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The best things to do in and around Leeds this week | 12 – 18 December 2022

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Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 12th December 2022

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

It's officially the week before Christmas and we are really feeling the festive spirit in and around Leeds and we hope you are too. It can all start to feel pretty chaotic at the moment with all the socialising, shopping and celebrating that has to be done.

But not to worry as we are here to help you out by highlighting some key events for you to get involved in. From last minute Christmas shopping to Pantomimes to ice skating, here's a roundup of all that's happening this week. Enjoy the festivities Leeds!

Hedonist X No Fixed Abode

Tuesday 13 December | The Hedonist, Lower Briggate

Head to The Hedonist bar on Lower Briggate this Tuesday for an unforgettable evening full of fine dining, cocktails and live music. Esteemed chef and owner of No Fixed Abode, John Granaghan, will be cooking up a storm and teaming up with the cocktail masterminds at The Hedonist. 

Titled 'Planet Ardberg', the three course set menu will be utilising all the finest Scottish produce to match perfectly with drinks made with Ardberg Whiskey. Tickets are £50 per person and can be purchased here. 

Curated Makers Christmas Market

Friday 16 - Sunday 18 December | Trinity Leeds

Image: Supplied

Still need to get some last minute Christmas gifts? Then head down to Trinity Leeds shopping centre this weekend where you'll be able to fill your stockings with fantastic gifts from local independent retailers.

Have a mooch around 15 different local independent businesses from COCO WILD jewellery makers to rum distillers, Libations Rum. Pick up a forever bouquet from Pampas & Bloom or some sweet stocking fillers from Frankly Delicious. Why not finish off your Christmas tree with a handmade decoration from Homebirds Weaving Shed and stay fuelled with fresh brownies from The Savvy Baker.

To have a sneak peek of the full line-up, take a look at the Curated Makers instagram.

Watch the 2022 Qatar World Cup Final

Sunday 18 December 2022 | Around Leeds city centre

Image: Box

The Qatar World Cup 2022 has been a rollercoaster of emotions and even though England have sadly been knocked out (cry), it's still worth catching the final and getting in on the action.

After a quiet couple of years, we finally have the chance to make the most of the local sports bars and watch the world cup in the company of like-minded fans, there’s ample opportunity to grab a seat and pint around the city. So take a look at our guide on where to watch the game this weekend, it’s going to be a whole lot of fun.

Find out more here.

Stick Man Live

Wednesday 7 December – Saturday 31 December 2022 | Leeds Playhouse

Image: Freckle Productions

This touching and funny adaptation of Julie Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is coming to Leeds for the festive season. The heartfelt children’s story follows the journey of a wooden stick who becomes separated from his family home and embarks on an Odyssey-like adventure to return there.

The production will showcase three fantastic actors whom will perform an array of puppetry, live music and funky dance moves. The play will run for 55 minutes and is aimed at children aged 2+, making it the perfect afternoon of fun for all the family.

Find out more here.

Rod Stewart

Tuesday 13 December 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way

Image: Live Nation

Naturally as soon as December rolls around, Rod Stewart has to make an appearance. Whether you’re listening to him telling you to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas on the radio or you’re heading over to the First Direct Arena to listen to the legend himself bring his distinct voice to life in the company of 13,700 others- it’s just not Christmas without him.

Tickets cost £64.40 each for remaining seats, with tickets up to £210.22 on resale.

Get tickets for Rod Stewart at the First Direct Arena here.

Dick Whittington

25 November 2022 – 8 January 2023 | Leeds City Vanities Music Hall

Image: Leeds Heritage Theatres

One of everyone’s favourite pantomimes has been given a rock and roll makeover, combining traditional panto frivolities with classic rock anthems.

Prepare to be wowed by this breathtaking production and get ready to tap your foot along to the catchy chart-toppers, all performed live on stage by an extraordinarily talented cast.

Get your tickets here.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory: The Musical

Friday 18 November 2022 – Saturday 18 December 2022 | Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill

Image: Leeds Playhouse

It's your final week to catch this incredibly delicious theatre performance at the Leeds Playhouse. Roald Dahl’s devilishly delicious tale of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and wild confectionary wizard Willy Wonka will take you to a world of pure imagination this festive season. 

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical features memorable songs from the iconic 1970s film as well as a host of sensational new tastebud-tickling, tummy-rumbling, toe-tappers.

Find out more here.

Corn Exchange Christmas Market

Every Friday – Sunday until Christmas | Corn Exchange, Leeds city centre

Image: Supplied

Luckily for us, Rolling Social Events, the brains behind the legendary Leeds Rum Fest, Leeds Whisky Fest, and Leeds Tequila Fest are returning to Leeds Corn Exchange for the 2022 Christmas Market. Think a host of independent stalls to snap up your Christmas pressies from, a range of delicious food offerings from local chefs and all in the most beautiful building in Leeds. Sounds good? We think so too.

Find out more here.

Millenium Square Ice Cube

All week | Millenium Square, Leeds city centre

Image: Leeds City Council

Taking centre stage on Millennium Square, the 400 sqm real ice rink will feature a transparent marquee-styled roof to ensure sessions can take place whatever the weather. And with it comes a string of exciting attractions and stalls which will set up shop in the nearby Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street. Including a family funfair where thrill-seekers can climb aboard the 30m high Star Flyer or check out the North Pole Funhouse alongside a selection of Children’s’ festive themed rides and games.

Find out more here.

Chow Down Winter Village

Thursday – Sunday throughout December | Chow Down, Temple Arches

Bringing together indie food trucks, live music, boozy bingo and the sports of the season, Chow Down’s Winter Village is returning in all of its glory- and you’ll have a full eight weeks to get yourself down there. There’s going to be plenty to get involved in too. We’re talking the return of the ever-popular drag brunches, as well as Bingo Lingo, comedy nights, a Christmas-themed dog social and the big pub quiz to round off the year with Chow Down Quizmas.

Find our more here.

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. ⁠
⁠
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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