Blogs.

What’s happening in Leeds in 2018!

1st January 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2018 IS SET TO BE A THRILLING YEAR FOR THE CITY WITH A PACKED CALENDAR OF ACITVITIES AND EVENTS TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED YEAR ROUND.

 

Don’t miss:

Chinese New Year Celebrations – January and February
Thomas Chippendale exhibition at Leeds City Museum – 9th February – 9th June
Tour de Yorkshire – 3rd–6th May
Leeds Indie Food Festival – May
ITU World Triathlon Series Leeds – 9th & 10th June
Leeds LGBT* Pride – Parade Day 5th August
Leeds Festival – 24th-26th August
Leeds West Indian Carnival – Parade Day 27th August
Leeds International Beer Festival – 6th-9th September
Light Night – October
Leeds International Film Festival – 1st-16th November

 

LOOKING FOR NEW EXPERIENCES THIS NEW YEAR? EXPLORE 18 THINGS TO TRY IN LEEDS IN 2018 FOR INSPIRATION!

 

ICE CUBE

The Ice Cube returns to Millennium Square from 2nd to 25th February with its undercover ice rink, visitor café and a wide range of winter themed attractions for children of all ages. New for 2018 will be the Penguins Club running every Sunday morning, offering parents and children aged 8 and under ice skating sessions in a safe and fun environment. Find out more here

 

 

A WOMAN’S PLACE AT ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM

On the centenary of women gaining the vote, A Woman’s Place exhibition at Abbey House Museum celebrates the positive changes to women’s lives over the past 150 years and honours previously unsung heroines from Leeds.

The museum has commissioned a local ceramicist to create 4 pieces on some amazing women from Leeds who are not already recognised in the Leeds Museums collections – champion cyclist Beryl Burton, a 1940s jazz band leader, a suffragette and a pioneering doctor. We’ll also be displaying Leeds Olympic boxer Nicola Adams’s gloves.

The exhibition opens at Abbey House Museum on 20 January 2018 and runs for the whole year, with a programme of events. Find out more here

 

 

MILLENNIUM SQUARE SUMMER SERIES

Every summer, Millennium Square becomes a hub of energy and excitement with a calendar of live music, screenings and festivals. One of the not-to-be-missed events is the incredible Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics, which will return to the square on Friday 27 July 2018, featuring a unique collaboration between the Orchestra of Opera North, legendary Back to Basics DJ Dave Beer and a line-up of special guests!

A Classic Summer’s Evening on 28th July brings an enchanting foray into popular classical music from the Orchestra of Opera North and acclaimed tenor Rafael Rojas featuring orchestral and vocal blockbusters. Watch a very special screening of the classic British film ‘Brassed Off’ with a score performed live on stage by Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and Grimethorpe Colliery Band on 29th July. Then sing along to one of the most successful and influential British bands ever, Simple Minds who are performing on 11th August with Scottish star KT Tunstall. The Pretenders will also take to the stage on 3rd August performing new tracks together with a catalogue of hits that have shaped the charts. Find out more here

 

TRY A TRI

 

Be unstoppable in 2018 at ITU World Triathlon Leeds!

The country’s most prestigious triathlon will take place for the third successive year in Leeds on 9 and 10 June 2018, and will welcome up to 5,000 amateur participants to the city that has triathlon at its heart.

Thousands from around the world have already signed up and even more are being inspired to “tri something new” by entering the weekend’s sprint or GO TRI events – both perfect for newcomers to the sport.

 

FESTIVALS GALORE

 

Leeds Festival 2019, credit Photography by: Matt Eachus

 

Did you know, more than 80 festivals take place in Leeds every year?!

You might have heard of Leeds Festival, one of the UK’s biggest music festivals, but there are many more too. There’s 80’s festival Let’s Rock Leeds, Otley Folk Festival, Slam Dunk is great for lovers of pop-punk and rock music and Harewood House are hosting a night of Classic Ibiza anthems.

It doesn’t stop at music though, there are festivals for culture and art, families, food and drink, celebration and LOTS more. Find out more here