🗞️ What’s on in Leeds October 2023

As the nights draw in and the leaves turn orange, we can finally turn our attention to the spooktacular month of October. Amidst the Halloween festivities and the iconic Light Night, the city of Leeds is bustling with things to do for people of all ages. With live music, theatre and new exhibitions all on the agenda, we anticipate this October will be an absolutely unmissable one.

For the art Lovers…

Leeds Light Night 

12th and 13th of October 

The ever popular Light Night event returns to Leeds this October, bringing with it audiences eagerly anticipating what the city will do next. The beloved two day event is the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival, transforming iconic Leeds locations into captivating art pieces. Both indoor and outdoor locations will be painted over in technicolour neons, which have been brought to life by a mix of international and local artists, all on a mission to celebrate the beauty and diversity of light installations. With a combination of full-scale projections, live performances and interactive installations, Light Night is expected to once again wow visitors from Leeds and beyond. 

Light Night returns to Leeds on the 12th and 13th of October with rumours of a mini-Light Night in the suburbs on the 14th October 

The Path Between 

14th October 

If Light Night wasn’t quite enough, you can venture to Meanwood Valley to see the newly installed ‘Path Between’. This magically illuminated trail takes visitors on a trip through a newly transformed Meanwood, utilising light and dark to create an accessible light trail. The captivating community event celebrates local treasures, whilst also introducing walkers to the natural environment around them. As well as this, the Leeds 2023 mobile observatory, Moon Palace, will also be installed at the event, tapping into outer world explorations through day-time solar and radio astronomy.

‘The Path Between’ takes place Saturday 14th October at 6:00pm, and is entirely free of charge. 

Neville Street Artwork

Neville Street, which snakes through the heart of Leeds City Centre, will be undergoing a creative makeover this October, as local artists take out their brushes to transform the street. The overhaul will see local talent celebrate the city’s vibrant culture and identity, placing particular focus on communities throughout Leeds, especially those in the South of the city. The artwork is set to be unveiled along a newly clad and lit walkway that connects the South Bank, south Leeds, and the City Centre. You can expect to see the artwork line the street throughout the entirety of October.

This is a FOREST

6th October – 26 November

This is a FOREST is a unique exploration of human potential if we chose to work with, rather than against, our natural environment. These indoor and outdoor artworks invite you to explore our relationship with the planet, delving into our ownership of earth, air, soil and water. Brought to the city by multi-award winning interactive art studio Invisible Flock, who create sensory and interactive installations for the showcasing of human and natural collaboration. 

This is a FOREST begins in Leeds on 6th October, running until the end of November.

For the music lovers…

Live at Leeds

14th October

Live at Leeds returns to the city this October, showcasing the best new musical talent from the UK and beyond. Held at various venues across the entirety of Leeds, the one day festival allows you to uncover both brand new artists and locations alike. The celebration of Indie and Rock music brings to the stage talent such as Cassia, Kid Kapichi, The Last Dinner Party, Hamish Hawk, The Bug Club and countless others. 

Explore Live at Leeds on 14th October. Tickets can be found HERE.  

S Club

20th October

The ‘Good Times Tour’ has made its way to Leeds, bringing the iconic British pop group to the stage of Leeds First Direct Arena. After releasing their first single in 20 years back in July, the group are taking to the stage for one night only, showcasing new and old tunes to their beloved fans. With classics like ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’, ‘Reach’ and ‘Bring It All Back’, audiences can be excited to enjoy a blast from the past, whilst also getting a glimpse of the future S Club has to offer. 

S Club takes Leeds by storm on 20th October. Tickets can be found HERE.

Fall Out Boy

27 October 

American rock band Fall Out Boy are set to wow fans as they embark on their ‘So Much For (Tour) Dust’ tour, taking to the Leeds stage this October. The band, composed of lead vocalist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, drummer Andy Hurley, and lead guitarist Joe Trohman, are set to play at Leeds First Direct Arena. Following the release of their 2023 album ‘So Much For (Star) Dust’, the band are set to unveil a whole host of new songs for fans, whilst also bringing their timeless classics to the heart of Leeds. 

Catch Fall Out Boy on 27th October. Tickets can be found HERE.

New Order

7 October

Formed in the 1980’s, New Order are a band who will never be forgotten. The iconic British Rock group are returning to the stage this October for their brand new UK tour, performing at Leeds First Direct Arena on 7th October. New Order are anticipated to bring their timeless discography to Leeds, with albums such as ‘Substance’, ‘Power, Corruption and Lies’ and ‘Music Complete’. As the last performance in their 2023, this performance is definitely not one to be missed. 

New Order play at the Leeds First Direct Arena, on 7th October. Tickets can be found HERE.

For the theatre lovers…

Masque of Might (Opera North) 

Leeds Grand Theatre | 6th-27th October

Join Opera North for the world premiere of ‘Masque of Might’, a witty new recycled opera. Following the tale of earth’s decay, ‘Masque of Might’ follows a climate-denying tyrant striving to destroy the planet, who is opposed by an eco-warrior trying to save the day. Inspired by the 17th Century ‘masque’, this tale sees Sir David Pountney assemble Henry Purcell’s music to create a compelling tale about humanity and nature. 

‘Masque of Might’ is brought to Leeds Grand Theatre from 6th-27th October. Tickets can be found HERE. 

Beautiful Thing

Leeds Playhouse | 18th-28th October 

The 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story, ‘Beautiful Thing’, brings to life community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be sixteen and in love. ‘Beautiful Thing’ follows the lives of Ste and Jamie, two neighbours who seek refuge in one another amidst a sea of bullying and violence at home. Over time, the boys form a romantic relationship, coming to terms with their sexuality and friendships along the way. 

The compelling tale of ‘Beautiful Thing’ debuts at Leeds Playhouse on the 18th-28th October. Tickets can be found HERE. 

The Light House 

Leeds Playhouse |

Tender, funny and defiantly hopeful, ‘The Light House’ follows the real life story of a couple falling in love and striving to stay in love, even after the lights go off and one is lost in the dark. Described as a ‘love letter’ to life, this tale follows a couple’s troubled journey, as they try to keep hope going despite one of them no longer wishing to be alive. Created by Alys Williams, Andrea Heaton and produced by Rachael Halliwell, this production will deliver a hopeful, personal and powerful story to all who see it. 

‘The Light House’ comes to Leeds Playhouse on 5th-7th October. Tickets can be found HERE.