10 of the best things to do in Leeds in April 2022

31st March 2022

April Fools, Easter and two bank holidays…there’s plenty to pack into this month.

Whilst we can’t believe that we’re officially a third of the way through the year, we’re equally relieved to see the back end of winter (despite the snow coming down this week).

This month there’s April Fool’s Day, Easter and two full bank holidays to get through this month, and a whole load of events in the city centre and suburbs to take advantage of.

Keep reading to find out all the best things to do in and around Leeds this April.

Sakku Bottomless Brunch

St Peter’s Square, Leeds City Centre | Saturday 2 April 2022.

Japanese sushi and Pan Asian grill restaurant, Sakku is hosting its first ever bottomless brunch experience this week- and it’s set to be quite the afternoon.

Having been open for just six months, Sakku has locally made a name for itself by bringing back one of the best ways to eat: using local and imported ingredients to bring unlimited dishes back to the dining table, at their hidden Leeds restaurant. Now, the busy restaurant is adding unlimited tipple to the menu and swapping unlimited food for booze during the one-day-only sitting.

Each seat at the table will cost £28.95 and includes four dishes and bottomless draught beer, Prosecco, Pornstar Martini and other cocktails, mocktails and soft drinks for all sittings between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

Saturday 2 April 2022. Find out more here.

Albion Place, Leeds City Centre | Saturday 2 April 2022.

My Cookie Dough is opening their first ever sit-down cafe in Leeds at the weekend, and the first 100 customers get their delicious dessert for free.

As well as their beloved cookie dough, the cafe will be serving up an exciting new range of hot drinks and other desserts which are yet to be revealed. You’ll be able to grab your usual morning coffee as well, made with their newly developed special blend of coffee. The company already have a beloved following in Leeds and we can’t wait to visit their new permanent location which we’re sure will be a massive hit. Our mouths are already watering at the thought of the heavenly treats they will be serving up.

Saturday 2 April 2022 from 12pm. Find out more here.

Hyde Park Picture House UNHCR Appeal

Leeds University Union, Hyde Park | Sunday 3 April 2022.

The cinema will be donating ticket sales of a range of movies to the UNHCR Refugee Agency Emergency Appeal, which aids Ukrainians that are forced to flee their homes in search of shelter and safety. The showings will highlight a selection of Soviet 60s movies alongside more contemporary films that feature Ukrainian talent or storylines, as well as raising money for the cause.

Olga, a movie about a young gymnast with Olympic-potential leaves Kyiv just as Ukraine experiences unprecedented political turmoil, will be shown at Leeds University Union on Sunday 3 April 2022 at 3.40pm with a reduced capacity. The film follows the life of Olga, who is a distant bystander, as her mother, an investigative journalist, challenges a brutal regime.

A subtle, tensely handled tale of exile reflecting the pressures on young athletes, the clash between the personal and the political, and Olga’s search for who she is and what she is prepared to sacrifice.

Sunday 3 April 2022, 3.40pm. Find out more here.

Burlesque Brunch at The Wardrobe

St Peter’s Square, Leeds City Centre | Saturday 9 April 2022.

For those that reckon they’ve completed just about every decent bottomless brunch in Leeds, The Wardrobe is offering a chance to channel your inner Christina Aguilera and Cher whilst sipping on cocktails aplenty at their one-off Burlesque Brunch event.

Start your boozy afternoon with a one hour masterclass with burlesque performer Roxy Stardust, a “GlasVegas showgirl” described as the “Powerhouse of Scottish Burlesque” then tuck into a 90 minute bottomless brunch sitting that’s just as glamorous. Think bold flavours in cocktails like Bloody Mary’s and Aperol Spritz, selected cask and Amstel, as well as Prosecco, Orchard Thieves and your choice of brunch dish.

Saturday 9 April 2022. Find out more here.

Leeds Whisky Festival

Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane | Saturday 9 April 2022.

After the success of its Rum Festival in 2021, Leeds’ Corn Exchange is debuting Leeds Whisky Fest, a one-day festival that champions all things boozy. A vibrant selection of global and homegrown brands is set to take over Leeds Corn Exchange on Saturday 9 April, bringing an impressive line-up of whiskies from all over the world to our doorstep.

