The autumn months are fast approaching, but there's still plenty to do in Leeds, inside and out.
We're talking festivals, live music aplenty, all-you-can-eat cheese nights and even some alpacas in the mix, it's going to be a busy month Leeds.
Keep reading to find out more about our top picks for the month.
National Cinema Day £3 tickets
Saturday 3 September 2022 | Various locations across Leeds
Image: Vue Cinemas
To celebrate National Cinema Day this Saturday, Vue is selling its tickets for just £3 a pop. Films you’ll be able to catch for £3 will include Fall, a new thriller about two friends who find themselves stranded on top of a radio tower after a daredevil stunt. There are also the big hits of the summer, like Nope and Idris Elba’s wild tale Beast, and family favourites like DC League of SuperPets and Minions: Rise of Gru. Plus, it's not just Vue that's participating in this offer too, check out your local cinema times to find out if your local, especially those with ODEON and Cineworld nearby, are participating.
Tuesday 6 September 2022 | Pinnacle Beer and Gin Hall, Bond Street
Image: Homage2Fromage
Combining eight different variations of cheddars, reds, whites and blues, Homage2Fromage is joining forces with Pinnacle Beer and Gin Hall to bring Leeds a night that we could only dream of. Unlimited cheese will be served for a whopping two and a half hours, and there’s absolutely no limit on how many crumbly bits, hard or soft cheeses you reach for.
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.
Saturday 17 September - Sunday 18 September 2022 | Temple Newsam
Image: Hanny Naibaho, Unsplash
Robbie Williams, Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, Elbow, Craig David, Ella Henderson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sara Coz, George Ezra, Mel C, Emeli Sande, Olly Murs, Heather Small (draws breath) and there's even more artists playing this two-day festival to bring the BBC Radio 2 to life in Leeds. The event is said to have doubled in size from previous years and will feature a weekend to remember, regardless of which headliner you're heading over for.
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane
Image: Chapter 81
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.
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Beaver Works, Hunslet
Image: Better Days
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.
Get tickets for Better Days Festival Chapter 3: Summer Closing on Saturday 17 September 2022 here.
Thursday 22 September - Sunday 25 September 2022 | Howard Assembly Room and Howard Opera Centre
This year we’ll be hearing from some of the UK’s biggest voices and beyond as panels and key speakers take on some of the most crucial questions of our time. For those unfamiliar with Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI), it’s quite simply a four-day festival that takes on important subjects and brings in experts from their chosen field to discuss their ideas in front of a live audience. There's big names like Kevin McCloud, Mary Beard, Jon Hopkins, Yoyam Ottolenghi, Aisling Bea, David Olusoga, Christopher Wylie, Jamali Maddix and so many more in attendance, this will be real food for thought.
Friday 23 September 2022 | Number 8 Cocktails, Meanwood
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Taking over the kitchen inside Number 8 in Meanwod from Friday 23 September onwards, Dijon Boys is the new foodie pop-up that landed themselves a permanent kitchen residency- all less than six months after their first pop-up event. On the menu, you can expect small sharing plates of food, all inspired by British classics. The menu is ever-evolving, and will highlight the best of seasonal produce but is set to feature plenty of charcuterie, sweet and savoury plates, as well as smaller bar snacks.
Friday 23 September - Saturday 24 September 2022 | Chow Down, Temple Arches
Image: Oktoberfest Leeds
Get your steins at the ready, because Oktoberfest is back and it is just around the corner. Famous for it’s electric atmosphere and guaranteed mayhem, expect steins of beer bigger than your head, traditional German eats and plenty of dancing to brilliant Bavarian music. What better way to celebrate the end of the summer than with the world’s biggest beer celebration in Leeds’ biggest beer garden? It seems like a no brainer to us.
Find out more here.
Get tickets for Oktoberfest at Chow Down on Friday 23 September or Saturday 24 September here.
Springwell Sessions Weekender
Friday 23 September - Sunday 25 September 2022 | Springwell
Image: North Brew Co.
Now here's a foodie festival that's bound to be a favourite for many. Springwell Sessions has a line up of some of the best UK breweries, natural wine from their friends at Bottle Chop, plus some cocktails and incredible food from cult Leeds favourites like Little Bao Boy, Kerbside Kids, Mor Mor and Homeboys Pizza. If that's not enough, throughout the weekend there will be a range of live tastings, talks and even a tequila master class with El Jimador.
Saturday 3 September 2022 | Ings Palm Farm, North Cave, East Yorkshire
Image: Ings Park Alpacas
An extra daytrip for those willing to drive the extra mile, this day festival marks National Alpaca Day, so there truly is no better way to celebrate than attending a festival dedicated to the gorgeous, furry friends. The alpaca festival is set to be a day full on fun for the whole family, featuring stalls, food and drink vendors, activities and of course, alpacas! Get ready to make some new furry friends who deserve to be celebrated on their one special day of the year.
Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Leeds to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.
Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.
Astley's album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.
On this LP is his huge hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which dropped back in 1987, with the track gaining more attention courtesy of social media trickery.
The worldwide recognition of this hit is all down to people online who deliberately link to the music video for this song, with the term being coined 'The Rickroll'.
Now, Rick Astley is returning to Leeds and ready to play out to over 13,500 people at one of Leeds' biggest indoor arenas First Direct Arena this April.
Gig guide | Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Leeds this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley UK tour dates
Fri 10 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 11 April - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 13 April - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Tue 14 April - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Thu 16 April - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Fri 17 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Sat 18 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Mon 20 April - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Tue 21 April - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Wed 22 April - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Fri 24 April - Birmingham, UK - BP Pulse Live
Sat 25 April - London, UK - The O2
Fri 5 June - Scarborough, UK - Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Fri 19 June - Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
Wed 24 June - Llangollen, UK - Llangollen Pavilion
Thu 25 June - Lincoln, UK - Lincoln Castle
Sat 27 June - Gloucester, UK - Westonbirt Arboretum
Fri 24 July - Ludlow, UK - Ludlow Castle
Sat 25 July - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines
Sat 30 August - Silverstone, UK - Carfest
Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Leeds?
No need to 'Cry For Help', there's plenty of tickets for Rick Astley's Leeds show at First Direct Arena and you can grab yours HERE.
It's been 'Driving Me Crazy' waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own - the actual tickets can be found HERE.
Rick Astley setlist for 2026 tour
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
This year will mark Rick Astley's first official headline tour since 2024 meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.
Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:
Never Gonna Stop
Together Forever
Beautiful Life
It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
Dippin My Feet
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
She Wants to Dance With Me
Juice (Lizzo cover)
Forever and More
Hold Me in Your Arms
Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
Cry For Help
Dance
Angels On My Side
Whenever You Need Somebody (O 'Chi Brown cover)
Good Times (Chic cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Maria Love
Never Gonna Give You Up
Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for First Direct Arena, Leeds
Doors for Rick Astley's The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6.30pm with an official starting time of 7.30pm.
Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence the decade after Astley - Gabrielle.
This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit 'Dreams' and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
And about the rickrolling earlier... sorry not sorry.
Featured Images - Press shots via Peter Neill / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
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Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Sophie Smith -
1st September 2022 
