Summer is well underwayand Leeds is overflowing with exciting things to do this August.
How is everyone's summer going then?
Yes, the school holidays may have got off to a rather drizzly start (understatement of the century), but the city's event calendar for the month is enough to brighten even the greyest of days.
August is always a big month for Leeds, with Leeds Festival gearing up to takeover Bramham Park at the end of the month for a weekend of incredible live music. But not only that, we've got Leeds Pride painting the town in colour this weekend and another couple of festivals thrown into the mix to make sure this is a month to remember.
Keep reading to find out what you can get up to this August...
Bingley Festival
Thursday 3 - Sunday 6 August | Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club
Image: Bingley Festival
In what has been hailed by festival organisers as the ‘biggest and best’ line-up to date, Bingley Festival is set to be one for the history books, and there are still a few tickets left on sale.
Headline performances include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on Friday, Stone Roses’ frontman Ian Brown on Saturday and Scottish rock band Travis will be closing the festival on the Sunday.
For those wanting not to miss a beat, full weekend tickets are still available alongside camping tickets, so you can make sure you won’t be skipping out on any of the action as you lay your head down just minutes away from the site. Day tickets for all days are still available but be quick as they won’t be sticking around for long.
You can get your ticket to Bingley Festival 2023 here.
Six The Musical
Tuesday 1 - Saturday 5 August | Leeds Grand Theatre
Image: Six The Musical
The smash hit musical that tells the tale of Henry VIII's six wives is coming to the Leeds Grand Theatre and we cannot wait.
Expert ultimate girl power, incredible vocals and a night of all round fun. Grab your last minute tickets here.
Negroni Month at Friends of Ham
Friday 4 - Thursday 31 August | New Station St, Leeds and Brook Street, Ilkley
Yes, you read that correctly. For the entire month of August, Friends of Ham will be serving £5 negronis in both their Ilkley and Leeds locations.
It's the perfect opportunity to get together with mates, sink a few negronis and indulge on the delicious cheese and charcuterie that Friends of Ham have to offer. You'd be a fool not to get involved in this absolute bargain.
City Beach Summer Sessions
All of August | The Light Leeds, Cookridge Street
Image: The Light Leeds
Following its huge success in 2021 and 2022, The City Beach invites anyone and everyone to take part in fun beach activities throughout the summer.
The Light will be transformed into a huge sandpit to make you feel like you’re on holiday. The City Beach this year will also host a series of exciting events named ‘Summer Sessions’ for families and cocktail lovers alike, throughout the month of August.
From live music nights to evenings dedicated to Aperol Spritz, there's a fun event for everyone to get involved in at The Light this summer.
Popworld Festival will be returning to Millenium Square this summer for an incredible night full of pop hits. The festival was a huge hit last year with ultimate pop legend Peter Andre taking to the stage as well as 5ive, S Club, Fatman Scoop and Paul Chuckle.
This year's event will take place on Saturday 5 August 2023 and the line-up includes huge acts such as Ronan Keating, Claire from Steps, B*Witched, DJ Casper and Chesney Hawkes.
Leeds Pride returns to the city centre this August with thousands expected to gather in Millennium Square for two hours of live entertainment. Leeds Pride is a joyous celebration that invites anyone and everyone to celebrate LGBTQ+ life in the heart of the city centre.
It is the biggest of its kind in Yorkshire, and this year it promises to be even bigger and better than ever before. From live music to the iconic parade, find out all about Pride 2023 here.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Safari Sessions
Saturday 5 August | Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The county’s top wildlife park is making the most out of the long summer nights and inviting guests to spend the night at the zoo.
Explore Yorkshire Wildlife Park in a completely different light as the gates are kept open until 9:30pm, allowing you to wander the park at dusk. Taking place on Saturday 5 August 2023, ticket entry includes live entertainment from 4:30-8:30pm and park access all day long.
One of the biggest festivals in the UK will of course be taking place at Bramham Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The star-studded lineup includes Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, The 1975, Loyle Carner, The Killers and so many more amazing acts. It's set to be an incredible weekend that will pull in music fans from across the country. Tickets are still available on the Leeds Festival website here.
Projecting Grief Exhibition
Friday 18 - Sunday 27 August | Victoria Gate
Image: Supplied
Projecting Grief is the profound work of photographer Jo Ritchie and writer Laura McDonagh. Collaborating with Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023, they are presenting an inspiring exhibition focusing on the complexities of loss and how art can be a useful medium for grieving.
Viewers can fully immerse themselves in real-life stories of grief and will also have the opportunity to take part in creative workshops covering textile art, writing and paper flower making.
Sunday 25 - Monday 28 August | Chapeltown and Harehills
Image: Leeds West Indian Carnival
Held annually on the last Monday in August, every year the anticipation for this stunning display of colour and sheer joy that parades through the streets of Leeds presents itself in a celebration that represents the very best of carnival culture.
An explosion of culture will be paraded through Chapeltown and Harehills on the Monday and a live music concert will take place on the Sunday in Potternewton Park.
