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
‘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.
Find out more here.
Waddingtons and the MONOPOLY Story
All month long | Leeds City Museum
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.
Find out more here.
Kirkstall Brewery Beer Festival
Friday 3 – Sunday 5 May 2024 | Kirkstall Brewery, Kirkstall Road
‘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.
Find out more here.
Watch Eurovision at the cinema
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Everyman Leeds / Vue Kirkstall Road
The Eurovision Grand Final will be in Cinemas on May 11, 2024! Get your tickets now! https://t.co/4KBeOZ6DT7
— CinemaLive (@CinemaLiveInfo) April 8, 2024
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
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.
Find out more here.
OWL Sample Sale
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Project House, Leeds
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.
Find out more here.
Elbow Live
Sunday 12 May 2024 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
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
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.
Find out more here.
Find out more here.
North X Paria Paperboy
Saturday 18 May 2024 | From Springwell, Buslingthorpe Lane, Sheepscar
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
Find out more here.
Leeds Jazz Festival
Thursday 23 May – Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Across Leeds
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.
Find out more here.
Live At Leeds: In The Park
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Temple Newsam
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.
Find out more here.
Pup Up Cafe
Sunday 26 May 2024 | Revolution Electric Press, Leeds City Centre
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
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 see You 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.
Find out more here.
New openings
Mr Su’s Noodles
Opening Wednesday 1 May 2024 | Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds City Centre
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
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.
Find out more here.
Latitude
Opening date unconfirmed | The Calls, Leeds City Centre
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.
Find out more here.
Kirkstall Brewery at The Tetley
Just opened | Hunslet Road, Leeds City Centre
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.
Gig guide
Wednesday 1 May 2024 – Johny Flynn at Project House (tickets here)
Thursday 2 May 2024 – Nick Helm at City Varieties (tickets here)
Friday 3 May 2024 – Nightmares On Wax at Project House (tickets here)
Friday 3 May 2024 – Keane at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Mint Festival at Newsam Green Farm (tickets here)
Sunday 5 May 2024 – Darius Rucker at O2 Academy Leeds (tickets here)
Tuesday 7 May 2024 – James McVey at Oporto (tickets here)
Wednesday 8 May 2024 – Julian Clary at City Varieties (tickets here)
Thursday 9 May 2024 – Julian Clary at City Varieties (tickets here)
Friday 10 May 2024 – GoGo Penguin at Project House (tickets here)
Friday 10 May 2024 – Home Counties at Headrow House (tickets here)
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Tenacious D at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Saturday 12 May 2024 – Corella at Leeds University Union Stylus (tickets here)
Sunday 12 May 2024 – Elbow at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Tuesday 14 May 2024 – Hurray For The Riff Raff at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Landmvrks at Leeds University Union Stylus (tickets here)
Thursday 16 May 2024 – English Teacher at Leeds Irish Centre (tickets here)
Thursday 16 May 2024 – Andre Rieu at First Direct Arena (tickets here)
Friday 17 May 2024 – Lucy Spraggan at Leeds University Union Stylus (tickets here)
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Green Lung at Brudenell Social Club (tickets here)
Monday 20 May 2024 – Echobelly at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Tuesday 21 May 2024 – Ducks Ltd at Headrow House (tickets here)
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Brett Young at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tiny Habits at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Friday 24 May 2024 – Teddy Swims at O2 Academy (tickets here)
Saturday 25 May 2024 – Live At Leeds: In The Park at Temple Newsam (tickets here)
Sunday 26 May 2024 – Slam Dunk North Festival at Temple Newsam (tickets here)
Monday 27 May 2024 – Teenage Dads at Hyde Park Book Club (tickets here)
Tuesday 28 May 2024 – Jamali Maddix at The Wardrobe (tickets here)
Feature Image – Unsplash
