If you are the kind of person who likes to plan things well in advance then I can reveal that the Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles from 21st July to 6th August, 2028 so get your skates on and book those tickets.
If you take life one year at a time and prefer Leeds to the City of Angels, and why wouldn’t you, then here is a selection of events taking place in the area over the next twelve months or so.
January
19th and 26th – Opera North present The Magic Flute’ by Mozart at the Grand Theatre and Opera House. There are also performances on several dates during February concluding 1st March. Ticket prices start at £15.00 so why not give it a try? https://www.operanorth.co.uk
26th – Rhythm of Spring at Leeds Town Hall. This is a Chinese concert to herald the celebrations for Chinese New Year (see February). There will be music, played on traditional instruments, songs and dance. https://www.leedstownhall.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/rhythm-of-spring/4439
31st – Chinese New Year Gala at Leeds Town Hall, comprising folk music, dancing, and other entertainment. The proceedings will be mainly conducted in Chinese so you are sure of the authentic experience. Attendees will receive a free raffle ticket and several lucky draws will be made throughout the evening – I am sure that the numbers will be read out in English as well as Chinese! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/20192019-chinese-new-year-gala-tickets-54524452104
February
1st to 24th – Ice Cube in Millennium Square. While you have your skates on to book for the Olympics why not take advantage of the covered ice rink which is making its regular appearance again this year. There are other attractions and special skating sessions so go to www.millsqleeds.com for more details.
5th – Chinese New Year. There are several ways to celebrate the start of The Year of the Pig, how thoughtful of them to name a year after me, so check with your favourite Chinese restaurant to see what special plans they have. The University of Leeds along with Becket and Trinity Universities are having a more occidentally flavoured bash with the best of club music and laser display.
7th and 8th – Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour visits Leeds Town Hall. Intriguingly the first night is showing Red Films whilst the second evening is devoted to Blue Films. Please visit https://www.banff-uk.com/tickets for tickets – and an explanation!
Throughout the whole of February there will be events to mark LGBT+ Month. Leeds Town Hall host Cultural Conversations on 6th, Leeds City Museum have presentations on 7th and 9th, Pride is held At Leeds City Library on 12th. Abbey House Museum presents Hazardous To Your Sexuality on 20th for which booking is essential as it is for Leeds Freedom Families at Leeds City Centre on 26th. Finally there is LGBT History Wiki Workshop at Leeds Central Library on 27th. Please contact the respective venues for details.
March
1st and 2nd – Cocktails in the City will be held at Leeds Town Hall. This is a must for all cocktail lovers as the entry fee of £12.50 includes your first concoction along with a cocktail booklet with a limited number of Early Bird tickets priced at £9.00. Subsequent drinks are £6.50 so what is not to like. Make mine a pint of lager and lime with an olive, shaken not stirred. https://www.cocktailsinthecity.com/events/leeds
9th to 16th – In the run-up to their 50th Anniversary in 2020, Northern Ballet will stage a co-production with The National Ballet of Canada when the World Premiere of Victoria is performed at Leeds Grand Theatre. In addition, the evening performance on 16th will be a special celebration of Premier Dancer, Pippa Moore. https://northernballet.com
April
13th – Leeds Gin Fair. The inaugural edition of this event will take place from 7.00pm until midnight so pop along to see what it is all about. Follow the link for information and ticket details. https://www.ticketarena.co.uk/events/The-Leeds-Gin-Fa
May
2nd to 5th – Tour de Yorkshire. The fourth edition of this race will be held in various parts of the county. Leeds is the venue for the finish of the event on 5th so another big cycling day. https://letour.yorkshire.com
25th – Slam Dunk Festival will be held at Temple Newsam Park headlined this year by All Time Low and Bullet For My Valentine details at https://www.slamdunkfestival.com
25th to 27th – Great British Food Festival returns to the spectacular Harewood House. This family event is always popular so go to https://greatbritishfoodfestival.com/harewood-house/ to get your tickets. There are limited early-birds available at a 33% discount
9th – 27 May – Speaking of my favourite pastime, Leeds Independent Food Festival will be celebrating the eclectic range of food and drink available in our wonderful City.
June
8th and 9th – ITU World Triathlon Series once again takes place on a course from Roundhay Park to the City Centre. It is open to entrants of all abilities, if only I could find my swimming cozzie….. https://leeds.triathlon.org
21st – ICC Cricket World Cup, England v Sri Lanka. Another event to put Leeds on the world sporting map. This is the first of four matches being staged at Headingley Stadium, read on for details of the others. https://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/fixtures
29th – ICC Cricket World Cup, Pakistan v Afghanistan, Headingley Stadium
July
4th – ICC Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan v Windies, Headingley Stadium.
6th – ICC Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka v India, Headingley Stadium
20th – Classic Ibiza at Harewood House. Enjoy a summer night in the splendid grounds of Harewood House whilst grooving to the sounds of the White Isle’s anthems. Check out the website for details https://harewood.org/whats-on/event/classic-ibiza/ I shudder to think how much foam they will need to flood that dance floor.
August
4th – LGBT*Leeds Pride Event. This celebration is held in various locations throughout the city centre. Follow the link for details. http://www.leedspride.com
18th – IFAF Women’s European Championship. Now here is something different, Women’s American Football at the John Charles Centre for Sport is being held throughout the week, how cool is that! Yet another international sporting event on our turf. This should get us in the mood for next season’s NFL. http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/great-britain-to-host-2019-ifaf-womens-european-championship/
23rd to 25th Leeds Festival at Bramham Park. The Leeds/Reading event is this year headed by Foo Fighters on 23rd, The 1975 on 24th and the whole shebang is brought to a close by Post Malone and Twenty One Pilots on 25th. Wellies at the ready. https://www.leedsfestival.com
26th – Leeds West Indian Carnival. The Parade will be held as usual on Bank Holiday Monday. Follow the link for details of other events when they are made available http://www.leedscarnival.co.uk
September
21st – Leeds Rum Festival. Corn Exchange. Tasting and tuition along with talks about the hippest spirit of the moment https://www.facebook.com/leedsrumfest/
Leeds International Beer Festival will be making its annual appearance at the Town Hall so keep your eyes open for the exact dates.
November
6th to 21st – Leeds International Film Festival. This will be the 33rd season of films so they must be doing something right.
https://www.leedsfilmcity.com/film-festivals/leeds-international-film-festival/
December
There is a rumour going round that Christmas may be being celebrated this month so please keep reading Leeds Living for details of this, and other events which crop up at short notice throughout the year. My, how 2019 has flashed past!
