As we embark on another epic bank holiday weekender, we've cherry picked the best ways you can celebrate in and around the city.
Yes you read that right, we've got another bank holiday weekend on the cards and we couldn't be happier about it.
This week is a big one for the Leeds calendar, with two major music festivals taking place at the weekend which will attract visitors from far and wide.
As well as this, there's an opportunity for you to bag yourself a free lunch thanks to Rola Wala, a couple of exciting new shops are opening and Ricky Gervais is coming to town. Keep reading to find out more...
SAKKU in Bloom
Monday 22 - Sunday 28 May 2023 | 5 St Peter's Place
Image: Supplied
All-you-can-eat sushi and Japanese grill restaurant SAKKU is celebrating the Japanese Sakura season with a range of limited edition cocktails. The menu includes the ‘Violette Class’, a floral and fruity mix of gin, apple, lemon and lavender; ‘Nobara Breeze’, a rum based sweet lychee cocktail mixed with rose lemonade as well as ‘SAKKU Manhattan’ a classic Martini with whiskey and sake, and, ‘Spring Spritz’, a bubbly and refreshing mix of citrus gin, plum wine and Prosecco.
Rola Wala Free Lunch
Tuesday 23 May 2023 | Trinity Kitchen
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Ahead of World Hunger Day, Indian street food favourite Rola Wala is giving out a free meal to everyone. ‘In a bid to support the local community during difficult financial times’, Rola Wala will be giving out a free Naan Roll or Spice Bowl between 12pm and 3pm.
There’s no limit on this offer, so anyone in Trinity Kitchen during this three hour period can get themselves a free lunch.
Ricky Gervais Live
Thursday 25 May 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
Image: First Direct Arena
Afterlife and The Office UK star Ricky Gervais is bringing his latest tour, Armageddon, to Leeds for one night. ‘Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin’ the comedian is embarking on a UK wide tour to share his latest work – Armageddon.
After performing Armageddon in London last year, the comedian took to Twitter to say he’d have his fans ‘reported for hate crimes’ for laughing at the new material, according to The Independent – just to give you an idea of what may lie ahead.
Only VIP tickets for The Mixer remain, priced at £250 each, and available via Ticketmaster here.
Marks and Spencer Megastore Opening
White Rose Shopping Centre | Opening Thursday 25 May 2023
Image: M&S
The Leeds-born supermarket chain announced earlier that the company will be creating a total of 3,400 new jobs across the country, there will be a total of twenty new stores opened, including a brand new spot in Leeds’ own White Rose Shopping Centre.
White Rose will be one of eight full-line destination stores (the big ones) and is thought to be taking over the former Debenhams site inside the shopping centre and has spent the last week or so taking over its socials with photographs of the brand new store to give us a little sneak peek at what lies ahead…
Friday 26 - Sunday 28 May 2023 | Victoria Gate Leeds
Image: Supplied
Designed by women, for women, we’re talking about colourful activewear that’s genuinely flattering to wear (yes, really). Popping up at Victoria Gate Leeds this weekend, Red Run prides itself in understanding the importance of having exercise gear that’s well-fitting and comfortable.
Their collections are made with a range of sustainable, sweat-wicking fabrics, always with a fashion-forward design. Azalea will draw inspiration from the colourful and fast-paced world of motor cross racing, with a 20-piece collection that’s ‘guaranteed to turn heads’.
IF… Bar Bottomless Brunch
Friday 26 and Sunday 28 May 2023 | Call Lane, Leeds city centre
Stacks of pancakes and burritos to soak up endless mimosas – Call Lane has some stellar offers but there’s few that can offer you this to get your weekend started.
They're taking 50% off brunch bookings and the offer is valid for table bookings made before Friday, May 26th using the code “IWANTBRUNCH50” in the booking notes.
Live at Leeds: In The Park Festival
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Temple Newsam, Leeds
Image: Live at Leeds Festival
Live At Leeds: In The Park continues to share the limelight with newcomers into the alt music scene and champion plenty of up-and-coming talent that’ll leave revellers humming the beat of brand new songs aplenty following the day festival’s end.
