2025 and what we learned

Leeds, what a year! From wonder-full adventures to big-name acts to ideas that made us think, talk, laugh and debate, 2025 has given us plenty to be proud of. From packed-out festivals to brilliantly niche pop-ups, it’s been a year bursting with moments worth remembering. Here’s our curated roundup of the very best.

2025’s best festivals and events

Leeds’ festival season continued to go from strength to strength in 2025, showcasing big ideas and big vibes right across the calendar. There are obviously far too many to squeeze into one article, but here’s a snapshot of the highlights.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI25) returned between 14 and 18 October, growing into its most powerful edition yet. Over five days, more than 5,500 people gathered for conversations that crossed culture, politics, identity and resilience, with standout sessions from visionary names like Chuck D, Sally Wainwright and David Baddiel. The Leeds Playhouse pulsated with positive energy, becoming a hub for debate, inspiration and connection. 

LIFI may be over for this year, but the ideas it sparked are still going strong. New for 2025, check out LIFITV, a digital series taking a look at LIFI from the inside out, featuring candid behind-the-scenes chats with eight of this year’s amazing speakers.

Across 2025, Leeds also played host to beloved staples and new favourites: Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) brought cinema lovers together with screenings, premieres and special events from genre films to shorts competitions; Leeds West Indian Carnival and Leeds Holi Festival brought colour to our weekends; Independent Venue Week celebrated grassroots music and arts venues; and family-friendly festivals like Wonderland Awaits transformed the city into a playful, interactive adventure over the summer months.

Leeds meant business, too. UKREiiF, the UK’s real estate, investment and infrastructure forum, brought thousands of people together at the Royal Armouries Museum. And, Leeds Digital Festival returned for its 10th anniversary this year, cementing its place as the North’s largest open-platform tech event.

Alongside the heavy hitters, plenty of brilliantly niche gatherings kept things fresh. From Padel1000’s big racquet–filled sporting spectacle to DogFest’s tail-wagging fun, the city streets were lively all year long.Don’t want the fun to stop? Watch this space for 2026: What We Know So Far – coming soon with listings of confirmed Leeds events for 2026.

Exhibitions

2025 delivered a strong line-up of exhibitions, giving Leeds plenty to explore, from immersive, interactive to downright unexpected experiences.

We gave a very warm welcome to Miffy, the world’s favourite little white rabbit, who celebrated her 70th birthday in Leeds. Fans young and old flocked to Leeds City Museum for an interactive Miffy exhibition and a programme of immersive events throughout the year. At one point, over 10,000 visitors hopped through the doors in just over a day. Not bad for a bunny. 

Another iconic arrival was the  Titanic Exhibition, which docked at the Royal Armouries.With artefacts from the wreck site, large-scale imagery and powerful audio storytelling, visitors experienced the story of the doomed passenger liner in a way that felt moving, dramatic and deeply human.

Running throughout the back-end of the year (sorry), POO! The number one exhibition about number twos lifted the lid on bums, tums and stinky science at the Thackray Medical Museum. Equal parts educational and hilarious, it proved that science doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.

Elsewhere, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning interactive VR experience, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats (IPRB), landed at TESTBED, transporting participants straight back to the pulse and energy of 90s rave culture.

Music 

Music festivals took centre stage through spring and summer, with Mint Fest once again turning up the tempo. Yorkshire’s biggest dance music festival brought Josh Baker’s You&Me, Morgan Seatree’s Unfussy, Patrick Topping, Kettama, East End Dubs and more to Leeds, all powered by a seriously impressive upgraded sound system.

Live at Leeds in the Park and Slam Dunk delivered back-to-back festival energy over one unforgettable weekend. Live at Leeds treated fans to indie royalty Bloc Party celebrating 20 years of Silent Alarm, alongside everything from rising stars to Shaun Williamson’s Barrioke. Slam Dunk followed up with ADTR, Neck Deep, Hot Milk and more, bringing full-throttle energy to Temple Newsam.

