What’s on in Leeds September 2023

In the blink of an eye, September has rolled around again and it’s time to begin waving goodbye to the Summer. But the final day of August isn’t all doom and gloom, as it welcomes a fresh new month to the city of Leeds, which is bustling with all of the excitement needed to get you prepared for Autumn.

From live music to comedy, theatre to careers fairs, here’s our top pick of upcoming events to keep your enjoyment levels sky high this September.

For the Thinkers

The Leeds International Festival of Ideas 

27th-30th September | Leeds Playhouse

It’s back, and it’s better than ever. Leeds’ largest celebration of brilliant minds and innovative thoughts returns to the city, bringing to the table a fantastic variety of influential speakers. Taking place at the Leeds Playhouse, LIFI23 is welcoming to the stage renowned names such as Steven Bartlett, Christopher Eccleston, Rob Rinder, Ruby Wax, Davina McCall MBE, Dame Prue Leith and Will Young. Together, along with a broad spectrum of speakers and hosts, these influential names will talk about the most fascinating and pressing conversations that face our generation. From cryptocurrency to grief, politics to gender, women’s health to true crime – this is a festival like no other.

With some of these talks already sold out, tickets are selling fast. You can grab the last few on the LIFI23 website HERE.

The Digital Careers Fair

26th September | Leeds First Direct Arena

Returning to the First Direct Arena this September is a day full of networking, learning and connecting with some of the top employers in the tech industry. You’ll be able to attend key demonstrations and listen to professional speakers, who will share advice and discuss all things tech related. With a vast range of influential employers in the tech industry in attendance, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from, and chat to, the best in the business. For anyone interested in tech, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Book your free place at the Digital Career Fair HERE.

For the thespians

The Walls Within 

4th September | Carriageworks Theatre

‘Rockstar’ climber Hazel Findlay takes to the Carriageworks stage this September in a brand new show, exploring the biggest internal battles she’s faced throughout her career and how she’s overcome them. Taking stories from her most difficult ascents and wild expeditions, such as her recent climbing trip to Greenland with Alex Honnold, Hazel will also touch on the psychological ‘walls within’ that we all face, such as imposter syndrome, fear of failure, distraction and motivation.

You can buy tickets for ‘The Walls Within’ on the link HERE.

House With Chicken Legs

13th-16th September | Leeds Playhouse 

Based on the beloved novel by Sophie Anderson’s, the “House With Chicken Legs” comes to life at the Leeds Playhouse. Step into the fairytale world with puppets, live music and magic, immersing yourself in this extraordinary telling of the Baba Yaga myth. This show is a co-production between award-winning theatre company Les Enfants Terribles and HOME Manchester. 

Grab your tickets from the website HERE.

Call me Dusty 

21st and 22nd September | Carriageworks Theatre

With music from Derek Webb, ‘Call Me Dusty’ explores UK singer Dusty Springield’s rise to fame back in the 1960’s. Using her original recordings, the show is a personal rendition of Springfield’s life and times. From childhood, through her successes in music, all the way to her tragic death in 1999, the cast recreate the legendary soul singer’s story from start to finish. 

From £13 per ticket, you can watch ‘Call Me Dusty’ at Carriageworks Theatre. Tickets are available HERE.

Opera North’s Falstaff 

28th September | The Grand Theatre

Nothing quite beats a trip to the theatre, because who doesn’t love immersing themselves in a good story to get away from it all? This September, The Grand Theatre is proudly showing Opera North’s ‘Falstaff’, based on Shakespeare’s ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’. Beginning on 28th September, the production is a part of Opera North’s Green Season, which promotes sustainability within the industry. Giuseppe Verde’s ‘Falstaff’ is adapted by Music Director Garry Walker, with Henry Waddington in the title role and Kate Royal as Alice Ford.

Tickets are available on the link HERE. 

For the music Lovers

The Brudenell

The Brudenell Social Club is a bustling hub for some great names in music, along with some indies keeping the community thriving. The venue is home to a number of exciting gigs throughout the month, including Wheatus (17th September), Smoove & Turrell (9th September), Roisin Murphy (10th September), and Nik Kershaw (27th September). The working club will also be hosting Gary Stewart on the 8th September, who will be bringing his celebration of Paul Simon’s Graceland to the stage.

Though some of these music events have officially sold out, you can grab some fast selling tickets on their website HERE.

MiNT Festival 

16th-17th September | Newsam Green Farm 

The iconic MiNT festival returns for its 10th year on Newsam Green Farm, which it has recently turned into its permanent site. The festival is one of the UK’s largest celebrations of electronic music, with stellar lineups taking place year on year. In September, you can expect to hear from huge names in the industry, including Willow, Ben Hemsley, Archie Hamilton,  Salute, TRYM, Kolter and many more. 

Taking place on the 16th-17th September, you can book tickets for the two day festival on the link HERE.

Chase and Status

Leeds O2 Academy | 29th September

Leeds O2 Academy is welcoming English electronic duo Chase and Status to the stage this September, bringing to the dancefloor their D&B and Jungle Classics. Taking place on 29th September, the artists invite you to dance the night away and enjoy the final show on their global tour.  You can find second-release tickets on Skiddle HERE.

For The Belly Laughers…

Leeds has a fantastic lineup of comedians set to bring laughs to the city this September. With global sensations Tom Allen, Peter Kay and Micky Flanagan set to leave their hysterical mark through their sell out tours, you can also catch a fantastic range of comics at the City Varieties Music Hall throughout the month. With a brilliant lineup, including Sophie McCartney, Goeff Norcott, John Kearns from Taskmaster, Jen Brister, Rosie Jones, Jenny Eclair, Peter Serafinowitz as Brian Butterfield and Jordan Gray, you can head over to the City Varieties website HERE to buy tickets.

And as ever, look out for regular comedy nights at the Hi-Fi Club, Headrow House, the Carriageworks Theatre, The Original Oak, The Old Woollen, and the Parkside Tavern.