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.
Thai favourite Giggling Squid launched a brand-new menu exclusive to the city- and celebrated with a huge party.
Known for its beautiful colourful interiors, tropical-inspired decor and a menu packed with fragrant Thai favourites, Giggling Squid is bringing a proper little taste of Thailand to Leeds.
And the best part? They've now brought a city-exclusive set menu for us to get stuck into.
Priced at just £31.95 per person for two courses and a drink, or £37.95 per person for three courses and a drink, the new menu is all about getting stuck into a proper feast in true Thai fashion.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Things kick off with a choice of appetisers for the table, including prawn crackers or chilli chickpeas, the perfect way to settle into your meal.
Starters then include spicy popcorn chicken, prawn and squid lettuce cups, vegetable spring rolls and salt and pepper squid - so there's plenty of options whether you're after something fresh, crispy or with a bit of a kick.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For mains, you can opt Thai green curry served with jasmine rice, cashew stir fry and spicy crispy pork belly.
Or, if you're a noodle lover, get slurping the yellow tamarind duck noodles or keep it classic with a pad Thai stuffed to the brim with your choice of chicken, prawn or vegetable.
And, of course, no Thai feast would be complete without something sweet to finish.
Dessert options include apple pie spring rolls, coconut pudding with mango lime sauce and Mother-in-Law's chocolate mousse.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Drinks wise you can choose any soft drink, small beer or a glass of house wine and that's all included in the brilliant price, how good is that?
To celebrate the menu, The Giggling Squid hosted a launch that transported diners to the bustling streets of Bangkok on Park Row.
We're talking free canapés, cocktails, giveaways, a DJ set from Leeds' very own DJ Dman and of course, a goodie bag for guests to take home with them.
The set menu is available until 8 November, Monday - Sunday from 4pm until close.
Sound up your street? You can book in for the all-new set menu at Giggling Squid Leeds here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
10 brilliant new bars, restaurants and cafes that have opened in Leeds recently
Clementine Hall
Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food and drink, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about our top 10 favourite new openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Rotisserie Club
22 Wellington Street, LS1 4EA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new rotisserie chicken spot has landed in the city centre, serving everything from full and half roasted birds all served with their crispy house dripping roasties, as well as viral chicken Caesar wraps and rice bowls.
Dip or drench your chicken in their range of sauces and you’ve got yourself something worth licking your fingers over.
From the team behind Domino Club and Roland's comes Paper Plane, your newest cocktail bar that is a love letter to an analogue time where everything was made by hand.
The interior is inspired by 1970s Hollywood and Japanese listening bars complete with music played exclusively on vinyl to match, and the menu is perfectly curated, coming alongside its own martini menu served straight from the freezer.
After multiple pop-ups around the city, Acai Social Club has finally found a permanent home in Leeds, meaning getting your acai bowl fix is about to get a whole lot easier.
And the best bit? Unlimited toppings. There's also matcha, coffee and smoothies on the menu, plus new toppings dropping every week to keep things interesting.
Tahin
10 Kirkgate, LS1 6BY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One of the city’s favourite Turkish takeaways is back in the city and we couldn’t be happier for their return.
Formerly located in The Core, Tahiis a family-run takeaway that is whipping up the freshest dishes for you to eat on-the-go. Even at 4pm they’ve got queues out the door for authentic Turkish flatbreads Pide, Za’atar, Shawarma and more.
With fresh chicken and lamb ready to be shaved, warm, welcoming faces to greet you and prices you just can’t turn down because most dishes are under a tenner.
Alfonso's Deli
New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for its toasted Cuban sandwiches, coffee and stacked deli subs, Alfonso's Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches in the city.
And now they’ve opened a second site in the suburbs with Horsforth providing all the good stuff we know and love it for, plus fresh bakes which they’re making downstairs - oh, and you can also get yourself a cigar.
If you don’t know about Burgerism then get to know. The cult burger brand is famed over in the North West for their juicy, crunchy-around-the-edges smash burgers and now they’ve brought them to Meanwood.
Rizia's Bottega
114 Bolling Rd, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley LS29 8PN
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Vietnamese powerhouse Pho opened a permanent spot on Boar Lane and it's serving up the likes of beef brisket pho, crispy spring rolls, three meat combo rice bowls, and chicken curries - yum.
Mandy's Barbecue
3 Sheaf St, Leeds LS10 1HD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new Yorkshire barbecue spot has taken over the kitchen at The Attic near Aire Park serving up sourdough sarnies by day, with fillings cooked over fire. Expect your lunchtime to be levelled up with BBQ rump steak, Korean chicken and plenty of other local produce on the menu. Then, come evening, things switch up with small plates - including jerk mackerel, BBQ sirloin with kimchi, and lamb neck.
Sophie Smith -
4th October 2021 
