Summer is finally here and along with the sun comes loads of exciting things happening in and around Leeds.
From obstacle courses to foodie festivals to open-air music performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy (or endure) this week. So slap your sun cream on and welcome the hot weather and longer evenings with open arms at one of our top picks.
Curated Makers Market
Friday 24 - Sunday 26 June 2022 | Trinity Leeds
Image: Curated Makers
This well loved festival showcasing local artists and creatives is coming back to Trinity Leeds.
Head to the ground floor of Trinity shopping centre where Curated Makers will be hosting 15 markets stalls, giving the public just a taste of what local, independent businesses have to offer. Support small and come find yourself (or others) the perfect gift that is made locally and with plenty of love.
Tickets are free.
Nile Rodgers and Chic
Friday 24 - Saturday 25 June 2022 | Piece Hall Halifax
Image: Visit Calderdale
Taking over the incredible outdoor venue and kicking off the weekend is the legendary Nile Rodgers and Chic. Showcasing their endless catalogue of hits such as 'Le Freak', 'Everybody Dance' and 'Good Times', this will truly be a night to remember.
Put on your dancing shoes and head to the piece hall ready to boogie on into the moonlight. There will even be special guests including Rebecca Ferguson and August Charles. We can't think of any better way to celebrate the start of summer.
This weekend at Bramham Park, those brave enough will have the opportunity to tackle what is known as one of the most challenging obstacle courses in the country. Obstacles that contestants will have to endure include ice cold plunge baths, fire pit jumps, climbing walls and mud slide.
If you don’t fancy doing the course but still fancy being a part of it then the entire event is free and can host up to 10,000 spectators. Not only can you watch those endure the gruelling endurance test comfortably from the sidelines, but you can also enjoy live music and an array of food and drink. Read morehere.
If you’d like to challenge yourself and be a part of this amazing event, then you can enter here on Total Warrior’s website.
The first of it's kind, the Yorkshire Feastival will take place in the beautiful Nidderdale Countryside and promises to be a day to remember.
Live cooking demos, craft markets, live music, cocktail making, forestry school, inflatable village, you name it. There's an activity here for everyone and we can promise you'll be going home with a huge smile and a full belly.
Tickets start from just £6.50 and can be booked online here.
Barry Manilow
Saturday 25 June 2022 | First Direct Arena
Image: First Direct Arena
Head down to the Copacabana and have a groove to Barry Manilow at the First Direct Arena. With such a catalogue of non-stop classics, you are guaranteed to have the time of your life. You won't be able to resist tapping your foot and singing along to every lyric, even if you thought you didn't know them.
If you're tying the knot soon or simply adore weddings, then this Sunday head to the beautiful Parsonage Hotel in York to gaze at all things wedding.
This idyllic countryside hotel which is the perfect wedding venue in itself, is teaming-up with award winning events company The UK Wedding Event for a free wedding fayre offering couples the chance to see it all for themselves. The day is set to feature around 35 top wedding suppliers to help brides and grooms plan their big day.
Admission is free but pre-booking is advised and can be done here.
Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra
Sunday 26 June 2022 | Piece Hall Halifax
Image: The Piece Hall
The critically acclaimed 'Ibiza Classics' show is coming to the historic and iconic venue of The Piece Hall in Halifax.
Legendary dance music pioneer and DJ Pete Tong with the HeritageOrchestra conducted by Jules Buckley will bring a taste of Ibiza to The Piece Hall in Halifax this summer. Grab your mates and dance along to some party anthems in this beautiful open-air concert hall as the sun comes down.
If you can't make it to Ibiza this year, this could be the next best thing.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026 guide – everything you need to know
Clementine Hall
The 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (RBLM) is nearly upon us.
And with thousands set to flood the region, we thought we'd round up all the important information you need to know, from waves and start times to the route and more.
Getting underway this weekend, this year marks just the third-ever edition of the modern Leeds Marathon, which was set up in honour of Rhinos legend and MND champion Rob Burrow in 2023.
In addition to over 12,000 locals, marathon enthusiasts, fantastic fundraisers and casual runners alike taking part in the 2025 RBLM , there are set to be even more spectators expected to line the streets, so it's best you're all kept in the loop.
So, without further ado, here's our comprehensive guide for the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
Hosted by Run For All yet again, this year's Leeds Marathon is set to be just as special.
What is the route?
Where else to start other than, well, with where the run will be starting?
Getting underway once again from the Headingley Stadium, the 26.2-mile slog will see Yorkshire's finest pass through the busy student district, as well as around Golden Acre Park, towards Bramhope, around Otley, into the city centre and back.
You can see the full route map down below.
Leeds Marathon Map 2026
If you're running it, you'll also be glad to see that there are a total of eight different toilet stops and water stations, meaning you'll have the opportunity to take any necessary breaks every few miles.
How to get there?
For those travelling to the start/finish line (yes, it finishes back at the iconic cricket ground too), it is advised that people avoid driving and use public transport where possible to avoid further congestion.
Upon arriving, the only way to access the start line on race day is via Gate G behind the western terrace of the cricket stadium off Kirkstall Road.
Spectator shuttles will also be running between Queenswood Drive and the two main spectator hubs: Adel and Otley. You can find out more details on where to watch HERE.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon waves and start times
Now, as for start times, participants will be set off in waves depending on their estimated finish time, which corresponds to the colour of their bib.Wave start times
Blue – 09:00
Red – 09:04
Green & Yellow – 09:10
MND Wave – 09:19
Purple - 09:21
Meanwhile, those doing the half-marathon distance and fun runners will be starting at 10am.
Leeds Marathon road closures and travel advice
Now, it goes without saying that setting up a major marathon that spans all the way from Headingley to Leeds, passing through some of the busiest parts of West Yorkshire, involves quite a lot of logistical planning.
Luckily, Leeds City Council have worked closely with the event team to make the marathon route run as smoothly as possible whilst also trying to minimise the impact on traffic and general travel.
You can find a full breakdown of all the road closures for this year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon here.
So, for everyone taking on the Leeds Marathon to honour not just Rob Burrow but whoever they might be running it for, we wish you the best of luck and just know that you've already done him, us, yourselves and everyone else SO very proud.
Clementine Hall -
20th June 2022 
