Bonfire night is one of those dates in the calendar that you just can't miss.
Whether you're planning a quiet night in or off to an event in the city, you can't miss the burning embers in the sky as we celebrate the fifth of November.
Last month, Leeds City Council announced that the usual run of events would not take place this year due to Covid-related restrictions but there are still plenty of firework displays and bonfires around the city centre to enjoy.
Those moments when the night sky lights up in repeated bursts of neon sparks are truly special and usually where memories are made and cherished for years on end.
So we have put together the quite literally the hottest places to find your bonfire night celebrations so you can watch those smoky amber flames across Leeds city centre all weekend long.
Friday 5 November 2021
Kirkstall Valley
If you want an understated and stress-free bonfire experience, this one is for you. This year, Kirkstall Valley will be hosting a firework-less but nonetheless exciting bonfire event. From 6pm, head down to the farm and spent the evening wandering between cosy fire pits dotted around the farm whilst listening to a relaxing melody from live entertainment. Just don't forget to book your ticket in advance.
Firework displays were cancelled last year as the UK entered a second national lockdown, so this year's events are highly anticipated and many are selling out. Image: Jamie Street
The Hunsley Club
Hunslet Club are hosting a huge firework display that they hope will bring the community together once again. Like true professional displays, the fireworks will be accompanied by music, along with sweet treats, food and plenty of drinks to wash all that sugar down. This event is truly special as it is free to attend from 6.30pm, so that everyone can attend without worrying about their bank balance.
Hare & Hounds
The Hare & Hounds are hosting a family-friendly event on bonfire night. Although there will be no fireworks at the event, complimentary sparklers for both little and big kids will keep the sky illuminated. Fire dancers, stilt walkers and fire breathers are amongst the acts to gaze at during the evening from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 each or table reservations can be made.
Saturday 6 November 2021
Troydale Club
Troydale Club is expected to throw a spectacular bonfire event, complete with an outside bar. From 6pm, find tasty snacks from their food stall and dance the night away with tracks from DJ Brad before watching the firework display. There's no need to worry about booking either as it is a free-to-attend event with no tickets required.
Firework displays are taking place all over the world, but their scale depends on local coronavirus-related restrictions. We're just pleased there are some in Leeds this year. Image: Zuzu Galczynska
Yeadon Cricket Club
The Yeadon Cricket Club have three hours of bonfire fun for all the family planned. For grown ups, the bar will keep the booze flowing throughout the night, with an array of street food offering warm, tasty treats. From 6pm, expect fireworks a plenty and a huge bonfire ablaze throughout the night. Tickets cost £5 and will be available at the gate.
Walton Village Hall
Six is the magic number at Walton. On the 6 November, at 6pm their bonfire event will commence, with tickets costing £6 each. The mesmerising firework display will commence after you've warmed up by the bonfire, grabbed a drink or two and fed the family. Children under 4 can attend the family-friendly event for free, but tickets are limited and should be booked in advance when possible.
Anyone attending a firework display over the weekend will be in for a brightly-lit treat. Image: Brian Lopez
Colton Sports and Social Club
The Colton Sports and Social Club event is set to be a fantastic evening, dedicated to celebrating a night out with all the family. There will be face painting and toys for sale, as well as a disco, before the fireworks take off and illuminate the night sky. Tickets cost £5 each but membership cards must be shown, or purchased, to gain entry to this bonfire event.
The Miners Arms
For a night of fireworks and refreshments, the Miners Arms in Morley will have you covered. Choose to keep the cold out and sit in the indoor bar or brave it outside with a hot drink in hand at their second bar. This event will be free, but with limited availability to make sure to arrive early (from 4pm) or you'll have to find a nearby field to watch the fireworks from afar instead.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
11th October 2021 
