Christmas starts to creep into the cityscape with the return of the infamous THORs Tipi tents on Friday; Leeds International Film Festival will keep our evenings packed with exciting indie flicks and there's a host of new food and interior openings in the city.
Here's twelve ideas to get you started on your week in Leeds...
Leeds International Film Festival
Monday 13 November - Sunday 19 November 2023 | Various locations
Image: Leeds International Film Festival
The longest ever LIFF is taking place this month and after three years of missing out, Hyde Park Picture House is returning as a key venue for 2023. There's a huge selection of indie movies to check out this year, with around 200 different films being shown across the seventeen-day festival.
The London-born pizzeria is expanding, and Leeds is lucky enough to be its next stop. Think fluffy ‘bready’ bases, slightly charred for that authentic Neapolitan taste, dusted off with fresh tomato marinara sauce and mozzarella – each paired with a different combination of toppings.
Whilst there’s no opening date announced just yet, Pizza Pilgrims has confirmed it will be opening on Boar Lane in Leeds City Centre, with signs going up earlier this week inside the former Beer Hawk site, advertising free pizzas ‘and other goodies’.
Monday 13 November – Wednesday 31 January | Roundhay Park
Image: The English Art Co
Nothing says Christmas than getting wrapped up and strolling leisurely round a market.
And it’s not just the city centre that will be filled with stalls and visitors this year, as Roundhay Park is getting in on the action with a brand new Christmas Market and art exhibition. Art Roundhay Park will showcase new original artwork inspired by the astonishing beauty of Yorkshire’s landscapes, coastlines and wildlife.
The exciting new opening will also feature a Christmas Market where visitors can shop gifts perfect for the big day. It’s the perfect opportunity to get something extra special which you won’t find anywhere else.
McFly Live
Monday 13 November 2023 | O2 Academy, Cookridge Street
One of the most significant British pop bands of the twenty-first century, McFly, will be taking to the O2 Academy this week. With seven UK number-one singles, six top-ten albums, seven arena tours and ten million records sold worldwide, McFly show no signs of slowing down and are set to bring a huge performance to the city next summer alongside their brand new studio album.
Since hitting the big time as the youngest band ever to have a debut album go straight to number one — even beating The Beatles’ long-standing record — Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry have become one of our most beloved bands.
Find out more here.
Sonder opening
Opening Tuesday 14 November 2023 | Grand Arcade, Leeds City Centre
Japanese and retro interior meets coffee store, there’s a new interior concept from Olivia Fayne is set to open in the coming weeks, stocking interior items, one-off pieces and even Olivia’s own paintings.
Much loved Leeds restaurant The Ox Club has a new deal in town for those looknig for a midweek meal out. Grab yourself a steak, chips, house butter and watercress for £15.95 every Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm.
Friday 17 November 2023 | The Key Club, Merrion Centre
Image: Enola Gay via Facebook
Belfast-based Irish noise-punk band Enola Gay will be coming to Leeds on their upcoming tour, and naturally The Key Club is an obvious choice on where to find them.
The 4-piece formed back in 2019 and has a keen following across the UK and Europe, and during this upcoming tour, the band have promised free crates of beer and 'rock, paper scissors matches' to those that let them sleep on their sofa - it's all very rock and roll.
From Friday 17 November 2023 | Victoria Gardens, outside Leeds Art Gallery
Image: THOR’S Tipi Leeds
Where: Victoria Gardens, Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre, LS2 3AD
When: From Friday 17 November – Sunday 31 December 2023, open 12pm-11pm Monday – Saturday and 12pm-8pm Sundays, with last orders called 30 minutes before
Thor’s Tipi is something that’s become a real Christmas staple in Leeds. Serving up 170,000 pints, 125,000 cups of mulled wine and 55,000 hot chocolates each season, Thor’s is seasoned in the festive drinks game, so take a seat by the fire and cosy up with your favourite festive tipple.
Saturday 19 November 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: The Prodigy
One of the 'most successful electronic groups of all time' will be heading to Leeds' own First Direct Arena this week, and there's still chance to bag some last minute tickets.
Selling an estimated 25 million records worldwide including over 4.7 million albums in the UK, you'll recognise The Prodigy tunes, but if not, it's worth heading down for Soft Play (formerly Slaves) and Jack Saunders, who will both be supporting the show.
One of Yorkshire’s biggest pop-up vintage stores is returning to Leeds, this time at new event space Project House. For second-hand fits and preloved garms, this place will become a true treasure trove for all savvy thrifters.
Global superstar Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show and we're giving you the rundown about this reigning reggaeton artist.
Born in Puerto Rico, Benito Antonio, now more widely recognised by artist moniker Bad Bunny, is a Spanish-speaking act who has transported modern-day reggaeton from Latin America to all new heights.
The Puerto Rican powerhouse has only ever visited the UK once, performing at O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, seven years ago back in 2018, as part of his first ever world tour titled La Nueva Religión.
Since then, El Benito has dropped seven full-length studio albums and nine musical projects overall, which have all helped establish him as a major force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Alongside his musical career, Bad Bunny has seen himself at the forefront of various pop culture moments thanks to his innovative fashion sense and notable charm.
Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show on 8 February / Credit: Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)
What iconic moments is Bad Bunny known for?
With his first album X 100Pre (Forever) dropping back in 2018, Bad Bunny has spent almost a hefty eight years in the limelight, so it will come as no surprise that there's plenty of iconic moments you might remember.
