Autumn is here and October’s now well underway…and Leeds is overflowing with exciting things to do this week.
This week sees one of Leeds' most highly anticipated events illuminate the city, Light Night 2023 will be ending off the working week in the best way possible, bringing starry-eyed visitors from far and wide to marvel at the instillations.
Not only that but music lovers will want to get to town for Live at Leeds Festival on Saturday and foodies have just this week to get munching on Oktoberfest specials.
So without further ado, here's what you can get up to this week in and around Leeds.
Horsforth Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Monday 9 – Sunday 15 October 2023
Image: Kemps Farm
There’s far more than just grabbing your pumpkin for spooky season here. There’s 18 different varieties to choose from so grab your favourite white, blue, orange, green, warty big or small one and take a tractor ride through the picking fields. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of photo ops here, an onsite cafe and even facepainters to bring your spookiest ideas to life
Monday 9 – Sunday 15 October 2023 | Various locations
Image: National Trust
The National Trust is giving families the chance to visit its dozens of sites across England for free of charge this autumn.
When booking, you’ll need to select the free member’s ticket option and use the code ESCAPEINTOAUTUMN2023 when asked for your membership number, but it’s worth nothing that some National Trust places are exempt from this offer, so it’s advised that you check before planning your visit.
Thursday 12 October – Friday 13 October 2023 | Around Leeds
Image: Light Night Leeds
Light Night is back for another year, and there’s just two weeks until the streets of Leeds will be transformed into an incredible illuminated playground. Now in it’s nineteenth year, the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival returns with the theme ‘Future Dreaming’ and will span across two nights.
There’s more than 50 breathtaking light installations, dynamic projections and spectacular interactive artworks are set to wow thousands of visitors to the highly anticipated, annual cultural event – and it always feels like the whole city has come out to visit in anticipation.
Extending Light Night into a three-night adventure, Chapeltown will be hosting a walk down the ginnels across the suburb. The idea is the night brings locals together for a mile-long walk and then it’s over to Mandela Centre for a film night – it’s perfect for the whole family.
It’s time to dust off your Lederhosen and head to Mill Hill because Bundobust are raising a stein to Oktoberfest.
From Friday 15 October, they’ll be shaking a spice rack over some iconic German dishes for hungry punters to enjoy alongside a cold craft beer. A real match made in heaven.
Making a triumphant return is the Bundo Pretzel, in collaboration with Bolton-based Bavarian bakery Pretzel & Spelt, the German baked good is spiced with garam massala and turmeric, flecked with ajwain seeds, black salt and mango powder.
Live at Leeds Festival
Saturday 14 October 2022 | Various locations, Leeds
Image: Live at Leeds
150+ Artists. 14 Venues. 16 Stages. 1 Day. 1 Wristband. The festival has previously seen the likes of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The 1975, Lizzo, Sam Fender, Royal Blood, Sam Smith, Tom Grennan and many more take to the stage before going to become global successes, so those looking to find up-and-coming talent will be sure to find some independent names destined for cities far bigger than Leeds in the future.
A new hacienda hangout has landed in our city and we're sure it's going to be the place to be this summer.
There's only one thing better then a bar, and that is a rooftop bar. And that's everything that Azotea is and more.
To put it bluntly, entering this venue which is on top of the Hyatt Hotel on Sovereign Street will get you instantly feeling like you're on Love Island.
We're talking fire pits, plush booth seating, lavish greenery and plenty of rattan - the interior really is stunning.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's two massive rooftops which offer jaw dropping views of the city, as well as one long dining room and bar area for when it gets a bit chilly (which let's be honest, is the majority of the time).
Azotea is bringing a slice of Latin America to the city, with a menu inspired by 33 countries.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Expect Mexican street food, Brazilian sharing steaks, Caribbean small plates and so much more to dig your teeth into whilst enjoying the beautiful setting.
There's also a cracking cocktail list for those sun set drinks with friends, of course.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you are wanting to sit outside on one of the bigger tables, it won't come cheap as Azotea will be requesting deposits for group bookings over eight as well as minimum spends.
However, for a special occasion there really isn't anything like it in the city and the views themselves make it worth the money.
Azotea is now open, and you can find out more about the venue and book your table here.
Five new openings in and around Leeds that we can’t stop talking about
Clementine Hall
Leeds is bursting at the seams with new openings, and we're here to tell you all about them.
The start of 2025 has brought a whole lot of newness to the city, from a brilliant new bakery to a gorgeous independent book shop, it's giving us lots to brag about.
But if you've been living under a rock for the past two months (and to be honest we don't blame you for doing so), then allow us to show off for a minute about five of our favourites.
So, without further ado...
Next Chapter Books
Ground floor of The Corn Exchange
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a book worm or reading more is one of your goals for 2025, then you’re going to want to pay a visit to Next Chapter Books.
Located inside the wonderful Corn Exchange, this cosy spot celebrates women-led books and businesses and it's truly something special.
Serving up coffee and soon wine, we can’t think of a better way to browse books and to interact with like minded people.
BAKE
Mustard Approach, Lockside, Holbeck, LS1 4EY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the mastermind behind Things In Bread and Doh'hut comes BAKE, a nostalgic British bakery concept serving up all your classic bakes with a refined twist.
We're talking cheese twists, vanilla slices, chicken bakes and weekly specials which will get you forgetting Greggs ever even existing.
Get there early though, because it's so good that their bakes are selling out day in and day out.
Aesop
25-29 County Arcade Victoria Leeds, LS2 7AU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Aesop has chosen Leeds for its first ever northern store, and we're very excited about it indeed.
This beautiful new store has everything you already know and love about Aesop including their iconic soaps, incense, shampoos, home fragrances, hand creams and skincare - the list goes on.
So if you're feeling a bit smelly, get yourself to Aesop and they'll sort you right out.
Sostrene Grene
4 Commercial St, LS1 6AL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The iconic Danish homeware store has finally landed in Leeds, and yes we have already spent most of our pay check in there.
From crafts to crockery to cooking equipment, and with a gorgeous range of stationery and gifts too, here’s where you can buy yourself loads of well-deserved treats and still have money to spare at the end of it.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to visit this weekend, make sure you check it out.
Green Room
36 Wellington St, LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everyone's favourite night time venue is back and literally bigger and better than ever before after a sparkling new refurb.
We're talking an extended bar area, a groovy basement cocktail bar as well as improvements to their already amazing rooftop terrace.
It's the place to be for a great night out in the city, go check it out for yourselves.
Clementine Hall -
9th October 2023 