Summer rolled on with  Leeds Festival returning to Bramham Park in August. Travis Scott, Hozier, Chappell Roan and Bring Me The Horizon topped a powerhouse line-up that reminded everyone why Leeds Festival remains such a key date in the music calendar.

At Temple Newsam, Leeds lads, The Kaiser Chiefs played a massive homecoming gig celebrating 20 years of their debut album Employment by playing it in full in front of a packed crowd. The Cribs, The Coral and We Are Scientists – all also celebrating 20-year anniversaries – were in support, with the event (of course!) receiving a phenomenal response from Leeds indie music fans.

Away from the festival fields, Leeds hosted an incredible range of musical moments. Diana Ross dazzled First Direct Arena with a unique orchestral performance, while young Chinese pianist and LIPC Silver Prize winner Junyan Chen impressed audiences at Leeds Conservatoire.

Atmospheric shows also had their moment, with world-famous Japanese director and Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki’s Dreams by Mystery Ensemble lighting up St George’s Church with music from films including My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away, drawing new audiences into Leeds’ live music scene.

And for those feeling nostalgic, 2025 delivered in spades. Craig David arrived with his 25th anniversary tour. Busted vs McFly celebrated 20 years with a joint showdown. Sugababes returned with their original line-up. From Deacon Blue to Simply Red, Leeds stages were full of glorious throwbacks.

Comedy

After a 12-year hiatus, Peter Kay made a triumphant return to Leeds with his record-breaking Better Late Than Never tour, playing First Direct Arena not once but twice. Declaring Leeds one of his favourite places to perform, he left audiences in stitches and promptly announced a return for March 2026.

Ricky Gervais also returned with Mortality, while Omid DJalilil brought his critically acclaimed Namaste to Leeds. Al Murray’s pub landlord was back in Guv Island form, joined by a packed calendar of big names including Sandy Toksvig, Jenny Eclair, Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Jack Dee, Dara Ó Briain and John Bishop celebrating 25 years of stand-up.

The alternative comedy calendar of 2025 had a great spread of cult, leftfield, and work-in-progress shows, too. 

March brought the full-on nerdy brilliance of cult keyboard oddballs Brett Domino & Steven Peavis and a one-off northern outing of Brett Domino Trio in Space at the Brudenell Social Club. Then, in May, the 41st best stand-up ever, Stewart Lee, returned to Leeds Playhouse with Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf. 

June’s Leeds Comedy Festival packed The Wardrobe with standout sets from Seann Walsh, Vittorio Angelone, Jessica Fostekew, and Jack Carroll. While July saw the Hyde Park Book Club unleash a goldmine of Work In Progress previews from the likes of Josh Jones, Ian Smith, and Josie Long. 

In the Autumn, the parent of modern surrealist stand-up, Suzy Eddie Izzard, performed an astounding solo Hamlet at the City Varieties, and the brilliantly inappropriate Fin Taylor recorded a special version of his bit podcast Fin vs History at the Playhouse. 

Theatre

Leeds theatres were on top form in 2025, offering everything from West End blockbusters to family-friendly magic.

Only Fools and Horses: The Musical arrived at Leeds Grand straight from its record-breaking West End run, delighting fans with a lovingly adapted, laugh-out-loud night featuring Del Boy, Rodney and the gang. Blockbuster Book of Mormonwas in Leeds in November, which wasn’t the only West End smash to arrive in the city, with Miss Saigon closing out the year. Blockbuster and award-winning Animal Farm was at Leeds Playhouse in March. 

Calamity Jane rode into Leeds Grand with Carrie Hope Fletcher delivering a whip-smart performance, while at Leeds Playhouse, Mina Anwar led a powerful and heartfelt run of Shirley Valentine. SIX returned once again to Leeds Grand in July, proving that these queens are always welcome back. Girl Power is alive and kicking.

