📆 What’s on in Leeds in Feb 2025

Now the back-to-work-and-school January chaos has subsided, what to do? We’d forgive you for thinking February will be quiet on the event front. However, that’s not the case in Leeds, where you’ll find alternative activities aplenty. From Padel to BIG birthday parties, February is all about trying something new. Ready to halt hibernation in its tracks? Let’s go.

Exhibitions

Miffy, the world’s favourite little white rabbit, turns 70 this year! Hop along to a FREE interactive exhibition at Leeds City Museum between February 7 and September 7, 2025, to explore the wonderful world dreamed up by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna. The exhibit opens on February 8 with a family fun day, where you can meet Miffy herself for a rare photo opportunity. The fun doesn’t stop there, with creative displays and interactive activities unfolding throughout the year, including a jam-packed half-term schedule (listed below).

The UK’s largest independent medical museum (in Leeds!), the Thackray Museum of Medicine, will host five bloody good events in February, as they launch a new exhibition (more details soon). Top of our list: 

• The adult-only evening event Thackray Lates: My Bloody Valentine on Saturday, February 13, promises to be an anti-Valentine event and a take on romance that’s not for the faint-hearted.

• Half Term: Blood and Beats between Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 23 is an opportunity for the kids to get stuck into science shows, craft activities and workshops all about blood. Budding surgeons (age 10+) can try their hands at dissection in Hands-On: Heart Dissections between February 19 and 21. Spaces are limited, so make sure you book in advance!

Events

The seven-day celebration of independent music and arts venues (and the people who own and run them) is back. Independent Venue Week, between January 27 and February 2, is a national project with a local feel; in Leeds, venues like Belgrave, Brudenell Social Club, Headrow House, and Hyde Park Book Club will take part (full listings here). While you’ll need to be reading this in January to catch emerging eclectic band Yuppie Supper at Opporto and powerful performers Big Special at Brudenell, there are still plenty of indie acts to see in early Feb, including punk rock and roll band The Daisymen at Northern Guitars on the 2nd.

Book friends, head to If Up North, 10-12 East Parade for Leeds Book Bonanza on Sunday, February 2. Showcasing indie and traditionally published authors and small businesses, the event runs between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. and promises to be a day filled with literary fun. Be prepared to browse books, meet authors, and enjoy book-related activities alongside fellow bookworms.

Heard of the world’s fastest-growing sport, Padel? The tennis, squash and badminton racket-sport combo is BIG in Yorkshire. So big, Padel 4 the People presents: Padel1000 event at Slazenger Padel Club, LS14, on February 22 will offer a £1000 prize pot for its advanced player comp. Alongside the main competition, there’ll be social and intermediate comps, loads of activities, street food, a bar and DJs throughout the day. It’s a great opportunity to learn more and get involved regardless of your skill level.

Calling all Leeds business owners! The Yorkshire Business Fair at the Holiday Inn Conference Centre on Wednesday, February 26, is a FREE Yorkshire Society and YORBusiness event where you can get together with other SMEs, micro-businesses and start-ups. With over 40 exhibitors, free Yorkshire Society membership for attendees and free parking, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to dip your toes in the Leeds business networking community.

If you’re not in business (yet) and still unsure which way you want to take your career, the Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair is worth checking out. Running between 1pm and 7pm at the First Direct Arena on February 12, it’s FREE to attend – you just need to book a ticket. Get information, advice and guidance from over 100 exhibitors, plus access to live vacancies.

Music

Just when you thought Leeds International Piano Competition (LIPC) was over, there’s more to come this February 11. Young Chinese pianist and LIPC Silver prizewinner Junyan Chen will play music by Bach, Gubaidulina, Beethoven and Beach at The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire, as part of Leeds International Piano Series 2024/2025. It’s your opportunity to get a first listen, so book your tickets in advance.

The UK’s first-ever country music day party, Country Club, is riding into town for the ultimate hoedown at The Warehouse on February 1. Expect to hear country favourites from artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, Post Malone, Shania Twain, Luke Bryan & many more. There’ll be line-dancing, cowboy/cowgirl hat giveaways and Wild West décor from 4pm. Time to dust your chaps off? It sounds like a fun event.

New wave rock and roll band These Wicked Rivers will headline the Leeds Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival at Brudenell Social Club from 2pm on February 23. Gráinne Duffy, Jon Amor, Backbone Blues Band, Big Wolf Band, Ramblin’ Preachers, and Stevie Nimmo are also on the bill. Get ready for an event that takes you through every musical mood and back again. It’s one not to miss.

Over at the Leeds Direct Arena, Craig David kicks off Leeds’ big-name February acts with a 25th-anniversary tour featuring Lemar on February 2. If Craig’s authentically British sound is not your thing, other huge acts include Waterloo – a tribute to ABBA (Feb 8), James Blunt (Feb 13), a Queen Extravaganza – celebrating 50 years of Bohemian Rapsody (Feb 18) and Pantera (Feb 19). There’s something for everyone this month.

Theatre

At Leeds Heritage Theatres, Persian powerhouse Omid Djalili will perform his critically acclaimed new show Namaste at Leeds Grand Theatre on February 23. On February 27, virtuoso ventriloquist and BAFTA nominee Lisa Conti (and monkey) is back on tour with Whose Face is it Anyway? at City Varieties Music Hall. 

