Leeds: What To Do When You Visit Leeds

As you would expect from the fourth largest city inwhen the International Film Festival takes place in the
England, there is plenty to see and do when you visitcity. Here you can see a wide range of hard to find
Leeds, whether that visit is for business or pleasure.movies, even including an all night horror movie
In fact, Leeds even received the coveted Condeselection on one of the weekends of the festival. If
Nast Traveler magazine Reader's Award as the UK'shorror isn't your idea of fun, the festival is also often
favorite city as recently as 2004 and was voted thehost to the premieres of various Hollywood
best English city to visit outside London in 2005.blockbusters. So there's definitely something for
So what can you do when you visit this popular city?everyone at this event.
During November and early December, there is aEarlier in the year, usually in July, Kirkstall Abbey hosts
Christmas Market that takes over the Millenniuma traditional festival in its grounds.
Square area of the city. Then in the start of the newPop music fans can join in with the Leeds Festival,
year, the square turns into Europe's largest open airwhich takes place at the same time as its musical
ice skating rink, so you can practice your skating skills.twin, the Reading Festival. The two events regularly
Music fans will want to make sure that they timeshare the same acts, so if you are located towards
their visit to coincide with the International Pianofortethe North of the UK, you may well find this an easier
Competition, although you may need to plan inplace to reach.
advance as this event is only held every three years.With all these different events, it pays to book your
During the summer, you can join in the various freeLeeds accommodation in advance to make sure that
events that are held as part of the "Party in theyour hotel room is close to your chosen event (or
Park" at Temple Newsam stately home. If you're notfar away from it if your business trip takes you into
able to time your trip for this, you can always visitLeeds at the same time as one of these festivals).
this grand manor, including landscaped groundsSports fans should time their visit so that it takes
designed by Capability Brown.place at the same time as their chosen team is
If you are lucky enough to be in Leeds for theplaying. Whether that's Leeds United football club
August bank holiday period, be sure to take in thewho play at the large Elland Road stadium, the
West Indian Carnival. This colourful event has beenYorkshire County cricket team, Leeds Rhinos Rugby
running every year since 1967 and is the oldest suchLeague team or even the lesser known women's
carnival in the whole of Europe.football team.
Film fanatics should aim for Leeds during November,