Festival season is well and truly upon us.
Granted, we’re on the map for hosting Leeds Festival, and whilst we love seeing some 80,000 music lovers rejoicing at Bramham Park each year for three days of non-stop tunes Leeds is home to plenty more festivals than that – least of all because we’re in the middle of a year-long celebration of culture: LEEDS2023.
Naturally music does play a great part in our city’s festival offerings, with Sounds of the City taking over Millennium Square and both Live At Leeds: In The Park and Slam Dunk North offering alternative music lovers day festivals at Temple Newsam, but that’s just the beginning.
Foodies can celebrate with likeminded pals at the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival or Ilkley Food Festival; inquisitive minds can explore Leeds International Festival of Ideas as summer comes to an end and there’s Pride, Carnival and everything in between to get involved in too.
Whether you’re looking for weekend long music festival to celebrate the end of summer with your mates or a family friendly day out at the carnival, or even a specialist food and drink fest – we’ve got you covered with all the dates to add to your calendar.
Keep reading to find 18 different must-visit festivals in Leeds this summer…
Live At Leeds: In The Park
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Temple Newsam
Whilst you’ll find huge indie names like Two Door Cinema Club and The Lathums at Live At Leeds: In The Park, the day festival is all about leaving with new favourite artists. Championing up-and-coming singers with a full day of live tunes, it’s the perfect spot for music lovers to soak up the summer sun to the beat of never-heard-before songs.
When: Saturday 27 May 2023, from 12pm
Where: Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds LS15 0AE
Find out more here.
Slam Dunk North
Sunday 28 May 2023 | Temple Newsam
Rock, punk, indie and emo music lovers rave about this festival for good reason. As the only one of its kind in the north, Slam Dunk is set to be a head bashing, crowd surfing day of non-stop hits.
When: Sunday 28 May 2023, from 12pm
Where: Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds LS15 0AE
Find out more here.
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 June 2023 | East Holmes Field
Just 25 minutes from Leeds, you’ll find the perfect day trip to add to any weekend itinerary, Ilkley Food and Drink Festival. Put your feet up on the deck chairs and soak in the summer sun with an ice cream in one hand and a burger in the other. Up in Ilkley, there’s two full days of street food venders, bars, fine artisan markets, live cooking demos to explore.
When: Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 June 2023
Where: East Hilmes Field, Ilkley, LS29 0BZ
Find out more here.
Summer Solstice: Asian Music Festival
Wednesday 21 June – Thursday 22 June | Leeds Corn Exchange
Lunchtime recitals, Indo-Jazz tunes to wash away the day, and as night falls, the Corn Exchange will celebrate the Summer Solstice with sweet melodies. Whether you come to see award-winning musician Qais Essar playing on 2,500-year-old instrument or just popping in for a cuppa and staying for an hour to listen to the music, it promises to be a day to remember.
When: Wednesday 21 June, 11am – 5.30am, Thursday 22 June 2023.
Where: Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BR
Find out more here.
Leeds Waterfront Festival
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 July 2023 | Leeds Dock
Making a splash and returning for yet another year, Leeds Waterfront Festival brings together the British Street Food Award with live music, family fun and even a dragon boat race. Throughout the two days, you’ll get to see the biggest get together of its kind in the north – hopefully soaked in sunshine.
When: Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 July 2023
Where: The Boulevard, Leeds, LS10 1PZ
Find out more here.
Sounds of the City
Friday 6 July – Sunday 15 July 2023 | Millenium Square
One of Leeds’ biggest gig series will be taking over Millennium Square again in the summer of 2023. Already announced are McFly (6 July), Kasabian (7 July) Blossoms with Miles Kane (8 July), Bastille (13 July), The Wombats (14 July) and Shed Seven (15 July).
When: Friday 6 July – Sunday 15 July 2023
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 3AD
Find out more here.
The Big Harewood Garden Party
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Harewood House
There’s a giant garden party going on at Harewood House – and everybody’s invited. With a special collaborative meal designed by internationally-renowned artists Lucy & Jorge Orta to embrace, as well as street food and live entertainment, the day explores the way that “food crosses divides” as part of LEEDS2023 Year of Culture celebrations.
When: Saturday 8 July 2023
Where: Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Find out more here.
Leeds International African Arts Festival
Saturday 8 July – Saturday 15 July 2023 | Various locations
The debut week-long festival celebrates dance, artwork, poetry, film and above all, rich heritage and culture, brought to life through art. Featuring a Jollof Cook Off and Cinema Africa at Hyde Park Picture House, there’s something to get involved in every night of the week.
