News

A massive ice rink is coming to Leeds this Christmas

Leeds City Council confirmed there will be a huge ice rink, Igloo bar and pop-up market stalls in the city centre from Friday 19 November.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 19th October 2021

Leeds City Council has released their plans for Leeds Winter Favourites that include a huge ice rink, Igloo bar and pop-up market stalls.

The cancellation of the German Christmas Markets was a disappointment to us all, but it appears that Leeds City Council have found a viable solution that combines all our favourite parts of the festive season.

Partnering with Visit Leeds, the council plan to offer the 'biggest and most eagerly anticipated Christmas to date'.

Gather round the famous City Square Christmas Tree from Friday 19 November and witness the festive overhaul that will be bestowed upon the city, mulled wine and all.

Drawing inspiration from Christmas Favourites from previous years, Millennium Square is going to be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice rink, Igloo bar and pop-up markets.

There will also be a festive-themed family trail around the city centre, taking children and grown ups on a wintry walk that highlights some of Leeds' best landmark locations.

Listening to what we like most about Christmas in Leeds, the council have decided to bring back THOR's Tipi to Victoria Gardens, along with a brand new Tipi on Briggate with festive refreshments and a 'bring your own food' policy.

carousel at Leeds Christmas markets
The Carousel will also return and will be located in the newly-created public space on Cookridge Street. Image: Smilers Smile, Instagram

Other new additions will include Lord Whitney's Upon a Christmas Wish immersive experience at Harewood House, Rock 'n' Rock Panto at City Varieties and Lotherton's Christmas Experience.

Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education, Cllr Jonathan Pryor commented: 

"After a diluted festive season in 2020, we are delighted that we can deliver more activities and events to Leeds this Christmas. Leeds’ Winter Favourites will ensure that everyone who visits the city this holiday season will leave with a festive feeling that is bound to last right through to the new year.”

For more information on the 'Christmas Favourites' across Leeds, check the Leeds City Council or VisitLeeds website.

Feature Image- Leeds City Council

News

10 of the best new openings coming to Leeds in 2026

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.

If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.

There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.

Salon Madre and Madre

Wellington Street

Image: The Manc Eats

Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.

Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.

Trinity Kitchen 2.0

Image: Supplied

Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’⁠
⁠
The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy ⁠great food with skyline views.  

Burgerism

Meanwood

Image: The Manc Eats

You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. ⁠
⁠
Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah. ⁠

Dishoom

Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane

Image: The Hoot Leeds

The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.

Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.

Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.

Read more: Dishoom Leeds takes a big step forward as planning permission granted

Once Upon A Vine

Headingley

Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.

Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.

Uniqlo

Briggate

Image: Uniqlo


It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. ⁠
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The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.⁠ It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol. ⁠

Read more: Retail giant Uniqlo confirm opening date for new Leeds store

Tori Nori

Vicar Lane

A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.

Dough Club

Burley Road

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.

Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.

MADE Matcha

Lower Briggate

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.

Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.

Lane 7

Albion Street

Image: The Hoot leeds

The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.

As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

News

Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.

And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.

The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.

The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.

Image: Supplied

And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.

A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.

Images: Supplied

“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.

“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."

More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.

Read more: Jacob Elordi says the sexiest thing about Yorkshire is ‘rocks and sheep’

Featured image - Supplied

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