Millennium Square in Leeds will be transformed into a giant cultural hub as the Tour de Yorkshire and Leeds International Festival come together to launch ‘The Village’ in the heart of the city centre.
The Village – organised by Welcome to Yorkshire, Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) and Leeds City Council - will be a hive of activity from Saturday 28 April-Sunday 6 May 2018 in celebration of the Tour de Yorkshire’s fourth edition and the first week of the Leeds International Festival.
Over the nine days, cycling, music, art and animation will take centre stage as a host of attractions are lined up in the Leeds International Festival Spiegeltent and the Tour de Yorkshire’s fan hub, which will include the Eve of Tour presentation in front of thousands of people in The Village on Wednesday 2 May.
Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity said: “It has been a long-held ambition of ours to launch a spectator fan hub which celebrates the Tour de Yorkshire and The Village will be an exciting place for cycling enthusiasts, food and drink lovers, festival goers and families.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with LeedsBID and Leeds City Council on The Village as part of the Leeds International Festival and look forward to seeing everyone getting into the party spirit celebrating Yorkshire cycling, Yorkshire arts and culture and Yorkshire food and drink.”
Andrew Cooper, Chair of Leeds International Festival and Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “It is great to be working in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire and Leeds City Council to bring such an exciting physical venue into the city centre.
“We are looking forward to showcasing the vibrant cultural diversity of Leeds to new audiences with an extensive programme of events and activities, while raising the profile of the city and delivering economic benefit for businesses.
Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake, said: “We are very excited that Leeds has been given the honour of hosting the last leg of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire. It is fantastic therefore as part of the celebrations, we will be able to welcome The Village to Millennium Square, which will form part of the Leeds International Festival.”
“Offering innovation in many different cultural forms, The Village will not only be a fun place for people living in the city to visit, but also a great way in which to showcase Leeds to those visitors arriving to watch the Tour de Yorkshire.”
The 2018 Tour de Yorkshire promises to be the biggest and best one yet with the men’s race (3-6 May) growing from three to four stages and the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race doubling in size from one to two days (3-4 May).
Cycling-themed exhibition stands will cover the square and thousands of spectators will be able to watch the entire race live on a giant screen before the action concludes just metres away on The Headrow on Sunday 6 May.
Leeds International Festival is back for its second year, running from Saturday 28 April-Saturday 12 May with an unforgettable fortnight of events to excite, entertain and inspire.
The UK’s leading metropolitan festival of new ideas and innovation celebrates local creativity and international culture whilst creating one of the biggest events in Leeds.
The eclectic programme boasts an array of original performances, world firsts, premieres and debates with big names from across the worlds of music, technology, moving image and fashion, popping up in venues across the city.
The Leeds International Festival Spiegeltent will be hosting events including KAOS 30th Anniversary Party presents Classical Uproar ft. Brandon Block, Live Art family-fun, a day of performances as part of Live at Leeds, House Gospel Choir.
For the full programme of events, more information and to buy tickets visit: http://leedsinternationalfestival.com/
