October is one of the spookiest months of the year, but there's far more to do in Leeds than just trick-or-treating this month.
As the nights get longer and the rain pours down on the city centre, we're looking for new things to do in Leeds. October is set to bring some of the most exciting events of the year that are bound to get you through the weeks until Halloween.
Our top ten favourites cover everything from family day-trips to LGBTQIA+ events: which ones will you try out this month?
Oktoberfest Leeds
Enjoy a stein or a few at Oktoberfest this year, just remember to book your ticket for guaranteed entry / Image: Oktoberfest Leeds
The Globe Waterside will be transformed this month into every lager lover's dream. Oktoberfest lands in Leeds for a long weekend of beer and bratwurst. Each ticket allows fest-goers three hours inside the bar, giving you plenty of chance to see the oompah band in action and get in a few steins.
This year tables can be reserved in four, six or eight to ensure that large groups have the opportunity to sit together. Unreserved seats are also available, but due to the popularity of the event, most nights are now down to their ‘final release tickets’ only so make sure you grab a ticket before Oktoberfest sells out.
The final Jane Austen novel has landed in Leeds thanks to the UK’s quickest comic performers. After multiple sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, critically acclaimed improv artists are coming together to conjure up a new ‘long-long’ Austen novel based on audience suggestions.
Previous masterpieces have included ‘Double O Darcy’ and ‘Game of Scones’, but no two shows are ever the same. This literary performance is designed to delight and astonish lifelong Austen fans and newbies alike with its period costume and live musical accompaniments.
Headrow House is hosting an afternoon of inspiring, in-depth interviews with talented queer musicians from across the UK. An insightful panel, including DJs and producers from alt-rock band Witch of the East will be trying to answer important questions like: 'how do we ensure that queer voices are heard and celebrated in music scenes across the North?'
Aiming to inspire a generation and make the music scenes of the north more LGBTQIA+ inclusive, this one day event is free to attend for all guests. There will be a live DJ set, as well as a preview of the Rainbowtopia exhibition, curated by Aeris Houlihan.
Previously featured in Korea, Kazakhstan and Glasgow, the World Climate Clock will finally make its way to Leeds during the Light Festival / Image: Leeds City Council
The annual Light Festival is back with ten exciting zones to explore over the weekend event. From late-night exhibitions at Leeds art gallery to audio-visual shows from electronic composers, this year’s event is going to light up the night.
This year, many installations will focus on climate change, including the Climate Clock. The light display will show a visual representation of the critical time window it will take the world to reach zero emissions and transition into a ‘safe climate future’ at Leeds Town Hall between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm each evening.
Live at Leeds is truly bringing gigs back to life with their one-day extravaganza. The twelve-hour event will see the likes of Circa Waves, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes and Jack Garratt at intimate venues across the city.
The annual event kicks off at midday, where undiscovered artists will warm up the crowds with melodic tracks and as the skies turn darker, both the adrenaline and bass will build at over twenty stages across the city centre. Whether it’s a new venue or up-and-coming band, you’re guaranteed to discover something you love at the fifteenth anniversary of Live at Leeds.
Boasting over 130,000 pumpkins in 27 different varieties, Farmer Copleys is just forty minutes from the city centre and provides the ultimate autumnal day out for the entire family. Both the Pumpkin Princess and the 'Not so Wicked' Witch of the West are on-hand throughout the day to help you choose the perfect pumpkin before making the most of the plethora of activities on the farm.
From tractor rides to archery, vintage fairground rides to face painting, it seems impossible for boredom to set in here. If you're only heading to a pumpkin patch for the 'gram, you'll find plenty of photo opportunities to cherish memories or just to get a good ol' selfie.
The Chow Down Halloween event will be one of the spookiest of the season / Image: Chow Down Events
Chow Down is known for its open-air drink and dining experience, but on Halloween weekend the popular venue will host four days of spooky street food, live DJs and bands. The day is a full family day out with craft workshops designed for the little ones and a full Halloween production to keep them entertained as the day goes on.
The Halloween weekend event will also host a drag brunch, set to give Ru Paul some serious competition. Down by the arches you’ll find everything to get you in the mood for Halloween whilst you chow down on some Homeboy Pizza, plus much more.
Black history month celebration: African and Caribbean food, arts and craft
Kirkgate Market are celebrating Black History Month at the end of the month and sharing this year’s important theme of ‘never judging a book by its colour’. A pop-up library will be brought to life through a series of human Black History books and lived experiences from 10am until 5pm.
The aim of the free-to-attend event is to promote intercultural respect for each other and challenge prejudices and unconscious bias. A very important event fully equipped to let you learn about Black History Month and enjoy an array of Caribbean and African cuisine at the same time.
Fancy a day with Yorkshire’s finest acts? The Hyde Park Folk Festival is an all-day event that pays back to the community and its artists. Hosted at Hyde Park Book Club, the festival will run from 11 am until 11 pm in The Basement and The Snug.
All proceeds go towards paying artists and acts involved, plus a portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Leeds-based charity, the Manuel Bravo project. The donation will help to provide legal advice and representation to asylum seekers that struggle to access traditional Legal Aid.
Dare to watch a horror in the dark? You're braver than us / Image: Instagram/Dan Pollock
Nothing quite says Halloween like watching a scary movie in your car in the pitch black. Take the whole family down to Temple Newsam and get the popcorn ready. Just don’t send it flying when the inevitable jump scare comes.
In the afternoons, a range of family-friendly classics will be shown across Halloween weekend including Harry Potter, Grease and the Nightmare before Christmas. But as the evening draws nearer, adult horrors like IT and The Exorcist will be shown to those that are brave enough to drive-in.
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
Leeds
Ireland’s famous fast food phenomenon, the spice bag, has landed in Leeds Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
You can now grab the ultimate hangover cure at our very own Kirkgate Market.
And it comes from none other than The Fisherman's Wife - a Leeds institution that has been serving up fantastic fish and chips for over 60 years.
But now, they're turning their attention to spice bags.
If you have no idea what we're talking about then allow us to fill you in. And we'd recommend pouring yourself an ice cold glass of water, because it's about to get real salty up in here.
The spice bag is an Irish delicacy that is often devoured after a few Guinness on the streets of Dublin, for example.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It consists of shredded and battered chicken, chips, onions and peppers - all deep fried, loaded into a bag and tossed in lashings of salt and pepper seasoning.
Oh, and of course dipped or lathered in a sauce of your choosing. The classic being curry sauce, obviously.
It's been available in Leeds once before at a pop-up in Trinity Kitchen, but now The Fisherman's Wife is here to make them a permanent option for anyone with that salty craving.
You've got a couple of flavours to choose from too, including peri-peri, plain, salt & chilli and of course the classic salt & pepper.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can then add a drizzle of sriracha, curry sauce (obviously) or sticky honey if you're looking for that sweet and salty balance.
The best part? They're selling these for just £6.50.
So next time you've had a few too many the night before, get yourself to The Fisherman's Wife inside Leeds Kirkgate Market's food hall and get yourself a spice bag. You'll be cured in no time.
Sophie Smith -
4th October 2021 
