Most people will have heard of Leeds festival, the annual music festival held over August bank holiday weekend at Bramham Park, but did you know there’s also a city musical festival, independent food festival and literature festival, all taking place in Leeds within the next couple of months?

• Live at Leeds is taking place this Saturday, following Leeds Digital Festival which started yesterday and runs until Friday. There are artists playing at various venues across the centre, including the HiFi club, 02 Academy and the Wardrobe. I’ve already got plans this weekend otherwise I’d definitely try and see Corrine Bailey Rae and We Are Scientists.
• Leeds Indie Food is “a celebration of independent food and drink” taking place from 12-30 May, again at various venues across the city. There are some really interesting sounding events (like the “edible art show: city of cake” and “boozing and bar snacks, Thai style.) I’ve already got tickets for “Chef: The Experience” at Belgrave which I’m really looking forward to.
• Leeds Big Bookend  is full of events in May and June , including the Northern Short Story Festival on Saturday 4 June at the Carriageworks Theatre. I’ve circled quite a few talks/workshops in the programme!
• Slam Dunk is a punk/ska/emo/rock annual festival, which is taking place on 28 May. This year, it’s moved from Leeds Uni to multiple venues (Millennium Square, O2 Academy, Leeds Beckett Uni and outdoor stages). It’s now sold out, so hopefully you will have got your tickets already if you were planning on going! I was there at the first Slam Dunk Festival, watching Fall Out Boy and Capdown, held in Millennium Square in 2006 (how is that a decade ago!?) and have been to a few since. They’re always great fun.

There are loads of other festivals taking place in Leeds this year, but the above should give you a flavour of what’s on in the next few months. There are plenty of ways to find out what’s happening in Leeds, but two of my favourite websites are Leeds Inspired and Leeds List.

Let me know if there are any other spring festivals in Leeds that should be on the list!