Kicking the week off with a bank holiday Monday has left plenty of room for things to do throughout the week.
Monday marks the beginning of Eid, Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo and the weekend brings exciting new openings and appearances from celebrities to our city- there really is a lot to be getting on with.
Here's our top picks of things to do during the four-day-work-week and everything else besides...
Taco and Tequila Festival
Monday 2 May 2022 | Waterlane Boat House, Canal Wharf
This three day event will come to its crescendo this bank holiday, having been supplying our city with food, live music and the all important tequila shots throughout the weekend. With free entry all day long, guests can opt for tequila produced in the highlands of the Jalisco Mountains in Mexico from Cazcabel Tequila: it's a Blue Weber Agave crafted spirit that’ll provide the perfect shot for the occasion.
This said, the pop-up bar services providers are pretty passionate about tall drinks and cocktails too, so we imagine the pop-up Cazabel bar will stock everything needed to make the perfect sunny afternoon tipple: whatever your preference. If you don't fancy a Mexican-inspired meal, the usual Waterlane Boat House menu will be serving up salads, burgers and pizzas aplenty.
The Al-Rahmah Faith Centre is hosting Eid al-Fitr in the Park as part of the Eid celebrations across the city. Inshallah starts at 9.00, but Eid will be dependent on the first moon sighting announcement.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own prayer may, but stalls serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and plenty of foodie options will be supplying everything else needed for the occasion. All money raised will go towards the Masjid Donations and all are welcome to attend at the Caribbean Cricket Club throughout. Eid mubarak, Leeds.
There's a dream job advertised on the DesignMyNight website at the moment, but if you want to apply, you'll have to act fast. In spirit of Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday 5 May 2022, one lucky foodie will get to spend £500 on reviewing tacos and margaritas across the UK and then get paid a further £1000 for their service.
This really is a niche job most of us could only dream of. The only. catch is that the job is paid in vouchers and DesignMyNight points (but really, that just means you can grab more meals out for free) and each meal during your reviewing time must be uploaded to the website help others plan their nights out.
Midweek madness is back at the O2 Academy- and absolutely nothing is off limits during their 2022 stint. Expect dance offs, celebrity cardboard cutout appearances and all the best tunes- and that’s before we’ve got into the game.
It’s the only place to expect the unexpected, guaranteed to fill your night with laughter, crazy mishaps and a lot of booze- all whilst enjoying a light game of bingo between shots from the bar, singing S Club and Gerry Cinnamon, before breaking into wails from Total Eclipse of the Heart with the rest of the crowd. It's also the only place we know of where you can walk away with a mobility scooter from this show- that’s certain to upgrade any student flat and make the neighbours jealous.
Olympian Rebecca Adlington's sports company to open new Batley swimming pool
Saturday 7 May 2022 | Frontier Business Park, Batley
The athlete has a number of swim-related businesses that help children to access swimming pools. / Image: Becky Adlington’s Swim Stars
A new purpose-built facility on Frontier Business Park in Batley (just fifteen minutes from Leeds city centre) will open on Saturday 7 May and will cater for families with children aged 0 – 11. Double Olympic medalist Rebecca Adlington has been behind the development, as co-founder of Sporting House, a group of Olympian-led brands, which includes swim!, SwimStars and Beth Tweddle Gymnastics.
There’s no current waiting lists and upon opening, lessons will run every day of the week, some of which will initially come free of charge- so there's plenty of reason to head down and make yourself the first to test out the waters.
Fans of the electro musician have been waiting a long time for this one. Showcasing explorative performances of Bonobo's music new and old, this Leeds concert will give gig-goers a rare opportunity to listen to sounds spanning across the musician's entire career.
Doors open at 6pm on Saturday 7 May 2022 with a curfew of 10pm and support from up-and-coming artist Jacques Greene. If you can't make it to the Leeds performance, fans will have the chance to catch Bonobo in Nottingham on the Sunday or at his five-day stint at the Royal Albert Hall in London the following week before the electro-artist heads across the channel to embark on the European stint of his world tour.
