What’s on in Leeds in November 2025

Leeds sets the stage for an inspired autumn, coming alive with theatre, music, markets and more this November. Grab your coat and go from Halloween’s lingering thrills to the first twinkle of Christmas lights and festive fun across the city. As ever, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Festivals

Dark and Wild, Northern Monk’s dedicated festival to dark and sour beers, is back on Saturday, 1 November, at Northern Monk Refectory. Sample 30 delicious beers from across the globe, street food and live music in two sessions: 12-4:30 pm or 6-10:30 pm. Follow @hopcityleeds for updates.

Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) runs until Sunday, 16 November. Catch highlights like LIFF’s Day of the Dead Fanathon (featuring Redux Redux, Hellcat, The Book of Sijjin and Illiyyin, and We Bury the Dead) on 1 November, the Yorkshire Short Film Competition and the Leeds Music Video Competition, as well as many other contemporary and classic films from around the world. 

Fancy yourself as a bit of a film buff? Put your movie knowledge to the test at Sela X LIFF Big Movie Quiz at Wax Bar on Wednesday, 12 November, between 7:30 pm and 10 pm.  It’s £2 a head (teams of four), with a pizza and a pint deal for £12.50, and all proceeds go to PAFRAS, supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds.

Music

Live at Leeds in the City returns to 20+ venues across Leeds on Saturday, 15 November, including The Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave Music Hall, Oporto and Leeds University Union. With over 150 artists, including US-born singer-songwriter Jalen Ngonda, electric indie-pop icon Katy J Pearson and psych-rock singer-songwriter Du Blonde, and names like DIvorce, Panic Shack and Warmduscher, it’s your annual indie pilgrimage.

Can’t make it? Catch Starsailor (13 November) and Turin Brakes (20 November) at the Brudenell instead.

At First Direct Bank Arena, the big-name music acts lined up for November don’t get much bigger than Bob Dylan, who brings his Rough and Rowdy Ways worldwide tour to Leeds on 14 November. Bob’s impact can’t be overstated: A living legend, a once-in-a-lifetime show right here on your doorstep.

Other household names at First Direct Bank Arena this month are: 

• 2000s boyband favourites Five, making everybody get up on 8 November

• Chart-toppers JLS, getting everybody in love to put their hands up on 20 November  

• Folk rock giants, Mumford & Sons, will wait for you on 20-25 November

• Plus, epic film scores performed live by Hans Zimmer on 23 November

Theatre and Comedy

Comedy legend Peter Kay returns to the First Direct Bank Arena on 7 and 8 November with Better Late than Never Again. There are still a few resale tickets floating around. So, if you missed out before, this is your chance to see Bolton’s finest back where he belongs…centre stage.

From the other side of the pond, Australian comedian, actor and writer, Jim Jeffries, brings his brand-new Son of a Carpenter world tour to First Direct Bank Arena on 15 November. Expect brutal honesty, big laughs and the kind of stories only Jim can get away with.

Described as ‘the decade’s biggest theatrical triumph’ by The Telegraph, Dear England is an Olivier award-winning National Theatre production by James Graham (Sherwood) – and it’s coming to Leeds Grand Theatre between 4 and 8 November. Starring David Sturzaker (Doctors) and Samantha Womack (EastEnders), Dear England tells the story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England Manager.

The outrageous, award-winning Book of Mormon (from the creators of South Park) returns to Leeds from 11–29 November. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a wild ride — think jaw-dropping humour, catchy tunes, and pure musical chaos.

And now for something unexpected. Andrew Newton returns to the City Varieties Music Hall with The Hypnotist Live! On 15 November…in his 341st City Varieties appearance, no less! Expect mind tricks, laughter and the kind of surprises you can’t quite explain.

Markets 

Like a purchase that supports a local charity? The Roundhay Artists Autumn Art Market at Parochial Hall, Oakwood, on Saturday 1 November does just that. Browse affordable local art between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm, enjoy handmade refreshments and buy tickets for the local art raffle, which raises funds for St Gemma’s Hospice.

Buy or sell second-hand household items, unwanted gifts, clothes and books at Scrap Community Junk Market on 8 November at The Spinning Mill, Farsley. It’s a brilliant opportunity to have an autumn clearout. Bear in mind, there are no food stalls here, just pure pre-loved bargains and good vibes.

