2026 – what we know so far

While 2026 is still warming up, there’s already plenty in the diary to get excited about. From landmark city celebrations and big cultural moments to major food openings, festivals and a fresh new chapter for Welcome to Leeds itself, here’s what we know so far about the year ahead.

Big moments for the city

2026 is officially a big birthday year. Leeds will mark 400 years since the granting of its city charter, and celebrations are already shaping up across the calendar. Expect history, heritage and plenty of playful twists on what makes Leeds, Leeds – with city-wide moments that shine a light on the past while firmly facing forwards.

One of the most exciting ways this milestone will be celebrated comes via LeedsBID’s Trivial Pursuit activation, landing in summer 2026. Following the huge success of MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover and Wonderland Awaits, this clever, curiosity-fuelled activation will send you exploring the city centre through questions, facts and surprising stories about Leeds – perfectly timed for its 400th birthday year.

The much-loved LeedsBID Summer Roadshow is also back and going further in 2026. Designed to bring colour, activity and joy to office-heavy parts of the city centre, the Roadshow will return to popular spots and pop up in new locations. Expect lunchtime activities, surprises and that all-important free ice cream. 

Behind the scenes, LeedsBID’s Street Rangers are a key part of keeping Leeds clean, welcoming and looking its best – an essential part of the city’s daily rhythm. In 2026, the Ranger team will be bigger, better and more visible than ever before. If you spot them out and about, give them a wave.

Welcome to Leeds: A fresh new look

We’re also beyond excited to announce that Welcome to Leeds is getting a major glow-up! In 2026, we’ll be rolling out a refreshed identity and a brand-new website, designed to bring the colour, energy and personality of our socials front and centre. 

Our aim? A world-class welcome to Leeds, and a better way to share the city’s most exciting stories with everyone who lives, works or visits here. Consider this a new chapter, and trust us, spring 2026 is going to be a big one.

Festivals and major events

It’s not just WTL getting a refresh. Leeds Festival arrives on the August bank holiday with one of its biggest shake-ups yet. Expect a new look, a historic all-British and Irish headline bill, a Thursday main-stage headliner for the first time (extending the festival to four days), a new sponsor (Pepsi), and a full rebrand. Headliners announced so far include Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C. and Raye, with the festival returning over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Elsewhere, Live at Leeds is taking a breather in 2026, with organisers confirming plans to return in 2027 for its 20th anniversary. The good news?  Slam Dunk 2026 is still very much on, taking over Temple Newsam on Sunday 24 May, with Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, Sublime and more already confirmed.

Brand new for 2026 is Roundhay Festival, landing at Roundhay Park on Friday 3 July. Organised by AEG Presents, the team behind BST Hyde Park and All Points East, the festival already boasts Pitbull (with special guest Kesha) and Lewis Capaldi, with more names still to be announced. Read our full article for more info.

Mint Festival will also return to Newsam Green Farm on 2-3 May with one of its strongest line-ups yet, featuring Enzo Siragusa, Ewan McVicar, Luuk Van Dijk and Max Dean back to back with Luke Dean.

And because this is Leeds, the festival calendar doesn’t stop at music. Leeds Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, Leeds Film Festival marks its 40th edition from 5–22 November, and Leeds Jazz Festival returns for its fifth year from 21–26 May.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas will be back too, and is already shaping up to be its biggest yet. Returning to Leeds Playhouse for its sixth edition, LIFI26 will run from the week commencing 5 October 2026 and promises another packed programme of big conversations, bold thinkers and world-class speakers. Expect familiar faces, leading academics and powerful campaigners tackling the ideas shaping society today. Prepare to be challenged, connected and changed. Yes, it’s very much one for the diary.

Food lovers won’t be disappointed either. Expect the return of Great British Food Festival, North Leeds Food Festival and Temple Newsam: A Summertime Feast, alongside Hop City beer festival, back at the Old Flax Store on 15–16 May for its ninth year.

Over at Kirkstall Abbey, Kirkstall Comedy Festival returns on Sunday 16 July, following a sold-out debut in 2025, with a huge alfresco line-up including Jason Manford, Dara Ó Briain, Lucy Beaumont, Babatunde Aleshe and Sara Pascoe.

Music

Kirkstall Abbey continues its reign as one of the UK’s most atmospheric live music venues, welcoming The Streets, The Maccabees and The Sunshine Underground in 2026. Big sounds, historic surroundings, it’s a winning combo.

Sounds of the City returns to Millennium Square with another standout summer series, including rising face of Texas country Dylan Gossett, Grammy award-winning American rockers Alabama Shakes, indie rockers Wet Leg, synth pop band The Human League, and indie rock band The Cribs.

Inside First Direct Bank Arena, 2026 brings a seriously varied line-up, with Jason Derulo, Gorillaz, Richard Ashcroft, James, Yungblud, Rick Astley, The Prodigy, Barry Manilow, UB40, Lily Allen, Kings of Leon, Evanescence, Jane McDonald, Westlife and The Darkness all heading to Leeds.And of course, there’ll be loads of indie gigs to watch out for too at venues like Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave Music Hall and Project House. We’ll bring you more on those in our monthly What’s On guides.

