Your ultimate guide to Leeds’ over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

The four-day bank holiday weekend is looming- and we need to make plans.

As expected, Leeds is going to throw a party like no other to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee- and there’s plenty to look forward to in the city centre and beyond.

Here are some of our top picks of things to do in and around Leeds- from where to find a royal afternoon tea experience to boozy brunches, festivals aplenty and a whole host of street parties taking over every corner of the city, there really is something for everyone.

Food and Drink

All the best things to do in Leeds are often centred around food and drink- and the hospitality scene really know the way to out hearts. Expect plenty of free-flowing fizz, afternoon tea aplenty and themed bottomless brunches over the four-day weekend.

Mans Market Afternoon Jubli-Chi

Thursday 2 June – Friday 3 June 2022, 2-5pm | West Point, Wellington Street

Having been highly recommended by the Sunday Times, we’re convinced that Mans Market has received nothing but glowing reviews since its opening, but it’s their Afternoon Chi concept that’s got us talking non-stop about dim sum in 2022. Now bringing their unique concept to the Jubilee weekend, the popular restaurant will host a special Jubilee weekend afternoon tea, aptly named ‘Jubi-Chi’.

Based on the traditional afternoon tea, Mans Market have replaced those boring finger sandwiches and petit fours with all your favourite dishes to create the ultimate afternoon experience- with plenty of booze included.

Think handfuls of Chicken Gyoza, Pork War Tip Dumplings, Mushroom Corn and vegan-friendly Bamboo Dumplings, each swirled and dunked into sweet chilli or soy sauce before making your way onto vegan spring rolls and snack on Lotus Crisps with chilli and spring onions. This really is the epitome of a unique afternoon tea, perfect for all Chinese food connoisseurs and those that love a bit of dim sum after a few drinks with respective interest.

Find out more here.

Across a whopping five days, Chow Down will be hosting a Jubilee extravaganza like no other. Expect Jubilee-themed cocktails, street food from Parmogeddon, Cleopatra’s Kitchen and Good Boy Bodega whilst listening to tunes from some of Chow Down’s favourite performers and brand-new musicians alike.

Performing on the Wednesday at a free-to-attend evening, Ninety Nine will take the stage whilst The List Festival will takeover the main stage on Thursday 2 June with Apricot Ballroom, James Holroyd, J Cub, Tom PBR Streetgang and Tracks Magazine.

For the full line-up over the weekend, visit Chow Down’s Instagram page.

Find out more about Chow Down here.

Yard & Coop Royal Varieties Drag Afternoon Tea

Friday 3 June 2022, 12-2pm | Yard & Coop, Merrion Street

From the creators of the 12 inch ‘Massive C*ck’ burger comes afternoon tea in true dirty bird style at Merrion Street’s favourite fried chicken restaurant and bar. Expect three layers of crunchy, sweet, savoury and all round delicious servings, starting with a huge bowl of fries with buttermilk fried chicken and crispy smoked bacon.

If that wasn’t enough, sweet treats come in the shape of Kinder Bueno cookie pie and dulce de leche sea salted brownies with marshmallows, fresh strawberries and oozing with chocolate sauce laden over the desserts.

Each afternoon tea ticketcomes with a cocktail of your choice before watching in awe of a fabulous Royal Variety spin-off performance set to shake the whole house down.

Yard & Coop have said: “Dedecked and bejewelled in their finest Crown Jewels, they gonna sashay, shantay, fried chicken on the runway. Regal realness” is to be expected, and for a more than reasonable price of £25, this exciting event is set to sell out quickly.

Find out more here.

Banyan Jubilee Bottomless Brunch

Sunday 5 June 2022, 12-4pm | City Square, Leeds City Centre

Proudly going over the top with Great British decor with “all the British paraphernalia you could wish for and a cracking Best of British soundtrack”, Banyan is hosting a Jubilee bottomless that even royalty couldn’t pass up.

Loyal Banyan fans will be familiar with the drink options of Prosecco, Bloody Mary’s (only available on the brunch menu) Aperol Spritz, Poached Pear Spritz, Coors and Garibaldis but if that wasn’t enough choice already, both new menus now feature two new alcoholic additions. The Apricot and Grapefruit Fizz and the Strawberry Spritz are new, summery cocktails that will be absolutely perfect for the warmer weather.

The summer menu also boasts Korean Fried Chicken Burgers, or there’s the new Onion Bhaji wrap which is sure to fill you up (and it’s vegan). The upgrades still include old favourites like the Alpine Chicken Schnitzel and the Steak Frites, so no matter how hungry you are, or what you’re fancying, you’re sure to find a dish that tastes amazing and lines your stomach.

Find out more here.

City-wide Street Parties

Leeds City Centre

Thursday 2 June – Sunday 5 June 2022 | Across Leeds City Centre

In a joint project between Leeds City Council and the local hospitality sector, a full programme of activities have been organised throughout the Jubilee bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

From Thursday 2 June – Sunday 5 June 2022, some of the city’s best nightlife destinations like Call Lane, Greek Street and Merrion Street. Joining Lower Briggate, New Briggate and the newly opened Cookridge Street, the chosen street party destinations will offer the best of British summertime events like BBQs, street food trucks and live music over the celebratory weekend.