Headliners such as Two Door Cinema Club, The Hives, DMA’s, Everything Everything, Cavetown, The Big Moon and Black Honey have already been announced, as well as Kate Nash, Maximo Park, Lottery Winners and online sensation James Marriott will be joining the celebration of alternative/indie talent this summer.
To celebrate the third birthday of Leeds’ beloved hot sauce company, Thiccc Sauce, the Fourth Court in Holbeck will be transformed into a food and drink birthday party, in partnership with Leeds Indie Food.
Expect to see local indie favourites like Mozza Fella, The Cheesy Living Co., Stuzzi, The Savvy Baker, Vocation Brewery, Chipp Coffee Co. and a collaboration between Holy Mountain Kitchen and Deadly Venoms Tacos.
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.
Favourites on the line-up headliners include The Offspring and Enter Shikari, as well as 00s pop-punk icons, Bowling For Soup, Real Friends and Four Year Strong. Canadian rock band Billy Talent and American singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann will be bringing crowds to life at one of the city’s biggest day festivals too.
Tickets cost £97.90 each and are available fromSee Tickets here, alternatively you can get tickets for both Slam Dunk North and Live at Leeds festival for a combined price of £150.70, with tickets are also available via See Tickets here.
Featured image - Live at Leeds / The Hoot Leeds / Slam Dunk Festival
Leeds
Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, setlist, stage times and more
Following one of the most iconic returns to music late last year, Lily Allen is heading to Leeds with her West End Girl UK tour.
The 'Nonmonogamummy' herself will be performing at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this weekend, following a run of intimate gig dates up and down the country earlier this year.
The demand for this British pop star to add more dates was inevitable and that's exactly what Allen did, as she now kicks off an arena tour across the UK.
Once wasn’t ‘Just Enough', and we've been blessed new Lily Allen dates, including her gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday 21 June.
Although the 'Smile' singer refrains from playing some of her older smash hits, this gig is still remarkable, with the Hammersmith-born singer performing the previously mentioned tongue-in-cheek LP in full.
Meet us at the ‘Pussy Palace’ for an evening of messy lyrics and quality vocals, fulfilling all of our nosey desires, she even provides text receipts for us to read.
Expect to feel like you’re having your friend relay the truth about their toxic relationship post-break up and then celebrating them finally leaving that loser - Lily just gets us.
Gig Guide | Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds
Lily Allen returns to Leeds for a gig at First Direct Arena. Credit: Henry Redcliffe
Lily Allen UK tour dates
16 June – Newcastle Utilita Arena
17 June – Glasgow OVO Hydro
19 June – Manchester AO Arena
20 June– Manchester AO Arena
21 June – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
23 June – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
24 June – Cardiff Utilita Arena
26 June – Birmingham BP Pulse Live
27 June – London The O2
30 June – Dublin 3Arena
Are there tickets left for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena?
Yes and it’d be a real ‘Shame For You’ to miss out on this one.
On Sunday 21 June you can get seats for £49.85, £66.35, or £88.35, or standing tickets for £66.35 - see the latest HERE.
Seriously, ‘What You Waiting For?’ - get it booked.
Lily's gone for a rather novel support act on her West End Girl tour, which is proving to be quite a laugh at arenas so far.
She's pulled in Dallas Minor Trio to warm up the crowds, a trio of cellists who perform a setlist of Lily Allen's biggest hits from through the years.
And if that's not enough, they put the lyrics on screen too, so it's like a true karaoke moment.
Lily Allen setlist for 2026 tour
The show ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘ will see the singer/songwriter play her brand-new album in its entirety, in the order the songs appear on the record:
West End Girl
Ruminating
Sleepwalking
Tennis
Madeline
Relapse
Pussy Palace
4chan Stan
Nonmonogamummy
Just Enough
Dallas Major
Beg For Me
Let You W/In
Fruityloop
Stage times for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds
Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis
These are the only times that are confirmed, but it's expected that Lily Allen will be on stage around 9pm:
Doors open 6pm
Starts 7.50pm
Getting to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
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.
A slice of New York has arrived in Leeds – and the pizzas are 18 inches wide
Clementine Hall
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Clementine Hall -
22nd May 2023 
