In 2025, Leeds will come alive with a vibrant mix of events, starting with Peter Kay‘s comedy show on March 7 at the first direct arena, followed by enchanting performances like Jane Eyre and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Leeds Grand Theatre. As the year unfolds, expect a flurry of festivals, including the North Leeds Food Festival in May and the iconic Leeds Festival at Bramham Park in August, culminating in the emotional finale of Miss Saigon in December.
What are the key cultural events happening in Leeds in 2025?
- Mar 7: Peter Kay at first direct arena
- Mar 14-22: Jane Eyre by Northern Ballet at Leeds Grand Theatre
- Mar 25-29: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- May 10-11: North Leeds Food Festival at Roundhay Park
- May 11: Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
- May 24: Scissor Sisters’ concert and Live at Leeds indie music festival
- Jun 2-7: Rocky Horror Show at Leeds Grand Theatre
- Jun 21: Billy Ocean’s 40th career anniversary concert
- Jul 8-12: SIX at Grand Opera House
- Jul 20: Leeds Pride
- Aug 21-24: Leeds Festival at Bramham Park
- Sep: Leeds International Beer Festival
- Oct: Light Night’s 20th anniversary
- Nov 23: Hans Zimmer at first direct arena
- Nov: Live at Leeds in the City and 37th Leeds International Film Festival
- Dec 2-13: Miss Saigon at Leeds Grand Theatre
Comedy and Musicals: A Laugh and Song to Remember
The cultural tapestry of Leeds is set to be adorned with laughter and melodies as 2025 unfolds. Peter Kay, one of Britain’s comedy jewels, is poised to grace the stage at the first direct arena on the 7th of March. As Kay delivers his iconic blend of humor and fresh anecdotes, audiences are expected to revel in an evening of unbridled joy. March also hails the return of musical theatre with Northern Ballet’s adaptation of Jane Eyre at Leeds Grand Theatre, set to captivate from the 14th to the 22nd. The stage will then transition to a burst of color and melody as the revered production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat takes over from the 25th to the 29th, with Joe McElderry dazzling as Pharaoh in this timeless tale.
Festivals and Feasts: Immersive Experiences Await
An assortment of festivals is primed to lure locals and tourists alike. Food enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the North Leeds Food Festival at Roundhay Park scheduled for the 10th and 11th of May. Boasting a stellar lineup of food and entertainment, this festival promises a gastronomic adventure. For the athletically inclined, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on the 11th of May stands as a solemn tribute and a testament to the city’s resilient spirit. As May flowers bloom, so does the cultural scene with the Scissor Sisters’ concert at the first direct arena on the 24th, followed by Live at Leeds at Temple Newsam on the same day, showcasing a medley of indie music icons.
Heritage and Heartbeats: Stories and Songs That Stir the Soul
Leeds continues to be a beacon of cultural activities through the summer and into the autumn months. Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is set to thrill at Leeds Grand Theatre from the 2nd to the 7th of June, ensuring a riot of music and madness. Billy Ocean’s soulful serenade awaits on June 21st at the first direct arena, celebrating 40 years of his illustrious career. The Grand Opera House will pulsate with the pop rhythms of SIX from the 8th to the 12th of July, turning a historical lens into a pop concert spectacle. Leeds Pride, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ life, will paint the town in a spectrum of colors on the 20th of July, followed by an auditory treat with Sounds of the City in Millennium Square later in the month.
A Festival for Every Fancy: Eclectic Encounters to End the Year
The Leeds event calendar is relentless in its offerings, as festivities continue well into the last quarter. The Leeds Festival, a staple for music aficionados, launches at Bramham Park from the 21st to the 24th of August. Shortly after, the Leeds West Indian Carnival infuses Chapeltown with revelry on the 25th. Beer connoisseurs can look forward to the Leeds International Beer Festival at Kirkstall Abbey in September, a grand celebration of craft ales and lively entertainment. As the nights draw in, October promises enchantment with Light Night’s 20th anniversary, transforming spaces across Leeds with luminous artistry.
Music and Drama: The Final Curtain Calls
As winter’s chill settles, the year’s cultural offerings remain heated with highly anticipated events. The first direct arena will play host to the legendary composer Hans Zimmer on November 23rd, an event expected to be a sonic spectacle. Leeds’ music scene continues to thrive with Live at Leeds in the City across multiple venues in November. The Leeds International Film Festival also returns in November for its 37th year, celebrating a diverse range of cinematic masterpieces. Finally, December brings the poignant narrative of Miss Saigon to Leeds Grand Theatre from the 2nd to the 13th, promising to be an emotional high note to close the year’s rich catalogue of events.
- The year 2025 in Leeds will kick off with Peter Kay’s comedy show on March 7 at the first direct arena.
- Notable theatrical productions include Jane Eyre and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Leeds Grand Theatre in March.
- The North Leeds Food Festival will take place on May 10-11 at Roundhay Park, alongside the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on May 11.
- The Leeds Festival will be held at Bramham Park from August 21-24, featuring a lineup of music performances.
- The year will conclude with Miss Saigon at the Leeds Grand Theatre from December 2-13, marking an emotional finale to the calendar of events.