Welcome to Leeds Stage Returns to Leeds Jazz Festival 2025

Leeds Jazz Festival is back this May, and so is one of its most popular fixtures — the Welcome to Leeds Stage. Free, outdoor, family- and dog-friendly, and right in the heart of the city, this open-air stage is your go-to spot for soaking up the sounds of some of the region’s most exciting jazz talent across the bank holiday weekend.

From Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May, Cookridge Street (between The Light and the Henry Moore Institute) will once again be transformed into a musical hub — complete with deck chairs, delicious street food, and a stacked lineup of artists and DJs curated in collaboration with Leeds Conservatoire, Launchpad, DJ Lubi, Not a Thing and JazzLeeds.

Expect a genre-bending celebration of Jazz+ — from traditional grooves and global beats to boundary-pushing contemporary sounds. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz head or just passing by with the dog and the kids, this stage invites everyone to stop, listen, and enjoy.

As ever, the Welcome to Leeds Stage offers completely free access. So grab a coffee or a cocktail, claim your spot, and stay a while. The area will be buzzing with food and drink supplied by local favourites including Radisson Blu and Brown’s, and independent traders. KOTO will be serving up pan-asian soul food and North Bar will once again be popping up with craft beers, wine, coffee and more, so there’s plenty to keep you fuelled as the music plays on.

Saturday will also feature Play Tent, who will be offering family activities 11:00 – 15:00, again all free.

With its relaxed outdoor setup, this space is perfect for picnics, impromptu dance moves, or just letting the little ones bop along while you unwind in a deck chair. And with some of Leeds’ most iconic venues just steps away, it’s an ideal place to start (or finish) your festival day.

The Welcome to Leeds Stage is proudly produced by LeedsBID, Welcome to Leeds and Sound Channel, with support from Arts Council England and Eiger Studios. It’s all part of our mission to spotlight local talent and bring world-class, accessible culture right into the centre of the city.

Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or simply in search of some good vibes this spring, make sure the Welcome to Leeds Stage is on your list. Pop down, tune in, and celebrate everything that makes Leeds’ music scene so vibrant.