Alright Leeds, it’s officially Christmas season.
Last week we saw Chow Down’s Winter Village come to life and bring the cosy autumnal nights in with steins of beer and tasty festive-themed treats from Bastards Bistro and The Savvy Baker, and now this week we’ve got another Christmas staple opening: THOR’s Tipi.
But if you’re not yet ready to see those baubles dangling from every which direction and Santa popping up round the corner, there’s still plenty of exciting things to do in the city. Between musicals and live performances from talent near and far, there’s pub quizzes by the waterside, a Harry Style bottomless brunch and the opportunity to cheer on Kevin Sinfield on his home turf as he completes the Ultra 7 in 7 challenge. And that’s before you’ve rounded off the week with a huge new Sunday roast sharing board.
Keep reading to find out how you can make the most of this week in Leeds…
Fishermen’s Friends: The Musical
Monday 14 November – Saturday 19 November 2022 | Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate
Fancy a trip to the theatre? Well, head to the Leeds Grand for a bit of fisherman fun. Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 blockbuster, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about community, friendship and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs.
Find out more about it here.
LAST WEEK: Sistine Chapel Exhibition
Tuesday 15 November – Sunday 20 November 2022 | Holbeck, Leeds
Following the popularity of the new Sistine Chapel exhibition in Holbeck, Leeds, the Sistine Chapel exhibition has now been extended and you can visit this week.
Incase you missed the memo the first time round: a new immersive exhibition has been bringing Leeds to life this autumn, allowing guests to get up close to Michelangelo’s masterpiece. The Sistine Chapel is home to arguably the most awe-inspiring work of art on the planet – and now you’ve got even longer to set your sights on the recreation.
Find out more here.
Canary Bar Pub Quiz
Every Wednesday from 7.30pm | The Dockside, Leeds Dock
This is an interactive pub quiz where all you need is a charged phone and a drink in hand to while the night away. Set in one of the cosiest waterside pubs around, the shipping container bar will put you right at home with nooks to hide in and calming views of the Leeds-Liverpool canal as the sun sets. There’s no need to reserve a table, just make sure you get to Canary Bar ahead of the 7.30pm kickoff.
Find out more here.
Chow Down Winter Village
Thursday 10 November onwards | 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.
New Alpine lodge bar space
Thursday 17 November – Sunday 2- November 2022 | The Woods, Chapel Allerton
The Woods is serving up a full Alpine-style menu, with a selection of tartiflette, cassoulet, raclette, French onion soup, moules, ratatouille and charcuterie. Drinks-wise you’ve got plenty to get in the Christmas spirit: vin chaud, schnapps, grappa and all the usual classics. Grab yourself a seat on a fluffy sheepskin or by the wooden fire and gaze at the ski-themed decor, with skis on the walls. It really is the season for it.
Find out more here.
Cheer on Sir Kev in Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge
Friday 18 November 2022, around 11.30am | Headingley Stadium, Headingley
Former Leeds Rhino player Kevin Sinfield has embarked on a gruelling ultra 7 in 7 challenge, which will see the player run from Edinburgh to Manchester in just seven days. Running almost 40 miles per day, the sporting legend is raising money for Motor Neurone Disease charities, inspired by friend and former team mate Rob Burrow. Stopping through his old turf on Friday, Leeds Rhinos have noted that this is a short fly-by stop for Sinfield, but nonetheless a chance to cheer on one of the city’s favourite sporting legends.
Find out more here.
THOR’s Winter Gardens
From Friday 18 November 2022 | Briggate and Victoria Gardens
It’s the place to be for drinks with friends, family or a loved one, with a marvellous selection of drinks on offer there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re after a winter warmer then there’s mulled wine, mulled cider and hot chocolate which can be pimped up with an added shot of your choice. Make it naughty with some whiskey, make it nice with a shot of caramel vodka or add a little spice with a sprinkling of cherry brandy or winter Pimms.
Find out more here.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory: The Musical
Friday 18 November 2022 – Saturday 19 November 2022 | Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill
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
Friday 18 November – Sunday 20 November 2022 | Corn Exchange, Leeds city centre
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.
Harry Styles Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Playroom, Electric Press
The Brunch Club are hosting a Harry Styles themed bottomless brunch and it sounds like the best thing ever. It should come as no surprise that we love a bottomless brunch, you simply can’t go wrong with unlimited bevs served up alongside some tasty grub.
So when we heard that there’s a Harry Styles Bottomless Brunch happening next month, we absolutely could not contain our excitement. Three hours of Styles’ best tunes? Erm, yes please.
Find out more here.
UPSAHL Live
Sunday 20 November 2022 | The Wardrobe, St Peter’s Square
UPSAHL may have only just released her debut album Lady Jesus last year, but the multi-instrument singer songwriter has been working with A-list celebrity singers for quite some time. You’ll recognise her songwriting credits from Kiss My (Uh Oh) from Anne-Marie and Little Mix; Boyshit from Madison Beer, Dua Lipa’s Good in Bed and plenty more besides.
Find out more, including how to grab tickets, here.
Sunday Roast Sharing Platter
Sunday 20 November 2022, 12-6pm | Gusto Italian, Greek Street
The new Sunday roast sharing platter from @gustorestaurants comes with a selection of generous portions of three (yes, three) meats, including slices of perfectly-cooked beef sirloin, roasted chicken, strips of juicy porchetta-style pork belly with all the crispy bits and crackling, plus a skillet of three meat ragù shepherd’s pie with the most delicious mash potato topping- and that’s just the meaty helpings. You’ll fill up two full plates and still have extra helpings left on the platter, this is seriously one for sharing, promise.
Find out more here.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds (Corn Exchange / Gusto) / THOR’s Tipi