Bad Bunny as a Drag Queen - To coincide with the release of his single 'Yo Perreo Sola' (I Twerk Alone), Benito stepped into unchartered territory, debuting three different Drag personas to combat toxic masculinity in the reggaeton music scene.
WWE - Benito is a huge fan of wrestling. He first appeared for a performance at the Royal Rumble in 2021, before returning later that year and teaming up with Damian Priest to take down The Miz and John Morrison.
VMA Performance - The Latin multi-hyphenate made headlines in 2022 after kissing a male dancer on-stage. Both fans and media outlets stated the performance harked back to Madonna's similar showcase two decades prior - Watch Bad Bunny's kiss HERE (skip to 2:50).
Met Gala - Well-recognised for its glamourous and glitzy outfits, the Met Gala brings together A-Listers for a showcase of all things fashion. Bad Bunny was styled by fashion house Jacquemus and wore a backless suit with a 26 foot train.
The Super Bowl is a huge accomplishment for all artists, now Bad Bunny joins the headlining roster / Credit: Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
SNL - The LATAM star has appeared on American comedy sketch-show SNL numerous times, both as an artist and as a part-time comedian. In 2023, Bad Bunny and Pedro Pascal became an overprotective aunty and mum duo and had crowds laughing uncontrollably.
Carpool Karaoke - James Corden's nighttime show segment was welcomed into the reggaeton world courtesy of Bad Bunny. However, it's his cover of 'Break Free' by Ariana Grande where he discusses it's the first English-spoken song he ever learnt that had people falling in love with him.
Coachella - This desert-based music festival is known for its large-scale productions and in the early summer of 2023, Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-singing artist to headline this mega music celebration.
No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí - Translating to 'I don't want to leave here', this was the title of his Puerto Rico residency. As well as creating lifelong memories for fans, this 31 date experience also boosted the economy of his home country.
What songs will Bad Bunny perform at his Super Bowl halftime show?
With 28 songs over one billion streams, Bad Bunny is going to have a tricky time deciphering which of his hits to include in his upcoming halftime show performance.
His most recognisable album is the beach-inspired Un Verano Sin Ti (A Summer Without You) which features six tracks with over one billion streams, so it's safe to say this LP is guaranteed some love.
The latest addition to El Benito's discography DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I Should've Taken More Photos) might also steal the spotlight due to its focus on exploring traditional Puerto Rican sounds.
And, after reconciling late last year, Bad Bunny might take his friendship with J Balvin to Super Bowl status, performing songs from their collaborative album OASIS as well as their Cardi B link-up 'I Like It'.
The Hoot's Bad Bunny Super Bowl setlist predicition:
NUEVAYoL
Tití Me Preguntó/ Me Porto Bonito/ Moscow Mule (Medley)
Dákiti
I Like It (With Cardi B and J Balvin)
La Canción (With J Balvin)
Callaíta (With Tainy)
Un x100to (With Grupo Frontera)
Baile Inolvidable
Super Bowl halftime show performances normally contain around 10 songs and the setlist is very tight-lipped, however, it's always fun to throw out a predicition or two before the event on Sunday 8 February.
Which special guests will join Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show line-up?
Bad Bunny has worked with a multitude of artists from reggaeton sidekicks to pop supremes like Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and Drake.
Although it's highly unlikely these big names will all be free at the same time, when it comes to the Super Bowl anything is possible.
The 'Tití Me Preguntó' songwriter is heading to the UK for the second time ever in his career, for his Debí Tirar Más FotosWorld Tour and he's chosen Tottenham Hotspur as the location for this huge cultural moment.
If you're wondering where to get tickets, you have two chances to watch this superstar in his element as he's performing on June 27 - Tickets HERE and June 28 - Tickets HERE.
Hopefully now you've discovered more about who this Latin American artist is so you're not left clueless when the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots take a quick 15 minutebreak mid-game.
Featured Images - Press Shot via Apple Music(Supplied) / Unsplash via Naveen Venkatesan (Supplied)/ Jorge Rojas via Unsplash (Supplied)
Feature
Inside Pop Mart Leeds – the viral toy store that has taken the world by storm
Clementine Hall
The moment you've all been waiting for has arrived, Pop Mart has opened on Briggate.
If you were one of the many who were swept up in the viral Labubu craze last year, then you'll know exactly what we're talking about.
But if you're not familiar, then allow us to fill you in.
Pop Mart is a Chinese toy chain famed for its huge collection of designer toys and collectible items, often attracting fans from far and wide who are prepared to queue up outside the doors before opening.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The brand is most famously known for stocking Labubus.
A Labubu is the name of the viral plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to make this worldwide cuddly phenomenon.
They have been flying off the shelves and even creating some controversy, with some shops refusing to stock them due to customers fighting over them in the streets.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The new Leeds store, located in the old Dune site at the top of Briggate, is as joyful and as colourful as you'd expect.
The shelves are stacked to the brim with all the blind boxes you could ever want, but we don't see them sticking around for long as punters were already queueing round the block hours before they opened their doors this morning, 30 January.
With Yorkshire Pop Mart fans now being able to grab their next collectable here in Leeds rather than trekking across the Pennines to Manchester, we've no doubt it's going to go down an absolute storm.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Peter Shipman, Head of Europe and Managing Director at POP MART, said about the opening: "Bringing POP MART to Leeds is more than just opening a new store; it’s a long-awaited thank you to our fans in Yorkshire, who have long championed our brand and products.
"Our arrival here was only a matter of time! We are thrilled to create a space that sparks joy for both longtime collectors and newcomers alike."
Sophie Smith -
13th November 2023 
