What’s on in Leeds in July 2025

July in Leeds is bursting with events, festivals and summer fun for everyone. Whether you’re a live music lover, theatre enthusiast, foodie or looking for family days out, there’s something for you to enjoy. Here’s a round-up of the best things happening across the city this July. Scroll to the end for school holiday activities…

Festivals and outdoor events

The brilliant summer music series Sounds of the City will return to Millennium Square this July. MIKA will kick things off on Thursday, 3 July, followed by The Black Keys on Tuesday, 8, Shed Seven and the Lightning Seeds on Friday, 11, The Lathums on Saturday, 12, Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to Michael Jackson on Thursday, 17 and Funeral for a Friend on Friday, 18. Watch our Shed Seven preview on Instagram.

There’ll also be Taylormania on Saturday, 19, ABBAOKE: The Sing-Along ABBA Experience on Saturday, 19, Leeds Pride Community Choir on Sunday, 20 and Ministry of Sound Ibiza Anthems with Ellie Sax on Friday, 15. Are you ready to party? Don’t forget your Pac-a-mac!

LeedsBID’s popular Summer Roadshow is back! Expect pop-up entertainment, giveaways and surprises, with events taking place between 12 pm and 2 pm at the newly redeveloped Aire Park on 1, 2 and 3 July. Take a break from your workday and get involved! There’ll be yoga, crazy golf, penalty shootouts, fan painting, linocut workshops and, of course, ice-cream and iced Nespresso coffees. Find the roadshow on the paved area around Salem Church and The Tetley.

Saddle up, Party Cowpeople! The UK’s biggest country music day party, the Summer Outdoor Country Music Festival,  is riding into Leeds for the ultimate hoedown at Project House in Armley on Saturday, 5 July. Listen to non-stop country music hits all day long, and, if you fancy it, partake in a spot of line dancing. Like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and Post Malone? This one’s for you.

Leeds Waterfront Festival sails back into the city’s summer events calendar with its signature thrilling dragon boat races, street food, family-friendly rides, live DJs by the docks and fun for all ages on 5 and 6 July. Set to be the best event yet, 24 teams will compete to be crowned champion. Tickets for racers have already sold out, but there’s plenty of space to cheer the teams on – it’s fun, it’s family-friendly, and it’s worth checking out.

This year’s Toyland-themed Kirkstall Festival, held on Saturday, 12 July in the stunning abbey grounds, will bring its popular brand of volunteer-run fun to the city. With something for all ages – entertainment, learning, food and community spirit – you’ll find multiple live stages, over 160 stalls, beer and tea tents and more. There’s loads on for the kids too, including Viking reenactments, circus shows, dog shows and even canoe taster sessions on the River Aire. Ready for some fun? Get yourself down there!

On 11 July, there’ll also be a pre-festival fundraiser, featuring Weetwood Mac and Graceland. Doors open at 6 pm, get tickets here.

The Gin and Rum Festival is returning to the Royal Armouries on 12 July. Featuring over 120 gins and rums, a live DJ and acoustic music, you’re guaranteed to find your new summer tipple of choice. Tickets include a free drink on arrival; there’ll also be free samples, complimentary mixers, soft drinks and collectable branded goodies up for grabs. It’s not all gin and rum – there’ll also be some delightful tequilas to try out

Ready to join over 80,000 visitors to watch 160+ floats and loads of brilliant acts at Yorkshire’s biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ life, Leeds Pride? Yes, we’re excited, too. Kicking off with pre-parties on Saturday, 19 July, the main event on Sunday, 20th July, will start with its usual vibrant parade, which will wind its way through the city streets down to Lower Briggate and the Calls.

This year’s lineup includes 00s pop icons Liberty X, chart-topping dance-floor duo Booty Luv and N-Trace vocalist, Kelly Llorenna and will be hosted by Soraya Vivian and Matt Jameson. RuPaul’s Drag Race star Danny Bear will appear on the New Cabaret Stage, plus performances from Gay Abandon Choir and Davey Stuart on the Community Stage. 

