One of the biggest events in Leeds' cultural calendar is almost upon us, as the city gears up for Leeds Pride Festival 2025.
From the glittering parade that attracts thousands to the city centre, to the live music and performances on the stages to the nightlife scene that gets busier than ever for one glorious weekend, there’s something for everyone.
This year's event will take place on Sunday 20 July, and it's set to be a fabulous weekend full of music, food, and cabaret - all promising a weekend of celebration and inclusion.
If you're heading there this weekend, here's everything you need to know to make your day as good as it can be.
Parade
Image: Leeds Pride
At 12:15pm, the iconic Pride Parade will begin outside the Town Hall, marching through the the city, down to Lower Briggate onto The Calls.
Expect plenty of colour, impressive floats and amazing energy.
The line-up
This year you'll find three stages dotted across the city, all with great lineups to keep you dancing throughout the day.
On the Main Stage on Lower Briggate, music will go on from 12 - 10pm with performances from Angie Brown, Booty Luv, the Cartoons and a Chappell Roan tribute act.
Just down the road on the Cabaret stage you'll be blessed with performances from Koko Popperz, Dedelicious and Tonya Kneez amongst so many more.
Make your way to Millennium Square and you'll find the Community Stage, music will start earlier here at 10:30am so if you want to get warmed up before the parade this is where to be.
By grabbing yourself a 2025 Leeds Pride Wristband, you'll get exclusive perks such as discounted drinks, dedicated entry lanes and so much more. You can get your wristband from Viaduct Showbar or the Briggante Hotel. Find out more here.
Afterparties
If you want to keep the party going, then there's plenty of after parties on offer.
Leeds Pride will be hosting an official after party at Under The Arches, and you can buy your ticket for entry here.
Elsewhere, Leeds' famous speakeasy Behind Closed Doors will be hosting music until 5am with a special Pride cocktail menu, live DJS and best of all? Free entry.
And if that doesn't take your fancy and you're looking to celebrate Pride in style, White Cloth Hall will be hosting an all-day street party with live music, an outdoor bar and a delicious BBQ to keep you fuelled up for the day.
Matcha girls assemble, because a new cafe dedicated to it is opening right here in Leeds.
It seems like matcha has taken the world by storm over the past year or so, more often than not you'll see caffeine enthusiasts walking around with bright green drinks over a cup of coffee.
If you're one of those people then you're in luck, because a cafe dedicated to the stuff is opening right here in Leeds.
Introducing Made Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year.
Images: The Sheff
And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site, the beautiful plant shop hasn't been around for long and sadly closed quietly without much noise.
So, what can we expect from Made?
This pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Images: The Sheff
You can get everything from a Strawberry Shortcake Matcha to a Sticky Date Latte, and you can pretty much guarantee that every time you go they'll have a few more specials on the menu.
Our mates over at The Sheff recommend the Banana Bread Matcha and to be honest, you don't have to tell us twice.
Not only do they serve gallons of the good green stuff, but you can also get fresh açaí bowls, sandwiches and superfood smoothies.
We've got a feeling this spot will be very busy post-pilates class on a Saturday morning, and to be honest we'll see you there.
There's no opening date yet, but we'll keep you in the loop.
Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer
Clementine Hall
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.
Image: Supplied
And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
Clementine Hall -
16th July 2025 
