Leeds Pride 2025 is gearing up to be the most exciting celebration in the event's history.
Pride organisers have revealed the full lineup for this year's festival, and boy oh boy is it a good one.
Taking place on Sunday 20 July, the day is set to be packed with fabulous music, food, cabaret and more jam-packed into a celebration of inclusion.
On Lower Briggate, chart toppers, Liberty X, and dance music group, Booty Luv, will headline the main stage. They will be joined by Kelly Llorena, and Angie Brown - former lead vocalist of 90s dance group Bizarre Inc. - along with amazing tribute performers including Smalltown Boy, The Voice of Whitney and Sweet Like Sabrina.
Image: Supplied
Also bringing plenty of sass to the stage are Queenz, with their fabulous ‘Drag me to the Disco show, with Pride legends Soraya Vivian and Matt Jameson returning as the official hosts of the main stage.
This year also sees the introduction of a brand-new cabaret stage at the heart of the Lower Briggate site, where RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty Danny Beard and standout local Drag talent will bring lots of sparkle to the party.
Over on the community stage in Millennium Square, pop vocalist Davey Stuart will be performing along with Gay Abandon, West Yorkshire's LGBTQ+ choir.
The festivities begin at 10:30am in Millennium Square and continue from 12pm on Lower Briggate, featuring an expanded family area, even more food vendors, and the most market stalls Leeds Pride has ever hosted.
Image: Supplied
The parade, which is sponsored by Leeds Building Society, will start on The Headrow just after midday before making its way around the city.
A spokesperson for Leeds Pride said: “We’re incredibly excited to unveil the full line-up for Leeds Pride 2025, a celebration that continues to grow not just in size, but in spirit. This event means so much to so many, and this year’s programme reflects the love, resilience and joy of our incredible community.
“Leeds Pride wouldn’t be possible without our team of dedicated volunteers and sponsors. We’re really pleased to have secured some fantastic brand sponsorships already, but we’re still welcoming further support from businesses and organisations who want to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and be part of something truly special.”
To find out more, take a look at Leeds Pride's website.
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
Clementine Hall
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Clementine Hall -
22nd May 2025 
