Top 11 Leeds events — the city that loves to entertain

From hosting Europe’s longest-running Caribbean carnival, to its contemporary status as foodie capital of the north, it’s clear why Leeds has a rep for being an irrepressibly creative city that loves to entertain. Undeniably dynamic, there are few better places to head for a diversely satisfying UK city break, with a bounty of events to enjoy around the year. On that subject, keep reading for detail on the top 11 Leeds events.

1. West Indian Carnival: August

Since its 1967 inception, the Leeds West Indian Carnival has been celebrating Caribbean culture, artistry and musicianship across the August Bank Holiday weekend in jubilant style every year. 

In 2024, Carnival fever will be fired up by the Leeds African and Caribbean Food Festival in Kirkgate Market on Saturday 24th August, followed by the Black Music Festival all-dayer in Potternewton Park on 25th August. 

Come Monday 26th, the streets of Chapeltown and Harehills will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of culture when the parade leaves Potternewton Park to perform two circuits of the route, with post-procession events running until 8pm. 

Editor’s tip: start carnival day in authentic style by heading to the Leeds Caribbean and African Centre at 6am on Monday 26th August. Here revellers will warm up for the main event with the J’ouvert mini-parade — the term derives from the French Creole for “daybreak”.

2. Leeds Festival: August

If visiting Leeds for carnival over August Bank Holiday wasn’t enough, this same weekend sees Bramham Park host the Leeds Festival — an epic three-day event that’s been attracting global greats and entertaining music-lovers since the early sixties. 

One of the UK’s most-loved festivals, 2024’s incarnation kicks off on Friday 23rd August. Diverse, dynamic, and absolutely not to be missed, each year delivers bigger and (arguably) better vibes.

3. Leeds International Piano Competition: September

Held every three years, Leeds International Piano Competition is one of the world’s most esteemed music competitions.

With preliminary heats having taken place in Paris, Berlin, Vienna, New York and Seoul, the Great Hall of the University of Leeds will stage the second round from 11th-13th September and semi-finals from 14th-17th September, with the finals hosted in Bradford on 20th-21st September.

Editor’s tip: experience the inspirational Piano Trail Festival from 31st August-21st September, when Leeds’ public spaces will be transformed into musical galleries, with performances held in a theatre crafted from recycled pianos (AKA the Pianodrome), free piano lessons, and more.

4. Leeds International Festival of Ideas: October 

Connecting eminent thinkers and experts from an array of fields — including science, tech, psychology, medicine and journalism — the Leeds International Festival of Ideas has been blazing a trail since 2017. 

With dozens of notable names on the 2024 programme, among them Kate Adie, Stacey Dooley, Kate Garraway and Goldie, attendees can expect four days of enlightenment as speakers do a deep dive into everything from the evolution of creativity, to what an AI-driven future might really mean for humanity.

Head to Leeds Playhouse from 2nd-5th October 2024 to join this uniquely thought-provoking, multi-event symposium.

5. Light Night Leeds: October

Encapsulating (pretty much) everything the city stands for — creativity, vision and inclusive innovation — through a dazzling two-night event, Light Night Leeds sees dozens of spaces transformed into a living, breathing, illuminated stage.

With 50 artworks to discover, from large-scale outdoor light projections and interactive indoor installations, to free music, dance and street performances, this art-in-the-dark extravaganza is nothing but extraordinary. 

Little wonder then, that Light Night Leeds is now in its 19th year, with the next spectacle scheduled for 24th-25th October 2024.

6. Leeds International Film Festival: November

Given that the world's first moving images were filmed in Leeds in 1888, it’s no surprise that the Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) is a leading player on the global movie stage.

LIFF’s 38th edition will take place from 1st-17th November 2024. Expect a glorious celebration of all forms of cinema at a festival that’s famed for its diverse programming, with ground-breaking documentaries, genre filmmaking, shorts and international debuts playing a key role alongside feature films.

Editor’s tip: movie buffs, take note — February sees Leeds Film host the INDIs Film Fest, while the Leeds Young Film Festival is held in spring.

7. Kirkstall Brewery Heritage Beer Festival: May

Hosted by Leeds’ historic Kirkstall Brewery, May’s Kirkstall Brewery Heritage Beer Festival offers a unique way to enjoy your favourite tipple(s) as invited breweries present their specialty wares at a lively competitive gathering.

With master-crafters vying to win medals for specially-brewed ales in the Great Exhibition of Prize Ale, the festival celebrates the best of Britain’s brewing history and innovation. 

If that wasn’t enough, attendees also get to soak up live music from local artists while tucking into delicious street food. 

8. Live at Leeds: In the Park (May) and In the City (November)

Bookending the onset of summer and winter in May and November, two punch-packing Live at Leeds music festivals see the city showcase its status as a creative powerhouse.

Come the late May Bank Holiday weekend, Live at Leeds: In the Park presents an all-day extravaganza of indie music. With Temple Newsam country house estate as its majestic backdrop, this kickstarts the summer festival season in exuberant style.

Meanwhile, Live at Leeds: In the City is held at various venues across (you guessed it) Leeds city centre, with 2024’s event taking place on 16th November.

9. The Rob Burrow Marathon: May

Alongside nurturing celebrated creatives (from Henry Moore and Damien Hirst, to the Kaiser Chiefs), Leeds isn’t short of connections to notable sportspeople, among them Rob Burrow CBE — the late legendary Leeds Rhinos rugby hero, whose life and legacy will be honoured through the Leeds marathon on 11th May 2025.

With an inspiring “run for a mate” motto, the route traverses some of Leeds’ most scenic countryside and suburbs — a wonderfully fitting tribute to Rob and the city he called home, and launched his remarkable career.

Editor’s tip: sign up to secure your spot in the 2025 Rob Burrow Marathon.

10. Millennium Square Summer Series: July-August

With its grand Civic Hall backdrop, Leeds’ iconic Millennium Square has (fittingly) been hosting heaps of iconic musicians across its annual Summer Series festival for some ten years.

Boasting a remarkable range of famous performers — to date, artists have included everyone from Paloma Faith and the Manic Street Preachers, to Blossoms — the Summer Series also showcases talented emerging musicians. 

So, you know where to go to witness trailblazing bands and artists before they hit the big-time.

Editor’s tip: extend your Summer Series trip to coincide with other July and August Leeds events — more on those below.

11. Leeds Pride: July

The largest free-to-attend Pride festival in the UK, Leeds Pride, which celebrates its 19^th year in 2025, attracts over 70,000+ revellers from around the world.

This joyous celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride and solidarity is set to start with a bang at noon on Sunday 20th July 2025, when a cavalcade of celebrants will proceed from Millennium Square to Lower Briggate.

Here, the Main Stage will host world-class DJs, musicians and performers, with street parties supplementing the core Pride Parade.

Editor’s tip: Pride in Leeds is more than a one-day affair — check-out all the year-round events.

So, there we have it — the top 11 Leeds events that reveal exactly why this diverse city-break destination deserves to be on your radar.

Of course, Leeds being the city that loves to entertain, there are dozens more events to enjoy around the year — browse what’s on before deciding when to visit. 

Better still, plan a few trips to make the most of everything this creative city has to offer. One thing’s for sure, once you visit Leeds, you’re guaranteed to want to return. 

This article was made in partnership with Visit Leeds.