When you live in a city as great as Leeds, the colder months are the perfect time to wrap up warm, get out and about, and experience all the fantastic after-dark events that only happen at this time of year! We’ve pulled together our top recommendations to give you some autumnal inspiration...  

Halloween: 31st October

Halloween in Leeds is always spook-tacular, and this year will be no different! It’s time to get dressed up, get your gore on and visit some of Leeds’ most popular haunts. To psyche yourself up for Halloween, it’s essential that you find time to watch some fangtastic seasonal movies. Well, you’re in luck because Kirkstall Abbey will be screening Hocus Pocus on the 26th, and IT on the 27th to get you in the mood. On the night of Halloween itself, there’s popular club nights at the likes of The Warehouse, Canal Mills and the O2 Academy. Tickets for events like these always sell out really fast, so if you’re planning to go to one, you need to get yourself a ticket ASAP! If you’re less into clubs, and more after a proper scare fest, join UK Ghost Nights in the infamous Leeds Library for a ghost tour to remember. You’ll be able to take part in a traditional Victorian seance and try to make contact with the dead. Spoooooky. You never know, you might even spot a ghost roaming around the historic library halls!  

Leeds International Film Festival: 1st - 16th November

Whether you’re a film buff, or just enjoy the occasional flick, the Leeds International Film Festival is one of the largest film events in the UK, and you won’t want to miss it. Every year, classic Leeds venues including Leeds Town Hall, The Hyde Park Picture House and Everyman Cinema present an awesome selection of new and classic films from all over the the world for you to enjoy. Grab yourself some popcorn, choose your movie, then just sit back and enjoy the show!  

Bonfire Night: 5th November

Remember, remember the 5th November. Seriously. There’s some top displays you need to check out. And best of all, they’re all free to attend! One of the most popular, is the bonfire display at Roundhay Park which kicks off at 7.30pm. There’s also big events happening at Middleton Park and Woodhouse Moor (both start at 7pm). Woodhouse Moor bonfire is particularly popular amongst students, and it’s in a great location because post-fireworks, you can walk a couple of minutes and enjoy some warm food and a cheeky beverage at one of the many pubs that surround the park. Top choices are Hyde Park Pub, The Library, LS6 Café and The Eldon. As the 5th itself is a Monday, it may not be an ideal day for you, but don’t worry – there’s plenty of other displays happening around Leeds over Bonfire weekend so be sure to have a look and see what else is going on near you.  

Leeds Lights Switch On: 8th November

Officially say hello to Christmas by coming along to this year's Leeds Lights Switch On. This popular annual event will be happening at Victoria Gardens and it’ll be a spectacular show. There’ll be live music, theatrical entertainment and of course, the big switch-on itself, followed by an amazing firework display. Entry is free, which is great, but that also means it’ll be extremely busy. Make sure you get there with plenty of time to spare so you can secure yourself a good spot!  

The German Christmas Market: 9th November – 22nd December

The German Christmas Market (a.k.a Christkindelmarkt) has been a standard sight at Millennium Square during the festive season for well over a decade, and is easily one of the most established Christmas markets in the UK. This is definitely a Leeds attraction that never get old - if anything, it simply gets better with age! At the market, you’ll find over 40 stalls offering a selection of food, trinkets, clothing and so much more! It’s a great place to pick up quirky presents for friends and family, and it’s the perfect spot to start your festive indulgence. Traditional German beer, Frankfurter sausages, crepes, churros, marshmallows…need we say more?! There’s plenty of cosy spots where you can snuggle up with a hot chocolate, and trust us when we say you’ll be guaranteed to get yourself some top Insta shots.   It’s fair to say that you’ll be spoilt for choice in Leeds this Autumn. Make the most of the season and try and get to as many of these great activities as you can, because before you know it, you’ll have a whole host of Christmas events to get to!