Monday 2 May - Sunday 8 May 2022 | Regent Street, Chapel Allerton
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Celebrating an impressive20 year anniversary, Sukhothai in Chapel Allerton has re-launched its long-archived menu from their first opening in 2002- and there's some seriously irresistible dishes on the menu.
Seafood and spice are the main ingredients on this menu- and the combinations allows any visitor to consume a rainbow of colour and wealth of flavours without venturing too far from their long-time favourites- an ideal combination for any Thai food enthusiast. The Sukhothai Seafood Platter for two (or more) offers a generous selection of crispy satay fish, satay prawns and crispy squid in batter between well-dressed mussels and satay and sweet chilli dipping sauce, all placed a bed of salad shoots and leaves- and comes as our must-try recommendation on the menu.
141 Beckett Street, Harehills | Monday 2 May – Sunday 8 May 2022.
Image: Thackray Museum of Medicine
A brand-new programme from Thackray Museum of Medicine promoting wellness and rejuvenation has opened in Harehills, and its an ideal R&R spot for all the family to learn about the importance of relaxing and unwinding.
As this season’s headline installation, the museum has partnered with The Wellcome Collection to bring ‘Regarding Forests’ to The Thackray. The project, Regarding Forests, is thought to evoke an atmosphere of tranquillity and provides visitors with a space to rest and relax whilst giving visitors the chance to learn about celebrated photographer Chrystel Lebas and their travels. From Hoh Rain Forest in Washington State, USA to the Japanese island of Yakushima, the installation seeks to provide a restorative encounter that reminds us of our reliance on the natural world.
The new exhibition will run until Sunday 17 July 2022. Find out more here.
Feature Image- Bonobo
News
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
A huge pumpkin festival with over 300,000 pumpkins is returning to Leeds this autumn
Clementine Hall
With up to 300,000 to choose from, the Farmer Copley's Pumpkin Festival is the ultimate pumpkin picking spot in Leeds.
Look, we know it's still August...but we can't help but get a little bit excited.
And it's safe to say that Farmer Copleys really do know a thing or two about growing pumpkins.
Every year, this family-run farm transform into one of the UK's biggest pumpkin festivals to offer the cosiest day out for all the family to enjoy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This year, there will be more than 300,000 pumpkins across over 40 different varieties, ranging from traditional orange pumpkins to beautiful white, green and striped varieties.
As well as choosing the perfect pumpkin to take home, the fields provide an excellent backdrop for autumn photographs, with photo opportunities and installations located throughout the festival.
One of this year’s biggest additions will be a brand-new Land Rover photo installation, bringing together one of Farmer Copleys’ own vintage Land Rovers with a new Land Rover kindly loaned to the farm for the festival.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Also new for this year, in the first weekend of the festival, the farm will be hosting a Pumpkin Pilates event where ticket holders can enjoy early morning Pilates session within the pumpkin fields.
And like always, visitors can enjoy tractor rides through the pumpkin fields, live shows and entertainment, archery, vintage fairground rides, Witches’ Storytime and magical performances, Velcro the Scarecrow and other family characters, as well as the festival’s popular daily fancy dress competitions.
Farmer Copleys Owner Rob Copley said: “Pumpkin Festival is such a special time of year for us and something the whole team works towards for months. We grow hundreds of thousands of pumpkins here on the farm, but we’ve always wanted the festival to be about much more than simply choosing a pumpkin.
“For 2026 we’ve invested in new installations, upgraded areas of the festival and added more live music. We’re particularly excited about the new Land Rover feature, bringing together one of our vintage vehicles with a brand-new Land Rover. We think it’s going to make a brilliant addition to the festival and another great place for families to capture their visit.”
The Farmer Copley's Pumpkin Festival will run from Saturday 26 September until Sunday 1 November, and you can buy your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
2nd May 2022 
