The best things to do in and around Leeds this month | August 2023
Summer is well underway and Leeds is overflowing with exciting things to do this August.
How is everyone’s summer going then?
Yes, the school holidays may have got off to a rather drizzly start (understatement of the century), but the city’s event calendar for the month is enough to brighten even the greyest of days.
August is always a big month for Leeds, with Leeds Festival gearing up to takeover Bramham Park at the end of the month for a weekend of incredible live music. But not only that, we’ve got Leeds Pride painting the town in colour this weekend and another couple of festivals thrown into the mix to make sure this is a month to remember.
Keep reading to find out what you can get up to this August…
Bingley Festival
Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 August | Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club
In what has been hailed by festival organisers as the ‘biggest and best’ line-up to date, Bingley Festival is set to be one for the history books, and there are still a few tickets left on sale.
Headline performances include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on Friday, Stone Roses’ frontman Ian Brown on Saturday and Scottish rock band Travis will be closing the festival on the Sunday.
For those wanting not to miss a beat, full weekend tickets are still available alongside camping tickets, so you can make sure you won’t be skipping out on any of the action as you lay your head down just minutes away from the site. Day tickets for all days are still available but be quick as they won’t be sticking around for long.
You can get your ticket to Bingley Festival 2023 here.
Six The Musical
Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 August | Leeds Grand Theatre
The smash hit musical that tells the tale of Henry VIII’s six wives is coming to the Leeds Grand Theatre and we cannot wait.
Expert ultimate girl power, incredible vocals and a night of all round fun. Grab your last minute tickets here.
Negroni Month at Friends of Ham
Friday 4 – Thursday 31 August | New Station St, Leeds and Brook Street, Ilkley
Yes, you read that correctly. For the entire month of August, Friends of Ham will be serving £5 negronis in both their Ilkley and Leeds locations.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get together with mates, sink a few negronis and indulge on the delicious cheese and charcuterie that Friends of Ham have to offer. You’d be a fool not to get involved in this absolute bargain.
City Beach Summer Sessions
All of August | The Light Leeds, Cookridge Street
Following its huge success in 2021 and 2022, The City Beach invites anyone and everyone to take part in fun beach activities throughout the summer.
The Light will be transformed into a huge sandpit to make you feel like you’re on holiday. The City Beach this year will also host a series of exciting events named ‘Summer Sessions’ for families and cocktail lovers alike, throughout the month of August.
From live music nights to evenings dedicated to Aperol Spritz, there’s a fun event for everyone to get involved in at The Light this summer.
Read more: There’s a beach coming to Leeds city centre for the summer
Popworld Festival
Saturday 5 August | Millenium Square
Popworld Festival will be returning to Millenium Square this summer for an incredible night full of pop hits. The festival was a huge hit last year with ultimate pop legend Peter Andre taking to the stage as well as 5ive, S Club, Fatman Scoop and Paul Chuckle.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday 5 August 2023 and the line-up includes huge acts such as Ronan Keating, Claire from Steps, B*Witched, DJ Casper and Chesney Hawkes.
You can grab your tickets here.
Leeds Pride 2023
Sunday 6 August | Leeds City Centre
Leeds Pride returns to the city centre this August with thousands expected to gather in Millennium Square for two hours of live entertainment. Leeds Pride is a joyous celebration that invites anyone and everyone to celebrate LGBTQ+ life in the heart of the city centre.
It is the biggest of its kind in Yorkshire, and this year it promises to be even bigger and better than ever before. From live music to the iconic parade, find out all about Pride 2023 here.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Safari Sessions
Saturday 5 August | Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The county’s top wildlife park is making the most out of the long summer nights and inviting guests to spend the night at the zoo.
Explore Yorkshire Wildlife Park in a completely different light as the gates are kept open until 9:30pm, allowing you to wander the park at dusk. Taking place on Saturday 5 August 2023, ticket entry includes live entertainment from 4:30-8:30pm and park access all day long.
Read more: Yorkshire Wildlife Park is hosting sunset safari sessions this summer
Leeds Festival
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August | Bramham Park
One of the biggest festivals in the UK will of course be taking place at Bramham Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The star-studded lineup includes Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, The 1975, Loyle Carner, The Killers and so many more amazing acts. It’s set to be an incredible weekend that will pull in music fans from across the country. Tickets are still available on the Leeds Festival website here.
Projecting Grief Exhibition
Friday 18 – Sunday 27 August | Victoria Gate
Projecting Grief is the profound work of photographer Jo Ritchie and writer Laura McDonagh. Collaborating with Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023, they are presenting an inspiring exhibition focusing on the complexities of loss and how art can be a useful medium for grieving.
Viewers can fully immerse themselves in real-life stories of grief and will also have the opportunity to take part in creative workshops covering textile art, writing and paper flower making.
Read more: LIFI 2023 and Projecting Grief collaborate to present new captivating exhibition
Leeds West Indian Carnival
Sunday 25 – Monday 28 August | Chapeltown and Harehills
Held annually on the last Monday in August, every year the anticipation for this stunning display of colour and sheer joy that parades through the streets of Leeds presents itself in a celebration that represents the very best of carnival culture.
An explosion of culture will be paraded through Chapeltown and Harehills on the Monday and a live music concert will take place on the Sunday in Potternewton Park.
Featured images – Leeds Pride / Leeds West Indian Carnival | Official Reading and Leeds