Only in Leeds — 10 unique experiences in the city that loves to entertain

Want fresh inspiration for your next UK holiday? Say hello to Leeds — your new favourite city break destination. Cool, cultured and teeming with year-round events, this welcoming city delivers big on inimitable experiences, no matter what floats your boat — from music and theatre, to film, food and actual boats (more on them below). Intrigued? Read on to discover 10 unique experiences in the city that loves to entertain, and knows how to do so in distinctively dynamic style.

1. Be wowed by world-class cultural powerhouses

Home to two distinguished national arts companies, Leeds deserves to sweep the board for its theatrical offerings.

First, Opera North. Delivering an exhilarating year-round programme of family-friendly shows and classical concerts, this is the UK’s only resident opera company outside London.

Meanwhile, Northern Ballet is esteemed as the UK’s foremost narrative ballet company.

Mention must also be made of Leeds Playhouse, which showcases punch-packingly relevant theatre in an inclusive community hub.

For a very different theatrical experience, head to the Thackray Museum of Medicine to witness convincing performances of medical procedures in a 19th-century operating theatre. Like we said at the start, Leeds is nothing but unique.

Editor’s tip: into art? Visit the Henry Moore Institute.

2. Roll up, roll up to Leeds’ record-breaking music hall

Continuing the theatrical theme, lovers of live shows will adore being swept up in the splendour of Leeds’ City Varieties Music Hall.

Established in 1865, this gilded treasure holds the world record for being Britain’s longest-running music hall.

Having hosted icons like Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini and Buster Keaton over the years, a thrillingly eclectic programme continues to keep audiences well and truly entertained.

Editor’s tip: City Varieties Music Hall is one of three noteworthy heritage theatres in Leeds — also check out Leeds Grand Theatre and Hyde Park Picture House (more on the latter later).

3. Live life as a cabaret, old chum

For more show-stopping variety in Leeds, sashay your way to Viaduct Showbar — the UK’s leading drag cabaret venue.

Hosting an ever-changing roster of innovative cabaret shows and musical tribute nights — along with bingo, karaoke and Sunday night “Twerk b4 Werk” nights — we defy fans of flamboyant LGBTQ+ entertainment to drag themselves away from the Viaduct Showbar.

If that wasn’t enough, three Drag Brunch sessions are held every Saturday.

Editor’s tip: visit Leeds in July to enjoy Leeds Pride — the UK’s largest free-to-attend Pride festival.

4. Discover new music at a clutch of cool indie venues

Given that Leeds has spawned countless incomparable indie bands — from Soft Cell and The Sisters of Mercy, to The Wedding Present, The Kaiser Chiefs, and now Yard Act — it’s little wonder that the city’s independent music scene is flourishing.

With no shortage of highly-regarded indie venues dedicated to nurturing new talent — among them Brudenell Social Club, Project House, Belgrave Music Hall, Domino Club and Wardrobe — it’s fair to say the city pulsates with musical flair.

Editor’s tip: while Leeds Festival is esteemed as one of the UK’s best music festivals, if you’re into discovering new bands before they hit the big time, check-out Live at Leeds: In the Park in May, and November’s Live at Leeds: In the City.

5. Have a gas watching movies in the city that spawned the first moving image

Movie-mad city breakers will be fascinated to hear that the world's first moving images were filmed in Leeds in 1888. 

Today, this cinematic legacy lives on in the historic Hyde Park Picture House. Having opened its doors back in 1914, this handsome joint is one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, and the only remaining gaslit cinema in the world. 

Film buffs will also be delighted to discover that November sees the city host the annual Leeds International Film Festival — an esteemed cultural event that’s celebrated for its diverse programming.

Editor’s tip: visit Leeds in February to enjoy the eclectic INDIs Film Fest. Or visit in September to attend the Leeds Cinema Crawl where a combination of venues across Leeds show films all on a singular theme.

6. Live a more lit life 

Not only does Leeds offer extraordinary theatre, film and music experiences, but Alan Bennett’s home city is also a blast for bibliophiles.

