Two bank holidays, a festival pretty much every weekend and hopefully a good amount of sunshine thrown in with it all.
Now the April showers seem to have passed, we can move onto the main event: summer.
From new openings to gigs, food festivals to marathons and club nights for over 30s, there's plenty to check out this month in Leeds.
Keep reading to find our top picks for things to do in and around Leeds this month...
Things to do
Over 30s club event: Day Fever UK
Sunday 5 May 2024 | Project House, Armley
Image: Dayfever via Instagram
‘The daytime disco that doesn’t ruin your Sunday’ is coming to Leeds on Easter Sunday for the first (of what is hoped to be many) day festivals. Kicking off at 3pm, you need to be over 30 to walk through the doors and if we’re lucky, we might find co-founder Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers on the DJ decks.
Entitled ‘Waddingtons and the MONOPOLY Story’ display, you can find a number of special exhibits, including an original 1935 edition of MONOPOLY, a 1940s wartime set that was used to help Prisoners Of War escape; a 1960s deluxe set with silver and gold cast tokens, plus one of the 1990 MONOPOLY Leeds limited editions.
The new permanent display has been opened to the public ahead of a summer-long, city-wide MONOPOLY takeover in Leeds.
‘The Great Exhibition of Grand Ales’ returns for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, but this year it’s not just a one-day affair, but will run across the full three days. The heritage-themed beer festival will see breweries from across the country compete to win medals in ten categories of historic beer styles. Northern Monk, North and overall champion medal winners Amity Brew Co. are already confirmed to attend, plus Manjit’s Kitchen, Mr D’s Magnificent Pie Machine and Kirkstall’s very own fish and chip shop pop-up will be putting on a feast.
Cut & Craft Bottomless Champagne Brunch
Sunday 5 May 2024 | King Edward Street, Leeds City Centre
Popular steakhouse The Cut and Craft is opening its doors for bottomless brunch sittings - and it's far from your average unlimited cocktail offering.
Partnering with Moët, guests are offered 90-minute sittings with non-stop Champagne with a set menu with signature dishes like steak and sea bass, with live entertainment all afternoon long.
Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.
The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Leeds.
Find out more here.
North Leeds Food Festival
Saturday 11 May – Sunday 12 May 2024 | Roundhay Park
Image: The Hoot Leeds
One of the biggest food and drink festivals in Leeds is returning to Roundhay Park this May and it’s the perfect day out for the whole family. Now in its eighth year, the family-friendly North Leeds Food Festival will run over two days with plenty of artisan produce to sample; Live Cookery Theatre; independent bars and live music.
Project House is hosting a collaborative sample sale between Harrogate-born menswear company OWL and The Great Divide and Re:Bourn to bring together brands like: Acne Studios, Burberry, Stone Island, Chanel and Kapital, amongst other well-known designer brands.
Covering both menswear and womenswear with a keen focus on streetwear and couture designers, you can already bet that this is going to be a hugely popular sample sale.
The 25-year-strong rock band have dates across the UK booked for 2024 and Leeds is lucky enough to be slap bang in the middle of it. The Waeve, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, Rose Elinor Dougall, will be special guests.
Tickets are still available from £49.50 for seats and £55 standing, all available via See Tickets here.
Rob Burrow Marathon
Sunday 12 May 2024 | Starts at Headingley Stadium
Image: RunForAll
Last year’s Rob Burrow Marathon saw over 10,000 people take to the streets of Leeds and its outer suburbs. Now returning this year, the marathon and half marathon events are a wonderful tribute to the city that Rob Burrow calls home, and helps to raise funds for charities close to our hearts.
For those looking for a unique charity event that allows you to take in the best of the Yorkshire countryside, the Paria Paperboy is a must-try, especially if you’re a fan of bikes, beers and baos. The event sees a group riding out of North’s Springwell brewery across 50-60 km before returning for beers, beats, burgers and bao, plus a one-of hazy IPA brewed especially for the occasion
Thursday 23 May - Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Across Leeds
Images: Leeds Jazz Festival
Now in its third year, Leeds Jazz Festival is a 'celebration of the musicians, venues, promoters, audiences and organisations who are part of the Leeds Jazz tapestry' that truly finds the most imaginative ways to get us all involved in music. This festival can be enjoyed in many of our amazing eclectic and independent venues across the city including Eat Your Greens, HiFi Club and the main outdoor stage on Cookridge Street where Sable Radio are curating live music and DJ sets.
Live At Leeds: In The Park is now in its third year and it's showing no sign of slowing down any time soon. This year, we've got Wakefield's own The Cribs to look forward to, plus The Kooks, Declan McKenna, The Mysterines and hot off the back of a stellar performance at Live At Leeds: In The City 2023, Antony Szmierek is swapping The Wardrobe for the fields to take to the summer portion of the festival by storm.
