The sun is (hopefully) shining, the nights are shorter and there's bunnies running around the university campuses again.
And naturally with the Easter holidays comes loads of new places to check out, exciting events and non-stop foodie specials, so we've rounded up all the best things to do in Leeds City Centre and beyond in April.
Burrowing Bunnies Trail
Monday 1 April - 16 April 2024 | White Rose Shopping Centre
Image: White Rose
From 31st March to 16th April, families are invited to find eight mischievous bunnies hiding around the shopping centre. Free trail maps are available to collect from the Customer Service Centre, on the Ground Floor near New Look, and can be returned and traded in for an Easter treat and a pair of adorable ears after each bunny has been located and ticked off the map.
Leodis Space Agency
Monday 1 April - Monday 14 April 2024 | Around Leeds
The Leodis Space Agency has launched in Leeds - and there's loads of activities for the little ones to get involved in throughout the Easter holidays. There's family-friendly craft sessions hosted daily from 10am to 3pm at Trinity Leeds; a community Rocket Build with The PlayTent until 5 April and the Merrion Centre is hosting its very own alien zoo as part of an interactive mixed reality exibit.
Find out more here.
Indo-Chinese Specials at Bundobust
Monday 1 April - Monday 14 April 2024 | Mill Hill
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Salt and Pepper Okra Fries, ‘Prawn’ Gobi Toast and Gobi Manchurian are all back by popular demand on the Bundobust menu this spring.
Ever since we got our chops round their ‘Prawn’ Gobi Toast in 2022, we’ve been dreaming about it ever since. Available til 14 April, you don’t want to miss out on these delicious specials.
If you’ve never visited Neon Cactus for their ever-so-famous Taco Tuesday, then you’re doing it wrong. Every Tuesday you can enjoy a massive sharing board of ten tasty tacos for just £20. And of course you can grab £6 Margaritas to go alongside them as well, it’s a no brainer.
Leigh Francis: My First Time
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Grand Theatre, Leeds
Leigh Francis: My First Time is coming to stages across the UK and as the name suggests, it actually marks the Leeds comedian’s first time on the road for a live tour.
The 18 date tour will see plenty of familiar characters brought to life from over the years including Keith Lemon, Bear and Avid Merrion to ‘David Dickinson‘, ‘Ant and Dec‘ and Myrtle.
Tuesday 9 April - Friday 12 April 2024 | Leeds Playhouse
Image: Supplied
The Brit Award winning musician Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations will be leaping from page to screen and we cannot wait. The high-energy 50-minute production features lively original music, and is the perfect introduction to live theatre for youngsters.
Boojum is opening in Leeds on Wednesday 10 April and the first 300 customers will get a free burrito from 12pm.
We flew all the way to Dublin this month to check out the top-rated Mexican eatery ahead of its opening - and if you watch you'll see why.
LS6 Junk Yard Sale
Sunday 14 April 2024 | Left Bank Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
In the heart of LS6 you'll be able to attend a garage sale with a difference in April. The monthly Junk Yard Sale is set up inside the Left Bank with rows-upon-rows of traders and you can bet that there will be plenty of bits and bobs to take home with you.
Find out more here.
Take That
Wednesday 17 April - Saturday 20 April 2023 | First Direct Arena
Image: See Tickets
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are heading back on tour for another year – and as with all Take That gigs, there’s a lot of hype around the six-day leg in Yorkshire. Tickets are still available (just about) from £69.05 for seats – £241.95 for VIP package, all available via See Tickets here
A club night dedicated entirely to Taylor Swift is taking over one of Leeds’ best nightlife venues. Swiftogeddon will be taking over Belgrave Music Hall for a night of back-to-back hits from the American pop sensation. Every song on the playlist will be either an original hit, a deep cut, or an extended mix of Taylor Swift’s massive back catalogue.
If you’ve ever been to a Stuzzi pop-up across the city, you’ll most certainly have tried the speciality deep fried lasagna. Now for those that can’t wait until the next big event to get their hands on another one of these comfort dishes, Trinity Kitchen is hosting Stuzzi every single day of the week in April. There’s going to be four different types of deep-fried lasagna to choose from, including tomato mozzarella and basil; sausage and pea; four cheese and the classic.
Find out more here.
Feature Image - Supplied / The Hoot Leeds
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UB40 at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Leeds for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at First Direct Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70's, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone onto achieve much success including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band's lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who's taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some 'Red Red Wine'.
There's no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don't Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can't Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Leeds?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Leeds' impressive over 13,500 seater First Direct Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6.45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early as you really won't want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest - It really is a reggae revolution.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Featured Images - Press Shot (Mara Publicity via supplied)
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Iconic band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Stockport-originating band Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked line-up.
They might have a 'Joke About Divorce' from time to time but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, playing at Bramham Park three times in the past decade.
This band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track 'Charlemagne' and more recently with the addition of their fifth album studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot-tall gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they pay us a visit this August.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as 'Special Guests', appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the line-up are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K's and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Leeds Festival 2026 is set to be a belter with the addition of Stockport band Blossoms returning for a fourth time / Credit: Publicity Video (Supplied)
Whether you're there for 'Your Girlfriend' or 'What Can I Say After I'm Sorry', one thing's for sure, you're guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Sophie Smith -
27th March 2024 
