European Capital of Culture 2023

Back to Basics
21st November 2017
1 min read

Summer symphonic spectacular returns to Millennium Square

A spectacular fusion of energetic dance anthems and the stunning sounds of an award-winning live orchestra will once again take over Millennium Square in Leeds next summer. The incredible Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics will return to the square on Friday 27 July 2018, featuring a unique collaboration between the Orchestra of Opera…
Read More
Leeds Town Hall
8th November 2017
2 mins read

Leeds leads the way in survey of UKs most improved cities

Leeds has been named the UK’s top performer in a new report highlighting the country’s most improved places to live and work. PwCs newly-released annual Good Growth for Cities report saw Leeds come joint number one thanks to an unprecedented surge in the local tech sector and saw the city climb the ranks in key areas including jobs,…
Read More
Skeletons Our Buried Bones
9th October 2017
1 min read

2023 case study- Skeletons: Our Buried Bones

It’s one of the most stunning, bold and thought-provoking exhibitions Leeds has ever seen. Now one of the curators behind Leeds City Museum’s incredible new Skeletons: Our Buried Bones has backed the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023. Ruth Martin, the museum’s curator of exhibitions, has worked with colleagues from…
Read More
Light Night 2017
6th October 2017
2 mins read

Tens of thousands flock to see city transformed as Light Night Leeds returns

Leeds city centre was transformed into a sensational spectacle of light and sound last night as tens of thousands flocked to see the enchanting return of Light Night Leeds. The first night of this year’s compelling cultural extravaganza saw some of Leeds’s most beloved landmarks host a mesmerising array of imaginative light installations created by…
Read More
Light Night 2017
29th September 2017
2 mins read

Light Night Leeds sets new benchmark for cultural togetherness

Colourful illuminated benches will help bring people together to experience this year’s stunning Light Night Leeds. The beautiful light benches will be installed on Victoria Gardens ahead of next week’s annual arts showpiece, giving visitors a unique new place to get to know each other on October 5 and 6. Created by German artists Lichtbankobjekte with…
Read More
East Street Arts
22nd September 2017
2 mins read

2023 case study- East Street Arts

A haven for emerging and established artists alike, East Street Arts is a pioneering national arts organization that has provided creative spaces, opportunity and inspiration to artists for the past 25 years. Based in east Leeds, their diverse programme of public activities and community projects help to ‘demystify’ and open up contemporary art and…
Read More
Light Night 2017
22nd September 2017
1 min read

Visitors will be over the moon with Light Night’s dazzling lunar creation

A magnificent recreation of a beautiful full moon will hover over the water at Leeds Dock during this October’s spectacular Light Night Leeds. Made using detailed images captured during a NASA space mission, artist Luke Jerram’s incredible installation will bathe the area in a lunar glow when the city’s brightest cultural occasion returns on…
Read More
Light Night 2017
15th September 2017
3 mins read

Culture under the spotlight as top Euro artists come to Leeds

Exciting European artists will be lighting up Leeds with a series of captivating creations when Light Night returns to the city this October. Taking place just a few weeks before the city officially submits its ambitious bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023, the astonishing arts spectacular will see Leeds host illuminated…
Read More
The Kaiser Chiefs
6th September 2017
2 mins read

2023 case study- The Kaiser Chiefs

The ambitious bid to make their home city European Capital of Culture in 2023 has struck a chord with Leeds rockers The Kaiser Chiefs. The chart-topping band, who started out playing gigs in the city’s local pubs, have gone on to sell millions of records, and sell out venues worldwide. Now the Kaisers have…
Read More
Leeds West Indian Carnival 2017
24th August 2017
1 min read

Carnival atmosphere as dazzling dancers join illuminated parade

Performers from Leeds West Indian Carnival will be part of a flamboyant parade of music, light and colour to kick off this year’s incredible Light Night Leeds celebrations. They will take their place amidst a sea of stunning LED umbrellas from artists Cirque Bijou, lanterns and stilt walkers from Handmade Parade and spectacular drummers…
Read More
Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee
23rd August 2017
2 mins read

2023 case study- The Brownlee brothers

They’re the Leeds Olympic heroes who’ve made history on some of the biggest sporting stages in the world. Now Leeds’s triathlete brothers Jonny and Ali Brownlee are helping their home city to lead the pack in the race to become European Capital of Culture in 2023. The Brownlees, who took a stunning first and…
Read More
Light Night 2017
17th August 2017
2 mins read

Spectacular display set to throw new light on the story of Leeds

A dramatic new projection capturing the spirit, history and heritage of Leeds will illuminate one of the city’s most famous buildings when Light Night Leeds returns this October. Leeds Civic Hall will be the canvas for the breath-taking digital arts display entitled Out of the Aire, which has been created by Ross Ashton and…
Read More
Corinne Bailey Rae
16th August 2017
1 min read

2023 case study- Corinne Bailey Rae

As a two-time Grammy Award winner who’s sold out arenas worldwide, Corinne Bailey Rae has already helped Leeds go global. Now, fresh off a show-stopping home city performance on Millennium Square, the multi-platinum artist has pledged her support for the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023. With October’s submission deadline…
Read More
1 2 3