Halloween and Bonfire Night have been and gone… so you know what that means? The festive season is well and truly upon us.

Yes that’s right, the city is slowly becoming illuminated by twinkling Christmas lights and with it come a host of festivities to get us really in the spirit.

Santa himself will be touching down at White Rose centre and a whole host of exciting new openings will be popping up in the city centre.

Keep reading to see what you can get up to this week.

Leeds International Film Festival

Friday 3 November – Sunday 19 November 2023 | Various locations

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.

Find out more here.

Art Roundhay Park

Monday 6 November – Wednesday 31 January | Roundhay Park

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.

Santa lands at White Rose

From Saturday 11 November 2023, 10am – 6pm | White Rose Shopping Centre

Santa’s Grotto is landing at White Rose Shopping Centre again this year and staying right up until Christmas. You’ll find both Santa and his elves located at the main shopping centre and we’ve even had a tip off that he’s bringing presents for anyone who pays him a visit too.

Find out more here.

Northern Market

First full week of opening | Great George Street, Leeds City Centre

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Popular Leeds brewery Northern Monk has taken over the old Assembly Underground site, and it is a must visit now it enters into its first week of opening.

‘The Northern Market’ – a brand new city centre venture from the famous brewery will feature a bustling food market, beer hall and of course a fully stocked bar pouring the freshest Northern Monk beers from 10 tap lines and on-site beer tanks.

Food vendors so far include Falafel Guys, Big Buns and Six Slice Pizza with more set to be announced over the next few weeks.

Find out more here.

Pizza Pilgrims

Opening Monday 6 October 2023 | Boar Lane, Leeds City Centre

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’.

Find out more here.

JLS

Tuesday 7 November 2023 | First Direct Arena

In case you missed it, JLS are getting the band back together and heading out on a massive UK tour this year. And of course, they’re stopping off in Leeds at the First Direct Arena.

After finishing runners-up on reality singing competition X Factor, JLS broke through in 2009 when their debut single ‘Beat Again’ shot straight to number one on the UK Top 40, before their follow-up singles ‘Everybody In Love’, ‘The Club Is Alive’, ‘Love You More’, and ‘She Makes Me Wanna’ also enjoyed chart success.

For all the JLS lovers out there, we are sure it’s going to be a night to remember.