Visit in early June to enjoy the bookish bonanza that is Leeds Lit Fest — an award-winning, multi-venue festival of words and thought.

You can also indulge your literary lusts through visiting Leeds Library. Dating back to 1768, this elegant temple of words is esteemed as the UK’s oldest proprietary subscription library.

Meanwhile, the equally-as-elegant Leeds Central Library boasts a beautiful Victorian Tiled Hall Café. Head here to tuck into a book (and coffee and cake) to the tune of live piano music.

Editor’s tip: take a trip from Leeds to explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum, and inspiring Brontë country landscapes. 

7. Soak up history and street art from a water taxi

If you want to experience the city’s history and contemporary creativity in one fell swoop, board a bright yellow Leeds Water Taxi from Leeds Dock.

While winding your way along the historic Leeds-Liverpool canal, you’ll pass some of the city’s most striking street art.

As a bonus, trips cost just £3, kids under five travel free, and Leeds Dock has plenty to keep all ages happy, from the interactive Royal Armouries Museum, to paddle-boarding excursions, and a monthly farmers’ market.

Editor’s tip: visiting Leeds in summer? Book an evening cruise.

8. See extraordinary street art

Renowned for artistic innovation — for example, Leeds Arts University counts Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst among its illustrious alumni — Leeds is also a city that wears its art proudly on its sleeve, courtesy of its longstanding street art tradition.

Follow the street art trail to take in highlights, among them Common Ground, which shares the story of Kirkgate, the oldest street in Leeds.

Editor’s tip: don’t miss the incredible Hibiscus Rising sculpture. Created by award-winning Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, it was unveiled as part of Leeds’ 2023 Year of Culture.

9. Indulge your inner Epicurean in the foodie capital of the North

Simmering with award-winning restaurants and fresh farm-to-table produce, it’s clear why Leeds has been hailed Britain’s foodie capital of the North.

Kickstart your Epicurean experience in Kirkgate Market — it’s the perfect place to tuck into tasty global street grub.

And if you're looking for fine dining, Leeds won't disappoint. Acclaimed chefs like Michael O’Hare at 'Psycho Sandbar' and Chef Jono at 'V&V' are making waves, while local favourites like The Ox Club, The Owl, and Shears Yard bring out the best in Yorkshire ingredients.

Mention must also be made of Leeds’ world-class watering holes — from wine bars and distilleries, to traditional pubs that serve the finest fare created by local indie breweries, including Northern Monk, the North Brewing Company,  and Kirkstall Brewery.

Among Leeds’ hostelry highlights, we especially recommend The Adelphi, the Duck and Drake, the Lamb and Flag, and Whitelock’s, the latter of which dates back to 1715.

Editor’s tip: ahead of your city break, browse a jam-packed calendar of food-themed events and discover 15 reasons foodies should make Leeds their next city-break destination.

10. Shop ‘til you drop in iconic venues

While it’ll be clear by now that Leeds offers incomparable experiences for foodies and culture vultures, visitors seeking a spot of retail therapy should also feel assured their needs will be more than met in the city that founded Marks and Spencers.

Yep, that’s right. Michael Marks of Marks and Spencer fame first plied his trade in Kirkgate Market. Today this gorgeous Grade I-listed building — one of Europe’s largest covered markets, no less — houses a replica of his stall, along with 400+ stands serving everything from street food to spa services.

Elsewhere, many of Leeds’ elegant arcades have been transformed into beautiful boutiques, with handsome, historic Victoria Leeds renowned for its high-end brands.

Editor’s tip: prefer indie offerings to big brands? Head to The Corn Exchange.

And breathe! From this run-down of 10 experiences that are unique to Leeds, it’s obvious why it deserves to be your next city break destination.

In the unlikely event you need more convincing, find more inspiration, and discover the top 11 events in Leeds — the city that loves to entertain.

This post was made in partnership with Visit Leeds.