The live music programme for this year's Ilkley Food and Drink Festival has been released, featuring ABBA and Bruce Springsteen tribute acts, plus loads more entertainment.
The festival will be returning to the riverside setting this summer, with a brand-new arena also unveiled that will host free family challenges and interactive contests.
The weekend will be a celebration of great food and local talent, featuring street food, independent bars, live chef demos, live music, and an artisan market.
And now festival organisers have announced who'll be taking to the stages to soundtrack the weekend too.
There'll be a variety of local soloists, community groups, and bands, with a special tribute performance each evening.
On Saturday, that'll be Planet ABBA, one of the UK's leading ABBA tribute acts; while on Sunday headliners will be The Boss and The Beeston Street Band, a renowned Yorkshire-based tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
The new arena - the Sizzling Showdown Arena - will host an eclectic schedule of family competitions, like a family dog show, a chilli challenge eating competition, and the 'foodie olympics'.
There'll also be a new inflatable 'banana jousting' ring, where friends and family can take part in silly inflatable duels against one another.
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns this summer
Festival director Michael Johnston spoke on their aims to create a fresh experience for both new and returning visitors, saying: "Heading into our seventh year, we expect to welcome plenty of new faces as well as several returning visitors.
"We want to create an exciting experience for every single person who walks through our doors, which means constantly looking for new ways to enhance what we offer.
"Several ideas that have been in the works for a while are finally coming to life."
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival takes place on 13 and 14 June, you can find out more HERE.
Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is coming to Leeds.
The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.
Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.
Gosh, we're suddenly feeling very hungry.
Image: The Manc Group
Jerk Junction will officially be opening to the public from 12pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026, and you can bet we'll be first in line to get our hands on a big tray of jerk chicken and rice.
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “There’s been a lot of interest in the upcoming arrival of Jerk Junction since it was announced. Bringing a taste of the Caribbean to Trinity Kitchen, it’ll be the place to be when it opens its doors next week.”
Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “We’re all about good vibes and creating dishes that help bring people together. We’re looking forward to bringing the Jerk Junction spirit to Trinity Kitchen. The brand already holds a special place within the communities in Manchester and Liverpool – and we’re sure the people of Leeds will embrace it in the same way.”
The latest announcement follows the recent launches of schuh and LEGO at Trinity Leeds, which will also welcome the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand, Lane7, and Footasylum later this year.
Leeds Jazz Festival returns to the city this month complete with best lineup yet
Clementine Hall
The 2026 edition of the Leeds Jazz Festival is here, and it's set to be bigger and better than ever before.
If you're a lover of jazz, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Now in its fifth year, Leeds Jazz Festival showcases the best of local, national, and international music through gigs, screenings, DJs, talks and more.
The festival is set to take place across the city from Thursday 21 to Tuesday 26 May 2026, making it the perfect event to enjoy across the bank holiday weekend.
Image: Supplied
Kicking the festival off is Submotion Orchestra, a boundary-pushing musical collective originally formed in Leeds who will be making their return to The Wardrobe for a very special gig.
Over in Chapel Allerton, Jazz Leeds will bring Donovan Haffner to Seven Arts, fresh from his wins for "Jazz Newcomer of the Year" at the UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards and "UK Breakthrough Act" at the 2026 JazzFM Awards.
Leeds Jazz Festival legend DJ Lubi has curated a fantastic night of live Cuban music, alongside a Cuban dance class and a DJ after-party at Howard Assembly Room.
Image: Supplied
Elsewhere at The Domino Club there'll be a whole host of different events taking place, including Three or Four Shades of Mingus, Alligator Gumbo, and two special shows celebrating the 100th birthday of jazz icon Miles Davis.
For more laid-back chill vibes on Bank Holiday Monday, Mercury Music Prize-nominated pianist Kit Downes will play an intimate performance in the stunning acoustics of Mill Hill Chapel. Now that is something not to be missed.
For full details on the lineup as well as information on free activities as well as ticketed gigs, visit the Leeds Jazz Festival website.
Daisy Jackson -
20th April 2026 
