📆 What’s on in Leeds in October 2024

As the nights draw in, Leeds shines bright this October. Two exciting festivals bookend the month, and there are plenty of chances to get your spook on during half term and Halloween. Outside the city, outdoor cinema is on the cards. So, be prepared to wrap up warm, enjoy the autumn air and maybe a steaming hot chocolate or two.

Best of the fests…

Leeds International Festival of Ideas

Kicking off October with a bang is Leeds International Festival of Ideas between October 2 and 5 at Leeds Playhouse. Hear well-known faces like Nile Rodgers, Matt Willis, Tim Spector, Stacey Dooley, and Kate Garraway discuss ideas in response to the world’s most pressing challenges. It’s close to a sell-out, so plan your agenda by using our BIG #LIFI24 Preview and get booking your tickets now! 

Light Night Leeds

Leeds’ popular annual celebration of light, Light Night Leeds, returns on October 24 and 25 for its 20th edition in various city locations. Expect large-scale, spell-binding projections, including Monad at Leeds Dock by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachen and the regular huge piece on the Queen’s Hotel. Outside the Tetley, Architecture Social Club will present Parallels, featuring multi-coloured laser beams that pulse and flicker to a mesmerising electronic soundscape. 

Elsewhere, MAPP by Dutch dup AlexP will capture the silhouettes of participants among colourful images and patterns projected from an old-fashioned pram. You can also catch a giant Ghost Caribou, the Spark Drummers and a fire-breathing dragon in the series of live street performances. It’s a packed programme, and it’s going to be a good one. 

On the stage…

Su Pollard: Still Fully Charged

National treasure, Su Pollard, celebrates 50 years in showbiz with Su Pollard: Still Fully Charged, a night of laughter, songs and stories at the City Varieties Music Hall on October 2. From humble beginnings on Opportunity Knocks to recent stints on Celebrity Masterchef and Would I Lie to You? Su has plenty of backstage secrets to spill! 

An Evening of Burlesque

Also at City Varieties is the artistic spectacle An Evening of Burlesque between October 3 and 5. Roll up, roll up for a night of sparkling entertainment as the ultimate variety show delivers burlesque, cabaret, comedy, music, and circus. You might even spot the odd Guinness World Record Holder or Champagne Showgirl.

Most Haunted The Stage Show

Paranormal investigation series and worldwide phenomenon Most Haunted comes to life at City Varieties between October 29 and 31. Hear Yvette Fielding and the team’s top ten scares, see unseen footage and experience séance and Ouija board action. In this show, no one is safe! Don’t say we didn’t warn you…

Theatre of Presents the Haunted Cabaret and Burlesque Show

If you’re keen to combine your burlesque with the theme of the month, the newly refurbished The Wardrobe will host Theatre of Presents the Haunted Cabaret and Burlesque Show on October 12. Expect an all-star international line-up including Lana Montreese, Elena, Scarlett Von Siren, Mrs no Overall and Gina Stirling. The dress code? Dress to express.

Music from the Movies: Candlelight Concert

Harewood House plans to host some magical autumnal experiences for music and film lovers this month. First up, Music from the Movies: Candlelight Concert features the hauntingly beautiful music of Hans Zimmer and John Williams performed by the Ebor Quartet in the Gallery on October 12 to candlelight. What could be more atmospheric?

Adventure Cinema Presents

On October 18, Adventure Cinema presents an outdoor (15+) screening of the ultimate cult classic,  The Lost Boys). Bring a blanket or camping chair, wrap up warm, and watch the movie in the eerie glow of Harewood House. Fancy dress is recommended; get your leather jackets, fangs, and shades at the ready.

Then, prepare for killer showings of family-friendly comedy Hocus Pocus on October 19 and (18+) iconic slasher movie Scream on October 20. Doors open at 6pm, films start at 7:30pm.

Opera North’s Top Gun Maverick in Concert

For an epic experience combining film and live music, check out Opera North’s Top Gun: Maverick in Concert at Leeds Grand Theatre on October 28. Sit back and enjoy as The Orchestra of Opera North takes the iconic score by Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer to new heights. 

Alternatively, Opera North’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is at Leeds Grand from October 12 until October 31. Alongside Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Opera North’s retelling of Mozart’s The Magic Flute will play until February 22, 2024. For a pre-show meal to remember, try Kino for a seasonal pre-feature dinner that’s ‘a little bit French, a lot British and Yorkshire through and through’. 

Red Violin Festival: The Red Violin Film Screening

Over at Everyman, film screenings of the 1998 drama The Red Violin on October 12 and 13 are introduced by a live performance of Corigliano’s virtuosic Red Violin Caprices by outstanding Royal College of Music violinist Shing Hong Chow. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi, and Sylvia Chang, The Red Violin tells the story of a mysterious red-coloured violin and its many owners.

