A massive food and drink event is taking place just a 20-minute drive from Leeds this weekend - and organisers have just revealed an extensive free music line-up.
The inaugural Summer Unlocked food and drink weekender takes place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July, bringing a host of street food traders, a dedicated bar and a huge roster of live music to City Park in Bradford.
There'll be an array of open-air and covered seating areas, a bespoke bandstand and lush greenery - creating a woodland themed drinking and dining experience that looks set to rival similar dos in Leeds and Manchester.
Ilkley favourites Luigi street food will also be at the festival / Image: Luigistreetfood
The Summer Garden, a unique pop-up festival space, will include tents and picnic-style areas offering both indoor and outdoor seating, with free, walk-in access for all.
Food traders like The Savvy Baker, whose lockdown brownie business has taken Leeds by storm, and Ilkley food festival staple Luigi Street Food will be on hand with tasty treats; alongside plant-based Indian food from Honest Supper Club and authentic Canadian poutine from Spud n Bro’s.
Other food traders include Big Phillies, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen and Rum Shack and Lekker Eat Dutch. There will be a mix of bars across the site, including a prosecco bar, a gin and Pimms station and beer bar, plus a range of coffee stations.
On the music front, Friday and Saturday will see Buskival take over the stage in City Park with music from the likes of Ntantu, Lissy Davies, Sunflower Thieves and many more, whilst on Sunday a Musical Calligraphy takeover will put D Dipak Mistry and Razwan on the ones and twos.
On Friday 30 July, live music will run from 2 pm - 7 pm, featuring the likes of Mookie + the Bab, Miranda Arieh and Terri Shaltiel.
A selection of the street food treats on offer this weekend / Image: Luigistreetfood
Then on Saturday 31 July, music runs from 1 pm - 7 pm with performances from Chante Amour, Sunflower Thieves, Henna, Harris, Skinner and Ntantu.
Sunday will close with sets from DJ Dipak Mistry and artist Razwan Ul-Haq, who will combine the music of classical South Asian Ghazals and Qawwali with traditional Arabic calligraphy in an exciting visual performance from 11 am - 3 pm.
Food and drink vendors will operate daily from 12 - 8pm.
This weekend, Summer Unlocked will bring to life the public spaces that have become so important to so many during the lockdown months - our streets, neighbourhoods and civic spaces, our moors, our gardens and our parks.
Taking place alongside a programme of live theatre, music, film and much more, with acrobatic displays on the canals, poetry in car parks and vibrant street art, families can also look forward to getting out and active with activities such as climbing towers, dance and den building.
Coming at a time when the district continues to expand its cultural activity, as it prepares to bid for the UK City of Culture 2025 title, the Summer of Fun project is funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF).
Feature image - Spud n Bros.
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A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
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Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Georgina Pellant -
30th July 2021 
