Speed Dating Sparks and Smiles

Sparks and Smiles is a speed dating night in Leeds on Sunday 25 October, run by the Backpackers Social Club and Trail Seekers. If that name sounds a bit specific, it's because it is: they're a local outdoor and hiking community for people who enjoy spending time in the wilderness and want to find others to share the trail with. They organise weekend trips, gear discussions, and casual meetups, and they talk a lot about safety and leave-no-trace principles. The whole thing is built around finding a circle of friends who enjoy campfire coffee and the quiet of the woods.

This night is pitched as a relaxed alternative to the usual dating apps. The format is straightforward: you rotate through brief chats in a casual, low-pressure setting, with plenty of time afterwards to keep talking over a drink. It's less about the high-stakes first date and more about a few short conversations in one go, so you can get a feel for a few different people without committing a whole evening to one person who might not be your cup of tea.

Because it's run by the Backpackers Social Club and Trail Seekers, the crowd is likely to lean towards people who'd rather be in the hills than in a bar. If you're into hiking, camping, or just spending your weekends outdoors, it's a good way to meet people who already get that side of things. The evening starts at 07:45 at QHM4+V9, Leeds, on Sunday 25 October.