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.
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 -
16th July 2025 