If you can’t wait for those dates, check out award-deserving German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn, who will perform Acid Wehn between 13 and 15 February, also at Leeds City Varieties. Or, book to see the self-confessed dishevelled prince of €10 eBay keyboards David O’Doherty’s show: Tiny Piano Man, on February 2.

If musical theatre’s more your thing, the smash hit show Only Fools and Horses: The Musical is on between February 24 and March 1. The Trotters are back and arriving at The Grand straight off the back of a record-breaking four-year sold-out run of London’s West End. Expect to see Del Boy, Rodney, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil, Mickey Pearce… and Grandad, played by comedy giant Paul Whitehouse.

Over at City Varieties Music Hall, musical evenings include Back to Bacharach: The Very Best of Burt Bacharach (Feb 6), A Night to Remember: Motown Show (Feb 7), and Opera Boys: A Night at the Musicals (Feb 23). There’ll also be a special National Theatre Live screening of The Importance of Being Earnest on February 25, with Sharon D Clarke and Ncuti Gatwa and directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi).

At The Playhouse, The Merchant of Venice 1936 arrives directly from successful runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company and London’s West End. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Shylock, it’s an electrifying new production that ‘makes theatre history’ according to The Telegraph.

Matilda Jr. The Musical may end its run at The Carriageworks Theatre on February 1, but There’s a Monster in Your Show is another highlight, playing February 15 and 16. Tom Fletcher’s popular book makes its debut as a musical right as the half-term holidays begin – perfect! Book! It’s a high-energy, 50-minute adventure packed with playful interactive moments for all the family. 

Valentine’s Day Activities

The UK’s best-known Valentine’s funfair, The Great Leeds Valentine’s Fair, returns to Millenium Square for the half-term holidays. Try out family rides, children’s attractions and giant prize games at Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street, intermingled with novelty stalls, food and refreshments. It’s due to open on Saturday, February 19 – keep your eyes on the weather forecast, though. It’s already been put back due to severe weather being forecast in the run-up.

Candlelight Concerts brings the magic of live, multi-sensory music to Leeds City Museum under the gentle glow of candlelight on February 14. The Northern String Quartet will bring 60 minutes of love songs to life, including Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers), Can You Feel The Love Tonight? (Elton John) and A Whole New World (Alan Menken). Booking this utterly romantic experience for your loved one could win you some serious brownie points (just saying). What are you waiting for…

Love is in the air at Hyde Park Book Club on Headingley Lane. Sunset Sounds X North Gone West: Valentine’s Rave, featuring bassline, drum and bass, Jungle and UK garage, is on from 6pm til 10pm on February 15. Celebrate with a loved one, or just fall in love with the music. It’s up to you!

Half Term Activities

Alongside Leeds City Museum’s Miffy exhibition, kids can get involved in a Miffy Trail (find Miffy!) between February 14 and February 23, 10am until 5pm. They can also get stuck into Miffy-themed Crafts between February 18 and 20 (origami Miffy, anyone?). And, a Miffy and Friends Drawing Workshop inspired by Dick Bruna’s art and hosted by author and illustrator Kristyna Baczynski on February 18 is a must for budding artists. Booking is essential for the drawing workshop – don’t miss out!

The popular Superheroes Week is back at the Royal Armouries during half term (Feb 15 to 23). Grab a selfie with your favourite superhero and go through basic training with a special agent at the superhero academy. Be the hero of your own story by creating your own comic strip and follow the Superhero trail to find supers hidden around the museum. There’ll also be daily Superhero shows (booking essential tickets £3 per person per show).

Join Leeds Industrial Museum for family-friendly films every day of the school holidays, starting from 2pm between February 15 and 13. Mystery Matinees take place in the 1920s Palace Picture House, the smallest cinema in the North of England with just 24 seats. 

Also at Leeds Industrial Museum, Armley Print Fest on February 15 will introduce young hands to inky greatness. With local printmakers and live letterpress demonstrations, it suits all ages. And you’ll get to browse the Print Fair, too! Return on Tuesday, February 18 or Thursday, February 20, between 11am and 2pm and take part in the museum’s Perfect Printing workshops, too.

MathsCity, the home of hands-on maths (located in Trinty Shopping Centre), has over forty interactive exhibits to try out. Kids can climb inside a giant bubble, try a laser ring of fire and challenge their brains with fascinating puzzles. MathsCity is open every day between February 15 and 23 from 10am to 5pm and everyone’s welcome. Prices start from £7.95, and under 3s go free.

Leeds-based charity LS-TEN will be doing FREE guided roller-skating sessions in Leeds Markets on February 18 between 11am and 4pm. Skates are provided, and the sessions are drop-in (no need to book); simply get ready to take a spin! 

Explore Leeds Discovery Centre’s impressive bug collection, The Bug Brigade, on Monday, February 17. No booking is required for this FREE family workshop. And if it piques your little ones’ interest in the natural world, don’t forget it’s the time of year we welcome newborn lambs, piglets and other springtime babies. Visit Temple Newsam’s Home Farm between February 15 and 20; you’ll see them up close and maybe even feed them! While you’re there, make sure you check out the brand-new Butler’s Pantry…