A sombre mood follows Leeds this week as the city, and indeed the country, this will certainly be a time period we remember for a long time.

Whilst there are a number of events that have been postponed or cancelled due to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but at present, we’ve rounded up the best of what’s on offer in and around the city centre that are still going ahead throughout the week.

Keep reading to find out the best things to do in Leeds this week.

Sistine Chapel Experience

Tuesday 13 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 | Versa Studio Leeds, Holbeck

Previously, people would have to travel to Vatican City to see the collection of intricate paintings that cover the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But now the frescoes have been recreated as huge prints covering walls and ceilings, giving visitors a chance to see them on the same scale as Michelangelo.

The art experience has already travelled to cities including London, Shanghai, Chicago and Berlin, and more recently in neighbouring Greater Manchester. Now coming to Leeds’ Versa Studio Leeds in Holbeck, it gives a life-size perspective of this remarkable feat of artistry.

Find out more here.

Kino X MorMor

Wednesday 14 September 2022 | Kino, New Briggate

MorMor is the first kitchen residency to be announced by Kino, and is likely to impress customers with its inventive menu, serving up light dishes like Soft Shell Crab, Chicken Shish Tawook with Grilled Lombardi and Grilled Aubergine with Date & Dukkah Crumb and Tahini Yoghurt. After a successful summer, Kino will continue to serve up craft beers and cocktails, and integrate their drinks list with the new kitchen collaboration from Wednesday 14 September 2022.

Find out more here.

Puppy Yoga

Friday 16 September 2022 | Location TBC, Leeds city centre

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For those searching for a mid-week boost of serotonin, we reckon we’ve found the best way to de-stress from the week. Puppy Yoga is a new concept combining easy to practice yoga moves with the smallest of puppies. The idea is that you get a combination of 45 minutes of yoga and then an additional 30 minutes of ‘pure puppy playtime’ where there’s ample opportunity to have some one-to-one puppy time and get some snaps with the pups too.

Puppy Yoga states that “The puppies will not be directly involved in any yoga positions but will be free to move, play, and cuddle during the yoga class as part of their socialisation and development”- we really can’t think of a better way to spend our evenings.

Find out more here.

Leeds Walking Tour

Saturday 17 September 2022, 11am-3pm | Various locations, Leeds

Explore the city past and present with a designated guide that can tell you far more than a quick Google search about the city. Taking place every Saturday morning, local Yorkshire Blue Badge Guide will show you round some of Leeds’ best known landmarks, journeying from the very beginning of Leeds as a city over 800 years ago, and transport you and your chosen company through the ages to the present day in a fascinating way that’s bound to make you fall in love with the city centre all over again.

Find out more here.

Leeds Rum Festival

Saturday 17 September 2022 | Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane

Taking place on Saturday 17 September 2022, Leeds’ Corn Exchange is set to host this exciting festival from Rolling Social Events, following the success of sister events, Leeds Whisky Festival and the upcoming Leeds Tequila Festival. The one-day-festival will see 100 different rums on show, including popular names like Plantation, Takamaka, Nusa Caña, El Dorado and Skipper, as well as new up-and-coming boozy brands too.

Find out more here.

Better Days Festival Chapter 3: Summer Closing

Saturday 17 September 2022 | Beaver Works, Hunslet

The multi-arena outdoor festival promises a fantastic day full of disco, drum n bass, DJs and plenty of dancing. After kicking off the festival season with a bang back in May, creators Fresh2Death and Good Life thought it only right to bid summer a farewell in the exact same way, only this time with a brand new indoor stage which is sure to take Better Days to the next level. An eclectic mix of music genres will be taking over the multiple stages, ranging from Tech House and UK Garage to House and Disco.

Find out more here.

Get tickets for Better Days Festival Chapter 3: Summer Closing on Saturday 17 September 2022 here.

Sukhothai Bottomless Brunch

Saturday 17 September – Sunday 18 September 2022

Served every weekend, 12 – 3.30pm, Sukhothai is getting in on the bottomless trend and bringing unlimited cocktails, wine and juices to the table for a ninety minute brunch experience. There’s two different options on the menu. Choose either a two course lunch with starter and main course or opt for a Thai tapas-style serving of three small plates per person. These small plates come with the likes of crispy duck bao buns with hoisin sauce and spring onions, or Sukhothai Dumplings with steamed taro and vegetable dumplings, served with sweet soy sauce and topped with crispy garlic.

Find out more here.

Fresher’s Week at Cargo Leeds

Saturday 17 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 | Albion Street, Leeds

Cargo Leeds is home to four huge new rooms as well as a newly installed lighting rig and cutting-edge sound system. Whether you want to sing your heart out to the best songs from the 90s or dance the night away in their state of the art techno room- Fresher’s Week kicks off here.

Find out more here.

Get tickets for Cargo Leeds on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2022 here.

Leeds Piano Trail

Monday 12 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 | Various locations, Leeds

Led by the Leeds International Piano Competition, the trial aims to share live music across the city, helping to bring music and happiness into the lives of residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.To achieve this, they have placed 6 free-standing pianos across the city, each designed by a different artist, for you to find and maybe have a go on. All abilities and ages are welcome to have a tinkle on the ivories if they feel like it.

And it doesn’t stop there, on the first Saturday of every month there will be pop-up performances at 1pm taking place at each piano, showcasing some incredible pianists who are sure to leave jaws dropped.

Find out more here.

Feature Image- Leeds Walking Tours