It's the last week of April so let's end it in the best way possible.
Yes, it's time to wave goodbye to one month and say hello to another. And no, we can't quite believe it either.
But even though the year is moving faster than we might like, at least Leeds is packed full of exciting things to get up to. As always, to help you plan out your week we've cherry picked the best things you can get up to.
We've got Leeds' biggest and best beer festival taking place this weekend as well as brilliant live music gigs taking place in the city centre and beyond - you definitely don't want to miss out so keep on reading.
Michael Buble Live
Monday 24 April 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Michael Buble is for life, not just for Christmas – and he’ll prove it when he pops into town with his new album and tour. Get ready to sing along to classics such as 'Haven't Met You Yet', 'Sway' and 'It's a Beautiful Day'.
We can't think of a better way to kickstart the week, can you?
Tickets are still available, starting from £87.50 at Ticketmaster.
The James Orchestral Tour
Monday 28 April 2023 | York Barbican, York
James are back, this time with a full orchestra, and heading over to York Barbican in celebration of their 40th anniversary and double album. They’ll also have a gospel choir and new versions of their greatest hits, fan favourites and deep cuts.
Tickets are currently sold out but waiting list open at See Tickets.
As You Are : A Leeds Soundwalk
Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 April 2023 | Victoria Gate, Vicar Lane
Image: Opera North
“It’s time to take a soundwalk in your city as part of Leeds 2023…” This is an unmissable, free event taking place in collaboration between Opera North and Leeds 2023.
Composer and musician Abel Selaocoe has taken inspiration from the architecture of Leeds and his African heritage. Performing with the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and guest artists, Selaocoe creates beautiful music that embraces the healing power of walking.
Simply pick up a pair of headphones and meander on a musical adventure through the city as your sound pack triggers new musical chapters to accompany you on a transformative journey, taking in Leeds’ most recognisable landmarks.
The new gastropub located on North Street has taken the city by storm. Having already got a venue in Harrogate which is just round the corner from world-renowned Slingsby Gin, the two are collaborating for one night of dinner and drinks.
The 5-course Spring Dinner will feature incredible cocktail pairings with each course, this is definitely going to be a night to remember (especially if you're a lover of gin).
Friday 28 April – Sunday 30 April 2023 | Bustlingthorpe Lane, Sheepscar
Image: Springwell
Springwell Sessions is hosting four day and night events across three days, bringing together the best local independents in the area, as well as around the world breweries just outside of the city centre at North Brewing Co.’s own brewery, Springwell.
Hosted at Springwell, the indoor-outdoor event is going to be transformed into a collaborative space for some of the UK’s favourite brands. Local favourites Bundobust Brewery will sit alongside DEYA, Cloudwater, and Brulo, amongst other exciting names in the beer world from near and far – including exciting appearances from overseas breweries.
Saturday tickets have sold out, but you can get your Friday tickets here and your Sunday tickets here.
Olly Murs Live
Friday 28 April 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Olly Murs is back (he stepped back from the music industry for four years but remained on our screens with his TV career) with a new album and a massive UK arena tour. The X Factor alumni will be heading up to Leeds in 2023 with a gig in support of his new album Marry Me.
Tickets are still available, costing £32.50 and £59.50 at See Tickets, with good availability.
Beyonce Bottomless Brunch
Friday 28 April 2023 | Manahatta Greek Street, Leeds city centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Manahatta is hosting a fabulously iconic bottomless party alongside the Beyoncé experience by everyone’s favourite drag queen, Aaron Carty. For a whopping 90 minutes you can indulge on delicious food, free-flowing drinks and incredible live entertainment. What else would you want to do on a Friday night?
And they’re really pushing the boat out with this one, everything is Beyonce themed including the drinks menu and when it comes to picking your tipple, you’re truly spoilt for choice.
Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 April 2023 | Victoria Leeds
Image: Supplied, PGHL
Stalls from some of Britain's finest stores and manufacturers will be at Victoria Leeds to showcase the 'Best of British' gifts, party pieces and 'suitably royal fashion' ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III.
Harvey Nichols will act as the centre point of the event and will be hosting a VIP Champagne Bar.
Bradford’s newest outdoor food and drink festival, Taste:BD, promises to be a celebration of local culture in the heart of the city. The festival will celebrate the very best of Bradford’s food, drink and entertainment scenes.
Taste:BD will be held across two central locations in Bradford city centre, Centenary Square and City Park. With over 40 food and drink partners taking part, guests can expect a vibrant selection of street food, drinks and arts to enjoy over the weekend.
Cheesy Living Co’s Fondue On Tour
Saturday 29 April 2023, 7pm | Boot and Rally Bar, Meanwood
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Following on from the sellout success of the Corn Exchange’s fondue night, the Cheesy Living Co. is taking its much-loved cheese nights on tour across the city. Stopping at Boot and Rally Bar on Saturday 29 April 2023 (with tickets still available here), the fondue nights will also be available earlier in the month in Pudsey, Chapel Allerton and Oakwood.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just a weeks time, and we've got everything you need to know.
