Leeds

Merrion Centre to host Leeds’ biggest Chinese New Year celebrations for 2026

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 12th February 2026

The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to once again host the city centre’s largest Chinese New Year celebration in 2026.

Get ready to welcome the Year of the Horse with an exciting programme of events in Leeds city centre.

Taking place on Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 February 2026, the Merrion Centre will be alive with the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year.

Guests can expect traditional lion dances, Tai Chi demonstrations, live musical performances, and hands-on workshops open for everyone to get involved in.

Image: Supplied

The Merrion Centre is once again partnering with various Leeds-based Chinese schools to create an event that highlights the best of Chinese culture.

James Broughton, Head of Marketing Communications at Town Centre Securities PLC, owners of the Merrion Centre said: “We are incredibly excited to once again be hosting the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Leeds city centre.

"This is an event that’s enjoyed not only by the Chinese community, but by everyone who wants to experience the fantastic, colourful traditions of Chinese New Year. The celebrations continue to grow each year, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all backgrounds to enjoy the Year of the Horse at the Merrion Centre.”

Image: Supplied

Bei Gao, Headteacher at Leeds Chinese Community School, commented: “We are excited to once again be involved in such a wonderful event. It’s a great opportunity for the Leeds community to experience Chinese New Year firsthand, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone come together to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

"The Merrion Centre is an amazing space for this kind of cultural exchange, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Joyce Cai, Headteacher at New Vision Education Chinese School, added: “The Chinese New Year event at the Merrion Centre has become a highlight for many in Leeds. This year, we’ve worked closely with the team to bring new and exciting performances and activities that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese community. It’s a fantastic way for families to explore Chinese traditions while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Read more: Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer

Featured image - Supplied


Leeds

The best places in Leeds to get pancakes on Pancake Day

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of the best days in the foodie calendar is here and it's time to decide where you're going for the ultimate stack.

Whilst homemade pancakes hit the spot and attempting to flip them is definitely a laugh, it's always a treat to get out and about to celebrate the momentous occasion.

From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings - there's a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.

Keep reading for our top picks of cafes, restaurants and bars to visit this Pancake Day.

House of Koko

Chapel Allerton , Oakwood and Leeds city centre

Images: The Hoot Leeds

House of Koko are the absolute bees knees when it comes to brunch.

Their pancakes are fluffy, pillowy, light, perfectly formed and just down right delicious. The list of toppings is almost overwhelming and you can mix and match yours to your heart's content, we're talking bacon, biscoff, kinder bueno, toasted nuts, white choc chips, banana and even ice cream, the list really does go on but you'll be here all day.

Moose Coffee

Bond Court

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Given Canadian pancakes are a worldwide favourite, you'd expect the best pancakes to come from Moose Coffee. Made fresh to order, there's a stack of three dusted with icing sugar, dotted with blueberries and served with Canadian butter on offer as well as a Biscoff Stack made from three pancakes, biscoff sauce, vanilla ice cream, white choc shards, lotus biscuit. ⁣

Whatever your preference this Pancake Day, your combination of sweet and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to live up to the famous Canadian combination- maple syrup included.

Farmhouse

Lands Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Farmhouse are basically famous in the city for their epic stacks of pancakes, fluffy and loaded with all the toppings it's just what you want this Pancake Day.

If Up North

Call Lane or York Place

Image: The Hoot Leeds

If you're a regular on the If Up North Instagram page, you'll know that these guys are big fans of pancakes. Given their obsession with posting their beautifully decorated variations online, we're confident that these pancakes will be lip-smacking, mouth-drooling good and packed with flavour.

Expect flavours like berry and Biscoff, fruits and cream, bacon and maple syrup as well as a whole host of different variations at any of their Leeds-based cafes.

North Star Coffee Shop

Leeds Dock

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Locally renowned for its coffee roast, North Star Coffee Shop is also a great contender for the best-looking pancakes around. Open from 8am this Shrove Tuesday, grab some fluffy pancakes topped with all the seasonal favourites they have on offer.

Galleria

Armley Road

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Running from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February, you can bag yourself £1 pancakes with a huge range toppings like classic lemon and sugar, maple smoked bacon, fried egg and sausage, or singular toppings such as blueberries, avocado, IPA caramel and more.

You'll need to pre-book to secure your offer and when you arrive,  pick up an order form from your server so you can select how many £1 pancakes you want, alongside your chosen toppings. Yeah, it’s really that flipping easy.

Laynes Espresso

New Station Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Everything Laynes touch turns to gold, and their pancakes are of course no exception.

They of course go perfectly with a heavenly cup of coffee served inside their dazzling bright yellow, life-affirming coffee shop.

Read more: 10 places kids eat for £1 or FREE in and around Leeds this half term | February 2026

Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.

If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.

There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.

Salon Madre and Madre

Wellington Street

Image: The Manc Eats

Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.

Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.

Trinity Kitchen 2.0

Image: Supplied

Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’⁠
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The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy ⁠great food with skyline views.  

Burgerism

Meanwood

Image: The Manc Eats

You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. ⁠
⁠
Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah. ⁠

Dishoom

Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane

Image: The Hoot Leeds

The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.

Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.

Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.

Read more: Dishoom Leeds takes a big step forward as planning permission granted

Once Upon A Vine

Headingley

Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.

Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.

Uniqlo

Briggate

Image: Uniqlo


It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. ⁠
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The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.⁠ It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol. ⁠

Read more: Retail giant Uniqlo confirm opening date for new Leeds store

Tori Nori

Vicar Lane

A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.

Dough Club

Burley Road

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.

Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.

MADE Matcha

Lower Briggate

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.

Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.

Lane 7

Albion Street

Image: The Hoot leeds

The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.

As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

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