Arts and Culture

Indulgence

Leeds is a city built for indulgence. Whether you like shopping til you drop, popping champagne corks, club hopping like a VIP or enjoying opera from a theatre box, Leeds will never disappoint.

Heritage & Gardens

As a forward looking city, Leeds knows how to do history in style. From our Medieval roots to our more recent industrial history, the past really comes alive in our popular historic attractions.

Sports

Whether you're here to support one of our local teams or visit one of the many international matches held in Leeds throughout the year, you'll love how easy it is to get close to the action.

Outdoors

The beauty of a destination like Leeds is it's fantastic location, with a seemingly endless list of historic towns, villages and natural beauty spots right on it's doorstep.

Family Fun

Leeds is perfect for families with children of all ages. It's compact city centre is easy on little legs and puts an end to the dreaded 'are we nearly there yet' cries.

Delicious

Foodies will relish a trip to Leeds, with it's fantastic array of restaurants, food and drink retailers and delicious Yorkshire produce.

Leeds is a creative city with a vibrant and distinctive cultural life. It's the only city outside London to have it's own Opera and Ballet companies, as well as being home to the largest music festival in the north. Our galleries showcase world class visual arts and sculpture in grand venues and even in the fresh open air. With fantastic venues and events all year round, you'll find plenty of ways to perfect 'The Art of Leeds Life'.

Let's face the music...

Leeds is famous for it's live music scene and home grown talent. Leeds Festival has been running since 1998 and is the event of the summer for music fans all over the country. Leeds International Concert Season is the largest local authority music programme in the UK, with more than 200 concerts a year in the Leeds area. A highlight of the season is Opera in The Park held in July each year featuring the orchestra of Opera North.

...and dance!

Leeds-based Northern Ballet is one of Britain's most important classical companies, with director David Nixon continuing a strong tradition of narrative dance. Phoenix Dance Theatre is a leading contemporary dance company also based in Leeds. Both companies perform at Leeds Grand Theatre and the West Yorkshire Playhouse as part of their touring programmes. !

Festival Fever

Throughout the year there is always something happening in Leeds to keep you culturally stimulated. Leeds International Film Festival is held annually in Autumn, featuring world and UK premieres at venues around the city. Running at the same time is the Leeds Sequential Art Festival, also known as Thought Bubble. This event celebrates everything from comic book superheroes to independent small press, as well as hosting art and writing workshops and featured guest speakers from the graphic novel genre. The West Indian Carnival brightens up the city in the summer, with it's carnival queen show and jubilant parade. It's the longest running carnival in Europe, and thousands flock to the city each year to soak up the atmosphere. Light Night happens every October when 50 city centre venues open up to offer performance, visual arts, projections, theatre, games, audio-tours, fire-walking, ghost stories in clock towers and much more from sunset to sunrise.

All the world's a stage...

You're never far from a live stage performance in Leeds, whether it be comedy, music, dance or theatre you're looking for. Recent venue additions such as the Howard Assembly Room, The Carriageworks Theatre and Seven Arts Centre compliment the city's cultural offering along with the larger, well established venues Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House and the West Yorkshire Playhouse - famed for being the largest producing theatre outside London and Stratford.

Exhibitionists unite

The quality and diversity of art on show in Leeds is outstanding. For contemporary British Art, head to the world class Leeds Art Gallery, which makes art interesting and accessible for all ages. Next door is the Henry Moore Institute, internationally known for it's wide-ranging programme. Project Space Leeds is an independent, artist-led contemporary art space located at the Whitehall Waterfront in Leeds. Out of the city, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an extraordinary place that sets out to challenge, inspire, inform and delight. With four indoor galleries and 500 acres of 18th century parkland, it is an international centre for modern and contemporary art, experienced and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

Visit Leeds,
White Rose House,
28a York Place,
Leeds LS1 2EZ