Featured images - Leeds Pride / Leeds West Indian Carnival | Official Reading and Leeds
Feature
You can stay in this beautiful TV-free gothic hall in the Peak District
There's a gothic hall in the heart of the Peak District where you can enjoy a staycation with a difference - because it's completely TV-free.
Get ready to cosy up by the fire while soaking up everything this screen-free property in the Peak District has to offer.
This two bedroom, three bed gothic hall looks out onto some stunning views through its unique framed windows.
If you're up for a stroll, this staycation has many popular walking routes to the unique village of King Sterndale, Cheedale Stepping Stones and more.
There's a gothic hall in the Peak District that's completely TV-free / Credit: Airbnb (supplied)
Only 10 minutes from Buxton and 15 minutes from Bakewell, this historic property is the perfect location for anyone wanting to explore more of Yorkshire.
Pictor Hall has a gorgeous landscape that can be enjoyed simply by opening the front door with an abundance of foliage and greenery surrounding the property.
And if you're still worried about the idea of being stuck without a TV, the Airbnb host has noted that the property has a variety of board games, books and free wifi.
Although, with Pictor Hall dating back to the 1700's, you'll probably spend a considerable amount of time gawking at all the impressive features and characteristics throughout.
Pictor Hall is an impressive 1700s property where you can have your own Yorkshire staycation / Credit: Airbnb (supplied)
There's striking wooden beams, a vintage writers' desk, tables with old-timey carvings etched into the side, an array of big clay pots and a carved log that greets you upon arrival.
Previous visitors to this property have commented on Pictor Hall's "peaceful location", listing it as "amazing spot for a woodland getaway" and labelling the property as a "storybook cottage".
If you're up for staying in this gorgeous gothic Airbnb property while also having a mini digital detox, you can find out more and book your stay HERE.
Struggling to book a date? It's probably because our whole office is scrambling to enjoy their own staycation in this gothic hall.. sorry not sorry.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Cruz | July 2026
Thomas Melia
July already? We're Cruz-ing through the year. Meet this Northern Indie rock band who've been crowned Audio North's latest Artist of the Month.
Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known by band-name Cruz, are well and truly making a name for themselves with a whole host of gig dates scattered throughout the Summer.
Live music lovers are about to become very familiar with the 'Disco Colour Beams' songwriters, as Cruz' Summer schedule includes Isle of Wight Festival, Truck Festival and two Sheffield dates.
The Sheff-based shows are special for the fourpiece as they're hometown shows at both Everywhere At Once Festival and the incredible Tramlines Festival - Congrats lads.
Cruz are feeling the love, as the reason they're heading out to Tramlines is because they were voted the Fans' Pick, and this recognition continues as they've been chosen by Audio North to be our Artist of the Month.
An interview with Cruz | Audio North's Artist of the Month: July
Cruz-ing there way from festival to festival this Summer, the Sheffield band sat down with Audio North to talk Artist of the Month title / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
For those who don't know, introduce us to Cruz
Tom and Sam were jamming in early 2022 before deciding to start a band while looking for other members, with Ethan and Jamie finding out through friends of friends.
Ahead of their first live gig, Cruz were drummer-less, Ethan's recruitment was lifesaving for the band as he stepped up a week before and never looked back since, four years strong.
How has Sheffield shaped you as a band?
It's such a rich city full of creatives, music-based as well as even broader to art and culture, Sheffield isn't just a city, it's a support system.
When we were starting out we got involved with all the local gig venues, who are always on the lookout to champion upcoming bands, it was so nice.
Do you feel any connection to this city's musical heritage?
Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and Richard Hawley of course, Human League and Def Leppard, the list goes on.
Growing up in Sheffield and going to gigs at The Leadmill was so incredible too.
What have been some of your favourite live shows so far?
Sidney and Matilda is prominent to us because it's where we played our very first headline date. We also supported Overpass, which was our fifth show ever as the band as we know it, then playing our headline in the same room was awesome.
Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known as Cruz, are making waves in the Sheffield music scene / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
If someone wanted to experience the Sheffield music scene, where would you take them?
The Washington does free shows with bands and acoustic sets, making it accessible for everyone. The majority of venues in Sheffield are always hosting gigs.
Kelham Island has a lot of free entry venues too, it's great, getting to watch four or five bands playing out all on one night in this current economy is top tier.
Tramlines and Tramlines Fringe is chaotic in the best way, you never know what to expect but you'll leave with a buzz of energy every single time.
What's some of your favourite songs by these artists?
'Soundcheck Your Soul' by The North they've got so many great tunes, they're an amazing band. Montello's 'Suit and Tie', 'Runaway Instead' The Rosadocs.
Playing out at various festivals across the UK, for this Sheffield act it's Tramlines which is the most important to them / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
What's your favourite track off your newest EP?
Jamie picked 'Man of the People' quoting it as a 'Proper anthem', 'I Get By' is Ethan's pick, it's a track which has been in the works for a while but now the band have finally cracked the code.
While Sam's favourite song is 'Amsterdam' as it's the most personal to him and it's a chilled out number.
Clementine Hall -
1st August 2023 
