Leeds Pride, one of the city’s most exciting weekends of the year, have announced the first wave of acts performing at the event this summer.
Taking place on Sunday 20 July 2025, chart-topping band Liberty X will be headlining the main stage performing their biggest hits.
Joining them will be The Cartoons and live from the West end, Queenz the show as well as popular dance music artists, Kelly Lorena and Booty Luv.
The details were announced this week at the official Leeds Pride pre-festival campaign launch at Harvey Nichols on Wednesday evening attended by Lord Mayor, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, Emmerdale stars Ash Palmisciano and Natalie Ann Jamieson.
Leeds Pride is sure to be another huge celebration, after smashing records in 2024 with over 80,000 visitors - its biggest attendance to date with over 160 parade entries and support from 238 businesses.
Image: Leeds Pride
Now in its 19 th year, Leeds Pride is one of the largest free one-day festivals in Yorkshire and is run by a dedicated team who work tirelessly to ensure the event remains completely free for all who wish to attend.
The 2025 festival will be no different, with a full calendar of events including fringe celebrations with two stages of artist performances on Millennium Square and Lower Briggate, a huge parade ad of course the Viaduct Street party.
Leeds Pride spokesperson Terry George said: “Preparations for this year’s Pride are in full swing and we are thrilled to have Jet2holidays support Leeds Pride 2025 as headline sponsor for the second year running.
Image: Leeds Pride
"Each year the city surpasses itself in its support of Leeds Pride and we were overwhelmed by last year’s record-breaking event and electric atmosphere. We have lots more surprises up our sleeves, with an even better festival programme this year for everyone to enjoy.
“Of course, the event wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team and sponsors, and we would like to invite any individuals or organisations that wish to be part of this year’s festival to contact the team for more information on how to get involved.”
For more information on how to become a Leeds Pride sponsor, take a look at their website.
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Clementine Hall -
28th February 2025 
