First Direct Arena
Johnny James, Managing Editor
The First Direct Arena is a 14,000 capacity entertainment-focused arena located in the Arena Quarter of Leeds, West Yorkshire.
What's on near First Direct Arena
Until
Sound Out Leeds 2024/25
Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.
from £10.00
Until
Stuart Croft: Eternal Return at Leeds Art Gallery
‘Eternal Return’ celebrates filmmaker Stuart Croft whose. innovative approach to film blurred the boundaries between the art gallery and cinema.
free entry
Until
The Traumatic Surreal at The Henry Moore Institute
‘The Traumatic Surreal’ celebrates the 100th anniversary of Surrealism with artwork by women artists in German-speaking countries after WWII.
free entry
Until
John Hoyland: Imaginary Beings at The Henry Moore Institute
See a different side to the work of painter John Hoyland at The Henry Moore Institute’s exhibition of his playful sculptures.
free entry
Until
Boris Maas: You have seen nothing yet at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery
Boris Maas responds to the work of Victorian painter John Atkinson Grimshaw in a new exhibition of light installations and photographs.
free entry
–
Northern Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel
Enjoy a magical family adventure where ballet meets fairytale in Northern Ballet’s brand-new children’s production.
from £8.25
Sound Bath Relaxation Workshop
Access a deeper level of consciousness and find true relaxation through an hour long sound bath with Lee Bloomfield.
from £17.50
Until
David Hockney: Pieced Together at the National Science and Media Museum
The freshly refurbished National Science and Media Museum reopens with an exhibition of David Hockney’s photographic and video ‘joiner’ works.
free entryWhere to go near First Direct Arena
Leeds
Blue Pavilion & K-Cube
Oriental dining, live music and private karaoke, the upmarket Chinese restaurant Blue Pavilion is bringing the party to Leeds.
Leeds
The Bookish Type
An independent bookshop specialising in literature across the LGBTIQA+ spectrum.
Leeds
Belgrave Music Hall
This music hall and canteen recently opened in the former site of Leeds Children’s Palace – a three-storey recreation hall and nursery school.
Leeds
Jumbo Records
Jumbo Records is Leeds’ number one independent record store, with these large premises occasionally featuring in-store events with a bountiful record collection and coffee.
St John’s Centre, Leeds
With a great mix of retailers over two levels including fashion, gifts and food, plus its own secure car park, St Johns Centre makes shopping in Leeds easy
Leeds
The Brunswick
Explore beer at this avant-garde pub.
Leeds
The Reliance
Surfing the nouvelle vague.
Manchester
O2 Academy Leeds
The Leeds branch of the O2 Academy chain.
Leeds
Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom, Grand Arcade
Vintage Tearoom’s customers are treated to a diverse range of speciality teas and cold refreshments, all served with fresh-baked scones and cakes.
Leeds
Stuzzi Leeds
Stuzzi is a stylish restaurant in Leeds offering high-end Italian cuisine, including pasta and seafood plates.
Leeds
SCREW Gallery
SCREW Gallery is a not-for-profit, artist-led exhibition space that showcases bold and revitalising art by local and international artists.
Culture Guides
Theatre in the North
Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.
Cinema in the North
Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.
Literature Events in the North
Readings are springing up everywhere as the live literature and spoken word scene starts to defrost.
Music in the North
Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.
Family things to do in the North
We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families
Food and Drink in the North
New year, new you. Let us tell you exactly what food and drink you should consume over the coming weeks.
Exhibitions in the North
Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.
Tours and Activities in the North
We're enjoying an arty start to the new year in 2025 in Tours and Activities with plenty of arts based events, games and workshops.