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.
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Sophie Smith -
13th November 2023 