Sunday 26 May 2024 | Revolution Electric Press, Leeds City Centre
Image: Pup Up Cafe
Dachshund owners assemble, because pretty soon you’ll be able to take your pooch to a party like no other. That’s right, the Pup Up cafe at Revolution Electric Press is back… and this time it’s all about the sausage dogs.
Attracting attention across Leeds and beyond, the Pup Up Cafe is a true dog-lovers experience. Celebrating all things dogs, those heading over to Revs will walk through the doors into the fairground-themed bar and wander between stalls stocking everything your pup could ever want or need.
Find out more here.
Slam Dunk Festival
Sunday 26 May 2024 | Temple Newsam
Image: Slam Dunk Festival
The UK’s biggest independent rock festival is back for another year - and it's going to be the last festival you'll be able to seeYou Me At Six in the UK. The 20-years-strong band said that they “couldn’t think of a better place to perform our last festival appearance than the festival that first ever booked us” and will be joined by the likes of The All American Rejects, Asking Alexandria, We The Kings, I Prevail and a great selection of pop-punk, emo, metal and alternative artists.
Opening Wednesday 1 May 2024 | Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds City Centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Mr Su's Noodles has opened its second restaurant here in Leeds, and all you city centre commuters will be delighted to hear it's right in the city centre. Takeaway or grab a spot inside the immaculate new building and build your own hotpot, noodles or ramen bowls. And if you're one of the first 100 customers in store, you can get your hands on £5 noodle bowls as well.
Find out more here.
Popeyes
Opening Wednesday 8 May 2024 | Available via Uber Eats
Images: The Manc Eats
Promising a taste of the deep south, Louisiana’s famous chicken chain Popeyes has revealed it is opening in Leeds – and we don’t have long to wait.
The restaurant chain – known for serving fried chicken dishes with sides like red beans and rice, Cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun-style gravy, Cajun rice, macaroni and cheese, southern-style biscuits, and coleslaw – has proved a huge hit in nearby cities such as Manchester and Sheffield.
If you fancy getting your hands on a free chicken burger, then sign up here to be one of the lucky 100 that Popeyes are treating to celebrate their opening.
Based just 200 metres from where it all began, Latitude will be moving into 46 The Calls, becoming neighbours with KAPOW! Coffee, Screen Yorkshire, and Yorkshire Design Group the new Latitude Tasting Room and shop will allow locals from near and far to pop in for a tipple of their choice, seven days a week.
Expect wine by the glass, and ever-evolving specials served as the sun goes down, with a choice of 900 different bottles for a small corkage fee. Meanwhile, the spirits list aims to give customers a change to try flavours and brands that they wouldn’t usually be able to – and of course there will by plenty of opportunities to buy the bottles you taste test too.
Kirkstall Brewery announced last month that it is taking on the lease of The Tetley building and plans to make it a hub for great beer from Leeds and renew its status as a “landmark of Yorkshire beer culture”.
Kirkstall Brewery opened the doors at the end of April, showcasing local beers, including, but not exclusively, the brand’s own beers, including Leeds Brewery and owner Steve Holt’s most recent acquisition, North.
That's not all! There's actually 25 new openings that have recently opened their doors or are coming to Leeds this year. You can check out the full guide here.
Global superstar Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show and we're giving you the rundown about this reigning reggaeton artist.
Born in Puerto Rico, Benito Antonio, now more widely recognised by artist moniker Bad Bunny, is a Spanish-speaking act who has transported modern-day reggaeton from Latin America to all new heights.
The Puerto Rican powerhouse has only ever visited the UK once, performing at O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, seven years ago back in 2018, as part of his first ever world tour titled La Nueva Religión.
Since then, El Benito has dropped seven full-length studio albums and nine musical projects overall, which have all helped establish him as a major force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Alongside his musical career, Bad Bunny has seen himself at the forefront of various pop culture moments thanks to his innovative fashion sense and notable charm.
Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show on 8 February / Credit: Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)
What iconic moments is Bad Bunny known for?
With his first album X 100Pre (Forever) dropping back in 2018, Bad Bunny has spent almost a hefty eight years in the limelight, so it will come as no surprise that there's plenty of iconic moments you might remember.
Bad Bunny as a Drag Queen - To coincide with the release of his single 'Yo Perreo Sola' (I Twerk Alone), Benito stepped into unchartered territory, debuting three different Drag personas to combat toxic masculinity in the reggaeton music scene.
WWE - Benito is a huge fan of wrestling. He first appeared for a performance at the Royal Rumble in 2021, before returning later that year and teaming up with Damian Priest to take down The Miz and John Morrison.
VMA Performance - The Latin multi-hyphenate made headlines in 2022 after kissing a male dancer on-stage. Both fans and media outlets stated the performance harked back to Madonna's similar showcase two decades prior - Watch Bad Bunny's kiss HERE (skip to 2:50).
