Leeds

What's on in Leeds

April/May/June

The season kicks off in energetic style with the music festival Live at Leeds, which is designed to showcase the cream of local talent, but also features big bands such as Marina and the Diamonds, Ladyhawke and The Enemy (4-7 May). Around the same time, chart-topping artist Example will be drawing the crowds with a live concert in Millennium Square (5 May).

The Square then makes way for gourmets and food heroes from near and far, when Leeds Loves Food, the city’s annual gastronomic extravaganza, brings goody-laden market stalls, enticing tastings and cookery demonstrations to town (25-27 May).

Leeds’ celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee include a variety of regally themed events. Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer, at Harewood House, is an exhibition depicting the Queen’s childhood (until 17 June), and Harewood will also be hosting a street party (3-4 June). Cecil Beaton’s gorgeous portraits of Elizabeth II, who first sat for him as a teenage princess, are on show at Leeds City Museum (5 May-24 June). Head to Leeds Town Hall for a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebratory Concert, performed by the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and featuring works by Handel and Mozart (2 June), and to Calverley Park for a fun-filled Diamond Jubilee Party with stalls, children’s activities and picnics galore (4 June).

Michael Dean: Government

Michael Dean - Government


12 April - 17 June

In the Newcastle-born sculptor’s first solo exhibition, you are, unusually, urged to touch his cast-concrete works. Door handles re-cast as sculptures, thick, wall-to-wall wool carpets in a generic 1970s hue, and gallery assistants sitting on the floor are just some of the elements that thread this intriguing exhibition together. henry-moore.org/hmi
Image credit: Michael Dean, Analogue Series (neck), Courtesy the artist and Herald St, London and Supportico Lopez, Berlin

Lotherton Hall Garden Festival

Lotherton Hall Garden Festival

11 - 13 May

In addition to horticultural displays and Q&A sessions with garden personality Joe Maiden, enjoy ferret racing, reptiles, alpacas, falconry flying, Siberian husky displays, duck herding and cheerleading at this country show. garden-festivals.com

South Pacific

South Pacific

26 June - 7 July

The multi-award-winning Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical comes to Leeds, starring Samantha Womack amid a formidable cast of 40 and an 18-piece orchestra. Hum along to hits such as “Some Enchanted Evening” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair”. leedsgrandtheatre.com

5 things to see and do in Leeds

5 things to see and do in Leeds

  1. Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills
    Housed within what was once the world’s largest woollen mill, in a beautiful riverside setting, the museum explores Leeds’ industrial heritage, including textiles, printing and engineering, from the 18th century to the present. In addition, you can often enjoy demonstrations in traditional crafts such as spinning or felt-making.

  2. Roundhay Park
    Aside from the exciting Tropical World zoological park, Roundhay with its acres of gardens, lakes and woodlands is home to abundant wildlife, such as foxes, deer and voles, woodpeckers and warblers. There’s also a skateboard park, bowling greens, tennis courts and a cycling route, so plenty to keep all the family occupied.

  3. Abbey House Museum
    Housed in the former gatehouse to Kirkstall Abbey, this museum contains recreated Victorian streets, with shops and a pub, a pawnbroker’s, undertaker’s, even a Sunday School. See fascinating 19th-century toys and games, join in special events or read about the history of the abbey before popping over the road to explore the ruins.

  4. Thackray Museum
    If you have any budding doctors in the family, this museum exploring the history of medicine and surgery from the mid-1800s onwards is sure to fascinate, albeit in a gruesome fashion. With exhibitions such as “Disease in Retreat” and “Pain, Pus and Blood”, you know this isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s award-winningly good though.

  5. Art in Unusual Spaces
    This brilliant concept sees disused or temporarily empty spaces, such as shop units, filled with visual art exhibitions and installations across the city centre. The website artinunusualspaces.co.uk helps you locate what’s on where, but otherwise just keep a keen eye out as you wander through the city’s shopping centres.

Near the station

Pop Boutique, 12-16 Central Road, LS1 6DE

Pop Boutique, 12-16 Central Road, LS1 6DE

Heaven for vintage junkies, the store brings clothes from the 1960s, 70s and 80s back to life. Prices are kept sensible and the shop’s own label specialises in ethically sourced and recycled materials. A basement area is dedicated to shoes and accessories.

Nicholas Deakins, Victoria Quarter, 61 Vicar Lane, LS1 6BA

Nicholas Deakins, Victoria Quarter, 61 Vicar Lane, LS1 6BA

The flagship store for the men’s shoe and clothing brand is a luxurious space, balancing antique chic with cutting-edge contemporary design. Find the popular Bullet boot here, as well as Green Label casual wear and Craig Nicholas Tate’s signature line.

Fizz Bomb, Unit 414, Row F, 1981 Market Hall, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7JJ

Fizz Bomb, Unit 414, Row F, 1981 Market Hall, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7JJ

The handmade cosmetics online shop has opened a branch in Kirkgate Market. Soaps, shampoo bars and bath bombs, all made with natural, divine-smelling ingredients, include lime and coconut soap and Satsuma buttery bath cake.

Bookmark and Share