Bonfire night is one of those dates in the calendar that you just can't miss.
Whether you're planning a quiet night in or off to an event in the city, you can't miss the burning embers in the sky as we celebrate the fifth of November.
Last month, Leeds City Council announced that the usual run of events would not take place this year due to Covid-related restrictions but there are still plenty of firework displays and bonfires around the city centre to enjoy.
Those moments when the night sky lights up in repeated bursts of neon sparks are truly special and usually where memories are made and cherished for years on end.
So we have put together the quite literally the hottest places to find your bonfire night celebrations so you can watch those smoky amber flames across Leeds city centre all weekend long.
Friday 5 November 2021
Kirkstall Valley
If you want an understated and stress-free bonfire experience, this one is for you. This year, Kirkstall Valley will be hosting a firework-less but nonetheless exciting bonfire event. From 6pm, head down to the farm and spent the evening wandering between cosy fire pits dotted around the farm whilst listening to a relaxing melody from live entertainment. Just don't forget to book your ticket in advance.
Firework displays were cancelled last year as the UK entered a second national lockdown, so this year's events are highly anticipated and many are selling out. Image: Jamie Street
The Hunsley Club
Hunslet Club are hosting a huge firework display that they hope will bring the community together once again. Like true professional displays, the fireworks will be accompanied by music, along with sweet treats, food and plenty of drinks to wash all that sugar down. This event is truly special as it is free to attend from 6.30pm, so that everyone can attend without worrying about their bank balance.
Hare & Hounds
The Hare & Hounds are hosting a family-friendly event on bonfire night. Although there will be no fireworks at the event, complimentary sparklers for both little and big kids will keep the sky illuminated. Fire dancers, stilt walkers and fire breathers are amongst the acts to gaze at during the evening from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 each or table reservations can be made.
Saturday 6 November 2021
Troydale Club
Troydale Club is expected to throw a spectacular bonfire event, complete with an outside bar. From 6pm, find tasty snacks from their food stall and dance the night away with tracks from DJ Brad before watching the firework display. There's no need to worry about booking either as it is a free-to-attend event with no tickets required.
Firework displays are taking place all over the world, but their scale depends on local coronavirus-related restrictions. We're just pleased there are some in Leeds this year. Image: Zuzu Galczynska
Yeadon Cricket Club
The Yeadon Cricket Club have three hours of bonfire fun for all the family planned. For grown ups, the bar will keep the booze flowing throughout the night, with an array of street food offering warm, tasty treats. From 6pm, expect fireworks a plenty and a huge bonfire ablaze throughout the night. Tickets cost £5 and will be available at the gate.
Walton Village Hall
Six is the magic number at Walton. On the 6 November, at 6pm their bonfire event will commence, with tickets costing £6 each. The mesmerising firework display will commence after you've warmed up by the bonfire, grabbed a drink or two and fed the family. Children under 4 can attend the family-friendly event for free, but tickets are limited and should be booked in advance when possible.
Anyone attending a firework display over the weekend will be in for a brightly-lit treat. Image: Brian Lopez
Colton Sports and Social Club
The Colton Sports and Social Club event is set to be a fantastic evening, dedicated to celebrating a night out with all the family. There will be face painting and toys for sale, as well as a disco, before the fireworks take off and illuminate the night sky. Tickets cost £5 each but membership cards must be shown, or purchased, to gain entry to this bonfire event.
The Miners Arms
For a night of fireworks and refreshments, the Miners Arms in Morley will have you covered. Choose to keep the cold out and sit in the indoor bar or brave it outside with a hot drink in hand at their second bar. This event will be free, but with limited availability to make sure to arrive early (from 4pm) or you'll have to find a nearby field to watch the fireworks from afar instead.
Slam Dunk Festival is back with another belting lineup.
Slam Dunk, the UK's biggest independent rock festival, has unveiled its first wave of artists - and its a lineup to get very excited about.
Hot on the heels of a milestone 20th anniversary this summer, the festival kicks off with Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Used and The Front Bottoms topping the bill.
This time, Slam Dunk is doing things a little bit differently, landing here in Leeds first at Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May before closing the weekend at Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May 2027.
Leading the festival are two of pop punk’s biggest festival favourites. Bowling For Soup return following a memorable 2023 appearance, whilst Simple Plan will be rotating headliners, returning to Slam Dunk after 8 years and whose debut album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls also turns 25.
Elsewhere, ska-punk favourites Reel Big Fish return to Slam Dunk for an exclusive UK reunion show, Less Than Jake are also back on the bill, bringing more than three decades of anthems with them, while The Interrupters join a formidable ska-punk showing and Isle of Wight punks Grade 2 bring a dose of old-school punk to the bill.
And it doesn't stop there, with even more names still to be announced to the already star-studded lineup.
Pre-sale tickets are available via the Slam Dunk app for up to 48 hours (subject to availability) from 10am, Friday 2 October, with remaining tickets on sale from 10am on Monday 5 October through all other outlets. Get yours here.
BBC Introducing announces massive Leeds takeover celebrating the UK’s best emerging artists
Clementine Hall
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Sophie Smith -
11th October 2021 
