The first ever Popworld Festival is coming to Leeds next year, and the new date has finally been announced.
Despite having to rearrange the highly-anticipated musical celebration full of 90s and early noughties pop bangers twice due to COVID, the team behind Popworld Festival is determined to "bring it all back" to Millennium Square next August.
Whether you lived through those eras and want to step back into a time warp of nostalgia, or you just love a cheesy tune, Popworld Festival is bringing the best of pop's golden era.
Cheeky Girls, Fatman Scoop, S Club, 5ive, and festival headliner Peter Andre are all confirmed to take to the stage.
Yorkshire native, turned killer DJ, Paul chuckle of Chuckle Brothers fame will be spinning some classic pop anthems in his non-stop set, and an extra special mystery guest will also be making an appearance later in the night.
Although festival organisers are staying tight-lipped on who it'll be, they've said to "get ready to be driven crazy by this classic 90s icon".
Festival organisers are determined to "bring it all back" to Millennium Square next August / Credit: Popworld Festival
"It’s great that the Popworld Festival is guaranteed to go ahead now," said Jonathon Guest, from festival organisers Stonegate Group.
"With COVID cases dropping and the vaccination programme making headway, we are really looking forward to giving people one of the biggest pop party experiences around next year."
As well as the festival itself, there will also be official Popworld Festival after parties hosted at Popworld Briggate Street, Popworld Cookridge Street, and Walkabout, Woodhouse Lane to make sure the the party is kept going until the early hours.
Popworld Festival is bringing the best of pop's golden era to Leeds city centre / Credit: Popworld Festival / YouTube
Popworld Festival is coming to Millennium Square on Saturday 6 August 2022.
While 'Tier One' tickets have all sold out, 'Tier Two' tickets are now available to buy priced at £27.50, and the team behind the festival has also introduced a VIP ticket priced at £49.95 - which includes priority seating, a chance to meet the artists, and a goody bag from sponsor, Ciroc Vodka.
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2021 