Best of all- the street parties will be free to attend around the city and there’s no pre-booking required. Simply turn up and join Loiners in their masses at the four-day long celebrations.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “It will be fantastic to see businesses and people come together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“Leeds has a brilliant street food and drink scene, as well as a great programme of events taking place to celebrate the Jubilee. I urge everyone to come to the city centre and enjoy what should be a fantastic long weekend.”

The following streets will be closed to host street parties throughout the celebratory weekend:

• Call Lane
• Merrion Street East
• Greek Street
• Lower Briggate
• New Briggate
• Cookridge Street

More information is expected to follow in the coming weeks about what will be available from bars and restaurants along these roads, as well as a full line-up of events.

Find out more here.

Festivals

Not that we need any excuse to head to Temple Newsam or any other huge green space and listen to live music from talent near and far- but the first official weekend of summer offers the perfect opportunity. Bringing the first ‘normal’ festival season back since 2019, there’s plenty to choose from over the jubilee weekend.

Summertime Live

Wednesday 1 June 2022 | Temple Newsam, Leeds

The Ibiza Classics gig, Summertime Live, is bringing the European sunshine to Leeds this June- and we’ve already got the day off for it. Conveniently falling on the Jubilee bank holiday, Thursday 1 June, there really is no excuse not to get tickets unless you’ve been invited to the Queen’s birthday bash.

There will be two Classic Ibiza sets throughout the evening, and in between live DJ sets will be filling in the interludes whilst you grab a drink from independent bars or get some glittery makeup from artists lining the sides.

Leeds isn’t the only city that you can see Summertime Live in action, if you’re visiting Windsor, Brighton or Newcastle, you can witness the same Classic Ibiza tunes live around the UK throughout the summer.

Headliners: Classic Ibiza, with sets from chart-topped DJs

Tickets: All tickets cost £35 plus a £3.98 booking fee. Upgrade to The Garden for £25 includes relaxed seating, premium toilets, street food and premium bars. All tickets can be booked on the Summertime Live website.

Slam Dunk Festival North

Friday 3 June 2022 | Temple Newsam, Leeds

Slam Dunk Festival North is back for another year and there’s a huge line-up to look forward to. Set in the heart of Temple Newsam, one of Leeds’ best known festival venues is the hosting a one day set of metal, emo, punk and ska music from some of the industry’s biggest names.

The one-day festival kicks off on the bank holiday Friday, with live performances across five stages at Temple Newsam.

Headliners: Neck Deep, Sum41 and ALEXISONFIRE, amongst other exciting names (see below for the full list of acts).

Tickets: Tickets start at £69, but you’re likely to get a ticket priced over £85 as the date gets looms closer. Those looking for VIP entry tickets can pay £129 for entry to the VIP Guest area, VIP toilets and guest bar. All tickets can be purchased from the Slam Dunk Festival website.

Live at Leeds

Saturday 4 June 2022 | Temple Newsam, Leeds

The popular festival is usually held each year across the inner-city centre, with artists playing at a range of Leeds venues, but it was pushed back until October this year due to pandemic-related restrictions. As a result, the Live at Leeds team have decided that the multi-venue traditional Live at Leeds will be hosted in October 2022 and an outdoor one-day festival will take place in its usual May spot.

Joining the hefty line-up of rising Indie headliners: Alfie Templeman, The Pigeon Detectives, Cassia, Laruran Hibberd, Tribes and Dream Wife have all been confirmed to perform alongside The MYsterines, Kid Kapichi, Coach Party and Zuzu.

Headliners: The Vaccines, Holly Humberstone, Sports Team and The Snuts will be joining the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Arlo Parks, Easy Life and Sea Girls at Temple Newsam over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend. Nothing But Thieves were originally set to play but has since had to cancel and their headline slot will be replaced by The Vaccines on Saturday 4 June.

Tickets: Live at Leeds Tickets are now available on the Live at Leeds website for the 2022 one-day festival, with general admission priced at £60.50.

Find out more here.

Made in Leeds

Saturday 4 June 2022 | Church Fenton Airfield, Selby, Leeds

During the Bank Holiday Jubilee weekend, Made in Leeds Festival will return for another year of live music and entertainment from the city’s finest homegrown acts.

Local owner of Dollhouse and newly-opened club-dining experience, Playroom, Tom Zanetti will be returning to his home city for a Made in Leeds set.

Craig David’s legendary set, Craig David Presents TS5 is will be live from Leeds during the bank holiday weekend too. David started the project in 2012 after the artist hosted a series of parties for friends in his penthouse apartment.

Headliners: Craig David Presents TS5, Holy Goof, Nathan Dawe, Marc Kinchen, Hannah Wants, Low Steppa and Tom Zanetti.

Tickets: Made in Leeds has sold out of its first release tickets. Prices now start at £30.25 but will increase to up to £66 as the tiers sell out. Students can grab a ticket for just £16.50 and there’s a 3-for-2 deal too on Skiddle: bargain.

Find out more here.

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