Diaries at the ready because summer is here and Leeds is overflowing with exciting things to get up to.
Are you sitting comfortably? Because you're in for an exciting read.
It seems this week's theme is: festivals. We've got Tramlines over in Sheffield, the Yorkshire Dales food festival in Skipton and a Youth music festival happening in the city centre.
And if that's not enough we've got fun foodie openings, unmissable live music events and so much more. Keep reading to find out what's going on in and around the best city on earth...
Leeds Bear Hunt
Begins Saturday 1 July 2023 | Various locations around Leeds
Image: Leeds Bear Hunt
Leeds Bear Hunt is an exciting new trail popping up around Leeds city centre all summer long. Raising money for Leeds Hospital Charity, there will be 35 different giant beat sculptures to find hidden in plain sight, and taking inspiration from the Michael Rosen classic children’s book, you can go on a bear hunt to find them all.
To find out the locations and collect rewards for your bear hunt efforts, you need to download the app on your phone.
If you’ve been down to The Cheesy Living Co. before, you’ll know just how well these guys know their cheeses.
Now taking their foodie options to a whole new level, The Cheesy Living Co. has announced it will be taking on a new street food venture at Trinity Kitchen. Named The Cheesy Chip Shop, we reckon this is going to be far from your average hangover cure.
The clue is in the name really, expect cheesy chips but on a whole other level.
We've been absolutely loving the Sounds of the City series over at Millennium Square. We've seen Mcfly, Bastille, Blossoms so far and it's not over yet. The absolute legend that is Nile Rodgers will be taking to the stage and it's going to be a fantastic night.
The Youth Music Festival is in its seconds year, and brings together over 500 children and young people in a celebration of musical talent. Featuring over 50 different school’s work, the Youth Music concert kicks off the festival with “36 concerts in 36 days”.
Friday 21 July – Sunday 23 July 2023 | Funkirk Farm, Skipton
Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival is a county-wide celebration of cookery classes, tastings, workshops and bars, live music- and there will even be Gino D’Acampo, Si King and Dave Myers from The Hairy Bikers and Yorkshire’s own James Martin in attendance too. An ideal day trip from Leeds if you’re looking for a way to taste some of the county’s finest and still have plenty of time to head back into the city centre for the evening.
Friday 21 July – Saturday 23 July 2023 | Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
Sam Fender headlined in 2022. / Image: The Sheff
Fine, this isn’t in Leeds – but it is well worth a trip to Sheffield for! After a sellout year, Tramlines is set to return for 2023. There’s little information about headliners at present, but there’s a good reason those tickets are flying off the shelves, so keep an eye out for any updates or read about Tramlines 2022 here.
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 July 2023 | Castle Howard, York
Image: Castle Howard
If you’re looking for a day trip from Leeds for the whole family, Castle Howard has a whole host of activities all summer long.
‘Swim through Castle Howard’s Great Lake, cycle through the Howardian Hills, run through the undulating countryside of the estate before a sprint finish tops everything off in style right in front of the main doors of the house. Throughout the weekend, athletes and spectators will be able to enjoy a fun-packed festival village featuring live music, shopping, food and drink, children’s entertainment, yoga and more.’
A planning application has been submitted for a ‘container village’ attraction at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
It was submitted today, Friday 27 March, by STACK Leisure - a company that already runs popular food, drink and entertainment hubs in Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The proposed STACK Leeds venue would be a two-storey structure made up of repurposed shipping containers, located in Leeds Kirkgate Market’s outdoor trading area.
It would feature six bars, eight street food outlets, a coffee shop, a large stage for live entertainment and giant digital screens.
The development is expected to increase footfall and broaden the customer base across the market and would also benefit the wider city centre and its existing hospitality businesses.
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK Leisure, said: “We know from our previous experience that once STACK opens it brings huge economic benefits to the wider area.
“It will turn a spotlight on the Leeds Kirkgate Market area and bring in greatly increased footfall, not just to STACK Leeds but to both the indoor and outdoor market. One of the many reasons we are successful is because we offer something for everyone – we are family friendly, pet friendly and our entertainment programme is designed to have widespread appeal.
“It is important for us to become part of the local community and celebrate it, while supporting independent businesses at the same time. We firmly believe that STACK Leeds will be a huge asset to the city and we look forward to moving on with the scheme.”
Kikgate Market’s outdoor trading area currently has room for a total of 185 stalls, with around 85 of those being filled.
Should STACK Leeds secure planning approval, the number of pitches would be reduced and the freed-up space used as the location for the scheme.
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
Clementine Hall
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.
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.
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.
Clementine Hall -
14th July 2023 