When: Saturday 8 July – Saturday 15 July 2023
Where: Events are held at Leeds Trinity University, Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds City College, Reginald Centre Library, and Leeds Beckett University throughout the week
Find out more here.
Leeds Youth Music Festival
Friday 21 July 2023 | First Direct Arena
The Youth Music Festival is in its seconds year, and brings together over 500 children and young people in a celebration of musical talent. Featuring over 50 different school’s work, the Youth Music concert kicks off the festival with “36 concerts in 36 days”.
When: Friday 21 July 2023
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY
Find out more here.
Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
Friday 21 July – Sunday 23 July 2023 | Funkirk Farm, Skipton
Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival is a county-wide celebration of cookery classes, tastings, workshops and bars, live music- and there will even be Gino D’Acampo, Si King and Dave Myers from The Hairy Bikers and Yorkshire’s own James Martin in attendance too. An ideal day trip from Leeds if you’re looking for a way to taste some of the county’s finest and still have plenty of time to head back into the city centre for the evening.
When: Friday 21 July – Sunday 23 July 2023
Where: Funkirk Farm, Carleton, Skipton BD23 3AB
Find out more here.
Popworld Festival
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Millennium Square
Popworld Festival returns to Millennium Square for a full day of singalong tunes from some of the biggest artists from the last 20 years or so. This year’s line-up includes Ronan Keating, Claire from Steps, B*Witched, DJ Casper and Chesney Hawkes.
When: Saturday 5 August 2023
Where: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 3AD
Find out more here.
Leeds Pride
Sunday 6 August 2023 | Various locations
Leeds Pride will be celebrating its 18th year with a full day of parades, bar parties and celebrating our LGBTQIA+ communities. Last year marked the first UK pride event with Premier League players and a new route for the parade in memory of the late Robert Payne, and this year is expected to be just as exciting.
When: Sunday 6 August 2023
Where: Various locations across Leeds, the parade route is yet to be announced
Find out more here.
Leeds Festival
Friday 25 August – Sunday 27 August 2023 | Bramham Park
One of the UK’s biggest festivals is back on our turf for another year. Taking to the headliner stage next year will be Tyneside favourite Sam Fender, pop megastar Billie Eilish and rock legends the Killers. Other headliners include Oxford rockers Foals, Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi and American pop band Imagine Dragons.
When: Friday 25 August – Sunday 27 August 2023
Where: Bramham Park, Leeds, England, LS23 6ND
Find out more here.
Leeds Black Music Festival
Sunday 27 August 2023, from 12pm | Potternewton Park
Europe’s biggest free black music festival is back for another year and will bring together local, national and international artists from a range of genres, with arts, crafts and funfair rides to keep you busy all day long.
When: Sunday 27 August 2023, from 12pm
Where: Potternewton Park, Leeds, LS7 4HA
Find out more here.
Leeds West Indian Carnival
Monday 28 August 2023, from 2pm | Potternewton Park
A true celebration of Caribbean culture, colour and mesmerising costumes, Carnival is always a spectacle that sees people travelling from all over the city and beyond for what is Europe’s Oldest Authentic Caribbean Carnival.
When: Monday 28 August 2023, from 2pm
Where: Potternewton Park, Leeds, LS7 4HA
Springwell Sessions
Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 2023 | Springwell Brewery and Taproom
To say farewell to the summer season, North Brewing Co’s biggest beer festival Springwell Sessions will return for one last hurrah. Expect three days of craft beer from local favourites and international breweries, as well as cocktails, street food and live music.
When: Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 2023
Where: Springwell Works, Buslingthorpe Ln, Leeds LS7 2DF
Find out more here.
Leeds Rum Festival
Saturday 23 September 2023 | Royal Armouries Museum
Drawing a crowd of rum lovers across the city, Leeds Rum Festival is exactly what it says on the tin. Expect over 100 brands, pop-up shops, spirit masterclasses and of course, plenty of rum to sample.
When: September 23 September 2023
Where: Royal Armouries Museum
Find out more here.
Leeds International Festival of Ideas
Wednesday 27 September – Saturday 30 September 2023 | Leeds Playhouse
Asking some of the most crucial questions of our time, Leeds International Festival of Ideas brings together panels of international experts to discuss everything from handling grief to true crime obsessions and mental health with fireside chats, panel discussions and key note speeches.
When: Wednesday 27 September – Saturday 30 September 2023
Where: Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
Find out more here.
Feature Image – Viaduct / The Hoot Leeds / Millennium Square
AD – In partnership with Visit Leeds
This content has been funded through Leeds City Council’s UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) allocation.
