The Awakening will celebrate Leeds’ cultural past, present and future in a live show at Headingley Stadium.
Hosted by Gabby Logan and Sanchez Payne, we’re putting on an epic showcase of live performance featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, Simon Armitage and LYR, The Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North, Graft, Inder Goldfinger, Testament, Hope and Social, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Denmarc Creary, George Webster and many more.
The first event in an unforgettable year, The Awakening will kick-start our Year of Culture with a bang. We'll see you there.
Doors open at 3:30pm, followed by The Live Countdown with Rima Ahmed at 5pm, leading on to the main event The Awakening at 5:30pm-7pm.
Are you ready Leeds?
LEEDS 2023 is about to kick-off!
For those of you who got tickets, be sure to have these handy when you head to Headingley Stadium. On arrival, make sure you enter through the gates listed on your ticket. And remember, you’ll need to show your digital or printed tickets at the turnstile.
Wrap up warm and bring something waterproof, just in case. This is Leeds!
This is an outdoor event and while we can promise a great show, we can’t guarantee the weather, so please wear warm, comfy and weather proof clothing.
Doors open at 3:30pm, followed by The Live Countdown with Rima Ahmed at 5pm leading on to the main event The Awakening at 5:30pm-7pm.
Travel
Getting to the stadium
For personalised routes you can use Headingley's Journey Planner on the day.
By car
There will be no parking onsite at Headingley stadium.
Blue badge spaces can be booked by emailing access@leeds2023.co.uk.
We will be operating a shuttle bus service from Cinder Moor and Leeds Train Station.
By bus
The bus routes to Headingley stadium bus stop are 19, 19A, 56 and 91, this bus stop is directly opposite the Stadium and from here you should see our wonderful volunteers who will be able to direct you! Other nearby Bus stops, such as St Michael’s Church can be accessed by services 1, 1B, 6 and 8.
Download the First Bus App to buy your tickets, check the time of your next bus and plan your journey. Or experience ultimate flexibility with Tap on Tap off travel. Just search firstbus.co.uk/leeds
By shuttle bus
There will be a free shuttle bus service operating from the city, see below on how to book.
By train
The nearest train station is Burley Park, it's roughly 10 minutes walk to the Stadium and will bring you to outside gates F & E. Keep an eye on National Rail Enquiries - train strikes are currently planned to go ahead on 6th and 7th January.
Get from A to B
There will be a free shuttle bus service operating from the City Centre (Leeds Train Station, New Station St, Leeds LS1 4DY) and Cinder Moor (Woodhouse Ln., Woodhouse, Leeds LS6 2UZ). You will need to book your outgoing and return ticket separately.
Getting there
Cinder Moor will be operating as a park and ride to Headingely Stadium between 3:10pm and 5:12pm. Buses will take you to Headingley Stadium from Hyde Park Corner bus stop, right next to the moor - but don’t worry, they’ll be plenty of stewards on-site to direct you.
Buses from Leeds Train Station to Headingley Stadium will run between 3:10pm and 5:20pm. Please remember that there are rail strikes on 6th and 7th January, so you won’t be able to get to the City Centre by train.
Book via the links below:
Cinder Moor to Headingley Stadium
City Centre to Headingley Stadium
Return buses
Shuttle buses from Headingley Stadium to Cinder Moor will be running from 7pm - 8:42pm and buses to Leeds Train Station will be running from 7pm – 8:30pm.
Book via the links below:
Headingley Stadium to Cinder Moor
Headingley Stadium to City Centre
Remember, you’ll need both your shuttle bus tickets and your event tickets on the day, so make sure to have them ready on your phone or printed out.
Good to knows and accessibility
As tickets have now been sent out, we know you’re eager to ask questions about the incredible event which will be The Awakening. Here’s a bit more information ahead of the big day.
Everyone is welcome to this event, whether simply visiting or wanting to play a more involved part.
If you have any further enquires or have seating-related questions on the day, please visit the team at the Access Box Office located between Gates B and C.
Visual Story
You can view the Visual Story for the Awakening online or download it to use on the day. This has been created in partnership with Touretteshero.
This event will be BSL interpreted by Lauren Lister, Alexia Blohm-Pain and Vicci Ackroyd. Interpreters will be projected on large screens located on either side of the main stage, so feel free to book seats/stand wherever you like.
Audio description at this event will be provided by Vicky Ackroyd. If you’d like to access this service, be sure to let us know at access@leeds2023.co.uk once you’ve claimed your tickets. You’ll then be able to pick up whichever receiver you require from the Access Box Office on the day.
Yes. Claire Hill of Digital-4 will be live captioning the event for us. Captions will appear on the top of screens located on either side of the main stage.
There are a limited number of Blue Badge parking spaces available to book at the stadium. Make sure you let us know at access@leeds2023.co.uk that you’ll be requiring one of these spaces so that we can be ready to welcome you through Gate B on St. Michael’s Lane on the day.
Buggy parking will be available on site.
Whether you require a wheelchair space, step-free access, or just a bit more space, be sure to let Ticketmaster know when you claim your tickets and they’ll be happy to find a solution that works best for you.
Accessible toilets are available throughout Headingly Stadium. You’ll need your Radar Key to unlock these, but don’t worry, our lovely volunteers will have spares on them in case you forget yours. There are additional 2 Changing Place toilets. You’ll need to bring your own sling with you if you want to use the ceiling track hoist.
Registered assistance animals are welcome at this event. Let us know at access@leeds2023.co.uk that you’ll be bringing your fury friend with you - that way we can make sure the water bowls and treat bins are fully stocked up and ready to go.
A chill out room & quiet space will be available in the south stand and will be staffed by Leeds Autism Services at all times. Here you’ll find fidget toys, ear defenders, and soft furnishings … the perfect place for those who need a break away from the main event.
One of our jobs in The Awakening is to celebrate the city’s cultural past. When we were commissioning new work we made sure everyone understood that this was a show for everyone. But there’s no denying that our shared cultural history has some grit in it. To ignore that past, the forcefulness with which we sometimes express ourselves, would be to deny our history and that isn’t how we wanted to make our show.
Which is all to say that the show has a little bit of language in it.
Within a song the following words are included.
Said once- Bollocks. Bloody.
Repeated- Pissing.
Our wonderful access team will be on hand at the Access Box Office to answer any questions you may have on the day of the event so please do pop by and say hello.
Credits
A massive thank you to everyone involved in the design and delivery of The Awakening. It’s your event and it wouldn’t be possible without you.
Creative Team
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