The Light in Leeds is bringing the popular City Beach back to Cookridge Street this summer.
Following its huge success in 2021 and 2022, The City Beach invites anyone and everyone to take part in fun beach activities throughout the summer.
The Light will be transformed into a huge sandpit to make you feel like you're on holiday.
Frisbees, beachballs and bucket and spades will all be on hand for children to enjoy some fun and games in the giant sandpit.
Equally importantly, deck chairs will be provided for parents to relax in as they watch their little ones get stuck in building sandcastles and digging holes.
Image: The Light Leeds
The City Beach this year will also host a series of exciting events named 'Summer Sessions' for families and cocktail lovers alike, throughout the month of August.
The beach will be open until Sunday 3 September, with four free headline events taking place over the next few weeks.
First up on Wednesday 2 August is 'National Play Day' where children can get involved in a whole host of fun activities on the beach without driving to the coast. From glitter pace paint and dance parties to playing with bubbles and foam, this is the perfect way to entertain the little ones during the summer holidays.
'Sax on the Beach' on Saturday 5 August will see live music from local saxophone player Sarah Sax and DJ performers One2manyDjs between 3-7pm, complete with delicious food and drink on offer from The Radisson.
Do you love an Aperol Spritz? Then you'll want to head down to The City Beach on Saturday 19 August for their 'Spritz Session'. Complete with live music and food form 3-6pm, this is going to be a summer evening to remember.
And last but not least, the 'Family Beach Day' on Thursday 24 August will see Leeds Children Charity joining in on the celebrations and bringing with them a variety of beach-themed interactive activities. Including arts, crafts, games and giveaways for everyone to enjoy from 11am-4pm.
Stephanie James, Marketing Manager at The Light commented: “We are thrilled for the City Beach to return to Leeds this summer and are equally excited to offer such an exciting array of activities for all ages!
“With the beach freely accessible right up until the end of the school holidays, parents will be able to keep their children entertained and occupied, whilst being able to enjoy some of the best bits of the seaside, right here in the city.
"We’ll be hosting themed events throughout August to appeal to all audiences and can't wait to introduce live music and cocktails for our adult audience this year at the beach."
To find out more about The City Beach and the Summer Sessions, take a look at their website.
American chart topper Jason Derulo is visiting Leeds for a night of radio bangers that will get stuck 'In My Head' and yours too.
Known for soundtracking the early 2010s and beyond, Derulo is heading back to Leeds playing out at the iconic First Direct Arena.
The Florida-born performer has five UK number one singles to his name, so it's safe to say his setlist will be stacked with massive hits sure to 'Take You Dancing' all night long.
His latest effort The Last Dance is an eight track EP featuring collaborations with INNA and Melody as well as the bouncy lead single 'Sexy For Me'.
This leg of shows is titled after this project and Derulo is asking anyone going to wear their best futuristic or metallic attire and accessories - You might end up being his 'It Girl'.
Jason Derulo gig guide
Jason Derulo is coming to First Direct Arena Leeds on 6 February / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Derulo UK tour dates
Fri 30 Jan - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 31 Jan - London, UK - The O2
Mon 2 Feb - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Tue 3 Feb - Brighton, UK - The Brighton Centre
Thu 5 Feb - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Fri 6 Feb - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Sat 7 Feb - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 Feb - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Jason Derulo tickets for First Direct Arena gig
If you want to see Jason Derulo 'Talk Dirty' to a huge 13,000 arena crowd over some 'Trumpets' then you'll want to get tickets to this event.
Luckily there's plenty of opportunities for you to see Mr. Derulo 'Wiggle' right in front of your eyes as there's tickets available HERE.
Jason Derulo setlist
Although the tour hasn't kicked off yet, here's one of the Pop/ R&B champs latest sets from September last year which contains some 2010s classics and big belters.
Swalla
Wiggle
Take You Dancing
Acapulco
Savage Love
Whatcha Say
Who Hurt You
Tip Toe
Breathing
In My Head
Ridin' Solo
Spicy Margarita
Love Tonight
The Other Side
Dame Un Grrr
Talk Dirty
Want to Want Me
Don't Wanna Go Home / Shots
Who Hurt You
What are the stage times for Jason Derulo in Leeds?
The 'It Girl' hitmaker is visiting the UK for his The Last Dance Tour / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning as much as we ′Don't Wanna Go Home', at least we'll be tucked up in bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6.30pm with a kick-off time expected to be 7.30pm with support from Czech rising star THERA and Manchester EDM group LZ7.
How to get 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.
This family-run farm in Leeds is hosting a huge Tulip Festival this spring with over one million tulips
Clementine Hall
Farmer Copleys is inviting everyone to basque in fields of tulips this April.
We all know and love Farmer Copleys for its incredible pumpkin patch and seasonal shenanigans.
It's the perfect spot to go with the family and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family have everything you need for a seasonal experience you won't forget.
So you best believe we got very excited when they announced they'd be hosting a Tulip Festival this spring.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Spanning over 8 acres, Jack and the team have planted over 600,00 bulbs bulbs consisting of 100+ different varieties of all shapes and colours that arrived directly from the Netherlands.
In addition to the 500,000 planted last year that means there's over one million tulips to enjoy - now that impressibe.
Varieties include Carnaval de Rio, Tom Pouce, Gavota, Lily Flowering Mix, Blushing Appledorn, Wedding Dress and Rodolfo.
The festival will include five sections that have been split by 5 metre walkways enabling the best customer interaction in the field.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There'll be two dedicated pick your own areas where an all seasons mix of bulbs have been planted to ensure that visitors have a wide range of tulips to explore, pick from and create the perfect bunch of tulips.How lovely is that?
There will also be plenty of photo opportunities, fairground rides and a bar to enjoy the view with a tipple or two.
The festival will take place from Monday 13 April to Sunday 3 May 2026, with tickets starting from just £9.
To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Farmer Copleys website. We'll see you in the tulip fields.
Clementine Hall -
31st July 2023 
