Leeds will be lit up in neon lights next week, and that can only mean one thing.
Yep, it's the return of Light Night.
As one of the official markers of the autumn season, Light Night is one of the key calendar events to bring people together across the city and celebrate an array of beautiful installations and pieces of artwork, all of which can only be seen once the skies go dark.
Over atThe Junction and Wellington Place, the celebrations will be taken to a whole new level.
Image: Supplied
Yorkshire Circus will be hosting 'have a go' workshops where you can come and try your hand with a variety of LED and pixel props with performers.
There'll be UV face painting from The Face Paint Parlour so you can really get in the Light Night spirit and if you're feeling peckish, Marmita Cafe will be serving up pizza, pasta, burgers and hot dogs.
Leeds' very own Savvy Baker will be providing the sweet treats, and Finer Pleasures will be bringing their epic pies to keep you fuelled up for the night.
Instillation wise, The Junction will host The Matter Of The Heart where a collection of local residents will be wearing a heart monitor for the duration of Light Night, and for every heartbeat their own lightbox will flash in time with their beat.
Image: Supplied
Wherever the participants are during this time, whether they are together or apart, far away or nearby, their hearts will be seen, flashing together. Pretty cool hey?
And it doesn't stop there, the Wellington Place Zone will be hosting an array of instillations and is the perfect family-friendly area where it's a little less chaotic than elsewhere.
Instillations will include The Dancing Fountain, a live self-choreographing water and light show, And...Breathe, an interactive sound and light piece that blends science with the joy of play through the medium of breath work and Light Cube, a cube of dazzling light that you can take control of.
Image: Supplied
Not only that but there'll be a whole host of family-friendly events from free face painting to a silent disco.
There'll be loads of food and drink available from on-site retailers Veeno, Hoist House, Sociable Folk and plenty others if you fancy a break from the madness and need to fuel up.
So if you're planning your perfect Light Night, make sure to head to The Junction and Wellington Place to elevate your experience to the next level.
Light Night Leeds will take place next Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 October 2025, and you can find out more here.
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
A breathtaking giant sculpture of the sun is coming to Yorkshire for the summer
Clementine Hall
A giant model of the sun is set to be illuminated in Wakefield.
The sun is coming to Wakefield… and we’re not just referring to that one that’s popped up in the sky at long last.
We’re taking about Helios, the amazing art installation that’s about to stop off at Wakefield Exchange as it tours around the UK.
Created by renowned artist, Luke Jerram, the beautiful art piece measures a whopping seven-metres in diameter and has been created using images captured by NASA.
Helios builds on the success of Luke Jerram’s previous installations in Wakefield, including the hugely popular Museum of the Moon.
Image: Wakefield Exchange (Press photos)
With its striking scale and rich scientific detail,the artwork provides a safe and captivating way to encounter the Sun up close, highlighting everything from solar flares to the phenomena that created the unforgettable Northern Lights visible across the UK in 2024.
Stepping beneath the breathtaking glowing sculpture, audiences can experience an atmospheric fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially commissioned surround‑sound composition that brings the science and mystery of our nearest star vividly to life.
Alongside the striking sun instillation, Wakefield Exchange will present a full programme of free, family‑friendly, space‑themed activities throughout the summer.
Visitors can enjoy hands‑on workshops, creative crafts, dressing‑up sessions and playful drop‑in experiences.
Helios will be hosted by Wakefield Exchange from Friday 12 June until Sunday 6 September 2026, and you can find out more here on their website.
Clementine Hall -
16th October 2025 
