15 great things to do in Leeds this February

ICE CUBE SKATING RINK | Millennium Square | 1-24 February

Pack on your layers and get outdoors with this family friendly skating attraction, organised by Leeds City Council and Radio Aire. Enjoy a free skate, take lessons or simply enjoy the view from the Skate Escape Café. Little learners can book into the Penguin club running on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and there are also accessible sessions on Thursday mornings for wheelchair-using attendees. Ice AND inclusivity - we approve.

Millennium Square, LS1 1UR (12-9pm daily; entry £8.50 for adults/£7 for under 13s, call 0113 3760318 to book) 

LEEDS TOWN HALL GHOST HUNT | Leeds Town Hall | Saturday 2 February

Get into the Halloween spirit eight months early with a creepy sleepover at Leeds Town Hall, documented at one of the ‘most haunted’ locations in the city, locals have reported sightings of Charlie Peace (a convict once held at the courthouse) for years, as well as spirits dating from the Victorian era. Sceptical? You won’t know until you try…

Leeds Town Hall, LS1 3AD (9pm-2pm; tickets £49.50 from paranormaleyeuk.co.uk) 

THE UN-WEDDING SHOW | Duke Studios | Sunday 3 February

For non-traditional soon-to-be brides and grooms, the Un-Wedding fair is here to provide all the alternative inspiration you need. Peruse stalls from independent suppliers and take advantage of early-booking offers. Why not make a full day of it and head to adjoining Sheaf Street for lunch?

Duke Studios, LS10 1HD (10.30am-2.30pm; tickets from £5.98 at eventbrite.com) 

LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY CLUB | First Direct Arena | Friday 8 February

Want to catch some of Britain’s best comedy names before their breakthrough? The Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club has previously hosted the likes of John Bishop, Russell Howard and Sarah Millican before they became household names and is looking to do the same with its roster of monthly 2019 events. For February, you can catch Daliso Chaponda, Peter Brush, Chris Washington and Damion Larkin – a bumper selection for under thirty quid.

Leeds First Direct Arena, LS2 8BY (8pm; tickets £25.50 at lolcomedyclubs.co.uk)

LGBT HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION | Leeds City Museum | Saturday 9 February

The flagship event of LGBT History month, Leeds City Museum welcomes all for an all-day event of talks, workshops and film screenings. With plenty more event announcements to come, there will also be a marketplace representing various community groups and traders, all promoting one very simple message: love is love. 

Leeds City Museum, LS2 8BH (11am-3pm; Free entry, register for a film seat at eventbrite.co.uk)

YOGA AND BRUNCH CLUB | Hyde Park Book Club | Sunday 10 February

Relax, unwind and rejuvenate with the Calm Collective. Based on strengthening flow yoga practices, the class is open to beginners and regulars, with the option of brunch afterwards to get to know your fellow yogis. Bring your own mat or hire one for 50p.

Hyde Park Book Club, LS6 1BL (8.45-9.45am; £5 entry at calm-collective.co.uk)

MACBETH | Carriageworks Theatre | 13-16 February

A tragedy for the ages, Shakespeare’s Macbeth is responsible for the structure of countless films and televisual dramas. Get acquainted with the classic via Leeds Youth Opera’s interpretation, designed to champion the talents of young singers aged 12-25. 

Carriageworks Theatre, LS2 3AD (7-9.30pm; tickets from £9 at eventbrite.co.uk)

SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA | Brudenell Social Club | Thursday 14 February

Celebrating their tenth year as a band, sink into the genre-defying depths of Submotion Orchestra as they make their triumphant return to the Brudenell Social Club. Expect choice picks from their entire back catalogue as well as cuts from their latest record Kites. 

Brudenell Social Club, LS6 1NY (from 7.30pm; tickets from £16.50 at lunatickets.co.uk) 

PROFESSOR BRIAN COX | First Direct Arena | Thursday 14 February

Learn the secrets of the universe with Professor Brian Cox. Joined by co-host and ward-winning comedian Robin Ince, Professor Cox will be breaking down the origin and evolution of the solar system into easily understandable chat, with the opportunity to ask questions at the end. We wonder if he knows what the moon is really made out of…

Leeds First Direct Arena, LS2 8BY (8pm; tickets from £61.20 at ticketmaster.co.uk) 

VALENTINES ROLLER DISCO | Leeds Corn Exchange | Friday 15 February

Skip the day itself and treat your beau to an early weekend roll around. A celebration of Roller Girl Gang’s first birthday, all over eighteens are invited to get their skates on with snacks provided by Primo’s Hotdogs, and classic pop and hip-hop tunes from DJ Rae. Bring your own skates or hire online (limited sizes available). Be sure to get there early - doors to new skaters will be closed at 9pm. 

Leeds Corn Exchange, LS1 7BR (7.30-10.30pm; tickets from £20 at rollergirlgang.co.uk)

HAREWOOD HOUSE HALF MARATHON & 10K | Harewood House | Sunday 17 February

One of Leeds’ most challenging sporting events, tackle the hilly trail run of Harewood in all its muddy glory. Hosted by the British Heart Foundation, there is also the option of the 2k family fun run - suitable for all ages and abilities, it allows you to take in the stunning views of Harewood house at a much more relaxed pace, while still raising money for a great cause.

Harewood House, LS17 9LE (from 10am; sign ups from £10 at bhf.org.uk) 

NICK SHARRATT’S RIGHT ROYAL DRAWALONG | Carriageworks Theatre | Thursday 21 February

Having illustrated close to 260 books, Nick Sharratt is something of a veteran when it comes to children’s drawings. In his interactive workshop (open to all ages), he’ll demonstrate how to sketch much-loved characters from Tracy Beaker to Timothy Pope, and share tips on how to invent your own. Ideal for kids and aspiring artists alike.

Carriageworks Theatre, LS2 3AD (from 2pm; tickets from £9.50 at carriageworkstheatre.co.uk)

TALKING HISTORIES: EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN | Left Bank Leeds | Wednesday 27 February

Get in the spirit of International Women’s Day with a visit to Left Bank Leeds, where they’ll be discussing women’s depiction through the years and what can be done to improve gender equality in our local area and beyond. Make a full evening of it and hang around until 8pm, when a screening of Orlando featuring Tilda Swinton will be aired.

Left Bank Leeds, LS6 1LJ (from 6pm; tickets from £4.40 at eventbrite.co.uk) 

THE SUCCESS MONOLOGUES | Duke Studios | Wednesday 27 February

2019 not started quite as efficiently as you’d like? Re-evaluate your relationship with success at an inspirational panel event full of advice from some of Leeds most interesting female creatives. Hosted by author Molly Flatt, you’ll have the opportunity to network and direct questions to Lucy Sheridan (life coach), Lou Kirby (blogger), Kimberly Robinson (mental health activist), Natasha Sayce-Zelem (head of tech at Sky) and Laura wellington (designer and co-founder of Duke Studios).

Duke Studios, LS10 1HD (6pm-8pm; tickets from £6 at eventbrite.com) 

GIN JOURNEY | Various

Did somebody say Gin Bus? Get involved in this magical mystery tour of the city’s best cocktail bars and learn everything there is to know about the Leeds’ botanical movement that stems right back to the Victorian ages. Supervised by a ‘Gin Guardian’, you’ll receive five gins and five gin cocktails (just remember to hydrate responsibly...)  

Meet-up venue TBC (2-6.30pm; tickets from £53.30 at eventbrite.com)