Northern Ballet and Opera North were both in fine form throughout the year, treating audiences to spellbinding performances of Jane Eyre and The Magic Flute.

Young audiences were well catered for too, with family favourites from Julia Donaldson and Axel Schaeffler’s Stickman to interactive shows like Anatomical: The Buildy Uppy Dance Show, and the gleefully gross Rude Science, which won over curious minds.

Fairs and Markets

Markets and fairs remained a staple of Leeds life in 2025, celebrating independent makers and creative talent.

The Great Leeds Valentintine’s Fair returned to Millennium Square with rides, food and family-friendly fun. Leeds Kirkgate Market held pop-up events throughout the year with Makers Craft Markets, Stay and Plays and more (including the monthly  Leeds Record Fair).

Pop-ups dotted the city, with  Leeds Indie Market and Leeds Vintage Furniture and Flea Market offering everything from mid-century furniture to handmade jewellery. 

Little Fox Charity Craft Fairs filled Leeds Corn Exchange with lovely local makers, and Leeds Christmas Market rounded out the year with a newly enhanced, accessible layout across Millennium Square and surrounding streets.

Sport

As ever, Leeds’ sporting calendar was jam-packed with fast-paced action and some surprising international arrivals from sporting icons.

Europe’s Strongest Man returned to First Direct Arena for another super spectacular in which real-life giants carried, lifted, hulked, dragged and threw incredible weights as they vied for the title of Europe’s Strongest Man and qualification for World’s Strongest Man. 

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters brought their trademark basketball wizardry and outrageous athleticism to the First Direct Bank Arena in a showdown against their perennial rivals, the Washington Generals. 

Darts fans watched on the edge of their seats as then world number one Luke Humphries edged out fan-favourite Luke Littler during a nail-biting MGM Premier League Darts clash.

Over at West Park Leeds, Wigan Warriors successfully defended their RFL Women’s Nines Tournament title in a thrilling day of fast-paced rugby league, while at Roundhay Park, Sam Laidlow of France took Gold in England’s only full-distance triathlon, Ironman Leeds.

Over 10,000 people came together for the third Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to raise millions for motor neurone disease and for specific campaigns, such as the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s MND Centre, which opened in November 2025 at Seacroft Hospital.

And for those just in it for the laughs, the Leeds inflatable 5K returned to Harewood House with bouncy, slidey chaos.

New openings 

Leeds didn’t just entertain in 2025; it evolved. A wave of new openings across travel, hospitality, food, shopping and leisure helped shape the city’s ever-changing character. Let’s see what we can pack in. Here we go…

Hotels and Travel 

One of the biggest milestones of the year was the official opening of Leeds Bradford Airport’s new terminal extension. The first phase of the £100 million redevelopment brought a much-improved passenger experience, with a brand-new baggage reclaim area, upgraded passport control facilities, more seating throughout and additional food and drink options. 

In the city centre, Hotel Indigo opened on Lower Briggate, breathing new life into one of Leeds’ oldest buildings. Blending historic features with modern design, the hotel added a stylish new option for visitors, while its ground-floor restaurant Banksia brought Mediterranean-inspired menus with serious culinary pedigree to the area.

Another skyline addition arrived on Sovereign Street, where Hyatt Place opened its doors. Head up to the twelfth floor and you’ll find Azotea, a luxurious rooftop restaurant adding yet another elevated dining experience to Leeds’ growing collection of sky-high spots.

Food, drink and hospitality

If 2025 proved anything, it’s that Leeds’ appetite for great food and drink is stronger than ever. Established favourites continued to grow, while the openings of White Cloth Hall, Brewery Wharf Tavern and The Victoria & Commerical, by  the Whitelock’s and Kirkstall Brewery teams helped to anchor the city’s pub scene and bring fresh energy to classic Leeds drinking spots.