Harewood House will team up with Little Bird again this year, between Saturday 8 and Tuesday 11 November, for its Winter Artisan Market. The market features a lovely selection of crafted goods, ranging from food and spirits to jewellery and homewares. It’s the place to go for bespoke and beautiful Christmas gifts.

Events

The Leeds Architecture Awards return to the Howard Assembly Room on 6 November, celebrating excellence in design and architecture in Leeds. If that’s not up your street, why not vote for Leeds’ Favourite Building (1965-2025) by casting your vote here. There are some stunning buildings on the list, including Heatherwick Studio’s Maggie’s, Yorkshire.

Take your place on the FROW for creative runway shows featuring local, national and international designers pushing the boundaries of style at Fashion Week Yorkshire. This year’s event, Left Bank on Saturday 8 November between 6 pm and 10 pm, is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the power of fashion to inspire and unite communities. 

Beer lovers, this one’s for you! Join the Tetleys to North Bar Heritage Pub and History Walk of Briggate on Saturday, 15 November to explore Leeds’ beer heritage. Acclaimed beer writer Simon Jenkins makes four pub stops along a walking route, which starts from The Tetly on Hunslet Road and runs from noon until 3 pm.

Another November quiz night, this time focusing on books, is the Farsley Lit Fest Book Lovers Quiz Night, hosted by Gary Wigglesworth on Sunday, 2 November at the Old Woollen. It’s quess-as-you-go-fun, with plenty of multiple-choice answers. 14+ only, doors open at 6:30 pm and tickets are £13.80 per person. 

Leeds City Museum will host a family fun day celebrating Hip Hop History Day on Sunday, 30 November.. Expect live music, Q&A, DJs, Emcees, Beatboxin’ B Boys and B Girls, graffiti art, production and workshops. Everyone is welcome. It’s a give-what-you-can event, between 11 am and 4 pm.

With Halloween falling on a Friday, there’s plenty to get involved in over the first weekend of November and beyond in Leeds:

• Pulp & Pumpkins Spooky Family Disco on 1 November at Left Bank, Leeds. Enjoy a guaranteed afternoon of fun, including dancing, gruesome games, fancy dress and a “dance like your granny” competition! £4 for children, adults go free.

• Death on the Express Murder Mystery Evening on 8 November at The Mansion – Enjoy a killer three-course dinner with a deadly twist.

• Thackray Insights: The Living Dead on 11 November at Thackray Museum of Medicine – Explore the science (and superstition) behind resurrection myths with speakers, cemetery registrar Dr Aiofe Sutton-Butler and historian Professor Laura King.

• Out for Blood: Queer Horror Film Festival on 24 November at The Attic. Watch Independent horror with a queer twist, and one of the best new horror fests in the world, according to Dread Central.

Christmas: holidays are coming…

As ever, Leeds starts to get its Christmas sparkle in late November, with markets, pantos and festive experiences lighting up the city.

This year’s Christmas Market runs between 21 November and 21 December (with Ice Cube and Millennium Square market stalls open until 24 December). Over a newly enhanced, accessible layout, 60 stalls are ready to dazzle you with festive charm, while favourites Thors Tipi, The Ranch Bar, and The Windmill Bar are back to serve up seasonal cheer. Expect a stunning Christmas market on City Square, a spectacular Winter Wonderland on Millennium Square and the return of Little Bird Artisan Market to Bond Court between Thursdays and Sundays from 11 am.

The market is open 10 am until 7 pm Monday to Wednesday (bars until 10 pm), 10 am until 9 pm Thursday to Saturday (bars until 11 pm) and Sunday 11 am until 6 pm (bars until 7 pm).

Other festive experiences across the region include: 

• A Christmas Carol from 20 November at Leeds Playhouse – Catch Dickens’ classic as it returns for the season.

• Sleeping Beauty from 21 November at Carriageworks Theatre – Enjoy a magical pantomime experience for the whole family.

• Festive Experience at Lotherton from 22 November – Meet Santa, explore the enchanted woodland and visit the Christmas Courtyard.

• Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair from 27 November at Harewood House – Browse hundreds of artisan stalls in a stately setting.

• Aladdin: Rock ’n’ Roll Panto from 28 November at City Varieties Music Hall – Get a good dose of all the sparkle and silliness you need for the holidays.

• PopKids Christmas Wonderland on 29 November at The Warehouse – Calling all mini clubbers for a festive family disco!