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.
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
Danny Jones
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Sophie Smith -
11th October 2021 