Wine and coffee lovers were well catered for too. Rinse Natural Wine and NoNo offered relaxed spaces for both seasoned sippers and curious newcomers, while coffee brands from Blank Street to Coffee Boy arrived with a fresh, urban approach to caffeine. The Habitum added another exciting concept to the mix, giving coffee fans even more reason to linger.

Chicken was very much on the menu in 2025. Wingstop opened a new Leeds location at The Springs, serving up its signature wings, tenders and fries. US favourite Chick-fil-A landed on Commercial Street, sparking friendly competition with Popeyes, while Straight Outta Nashville brought its smash-burger energy across the Pennines from Salford.

Burger fans were equally spoilt, with Fat Hippo opening its doors and delivering stacked chicken, beef, vegan and gluten-free options that quickly earned a loyal following.

At the higher end of the dining spectrum, several major openings made waves. Cinnamon Kitchen, the first Northern venue from executive chef Vivek Singh, opened inside the Queens Hotel. Inspired by the grand waiting rooms of 19th-century Indian railway stations, it paired refined interiors with Singh’s celebrated regional Indian dishes made using seasonal British produce. All aboard indeed.

Uyare arrived from the team behind Tharavadu, while Giggling Squid opened on Park Row, bringing bold Thai flavours and vibrant interiors. Kerala Canteen launched in January, with award-winning chef Bobby Geetha introducing a bold new concept inspired by Kerala’s traditional toddy shops.

A much-loved Leeds institution made a welcome return as Fuji Hiro reopened in the Merrion Centre. Under new management, with the original chefs still in the kitchen, the restaurant reintroduced its famous ramen, katsu and gyoza to loyal fans while welcoming a new generation to the city’s original Japanese restaurant.

Elsewhere, Emba rose from the ashes of The Owl. Led by chef Liz Cottam, the riverside gastrobar focused on bold flavours, comfort-driven cooking and a constantly evolving beer and wine list. With counter seating, indoor tables and a terrace by the water, it quickly re-established itself as a must-visit.

Shopping

Shopping saw some headline moments in 2025. Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS landed in Flannels, giving Leeds shoppers the chance to browse the brand’s iconic shapewear and loungewear in person as part of a pop-up experience. From Finisterre to Søstrene Grene and the triumphant return Victoria’s Secret big names continue to flock to Leeds.

Leeds Kirkgate Market continued to prove why it’s the beating heart of the city. New traders included Hereni Time Service for watch repairs, Bagel and Bun serving fresh bagels, smoothies and milkshakes, and Hellenic Delicacies offering Greek olives and Mediterranean treats. Matcha and Mascarpone’s pop-up became a go-to for matcha lovers, proving independents remain part of the city’s fabric.

Entertainment and leisure

Leeds’ leisure scene expanded in all directions, bringing all the fun. The highly anticipated Glee Club opened in March, bringing stand-up comedy and live entertainment to a brand-new city centre venue.

Point Blank arrived with a bang as the UK’s first simulated shooting bar, offering a high-energy, tech-driven experience. Funstation opened in The Light in April, becoming a go-to family entertainment destination, while Gameshow Allstars let visitors step into the spotlight and live out their favourite TV quiz show fantasies.

Over at the White Rose Centre, King Pins levelled up bowling and beyond, offering ten-pin and duckpin bowling, tech darts, karaoke, shuffleboard, pool, arcade games and even crazy pool, proving that classic nights out can still come with a twist.

As we wave goodbye to 2025, one thing’s clear: Leeds never stands still. And with plenty already on the horizon, the fun is far from over. Keep your eyes peeled for our 2026: What We Know So Far article, where we’ll be rounding up the big events, exciting openings and fresh ideas already lined up for the year ahead. 

You can also stay up to date with our monthly What’s On guides, the latest In Bloom new openings, and all the day-to-day happenings across the city by following Welcome to Leeds on socials. Here’s to another year of discovering, celebrating and falling in love with Leeds all over again.