From vegan speed dating to Christkindelmarkt and a date with De Niro…your November calendar sorted

It's a funny old month, November. You can almost smell the eggnog on the other side, yet there's still such a long way to go, still so much to be done. Like this lot...


VEGAN SPEED DATING | Old Red Bus Station | Thursday 1 November

30+ and looking to find some er, meat-free loving? Old Red Bus Station revive their speed dating special inside their Cantina. Sup animal-free wine and nibble plant-based snacks as you quest to find the one…or maybe at least someone whose preferred chat-up line doesn’t involve “So, what can you even eat?" 

Old Red Bus Station, Vicar Lane LS2 7NL (6-11pm; tickets £18.70 at www.ticketarena.com)


NO STRESS YOGA | The Tetley | Saturday 3 and Saturday 24 November

With the impending busyness of the festive season, get into some me-time habits at No Stress Yoga. Taking place on select dates throughout the year, leader Lucy focuses on Dru Yoga that requires no prior experience or serious fitness - just an open mind, your own yoga mat and a willingness to explore the inspiration of the Tetley’s exhibitions through flowing movement.

The Tetley, Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ (10-11.30am; tickets £10 advance at www.lucyyoga.co.uk)

2018 10 29 Tetley Yoga
De-stress with yoga at The Tetley

DAMNATION FESTIVAL | Leeds University Union | Saturday 3 November

Returning to Leeds for its thirteenth year, Damnation Festival celebrates the best in metal, punk and hardcore, taking place within four rooms of the University student union. This year’s headliners include Napalm Death, Vader and Ghostbath, with an afterparty running right through to 2.30am. 

Leeds University Union, LS2 9JZ. (12-11.30pm; tickets £46 at www.damnationfestival.co.uk)


AGE UK LEEDS ABBEY DASH 2018 | The Headrow | Sunday 4 November

Dust off the cobwebs and get outdoors in aid of a fantastic cause. Back for its 33rd year, this classic 10k can be run, walked or simply cheered on, with extra categories for wheelchair racers and juniors. Dedicate your race to your favourite elder and get those donations in - they all go towards supporting the elderly in our community. 

The Headrow, LS1 3AD. (9.30am start; £9-£26 registration at www.ageuk.org.uk)

10 29 18 Age Uk Abbey Dash
Run or walk for a great cause at the Age UK Abbey Dash

CHAMPIONS & PREMIER LEAGUE QUIZ | The Pit | Thursday 8 November

Know your Pogba from your Drogba? Put your footballing knowledge to the test with this themed edition of The Pit’s weekly quiz. With a £50 bar tab and bragging rights up for grabs, it’s an excellent excuse to start the weekend early.

The Pit, Merrion Street, LS1 6PQ (8-11pm; free entry, teams to pre-register at The Pit’s Facebook)


GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET | Millennium Square | 9 November – 22 December

Holidays are coming! Get yourself into the spirit with the launch of the annual Christkindelmarkt, which takes over Millennium Square with an abundance of gifts, confectionaries and fairground rides. Make yourself a booking at the Alp Chalet restaurant, or save the effort and bag a signature cheesy wiener from one of the food stands instead; it’s what the big man in red would have wanted.

Millennium Square, LS2 3AD (open daily 10.30am-9.30pm, until 7.30pm Sundays; free entry)

10 29 18 Christmas Markets Leeds
Get in the festive spirit at Christkindelmarkt

INDIE BANQUET WEEKENDER |Hyde Park Book Club | 9-10 November

Expanding its usual offering into a full weekender, Indie Banquet take over Hyde Park Book Club with an abundance of young guitar-toting upstarts leading the new generation. Get there early for the quirky stylings of Mystic Peak and the energy of Party Hardly, but stick around for Gengahr, recently endorsed by Radio 1 and NME.

Hyde Park Book Club, Headingley Lane, LS6 1BL. (7-11pm; tickets £20 from Dice.FM)


BELGIUM BEER ME | Granville’s Beer & Gin House | Wednesday 14 November

Nobody handles the hoppy stuff quite like the Belgians. With this homage to the beverage, beer sommerlier Stuart Pearson will take you through all the different varieties, explaining the brewing process and offering up more than a few glugs of the good stuff. 

