Laugh and sing
Music lovers can enjoy the Live at Leeds music festival during the first weekend in May, while Leeds Arena, the UK's first fan-shaped venue, opens in the autumn. Kaiser Chiefs and Elton John will be among the first acts to play the 13,500-capacity arena. Leeds' comedy scene is also thriving and the annual Laughter Lines festival takes place in April. Meanwhile, award-winning comedians Richard Herring and Russell Kane, and Hebburn star Chris Ramsey, will all grace the stage at the City Varieties Music Hall.
Dress to impress
At the forefront of the city's cultural renaissance are independent boutiques such as Bird's Yard, near Kirkgate Market, which specialises in vintage jewellery and couture dresses. Pop Boutique is also stacked full of retro clothing, while another essential destination for fashion fans is Blue Rinse, which takes old clothes and creates one-off designs with the fabric. And with the stylish Mad Elizabeth Vintage and Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, Leeds has enough to keep a discerning shopper flocking back.
Night at the opera
Immerse yourself in beautiful music at a host of Opera North productions at Leeds Grand Theatre. These include Verdi's Otello, Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Graham Linehan's critically acclaimed version of The Ladykillers is also on the bill in April. Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Playhouse has a contemporary version of Doctor Faustus in February and Lemn Sissay's adaptation of Benjamin Zephaniah's novel, Refugee Boy, in March.
