"We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one" - ring any bells?
The Leeds Bear Hunt has officially begins on Saturday 1 July 2023.
The much loved children storybook We're Going On A Bear Hunt is being brought to life across the city this month - and it's all for a great cause.
Raising money for Leeds Hospitals Charity, Leeds Bear Hunt is a trail around the city over the next ten weeks that'll have you seeking out giant bear sculptures.
Image: Leeds Bear Hunt
The idea is that you download the app on your phone, and use the interactive map to find the location of each bear.
From there, each bear has a four digit code that you can input on the app so you can track all the bears you've spotted.
There's 35 different bears, and 48 bear cubs, to find in total, but you have got a full ten weeks to find them all.
We're not going to tell you exactly where they all (because that would be cheating) but let's just say there's plenty to find in familiar spots like the Victoria Quarter, spanning all the way up to the Merrion Centre and even further down the city centre to Leeds Dock.
At the end of the trail, the bears will be auctioned off on 28 September 2023 to continue fundraising efforts for Leeds Hospitals Charity.
One of the most exciting bears we've come across so far is Frankie, the Leeds Rhinos bear.
The bear says: "As SOYO becomes the heart of Leeds' cultural quarter, we continue to be inspired by the work Leeds Hospitals Charity does for the local community and for those living with Motor Neurone Disease. We couldn't be prouder to be involved in this initiative whilst raising the flag for our very own Team Rhinos."
Leeds Bear Hunt says "Leeds Bear Hunt will show off the very best creative talent from local, regional and national artists. Money raised through the event will enable Leeds Hospitals Charity support Leeds Children’s Hospital to give the best possible care to very ill babies and children."
To find out everything you need to know about the bears, head over to the Leeds Bear Hunt website.
Feature Image - Leeds Bear Hunt
What's On
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Sophie Smith -
30th June 2023 