This year, the markets are looking a little bit different than before as outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi have stepped up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular.
They're organising a market where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
So, let's get into it...
Opening dates and timings
The Leeds Christmas Markets will kick off from Thursday 19 November and run until Wednesday 23 December. So that's almost five weeks of festivities flooding the city, and plenty of time for you to make the most of it.
The markets will be open 7 days a week, the exact timings are:
Trader Village & Leeds Street Food
Sunday-Wednesday: 10:30am-7pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10:30am-8pm
THOR’S Highland Lodge & Folié Ski Bar
Sunday-Tuesday: 11am-9pm
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-11pm
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Locations
The main stalls and street food will be located at City Square, here you will also find the main Christmas tree and two THOR's bars.
Ice Cube at Millennium Square will also be making a return, here you'll find rides, an ice rink and more food and drink. This is separate to what is being run by THOR's this year, though.
There will be plenty of other festive activities taking place throughout the city throughout November and December, you can find out more and view the Leeds Christmas map here.
Food
Okay, now we can get onto the good stuff.
We all know that the highlight of the markets is the food, and this year there's going to be more independent and local trader than ever before.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From Leeds' very own Italian street food restaurant Stuzzi to homemade mini tiramisu drawers, you're going to want to arrive feeling very peckish at these markets that's for sure.
The current full list of street food vendors at City Square is as follows:
Cut & Craft (steak and chips)
Beth Bakes Cakes (hot chocolate fudge cake)
Misu Tiramisu (mini tiramisu drawers)
Crumble pots (crumble)
La Grassa (Italian-American sandwiches)
Chocolate Circus (stacked hot chocolates)
Stuzzi (Italian street food)
Street Kings Bratwurst (traditional bratwurst)
Johnsons' Toffee (homemade toffee and fudge)
The Savvy Baker (sweet treats and hot cookie dough)
Irish spice bags
Churros
Drink
Closely following behind food, a good old tipple is what many of us venture to the markets for.
This year, alongside a few mulled wine stalls in city square, THOR's will be doing what they do best and opening two brand-new outdoor bars to really get you in the spirit.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can pick from a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar, both designed to welcome large groups with their own themed drinks and cosy interiors. You can read more about these bars here.
Not only that, but they'll be a specialist coffee trader as well as a matcha trader if you don't fancy anything alcoholic.
Shopping
The Leeds Christmas Markets isn't just about eating and drinking, it's also about browsing and shopping for those last minute Christmas gifts or gorgeous knick-knacks to decorate your home with over the festive season.
Here's your list of traders to buy gifts from at City Square:
Stump Cross (natural crystal jewellery, fossils and more)
House of the Trembling Madness (festive craft beer cans)
Real Markets Yorkshire (lots of goodies made in Yorkshire)
Yorkshire Print Company (Yorkshire-inspired artwork)
Paper Starlights (handmade paper lanterns)
Scents of Christmas (handcrafted decorations)
Kakuwi (homemade crafts sourced across India and Nepal)
Leeds has been named one of the most ‘pet-friendly’ cities in the UK
Emily Sergeant
A new index has revealed the best cities for pet owners in the UK, and it’s great news for Leeds.
Millions of us share our home with a pet, and making sure we give them the best possible life is often at the forefront of our minds, right?
While there’s a lot people can control about their pet’s lifestyle, many of the factors that affect their happiness are determined by location, and sadly for the 83% of the UK population who live in more urban areas, the challenges to give a pet a good life can feel even greater – with less access to green space, and fewer social spaces to take dogs, for example.
But when it comes to cities, which are the best ones to own a pet in? Well, pet insurance firm Lassie has decided to get to the bottom of this and do some updated research.
Lassie analysed data across nine metrics that determine a pet’s wellbeing to create a ‘Pet-Friendliness Index’, and using this index, the UK’s five most populous cities were each assigned a score out of 100 and ranked to determine which is the most and least pet-friendly.
The index looks at four main categories to gauge how suitable each city is for pets – green space, environment, health, and infrastructure.
Then, within these, experts compared a range of measures, including air quality, temperature, costs, access to vets, road safety, pet-friendly rental housing, social opportunities, and many others.
And Leeds has taken the fourth spot.
The UK’s Most Pet-Friendly Cities
Manchester
Birmingham
Liverpool
Leeds
London
“We tend to think that being a good pet owner comes down to what we do at home, but your postcode could be playing a much bigger role in your pet’s happiness and health than you realise,” commented Hedda Båverud Olsson, who is the CEO and co-founder of Lassie.
“Our findings show that not all cities are created equal when it comes to pets. The difference between living in Manchester and London isn’t just about green space or somewhere to walk your dog, it can mean higher vet bills, poorer air quality and fewer veterinary practices nearby.”
Clementine Hall -
23rd April 2023 
