival North (Leeds) whilst their album Suburbia will be played instead at the festival's southern location exclusively).
Streetlight Manifesto, Point North, Pinkshift, will perform make their European festival debuts whilst Smrtdeath, Meet Me At The Altar, Kennyhoopla and Deathbyromy will experience their first UK or UK festival respectively. For emo-infused alternative-rock Beauty School, the band will be making their first-ever festival performance.
Slam Dunk Festival is also hosting an array of exciting new talent, and for many this will be their first performance this side of the pond.
Tickets
Image: Slam Dunk Music
Tickets start at £69, but you're likely to get a ticket priced over £85 as the date gets looms closer.
Those looking for VIP entry tickets can pay £129 for entry to the VIP Guest area, VIP toilets and guest bar.
Big Green Coach Services is providing the coach travel for those trekking from further afield, but for us in Leeds, shuttle buses will be available from Sovereign Street in the city centre with a choice of booking in advance or on the day.
Car parking at Temple Newsam costs £5 per vehicle.
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Sophie Smith -
29th April 2022 