Theatre 

Leeds’ theatre scene is lining up another standout year. Leeds Playhouse and Leeds Grand Theatre both have major productions confirmed, spanning classic drama, bold new writing, family favourites and West End hits.

Leeds Playhouse’s 2026 highlights include major productions like the Yorkshire-based musical Brassed Off (18 Jun – 11 Jul), Andrea Levy’s Small Island (11-28 Mar), the children’s favourite Planet Omar (7-25 Apr), and Shakespeare’s  A Midsummer Night’s Dream (14-28 Feb), alongside touring hits such as James Graham’s Punch and dance from Ballet Black & Phoenix Dance Theatre, plus comedy from Sara Pascoe & Sue Perkins.

Over at Leeds Grand Theatre, expect blockbuster musicals including The Sound of Music (Jul-Aug 2026) and TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (Mar-Apr 2026), plus The Shawshank Redemption (May 2026). Add in the West End smash hit comedy,  John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers: The Play (6-10 Jan) and Mozart’s masterpiece reimagined in Opera North’s The Marriage of Figaro (30 Jan – 20 Feb), and it’s a packed programme with more to explore.

Comedy

Leeds’ comedy calendar is already stacking up nicely for 2026, with a brilliant mix of big-name tours, cult favourites and rising stars heading to the city. Expect packed rooms, sharp observations and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments across Leeds’ best-loved stages.

Among the highlights, Simon Evans brings his smart, incisive new show, Staring at the Sun, to The Glee Club on 27 January, while Bridget Christie lands at Leeds Playhouse with Jacket Potato Pizza on 30 January, blending surreal storytelling with trademark wit. 

Comedy legend Rob Newman also returns to City Varieties Music Hall with Where The Wild Things Were on 31 January, delivering satire and big ideas in equal measure. On the arena circuit, if John Mulaney’s UK tour stops off in Leeds, it’ll be an unmissable date for comedy fans.

There’s plenty to catch beyond the household names, too. Alasdair Beckett-King continues his rise with clever, absurdist stand-up at City Varieties Music Hall on 1 April, while Jack Carroll tours throughout 2026 with his warm, sharply written material. Add in regular weekend line-ups at venues like The Glee Club, plus the lingering buzz from Peter Kay’s huge comeback, and it’s clear that Leeds is heading into another very strong year for comedy.

Art and exhibitions

Ones to Watch at Sunny Bank Mills in Armley returns for its thirteenth year, showcasing some of the most exciting emerging artistic talent in Yorkshire. Expect to see painting, sculpture, film, photography, ceramics, design and more from 10 January to 29 March. Catch it from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, for free.

Over at Harewood, why not experience the seasons through the work of Charlotte Verity, a British artist known for her meticulously observed paintings of plants and flowers. Charlotte Verity: The Season Following runs from 23 Jan to 7 Jun.

Continuing the botanical theme at  Lotherton, Botanically Beautiful: Art and design inspired by nature will run from 1 March until 18 October. Now’s your chance to get up close to original William Morris wallpapers from the Sanderson archive and innovative furniture by Voysey and Pugin.

Sport

England and Wales will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, bringing together twelve of the world’s top teams in a thrilling contest for the coveted trophy. Get up close to the action at Headingley in June and watch reigning world champions New Zealand defend their title (following a victory over Australia that ended the Aussies’ dominant streak).

It’s big, and it’s back. The second instalment of the Giants Live Official Strongman World Tour will arrive at First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday, 11 April, where twelve of Europe’s most powerful men will compete for the title of Europe’s Strongest Man. 

On Saturday, 24 January, First Direct Bank Arena will host the FIM X Trial (Indoor) World Championship. Watch eight world-class riders face off in a new format. The top three riders in this year’s X-Trial final World rankings –  Toni Bou, Jaime Busto and Gabriel Marcelli – are automatically guaranteed a place in the new Leeds event, where they’ll be joined by two British wildcards plus three riders selected by the series promoter.

England’s only full-distance IRONMAN event, IRONMAN Leeds, will return to Leeds, known as the hub of triathlon, racing on 16 August 2026. Watch the world’s best athletes, or take part yourself – you’re likely to need some good old Northern grit to get you around the swim, bike and run route, which ends in Roundhay Park. There’s loads of info on site if you fancy taking part

If an IRONMAN’s a bit much, how about a shorter distance? Also back for 2026 will be the ever-popular Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, starting from Headingley Stadium on Sunday, 10 May and the Leeds Running Festival – with 5K, 10K or half marathon distances – starting at Roundhay Park on Sunday, 5 April. 

New openings

Finally, here’s a recap of some of the highly anticipated new openings coming to Leeds:

• Uniqlo Leeds is set to land on the ground floor of The Store House (previously House of Fraser), Leeds’ new destination for student accommodation on Briggate. 

• Dishoom, the incredibly popular Bombay-style Indian restaurant, has been granted planning approval to open its new Leeds location in the former Flannels store on Vicar Lane.

• Madre, and its sister concept Salon Madre, are gearing up to bring bold Mexican flavours to Wellington Place. 

• Blackhouse will launch a new gastro bar concept to celebrate its 18th anniversary.

• Leeds Kirkgate Market is getting a new two-storey food and entertainment hub with construction slated to start in early 2026.

Don’t forget to follow our In Bloom articles for what’s opened and what’s coming soon.