Becky Hill

British singer-songwriter Becky Hill’s nationwide tour continues at the First Direct Arena on October 16. View Becky’s sensational live show, full of chart-topping dance-pop hits, ahead of her highly-anticipated second album slated for release in 2024.

Also at First Direct Arena in October is shock-rocker Alice Cooper (Oct 18) and 90s rock band Sum 41 (Oct 26). You can also catch first-class tributes to Michael Jackson (Oct 25) and Whitney Houston (Oct 31) this month.

Unmissable events…

Thackray Insights: True Crime

This month, Thackray Medical Museum’s insights series focuses on True Crime. Join leading academics Prof. Vivien Miller and Prof. Katherine D. Watson as they take an in-depth look into crime and criminal justice on October 5. The museum is offering a select number of tickets free to students studying A-level or above – grab yours now. The science exhibition You Choose is also on until January 5.

Adventures in Science

For a younger audience, ‘The Magical Mr West’ is set to take kids of six and above on Adventures in Science at the Carriageworks Theatre on October 13. Mr West’s spectacular show includes magic, science and a good deal of tomfoolery – delivered with the help of Crowbert his wise-racking cartoon crow.

Age UK’s Leeds Abbey Dash

Not far from Carriageworks, Leeds’ oldest and best-loved 10K, Age UK’s Leeds Abbey Dash sets off from Millenium Square on October 13. The event has raised over £4M for elderly people in the UK – sign up to help them do more. 

Crepe City Leeds

Sneakerheads, this one’s for you. Join the UK’s top sneaker vendors at the Royal Armouries on October 5 at Crepe City Leeds. Get your hands on the rarest and most desirable sneakers in the country for one day only. What you waiting for? Jump to it!

Leeds Brick Festival

Also at the Royal Armouries is the Leeds Brick Festival on October 12. A Lego fan event dedicated to all things brick! Booking is advised to secure your ticket to speed-building comps, large-scale displays, traders and, of course, mini-figures. 

Leeds Model Railway Society’s 72nd Annual Exhibition

For a mini-build experience of a different kind, head to Leeds Grammar School on October 26 and 27 for Leeds Model Railway Society’s 72nd Annual Exhibition. Expect model railway layouts of Hunslet and Headingley (among many more), demonstrations, displays and excellent refreshments.

Leeds markets

This month, the best alternative markets for frighteningly good finds are: 

• The Big Leeds Flea Market at TESTBED on October 8 offers bargain vintage and secondhand goods aplenty.
• Leeds Alternative Market at Kirgkate Market on October 19 promises alternative fashion, accessories and homeware.
• Scrap Community Junk Market by the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project Ltd at Sunny Bank Mills on October 26 brings a new take to the beloved car boot sale. Expect everything from baby clothes to books and homeware.

Half-term and Halloween treats…

Leeds City Museums and Galleries have lots going on in October to keep the kids entertained. All activities are included in general admission prices.

At Lotherton, there’s fun for all ages with Pumpkin Patch Trailer Tours between October 5 and 31 and Once Upon a Time: Twisted Tales Unveiled (Oct 25-31) and Spooky Skeletons: Scarytales (Oct 26-Nov 03).

At Kirkstall Abbey, take part in a Haunted Halloween Hunt (Oct 26-Nov 03), or visit the Wise Owl Bird of Prey Rescue owls at Owls in the Abbey  (Oct 29)

Leeds City Museum will host its annual Pumpkin Competition (Oct 24-31) and Calacas Crafts (Oct 19-31) for Day of the Dead mask and flower crown making. Leeds Discovery Centre will also hold a Day of the Dead family workshop (Oct 28)]

Temple Newsam will hold a Spooky Storytime (Oct 29) and Halloween Hauntings with themed rooms and creepy crafts (Oct 26-Nov 03)

Halloween Foley Workshop

Elsewhere, Hyde Park Picture House will invite 8-11-year-olds to a spooky one-off Halloween Foley Workshop exploring the importance of sound in cinema. Kids attend independently and tickets are £5.

LHT Unwrapped: Spooktacular Theatre

Leeds Grand Theatre will run two Halloween-themed workshops on October 30 for kids aged 6-8 and on October 31 for kids aged 9-11. They’re sure to have a ghastly good time letting their imaginations run wild as they play most ghoulish theatre friends.

El Kiddo presents: Halloween CircusAt Project House El Kiddo presents DJs, stilt walkers, face painters, balloon modelling and lots of interactive entertainment for all the family in its Halloween Circus edition on October 31.