What to visit in Leeds this Winter

Written by Kahla Mayhew

The days are shortening; the nights are getting chilly; and although the weather this September has been glorious compared to the damp squib of a summer we’ve all been forced to experience as no one can afford holidays any more, at some point we have to accept that Autumn is upon us.

This is no bad thing: we can eat hearty meals and cover the resulting fat with bulky jumpers; go out and kick piles of leaves (inevitably ending up with dog poo on your brand new novelty wellies); and be extremely irritated when the shops begin their endless looping of Christmas ‘music’. On the 1st of October. There are also some great events on in Leeds during this period- here are just a few of the more unusual:

October: Light Night

Light night, this year occurring on Friday 9th of October, is one of the most fun events in the city. Celebrating the creative and cultural elements of Leeds, 60 venues normally open only during daylight hours will host 90 different artistic, theatrical and generally extravagant events throughout the night. Past Light Nights have seen people in pyjamas wheeling double beds along Briggate and an opera about rhubarb.

This year the programme is just as varied, and to pick out one recommendation almost impossible, but I have to admit I love the sound of ‘Wonkaland’: raisetheroof at The West Indian Centre in Chapel Town from 9pm-5am with live bands, burlesque dancers and trapeze artists all with their own interpretations of the Roald Dahl inspired theme. The majority of the events are free, but some, including this one, aren’t, so do check before you show up.

November: Leeds International Film Festival

The 23rd Leeds International Film Festival takes place from 4th-22nd November. There are over 350 new films screening this year, at 13 diverse city centre venues. Like brooding, thought provoking documentaries? Or prefer to be cast into bleak, art house desolation? You’ll probably find something to suit your tastes here. For those of us who aren’t quite so intellectual/pretentious/depressed and want to see some decent entertainment for a very reasonable price, there’s bound to be something amongst all those films that catches our attention.

Low price passes are available for those hard core cinema fans who can watch 350 films in 19 days without developing into gibbering, migraine-wracked wrecks, but only until the 21st October: so get a shift on if you want one!

December: Christkindelmarkt

OK, this is a massive cheat. The German Christmas Market will actually be setting up in Millennium Square on 13th November, but you have to admit its pretty darned Christmassy so I just nudged it into December for neatness of headings. Basically, this is about the most festive thing you can do in Leeds at this time of year, and is one of my favourite pastimes.

This is not in any way because there are tons of delicious food stalls where I can eat Schnitzel, potatoes in garlic sauce, candied nuts, crepes, or waffles (sometimes all on the same plate); nor because I can don my lederhosen, enter the beer tent and emerge several hours later having become the star of that night’s live entertainment (in my own eyes, at least); but because of all the lovely craft stalls where I can purchase delightful Christmas gifts for my long-suffering family (the comedy hat stall is a particular favourite of mine). Oh, and because the stall selling garlic bread is actually shaped like garlic. It tickles me every year.

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