News

Illuminated dragons and heroic young adventurers will take visitors to Briggate on a magical trip into the spellbinding world of fairytales when Light Night Leeds returns next month.

A spectacular new commission co-produced with the British Library will give visitors at this year’s event a chance to awaken their inner child thanks to a captivating six-part projection. 

The first written record of a game of football in Leeds is among centuries of incredible stories captured in a new exhibition celebrating a historic civic milestone.

The impromptu kickabout took place on a frozen River Aire in the depths of a harsh 18^th century winter and is documented in a remarkable Memoranda Book penned by historian John Lucas.

A group of archaeologists has dug deep through aeons of history to unearth evidence of a mysterious lost building in the grounds of a Leeds stately home.

Members of South Leeds Archaeology (SLA) spent months working at Temple Newsam to try and solve the puzzle of an unknown structure first spotted in a photograph more than 30 years ago.

Original plans for Leeds Town Hall’s iconic clock tower have been revealed as the historic building takes another step towards an exciting new era.

Drafted more than 160 years ago, the fascinating documents detail the intricate structural works behind the Leeds landmark’s most impressive feature.

A stunning 350-year-old fan depicting a legendary scene from the Trojan War is among a spectacular array of vintage accessories being conserved by experts in Leeds.

Crafted in around the 1680s, the beautiful folding hand fan, complete with sticks carved from antique ivory, captures The Judgement of Paris, a fateful mythical moment which saw the Trojan prince choose which of three ancient goddesses- Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite- was the most beautiful.

His decision to anoint Aphrodite “the fairest” by giving her a golden apple led to the infamous abduction of Helen, which sparked the fabled decade-long war immortalised in poems, books and films for thousands of years.

A thought-provoking new exhibition bringing the worlds of protest and photography into focus will open in Leeds this November.

Leeds Art Gallery will present Steve McQueen: Resistance – How Protest Shaped Britain and Photography Shaped Protest, an exhibition conceived by renowned artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen and curated in collaboration with Clarrie Wallis and Emma Lewis of Turner Contemporary. The exhibition will open later this year, it was announced today.

Visitors can see Leeds in a new light as the dazzling showcase of Light Night Leeds celebrates a historic year with tales of the city's past and future. 

For the first time, the festival will take place during half term, on 28 and 29 October, making it easier for families and visitors of all ages to experience all it has to offer.

And with the clocks having gone back the previous weekend darkness will fall earlier, allowing the festival's spectacular large-scale projections and immersive artworks to begin from 6pm alongside the rest of the programme.

He’s a true sporting giant who was a towering presence on the rugby pitch throughout his glittering career.

But even Leeds Rhinos legend Sir Kevin Sinfield has found himself with some big shoes to fill as he steps into a larger-than-life new role for his panto debut this festive season.

The Rugby League icon and tireless charity campaigner has been officially announced as the voice of The Giant in the Carriageworks Theatre’s family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

Visitors to Millennium Square can explore the wonders of the universe this summer when a state-of-the-art mobile planetarium lands in Leeds.

Planetarium Go UK arrives on the square next month, promising immersive astronomy and science-based experiences which use the latest technology to capture the stunning far reaches of space.

An innovative careers programme helping the city’s aspiring SEND museums professionals make history has scooped a top national award.

Careers for All, run by Leeds Museums and Galleries, was named Training Initiative of the Year (Public and Not for Profit) at the prestigious British Training Awards after impressing a panel of judges from across the learning and business sectors.

The fossilised remains of a fascinating 320-million-year-old fish once thought to be extinct have been unearthed at a popular Leeds beauty spot.

The well-preserved, prehistoric skull bone of a coelacanth was discovered by a geologist at Roundhay Park earlier this year after being frozen in time aeons ago, during an era when the park was submerged under a vast tropical lagoon.

His Majesty The King has hailed the hard work, generosity and civic pride of the people of Leeds as celebrations for Leeds 400 were given the royal seal of approval.

In a letter to the city to recognise the occasion, The King offered his congratulations before praising the unique history and heritage of Leeds and recalling some warm, personal memories of his most recent visit in 2022.