Leeds is set to be a furnace of creativity this year, as the whole city celebrates its standing at City of Culture 2023. We take a look at just some of the events that will be taking place over the coming months.

From dance to design, art to architecture, poetry to pop, sculpture to sport, grassroots community theatre to performances in the city’s varied venues, Leeds is set to be centre stage of the UK’s cultural scene this year and what a start it has been.

The celebrations kicked off in January with an opening show at Headingley Stadium featuring music, poetry, dance, comedy and much more, from artists including Corinne Bailey Rae, The Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

And there will be no shortage of upcoming events as Leeds becomes the beating heart of UK culture in 2023 with an epic programme that will invite the world to experience the city like never before.

Here are just some of the highlights from Part One:

Making A Stand: March 2023 to January 2024. Bold new public artwork in central Leeds by world renowned artist Michael Pinsky and environmental architects Studio Bark

Leeds Literature Festival: 25th February to 5th March. Special edition interweaves Year of Culture themes: untold stories, radical acts, playful adventures, future generations.

1001 Stories: 24th April to 6th May.
The lives and creativity of Leeds’ over 60s are celebrated in a two-week takeover of Leeds Playhouse.

RUN: April to June 2023.
International fashion designer Matty Bovan will oversee a diverse programme of events showcasing the Class of 2023 from Leeds School of Arts.

Leeds Sauce: A celebration of the city’s food culture, the history of Leeds, its people, local food experts, chefs and farmers.

As You Are:  30th March to 29th April.
Soundwalk composed by South African-born cellist, composer and improviser Abel Selaocoe for the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and special guests.

EUNIC in Short: April 2023.
Leeds is the first city in the UK outside London to host The European Union National Institutes for Culture film festival.

For more information and events please visit: leeds2023.co.uk