Met Gala - Well-recognised for its glamourous and glitzy outfits, the Met Gala brings together A-Listers for a showcase of all things fashion. Bad Bunny was styled by fashion house Jacquemus and wore a backless suit with a 26 foot train.
The Super Bowl is a huge accomplishment for all artists, now Bad Bunny joins the headlining roster / Credit: Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
SNL - The LATAM star has appeared on American comedy sketch-show SNL numerous times, both as an artist and as a part-time comedian. In 2023, Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal became an overprotective aunty and mum duo and had crowds laughing uncontrollably.
Carpool Karaoke - James Corden's nighttime show segment was welcomed into the reggaeton world courtesy of Bad Bunny. However, it's his cover of 'Break Free' by Ariana Grande where he discusses it's the first English-spoken song he ever learnt that had people falling in love with him.
Coachella - This desert-based music festival is known for its large-scale productions and in the early summer of 2023, Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-singing artist to headline this mega music celebration.
No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí - Translating to 'I don't want to leave here', this was the title of his Puerto Rico residency. As well as creating lifelong memories for fans, this 31 date experience also boosted the economy of his home country.
What songs will Bad Bunny perform at his Super Bowl halftime show?
With 28 songs over one billion streams, Bad Bunny is going to have a tricky time deciphering which of his hits to include in his upcoming halftime show performance.
His most recognisable album is the beach-inspired Un Verano Sin Ti (A Summer Without You) which features six tracks with over one billion streams, so it's safe to say this LP is guaranteed some love.
The latest addition to El Benito's discography DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I Should've Taken More Photos) might also steal the spotlight due to its focus on exploring traditional Puerto Rican sounds.
And, after reconciling late last year, Bad Bunny might take his friendship with J Balvin to Super Bowl status, performing songs from their collaborative album OASIS as well as their Cardi B link-up 'I Like It'.
The Hoot's Bad Bunny Super Bowl setlist predicition:
NUEVAYoL
Tití Me Preguntó/ Me Porto Bonito/ Moscow Mule (Medley)
Dákiti
I Like It (With Cardi B and J Balvin)
La Canción (With J Balvin)
Callaíta (With Tainy)
Un x100to (With Grupo Frontera)
Baile Inolvidable
Super Bowl halftime show performances normally contain around 10 songs and the setlist is very tight-lipped, however, it's always fun to throw out a predicition or two before the event on Sunday 8 February.
Which special guests will join Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show line-up?
Bad Bunny has worked with a multitude of artists from reggaeton sidekicks to pop supremes like Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and Drake.
Although it's highly unlikely these big names will all be free at the same time, when it comes to the Super Bowl anything is possible.
The 'Tití Me Preguntó' songwriter is heading to the UK for the second time ever in his career, for his Debí Tirar Más FotosWorld Tour and he's chosen Tottenham Hotspur as the location for this huge cultural moment.
If you're wondering where to get tickets, you have two chances to watch this superstar in his element as he's performing on June 27 - Tickets HERE and June 28 - Tickets HERE.
Hopefully now you've discovered more about who this Latin American artist is so you're not left clueless when the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots take a quick 15 minutebreak mid-game.
Featured Images - Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)/ Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
Affiliate
10 of the biggest live gigs coming to Leeds next year | 2026
Thomas Melia
Leeds has some fantastic live music lined up next year, so we've rounded up 10 of the biggest concerts coming in 2026.
If there's two things that go hand-in-hand, it's Leeds and live music, so it'll come as no surprise that 2026 is shaping up to be another cracking year of gigs and concerts for the city.
No matter whether your ideal concert experience is a little boogie or some hardcore head-banging, this list has got you covered with a wide range of acts and artists.
It's been a brilliant year of live music this past year, but there's plenty more big names making their way to Leeds next year, so without further ado, here's 10 of the biggest gigs coming in 2026.
10 of the biggest live gigs coming to Leeds next year | 2026
Cast - The Wardrobe (Thursday 29 January)
Cast are gearing up to play a headline show at Leeds music venue The Wardrobe in January / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
After opening for Oasis earlier this summer one their Oasis Live '25 reunion tour dates, the Liverpool indie rockers are putting on a headline gig right here in Leeds.
Cast have chosen The Wardrobe as their latest live music spot, and they're ready for you to 'Live The Dream' with them when they play out in January.
If their support slot for Oasis is anything to go by, there's a lot of love for these rock legends. This gig will be one to remember, and you can find tickets HERE.
Whether you know him from his stint in The Rascals, alongside Alex Turner as co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets, or simply from his solo work, Kane's career is nothing short of remarkable.
His latest discography addition Sunlight In The Shadows dropped in October and features huge numbers like 'Love Is Cruel' and 'Without You'.
Fans will also be hoping he plays tracks from his 2011 album Colour of the Trap, with its hits including 'Rearrange' and 'Come Closer' when he visits in February. Get tickets HERE.
