📆 What’s on in Leeds July 2024

The city roars into action this July, with Millenium Square playing host to everything from Leeds Pride to The Three Lions. Summer in Leeds is a time for togetherness with much to celebrate and something for everyone to get behind. Rounding up fun things to do this July––easy. Fitting them in your diary? Now, that’s the hard part. Here’s our pick of the best. 

Events in Millenium Square…

Sounds of the City

English rock band Nothing but Thieves kicks off the return of the celebrated concert series Sounds of the City on July 3rd at fan-favourite outdoor venue Millenium Square. Take in fresh acts in the fresh air until the 13th of July, including Anne-Marie, Tom Grennan, Paloma Faith, Busted and James Arthur. Iconic rock bands Suede and Manic Street Preachers will conclude the series with a huge co-headline show on July 13th. 

Millennium Square is an accessible venue with on-site food, drinks, and toilets. All Sounds of the City events are outside standing only. So, it’s best to go prepared. 

Cinema in the Square

If Sounds of the City is not your thing. How about open-air cinema? Cinema on the Square runs from the 24th to the 27th of July at Millenium Square, showing everything from blockbusters like Barbie, the film that broke everything everywhere, to Stop Making Sense, the iconic stage show designed by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads. Ratatouille pops up as one for the kids, while the insanely popular Parisian classic Amelie is sure to please romantics.

All showings are seated, and seating is provided. There’s no need to take your own. 

Euro 2024 Fanzone

Alongside its Summer Series, Millennium Square will host the Euro 2024 Fanzone from the 14th of June to the 14th of July. Matches will be screened throughout July unless they coincide with event nights. Make sure you check before you travel, but don’t miss out regardless. Here’s our list of where to watch the Euros 2024 in Leeds for alternative venues.

Leeds Pride

It’s bold, it’s bright, it’s back, and everyone’s invited. Join thousands of visitors from all over the UK and overseas at Leeds Pride, Yorkshire’s largest free-to-all celebration of LGBTQ+ life, on the 21st of July. The vibrant Pride parade will stop the city in its tracks en route from Leeds Town Hall and Art Gallery to The Calls, but it’s not the only thing worth checking out… 

Exclusively local acts will start the pre-parade party on the Parade Stage at Millenium Square. Hosted by Sordid Secret and Gucci Gabore, catch the entertainment from noon before the parade heads into the city. Later in the day and into the evening, head over to the Main Stage for fierce local drag acts, 90s dance legends BabyD and Alex Party, and iconic British singer and DJ Sonique.If you’re in Leeds for the weekend, start the party early at Left Bank Leeds’ Pride edition of Big Free Disco on Friday 19th of July (7 pm til Midnight). On Saturday, July 20th, the Viaduct Street Party kicks off at 1 pm with TV legend host Kim Woodburn.

Events elsewhere in the city…

MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover

Going beyond Millenium Square this month, take a chance on the immersive event MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover. Between 27th July and 1st September key locations in Leeds will transform into the iconic board while giant tokens, clues and puzzles lurk around every corner. It’s a world first, brought to the city by LeedsBID and under license by Hasbro. 

When you pass go is entirely up to you, but why not prepare yourself for play at Leeds City Museum‘s permanent exhibition on the story of Waddingtons, the original Leeds-based producer of the UK version of MONOPOLY. 

Staycation Festival

A holiday for the senses without leaving Leeds is within reach this summer between the 3rd and 7th of July. Opera North’s Howard Assembly Room and creative kitchen, Kino, will bring together all the great love languages––film, music, food and conversation––in the first-ever Staycation Festival. 

Get a real taste for classic movie destinations with location-inspired three-course menus from Kino plus live music, ahead of showings of Roman Holiday, Thelma and Louise, Mammamia! Singalong, Ratatouille, An American in Paris and the Before Trilogy.

Sparkling dinner conversation is also on the menu during Staycation. Tune into talks by top UK chef Nigel Slater and food writers Angela Clutton and Bee Wilson as you tuck into their delectable co-creations with Kino Head Chef Josh Whitehead.

Later in the month, the Leeds Tequila Festival at the Howard Assembly Room (July 20th) is the perfect opportunity to try out some of the most exciting Mexican tequila, Mezcal,  and Soto brands on the market.

Events beyond the city centre…

Summer Bands in Leeds

For a concert series of a different tempo, Summer Bands in Leeds hots up between June 6th and 28th. Wind, brass and percussion performances take place across Leeds every Sunday in various public spaces, from One Off Brass at Wetherby Bandstand to the White Rose Concert Band at Golden Acre Park. If there’s ever a combo to please you, the kids and the grandparents, it’s got to be big band music in a sunny park. 

The Legacy Ride

Celebrate Yorkshire cycling at its best on The Legacy Ride organised by Struggle in partnership with Leeds Council and Axiologik, which retraces the 2014 route of professional riders on the Tour De France Grand Depart. Test your fitness over 230, 120 or 70 km in God’s Own Country by bike, or line the route and watch guilt-free, knowing that your donation will go to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and MND foundation. The ride starts from Roundhay Park on Sunday, the 7th of July.  

Madness at Kirkstall Abbey

Following the success of their number-one selling thirteenth album, beloved British pop, Madness, will bring C’est La Vie to Kirkstall Abbey on Friday, July 26th. See the boys–still on top of their game–perform timeless, catchy hits with support from Liverpudlian indie-rockers The Zutons.

Kirkstall Comedy Festival

Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival on Sunday, July 28th is the first large-scale outdoor comedy event to take place in Leeds. A stellar lineup includes Canadian comedian and presenter Katharine Ryan, surrealist Geordie stand-up Ross Noble, Yorkshire’s own Maisie Adams, and many more. Comedy will run continuously throughout the day, so be sure to bring your own camping chairs, blankets and brollies

Amityfest 

Amityfest, Farsley’s biggest and best craft beer and music festival, is back at Sunny Bank Mills for a weekend of beer, food and live music from the 5th to the 7th of July. Get your hands on beers from local brewers Amity Brew Co (of course), Kirkstall Brewery and Northern Monk, among many others, and food from Fire and Smoke, Little Bao Boy and Homeboys PIzza, alongside live music all weekend long. It’s one for all the family on Sunday. 

Baby Band Family Music Festival

Baby Band Music Festival comes to Lotherton Hall and Estate this summer on Sunday, the 21st of July. Expect proper bands, great music and no nursery rhymes. It’s a festival for grown-ups that’s great for kids, too. There’ll be activities, an artisan market, food and drinks and plenty of picnic space. 

Indoor events...

And just in case the weather gets in the way of your plans, here are a few under-cover options that caught our eye: 

Learn the craft of lino printing in a 3-hour workshop with Leeds artist Megan Dobbyn at the Craft Centre and Design Gallery at Leeds City Art Gallery on July 6th. Everyone loves a print. Take part, and you’ll walk away with new skills and something for your walls.

Vintage Folk’s monthly warehouse thrift event pops up at TESTBED in Leeds on Sunday, July 7th. Tickets are just £2 and can be bought in advance or at the door. 90s, 90s and Y2K clothing is priced from £3 to £20 and is replenished throughout the day. See you there for the bargains…

The Open Book Club in Northern Monk’s Chapter Hall Open Book Club is a reading meet-up for like-minded girls. If you like to read and want to meet new people, this one’s for you. The club’s next meet up is on Wednesday 10th July.  

The Half Moon Market at The Key Club on Merrion Street returns on July 27th for Hot Ghoul Summer. Browse weird and wonderful homewares, taxidermy, jewellery, art candles, and more. It’s free to enter and dog-friendly.