In total, there will be over 100 whiskies available on show, but you’ll only need the one entry ticket for all-access to unlimited samples, talks, masterclasses and tastings, as well as an exclusive Leeds Whisky Fest branded tasting glass and guide to take home with you after your visit.

Saturday 9 April 2022, 12-4pm or 5-9pm. Find out more here.

Bad Boy Chiller Crew Live

Leeds O2 Academy, Cookridge Street | Tuesday 12 April 2022.

Before performing at some of the UK’s most exciting festivals, including our very own Leeds Festival and Sheffield’s Tramlines festival, Bad Boy Chiller Crew is stopping at the O2 Academy Leeds on their UK tour.

The Bradford-based bassline collective recently made their way to an impressive ninth place in the UK charts for their single BMW, whilst their debut album, Disrepectful climbed all the way to second place in the UK charts and number one for UK Dance. GK, Clive and Kane will be performing all their best-performing hits to date in their home county for one night only this month- and we’re sure this will be a light-hearted night of comedic anecdotes and melodic tunes to remember.

Tuesday 12 April 2022. Find out more here.

Bongos Bingo

Leeds O2 Academy, Cookridge Street | Sunday 10 April and Sunday 24 April 2022.

Bongo’s Bingo is back for another round of Sunday night madness at the O2 Academy. We’ve been told that this year, Bongo’s Bingo enthusiasts should expect the same nostalgic escapism from previous shows, with the added chance of winning iconic prizes like Henry Hoovers, mobility scooters, karaoke machines and more.

In addition to the crazy prizes, crowd renditions of Mr Brightside, dance offs, and ‘hands in the air’ moments aplenty are all guaranteed to make an appearance.

Sunday 10 April and Sunday 24 April 2022. Find out more here.

Chow Down

Temple Arches, Leeds City Centre | Thursday 14 April – Saturday 30 April 2022.

Running from Easter until September, there’s going to be so much to enjoy for 2022 at Temple Arches. The set from former events, like the 2021 Winter Village, has been taken apart and brought back to life for the 2022 season with some exciting additions.

Opening its doors in just a few weeks time, Temple Arches will host a summer themed haven with a new food village, three-tier sun terrace, DJ huts and more. A nine-hole alfresco crazy golf course will make an appearance for the very first time for those looking to make a tee whilst sipping on cocktails and pints in the sunshine. Named Palm Swings, this is going to be a chilled-out golfing experience unrivalled in Leeds city centre.

Of course, Chow Down’s foodie line-up is equally as important to Leeds as its musical headliners, and this year, there’s plenty of new street food to tempt you over to Temple Arches too.

Thursday 14 April – Saturday 30 April 2022. Find out more here.

Yorkshire’s biggest Easter egg hunt

Provenance Inns and Hotels, West Yorkshire | Friday 15 April – Sunday 17 April 2022.

The Provenance Inns and Hotels groups will be hosting Yorkshire’s biggest Easter egg hunt over the April bank holiday weekend to raise money for Red Cross. The group plans to hide a number of chocolate eggs across all seven venues, including The West Park in Harrogate and The Punch Bowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

Anyone lucky enough to locate one of the chocolatey treats can also enjoy a free drink at their local Provenance bar. This can be a soft drink, or a pint of beer or a gin and tonic for those over 18. The bestselling Panko Crumbed Chicken with Garlic has now been renamed the Chicken Kyiv, and £1 from each one sold in April will go towards the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Friday 15 April – Sunday 17 April 2022. Find out more here.

Trinity Kitchen Spring Food Trucks

Trinity Shopping Centre, Leeds City Centre | Friday 1 April – Saturday 30 April 2022.

Taking us into the warmer months are five brand-new food trucks with some seriously irresistible springtime menus at Trinity Kitchen. Think multi-coloured bagels, slow-smoked meat tacos, grilled cheese sarnies and fluffy steamed pittas inspired by traditional Middle Eastern dishes.

The food trucks have been taken over by the BadBoy Bagel Co. and their seriously ‘grammable rainbow bagels; Shouk, specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine; Jimmy Macks, the brains behind seasonal slow-smoked barbecue treats; Cheese Yard and a full menu of all things (you guessed it) cheese and Alleycats, bringing huge burgers to Trinity Kitchen.

Friday 1 April – Saturday 30 April 2022. Find out more here.

Feature Image- Benjamin Elliott

10 of the best things to do in Leeds in April 2022￼