Things to do in Leeds

Creative Tourist

There’s so much to do in Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK. With a population of over 750,000 and ambitious regeneration plans, the city is one of the largest and most rapidly developing in the country.

Tech companies are formed, record labels created and arts organisations born. No wonder then, that this climate produces countless celebrations of the city’s culture, cuisine, and history.

Leeds Grand Theatre houses resident companies Opera North and Northern Ballet, both admired for their innovative and risk-taking approach, and their ability to reach diverse audiences through bold performance and fully inclusive participation projects. The city is also home to Phoenix Dance, one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies, as well as radical touring theatre company Red Ladder and the influential Leeds Playhouse, which is now well into its fifth decade.

Part of the prestigious Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, head to Leeds Art Gallery to discover one of the best collections of 20th century art before hopping to the Henry Moore Institute next door. Leeds Dock is home to the Royal Armouries Museum and its six themed galleries holding the national collection of arms and armour.

If you look past the shiny facade of the Trinity and Victoria Gate shopping centres, you’ll find plenty of independent shops and eateries, coffee roasters and pop-up food places across Kirkgate Market, the Corn Exchange and the Victorian arcades. And the nightlife has an unmistakably northern vibe; whether you choose to have a chilled one in a boutique bar owned by a local brewery, or dance till the AM at one of the DIY club nights showcasing the city’s vibrant live music scene.

And live music is a big part of Leeds’ nightlife. The city is home to some excellent venues, from the nationally adored Brudenell Social Club to a bunch of slicker, younger places like Belgrave and Headrow House. The latest venue to land in the city is Project House, a joint venture from some of the best-loved names in the worlds of music, culture, food and drink in Leeds. The collaborative nature of this venue really sums up the spirit of Leeds’ arts and cultural scene, which is interconnected and fuelled by genuine passion.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy what is shaping up to be a massive cultural summer for Leeds. You’ll find some of our top picks below.

What's on in Leeds

Where to go in Leeds

Swarthmore is a centre for lifelong learning, community projects and family learning sessions as well as the courses and activities. Their main aim is to encourage people who want to learn but might not feel comfortable in more formal educational institutions. They work on a friendly, human scale, offering a confidential counselling service and learning support.
Leeds
Event venue
Swarthmore Education Centre

Swarthmore is a centre for learning at any age for those who don’t feel comfortable in more formal educational settings.

iStock
Leeds
Shop
Waterstones Leeds

Standing proudly on the busy shopping hub of Albion Street, Waterstones Leeds is a bookshop that also hosts a variety of events

Flat Iron Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Flat Iron Leeds

Relaxed restaurant in Leeds serving impressively high-quality steaks at an affordable price point.

Victoria Arcade
Leeds
Shopping Centre
Victoria Arcade

Leeds’ go to place for premium shopping, Victoria Arcade, has both style and substance in abundance.

Leeds
Event venue
The Old Woollen

A 500-capacity venue in Farsley, presenting the finest music, comedy and performance. Run by Trouble at Mill Events and Sunny Bank Mills, twinned with Farsley Constitutional.

Leeds
Restaurant
White Cloth Hall

White Cloth Hall is a new food and drink project, based in a Grade II listed venue in Leeds city centre.

Leeds
Event venue
The Bookish Type

An independent bookshop specialising in literature across the LGBTIQA+ spectrum.

Leeds
Event venue
Leeds Print Workshop

The workshop is a co-operative, membership-based printmaking studio, open to all those with an interest in print.

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Restaurant
Blue Pavilion & K-Cube

Oriental dining, live music and private karaoke, the upmarket Chinese restaurant Blue Pavilion is bringing the party to Leeds.

Test event
Leeds
Gallery
Aire Place Studios

Aire Place Studios is a creative studio in Leeds which prides itself on an upholding of equality, solidarity and safe-space values.

Leeds Visitor Guides

Cinemas in Leeds Everyman Leeds
Cinemas in Leeds

From the latest art-house gems to the biggest blockbuster on the biggest screens, there’s a cinema to suit all needs in Leeds.

Marriot Leeds
Business Hotels in Leeds

Here are the best business hotels in Leeds, geared towards high-quality rooms at a bargain price - each boasting more than a few meeting room tables for you to bang your fist on.

Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds
Museums in Leeds

Discover the treasures waiting to be discovered as you work your way through our hand-picked selection of museums in Leeds.

Music Venues in Leeds

Boasting a strong musical heritage, Leeds has a wealth of music venues to match: from suburban social clubs and former textile mills to co-operatively run DIY spaces.

Walks in Leeds
Walks in Leeds

A round-up of the best walks in Liverpool, including the city centre, its many parks, and over the water by Creative Tourist.

Knave's Kitchen
Vegan Food in Leeds

Looking for the best vegan food in Leeds? Look no further. We have rounded up some of our top picks for cruelty-free eating in the city.

Theatres in Leeds
Theatres in Leeds

From family-friendly fun to unique productions, there's something for everyone in Leeds. Check out our guide to the best theatres in Leeds.

Luxury Hotels in Leeds

Got a few quid and not afraid to spend it? Live the life you deserve at one of Leeds’s best luxury hotels - here’s our expert guide to the best.

Whitelock’s Ale House Leeds
Pubs in Leeds

More than most, this Yorkshire city has a wide and varied selection of pubs, with authentic roaring fires and hearty pub grub. Here are the best in Leeds

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Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Discover the North West's best Black History Month events, including exhibitions, theatre and dance.

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