There’ll also be plenty of fringe events, such as Leeds Pride Ball on 11 July at Bibis, and a celebration service at Leeds Minster, The Viaduct Street Party at Viaduct Showbar and a Drag Brunch at Bar Fibre on 19 July, as well as loads of afterparties. 

Don’t be late! Leeds BID will transform Leeds into an immersive, magical wonderland playground this summer with Wonderland Awaits. Step into a storybook city reimagined through the curious lens of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with seven larger-than-life installations and a free family trail. Created by the world-class team at Cuddle Creative Works, Wonderland Awaits is set to delight all ages with interactive installations, theatrical performances, eccentric characters, a puzzle, and surprises around every corner. You might also be given a chance to win an amazing prize – just follow the trail to finish the tale between Saturday, 26 July and Sunday, 31 August.

If you enjoyed Leeds’ Monopoly Takeover last year, you’re going to love this…

Get ready to relive the magic of the 80s as big-name 80s stars join forces with the Orchestra of Opera North for 80s Classical, a night of sing-along anthems under the stars at Millennium Square on Saturday 26 July. Headlined by pop legend Kim Wilde, alongside Roland Gift (of Fine Young Cannibals), Go West and Jaki Graham, 80s classic, expect to sing along to hits like Kids in America, She Drives Me Crazy, Ain’t Nobody and many, many more.

Also at Millennium Square, will be Cinema on the Square, Leeds’ popular outdoor season for film lovers of all ages. Running between Thursday, 31 July and Sunday, 3 August, Cinema on the Square (presented by Leeds International Film Festival) will feature a brilliant movie lineup, including a ‘bring your own dog’ showing of Best in Show, Wicked and Encanto sing-alongs and a Yorkshire Day screening of Kes. Grab a seat or picnic blanket, and get yourself along to soak up summer city vibes. View the full schedule here.

Theatre & Live Performance

The smash-hit West End musical, SIX,  returns to Leeds Grand between 8 July and 12 July, following three previous sell-out visits. Expect a high-energy, pop-powered retelling of Henry VIII’s six wives as the Tony-Award-winning musical takes you through a celebration of 21st-century girl power. Think you know the rhyme? Think again…

The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a lucky few. Will you be one of them? Leeds Grand Youth Theatre brings Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to life at Leeds Grand Theatre between 24 July and 27 July. It features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman and songs from the 1971 motion picture written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, and it’s sure to be a (sweet) treat.

Also at the Grand, between 29 July and 2 August, will be the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s theatrical triumph, Fiddler on the Roof. The enduring classic, featuring If I Were a Rich Man, Tradition, Matchmaker and Sunrise, Sunset, will be brought to life with heart, humour and unforgettable songs right here in Leeds.

There’s something for everyone this month at the Grand, which will also see Derren Brown: Only Human between 15 and 20 July, and West End and Broadway hit Cirque: The Greatest Show Reimagined on 13 and 14 July take to the stage.

Music & Nightlife

Over at First Direct Arena on Tuesday, 1 July,  1,000 talented young musicians from across the city will come together for the Leeds Youth Musical Festival Celebration Concert, a joyful showcase of music from 80 schools, ArtForms’ music centres, and the City of Leeds Youth Music groups. Maybe you need a vested interest to buy into this one, but the young people of Leeds coming together has a feel-good vibe that couldn’t go unmentioned…

Now here you go again…Paradox Orchestra returns to its home city of Leeds with another reimagining of timeless Fleetwood Mac hits in Fleetwood Mac: An Orchestral Tribute. Experience favourites like Dreams, The Chain, Gold Dust Woman and Songbird like never before, with a full orchestra and two sensational singers at 1912 Mill, Sunny Bank Mills, on Saturday, 5 July. Best of all, it’s part of an orchestral concert programme, organised by Trouble at Mill Events and Paradox Orchestra. This event is bookended by Pink Floyd on Friday, 4 July and Kate Bush (matinée) on Sunday, 6 July.

Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter Sophie B Hawkins brings her Whaler Acoustic Tour to Brudenell Social Club on 1 July.  Join sophie to hear hits like Damn, I Wish I Was You Lover, Right Beside You and As I Lay Me Down as she celebrates 30 years of the classic album.

Sport & Community Events

RFL Women’s Nines Tournament (5 July @ West Park Leeds RUFC)

Nines is back this July 5 with a thrilling day of fast-paced rugby league. Women’s teams from across the UK will compete at West Park for the RFL Women’s Nines trophy. This year, there’ll be an exciting new format, combining the full tournament and finals in a single action-packed day. Reigning champions and 2025 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup winners, Wigan Warriors, will be back to defend their unbeaten title from last year’s tournament. It’s not just rugby. Expect live music from Manchester City FC DJ, Jamie Anne, Instagrammable photo opps, bingo cards and activities for younger fans.

England’s only full-distance triathlon, Ironman Leeds, will take place on July 27 at Roundhay Park. Watch athletes as they take part in a gruelling 2.4-mile swim around Waterloo Lake, a 112-mile bike course with three loops and a 26.2-mile four-loop run around the park. It’s a spectator-friendly event with a party atmosphere that will carry the athletes all the way to the red carpet.

Arts, Exhibitions & Family Days

The Leeds Vintage Furniture and Flea Market has a brand new location: Weetwood Hall Estate. Shop cool & unique mid-century, vintage & retro furniture, homewares, lighting & more! PLUS 1920 – 80s vintage fashion on Sunday, 13 July. At just £3 for entry, it’s not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

The Stories We Tell, a specially curated film season from Hyde Park Picture House, features two empowering female stories this month. Daguerrótypes on Sunday 6 July at 2 pm, tells the story of Agnes Vards, a photographer who reveals the rich social fabric of the entire world, all without leaving her block. E.1027: Eileen Grey and the Houses by the Sea on Tuesday 15 July at 6 pm, reconstructs the dramatic story of a house Gray built, and the Swiss-French star architect Le Corbusier’s attempt to convince the world he had built it himself.

HPPH will also show the classic ode to female friendship, Clueless, until 3 July as part of its Bring Your Own Baby series to celebrate the iconic film’s 30th anniversary.

Opening Saturday 26 July (and running to Sun 4 January) at Thackray Medical Museum is POO! – the number one exhibition about number twos. Join the Thackray Team as they lift the lid on bums, tums and stinky science, and be prepared to ask your most potty-mouthed questions. You may even come face to face (or nose to nose) with a medieval poo from the 12th century, as well as a surprise from the National Poo Museum. It’s free with a museum ticket or membership. It’s essential summer holiday entertainment, if you ask us.

Temple Newsam will be hosting various summer activities and events in the 2025 school holidays, starting on July 22 as part of its Temple Newsam Summer Holidays season. There’ll be ‘Inspired by Temple Newsam’ family workshops, farm-themed crafts, an interactive trail on the farm and a summer picnic (where entry to the house and farm is just £5 per person, with under 1s free.

There’s loads going on for kids at Leeds museums and galleries this summer:

• A Lotherton Summer Holiday and deer tractor tours at Lotherton Hall and Gardens

• Birds, Butterflies and Bees at Kirkstall Abbey

• Panto at the Abbey and Leeds Outdoor Cinema at Kirkstall Abbey

• Tooth and Claw and Taxidermy Workshops at Leeds Discovery Centre

• Mystery Matinees at Leeds Industrial Museum

Get full listings, dates and times here.

Need something to challenge older kids during the holidays? Kanyu Escape: Poachers Compound in Wetherby is Yorkshire’s only outdoor escape game, designed for ages 12 upwards. You’ll need the skills of a tracker, as well as a puzzler’s brains, to figure out how to foil the poachers and escape their camp as you follow in the footsteps of Sir Henry Cunningham’s journey through Africa. All of the puzzles are under cover, but you will need to dress for the British summer…