Granville’s Beer & Gin House, Long Row, LS18 5AA (6.30-9pm; tickets £10 from www.granvilleshouse.co.uk)

10 29 18 Belgian Beer
Hoppy happiness guaranteed at Belgium Beer Me

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL | Carriageworks Theatre| 15-17 November

Enter the world of Elle Woods with this special short run of the hit musical. Presented by St Mary’s Youth Theatre, the all-singing, all-dancing show will bring serious goodtime vibes, all dressed up in an abundance of perky pink.

Carriageworks Theatre, Millennium Square, LS2 3AD (various showings; tickets £16 from www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk)


EZRA COLLECTIVE | The Wardrobe | Friday 16 November

Look no further for new musical inspiration than Ezra Collective. Reinterpreting jazz through a lens of hip-hop and afrobeat, this is a rare intimate showing for the outfit - labelled by Boiler Room as ‘pioneers of the new wave’. Support comes from Leeds group Tetes De Pois, a soul fusion act handpicked by Ezra Collective themselves.

The Wardrobe, St Peters Square, LS9 8AH. (7.30-11pm; tickets £11 from www.lunatickets.co.uk)

10 29 18 Ezra Collective
Ezra Collective have been called ‘pioneers of the new wave’

PROSECCO & FIZZ FESTIVAL | Aspire Leeds | Saturday 17 November

Assemble your best galpals for this boozy alldayer.  Armed with your very own proseccofest glass, try over twenty varieties of fizz, indulge in street food and dance off any fuzzy heads with live bands throughout. The infirmary may be a short walk away but please drink responsibly... 

Aspire Leeds, 2 Infirmary Street, LS1 2JP (sessions from 12.30pm and 6.30pm; tickets £14.50 from www.proseccofizzfestival.seeti...)


SIMPLY FASHION SHOW | Banyan Leeds | Friday 23 November

Gather all your autumn-winter outfit inspiration at The Simply fashion Show. Hosted by local branding agency Simply Ladies, expect showings from the likes of Pretty Little Thing, Jack Wills and Dorothy Perkins, as well as plenty of opportunities to network with movers and shakers in the local fashion industry.

Banyan Leeds, City Square, LS12ES (6.30-10.30pm; tickets £22 at eventbrite.co.uk)


RAVER TOTS | The Warehouse Leeds | Saturday 24 November

Firm believers of the adage ‘it’s never too early to get them started’, Raver Tots provides the opportunity for the whole family to ‘throw shapes, not toys’. Having featured some of the UK’s top DJs at kid-friendly sound levels (including Artful Dodger, Slipmatt and Brandon Block), they specialize in an inclusive environment that features banging tunes, UV face painting and bubble machines, with a percentage of proceeds going towards supporting children with ADHD and autism. 

The Warehouse Leeds, Somers Street, LS1 2RG (2-4pm; tickets £9 ticket and £6 child at www.fatsoma.com)

Raver Tots
Raver Tots specialise in family-friendly ‘raves’

AN EXPERIENCE WITH ROBERT DE NIRO | New Dock | Monday 26 November

Yes, you did read that correctly…the legend of screen and stage really is coming to Leeds for one night only. Part of the ‘An Evening With…’ series, Bob will be chatting all about his illustrious career in between a three-course dinner with a string quartet. Too soon for an early Christmas present? 

New Dock Royal Armouries, LS10 1LT (5.45-11.30pm; tickets from £99 at eventbrite.co.uk)


TALKING HISTORIES: LEEDS MUSIC SCENE | Left Bank Leeds | Wednesday 28 November

Get up to speed with Leeds’ illustrious musical history with design researcher and lecturer Katie Hill. Exploring how acts such as Kaiser Chiefs, Soft Cell and The Who have come to influence the city, all funds go towards funding the next generation of creatives - the Left Bank Leeds Charitable Fund.

Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan Road, LS6 1LJ (6-7.30pm; tickets £5 at eventbrite.co.uk)

Robert De Nero
Robert De Niro will talk at the Royal Armouries