Anyone who has visited Leeds knows that it’s a thriving, spirited city with plenty going on. Good quality food and drink are ingrained in the culture and some great events go on throughout the year to celebrate culinary excellence.

Whether you love your beer, want to try some sophisticated cocktails or explore new and exciting food ideas, there’s always something for everyone.

Here are our top five festivals to put in your diary:

Leeds Indie Food Festival
Taking place in May over three weeks, the Indie Food Festival is one of the biggest events on the Leeds entertainment calendar. There’s plenty to do every day, from the Brewers Market Beer Festival, magical mystery tours of the best bars in Leeds, veggie food extravaganzas and amazing supper clubs and chef demonstrations.

And that’s just the start.

For nearly the whole month, Leeds is full of the smells of international cooking, with people from all around the world enjoying a convivial atmosphere that never seems to run out of steam.

If you’re planning to stay in Leeds, May is certainly a great time for those who love their food and drink.

Find out more about the Leeds Indie Food Festival.

Leeds International Beer Festival
This event has been running for about 7 years now and never ceases to surprise. It takes place over 4 days in September and generally attracts everyone from real ale enthusiasts to those who are simply curious about beer or want a good time. All the top craft beer companies are represented and there’s plenty of street food and music to support the ale drinking.

If you like live bands this is one festival you won’t want to miss. The main aim, of course, is to sample some interesting beers from around the world, including the USA and Europe.

Running over the weekend, it’s not all about drinking ale, however – Sunday is set aside as a family day and has plenty of things to do for the tiny tots in your life.

Find out more about the Leeds International Beer Festival.

Leeds Food and Drink Festival
In June you need to head straight to Millennium Square in the city centre for another food and drink festival. Running over 3 days at the beginning of the month, the festival is now in its 8thyear and well worth some of your time. If you’re thing is street food and artisan specialist producers, you won’t be disappointed.

There’s food and drink to enjoy from all over the globe, with the emphasis on family entertainment. The event is also a great occasion for new, local musicians to show what they can do and you’ll find a range of genres from some of the most exciting singer/songwriters the North East has to offer.

Find out more about the Leeds Food and Drink Festival.

The Cocktail Experience
If you want to take part in a cocktail fest, this event seems to be going from strength to strength each year in Leeds. It’s organised by several bars around the city who come together at one venue. Last time it was Aspire in the city centre. 15 separate bars were set up with different and talented mixologists bringing their own individual creations to the party.

Check out the Cocktail Experiencewebsite if you want to find out when their next event is coming up.

Octoberfest Leeds
Last but not least is Octoberfest. For those who love their steins of beer and the odd Oompah band this is the perfect way to spend an Autumn weekend. There’s plenty of drink, scrumptious comfort food and live music to keep you going. It’s certainly one that the local Leeds students seem to enjoy.

Find out more about Octoberfest Leeds.