Bob Vylan - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 7 February)
The Bobs, better known as Bob Vylan, are expected to raise the roof at O2 Academy Leeds next year / Credit: Ki Price (via supplied)
London punk rap duo Bob Vylan released their first project Dread in 2019 with a full-length album We Live Here releasing one year later.
Since then, Bobbie and Bobby have released an array of singles including 'Makes Me Violent', 'Dream Bigger', and 'Sick Sad World'.
The alternative rappers garnered widespread attention after their Glastonbury performance this year with their songs addressing a number of social and political issues, such as racism and economic hardship. You can get tickets HERE.
The Beaches - Stylus, Leeds University Union (Saturday 14 February)
Canadian four-piece The Beaches are coming to Leeds and ready to rock out at Stylus / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
The 'Last Girls At The Party' are heading to Stylus to play tracks from their latest project No Hard Feelings, as well as a couple other hits.
Comprised of sisters Kylie and Jordan Miller alongside fellow bandmates Eliza and Leandra, The Beaches have been dropping bangers for quite a few years now.
The Canadian four-piece always put on a good show, and if you haven't joined The Beaches hype train yet, then we recommend the songs 'Blame Brett' and 'Edge of the Earth' to get you started. Find tickets HERE.
Chesney Hawkes - Brudenell Social Club (Thursday 12 March)
English singer Chesney Hawkes has chosen 'The One and Only' Brudenell Social Club to host his upcoming Leeds gig.
Hawkes became a recent frequent face on our screens after his appearance as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother, and now he's about to become a frequent UK music venue player too with his new Smash It To Pieces Tour.
His most recent release, Living Arrows, dropped back in April and you can expect this 90s icon to command the Leeds crowd with all his usual charm. Get tickets HERE.
After supporting pop icon Lionel Richie on his Say Hello to the Hits tour, Combe is headlining her own show and she's bringing it to one of Leeds' staple music institutions, The Wardrobe.
She's touring up and down the country, including in Wigan, Preston, and Blackpool to name a few, and has kindly decided to bless Leeds with her bouncy and upbeat tracks too.
Get ready to be 'Dancing At The Edge Of The World' when the soul singer-songwriter plays out her cathartic tunes to this packed out Leeds city centre gig hotspot. You can grab tickets HERE.
Jessie J - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 11 April)
Expect incredible vocals and stage presence when Jessie J visits O2 Academy Leeds / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
Stomp, stomp she's arrived. UK pop heavyweight Jessie J is making her way to Leeds on the back of her self-released LP Don't Tease Me With a Good Time.
The 'Price Tag' songwriter has soundtracked the 2010s with radio hits spanning from 'Do It Like A Dude' and 'Domino', to 'Who's Laughing Now' and 'Bang Bang' - a triple-billed hit alongside Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Earlier this year, Jessie J announced her recent breast cancer diagnosis saying it has inspired her to live life to the fullest. Now, the Brit vocalist is heading out on the road again and ready to thrill UK crowds.
Rick Astley - First Direct Arena (Saturday 18 April)
80s pop sensation Rick Astley is returning to Leeds for a stellar First Direct Arena show / Credit: Peter Neill (via supplied)
First Direct Arena is about to 'Keep Singing' because 80s chart-topper Rick Astley is heading to this major venue in April.
This arena has welcomed the 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer countless times, most recently in February when he surprised fans with some covers of modern-day tracks like 'As It Was' by Harry Styles.
The Newton-le-Willows star and First Direct Arena are destined to be 'Together Forever', and you can witness him live on The Reflections Tour by getting tickets HERE.
Lily Allen - First Direct Arena (Sunday 21 June)
Lily Allen is coming to Leeds next Summer playing at First Direct Arena / Credit: Charlie Denis (via supplied)
Get ready for an electric night when Lily Allen performs West End Girl as part of her biggest headline tour of her career.
Allen is getting ready to turn First Direct Arena into her pop-up 'P*ssy Palace' for one night only next summer.
The London star announced her arena tour after selling out a string of theatre dates one week prior. We expect this Leeds show to be just as exceptional, the only thing we don't know is "Who's Madeline?". Tickets are HERE.
Jane McDonald - First Direct Arena (Saturday 26 September)
Jane McDonald is gracing the Leeds crowd at First Direct Arena in September 2026 / Credit: Matt Crockett (via supplied)
Wakefield's finest Jane McDonald is also embarking on one of the biggest tours of her career too with the release of her new album Living The Dream.
The national treasure has amassed four UK top 10 albums, with her self-titled debut album spending three weeks at the top spot.
Expect to be out of your seat and singing along to quite a few hits when McDonald returns to First Direct Arena next autumn, and you can grab your seat HERE.
Sophie Smith -
30th April 2024 
