20 things to do in Leeds this Summer
Discover family-friendly events, free things to do, indoor attractions for rainy days, and unforgettable days out across Leeds this summer.
Make the most of the summer holidays in Leeds with our guide to the best family-friendly events, attractions and activities happening across the city. Whether you’re planning a fun-filled day out with the kids, searching for free summer activities, or looking for indoor attractions to enjoy when the weather turns, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. From outdoor adventures and cultural festivals to interactive museums, family shows and hands-on experiences, Leeds offers something for every age and every budget. Explore our guide to what’s on in Leeds this Summer 2026 and start planning memorable days out with family and friends.
1) Experience a Mongolian Summer
Royal Armouries Museum | 22nd July to 31st August
See Mongolian horsemen in action at the Royal Armouries this summer. Alongside the new Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World exhibition, families can enjoy free daily horse shows, a museum trail and creative activities. Entry to the museum and summer programme is free, with exhibition tickets available separately.
Discover Mongolian Summer at Royal Armouries
2) A Trivial Pursuit takeover of Leeds
Citywide | 25th July to 30th August
Celebrate Leeds’ 400th anniversary by taking part in a free, city-wide game of Trivial Pursuit. Visit six locations across the city centre, answer Leeds-themed questions, collect wedges and complete your game card for the chance to win prizes.
Join the Trivial Pursuit Challenge
3) The Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure
Abbey House Museum | 18th July to 30th August
Embark on a magical family adventure at Abbey House Museum this summer. Inspired by Enid Blyton’s beloved The Magic Faraway Tree, this interactive trail takes explorers through fantastical lands filled with activities, challenges and creative fun, with a special sticker waiting at the finish. Included with museum admission
Explore the Magic Faraway Tree Trail
4) Curtains Up! Outdoor Play at Harewood House
Harewood House | 18th July to 6th September
Lights, camera, action! Young performers can take to the stage, dress up in costume, learn circus skills and enjoy outdoor games as Harewood’s grounds are transformed into a theatrical play space filled with creativity, laughter and adventure. Included with a Harewood day ticket
Plan your theatrical day at Harewood.
Discover more family fun at Harewood House this summer:
- Spot Simba the Pug Trail
- VW Festival
- Bing and His Friends at the Cinema! Outdoor Cinema & Encanto Sing-A-Long Outdoor Cinema
- Tashi Lhunpo Monks Visit
- Thomas’ Terrace School
- Wild Harewood: Family Den-Off
5) Experience Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Stage
City Varieties Music Hall | 23rd July to 26th July
The Leeds Grand Youth Theatre present Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with beloved songs like ‘Be Our Guest’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Book Beauty and the Beast tickets
6) Discover Plant Power! at Temple Newsam
Temple Newsam | 22nd July to 30th August
Temple Newsam bursts into bloom this summer with Plant Power! Follow a colourful plant trail, get creative with nature-inspired crafts, discover giant flower installations by artist Andy Singleton and help the exhibition grow by adding your own creation. Perfect for budding gardeners, curious explorers and creative families. Included with house admission.
Discover Plant Power at Temple Newsam
Explore more family fun at Temple Newsam this summer:
7) Wild summer at the Mill
Leeds Industrial Museum | 25th July to 31st August
Discover a world of fuzzy, buzzy fun at Leeds Industrial Museum this summer. Hunt for hidden felted ladybirds on a family trail, get creative with nature-inspired felt and wool crafts, and enjoy hands-on activities inspired by the colourful Untangled exhibition. Included with museum admission.
Explore Wild summer at Leeds Industrial Museum
Explore events & activities at Leeds Industrial Museum this Summer:
8) Take a steam train journey back in time
Middleton Railway | Weekends & Wednesdays
Head to the world’s oldest continuously working railway, the Middleton Railway. Established in 1758, take a ride on beautifully restored diesel and steam trains, learn about the history of railways at the Engine House, and get dropped off at Middleton Park for 630 acres of ancient woodland and walking trails.
Book your Middleton Railway adventure
9) Enjoy a Lotherton Summer Holiday
Lotherton | 22nd and 23rd August
No trip to the coast required! Lotherton is bringing the great British seaside to Leeds with six weeks of family fun. Enjoy fairground rides, a bouncy castle, classic seaside games, crafts, live entertainment, magic shows and more, all set within one of Leeds’ most popular family attractions. Included with Lotherton admission.
Plan your Summer Holiday at Lotherton
Discover more family fun at Lotherton this summer:
10) Go behind the scenes at Leeds Discovery Centre
Leeds Discovery Centre | Selected dates, 20 July – 26 August
Discover a hidden world on a fascinating summer store tour of Leeds Discovery Centre, featuring more than 1.3 million objects. Get up close to everything from meteorites and butterflies to masks, fossils and historic treasures, including objects that are billions of years old. Bookable on a Give What You Can basis.
Explore more family fun activities at Leeds Discovery Centre this summer:
- Festival of Archaeology: Floral Tile Crafts
- Moth Week!
- Champion Crafting: Sports Family Fun
- Amazing Animals Week
- Music Around the World
- In the Frame: World Photography Week
- Leeds Young Film Festival Screenings
11) Compete in the House Cup at The Hole in Wand
The Hole in Wand | 18th July to 6th September
Help Leeds secure victory in The Hole in Wand’s House Cup this summer. Take on magical mini golf challenges, choose your house colours and earn points for House Wizard as Leeds competes against other locations across the UK for House Cup glory.
12) Summer of Play – Step into the Game
Leeds City Museum | 25th July to 30th August
Let the games begin! As the final stop on the Trivial Pursuit Leeds trail, Leeds City Museum is packed with summer fun, from giant puzzles and family board games to creative crafts, puppet theatre and hands-on workshops. Entry is Free, with Give What You Can on activities.
Step into the game at Leeds City Museum
13) Story Explorers
Leeds Central Library | until 29th August
Travel through outer space, the depths of the jungle and the bottom of the ocean in this imaginative family exhibition created with the British Library. Explore interactive displays, creative activities and a mini children’s library designed to spark curiosity and a love of storytelling. Free drop-in exhibition.
Become a story explore at Leeds Library
14) Become a Wildlife Explorer – Birds, Bees, Bats & Bugs
Kirkstall Abbey | 22nd July to 30th August
Become a wildlife explorer at Kirkstall Abbey this summer. Hunt for colourful birds, bees, bats and bugs hidden among the abbey ruins, then enjoy arty activities, LEGO wildlife building and hands-on crafts inspired by nature. Kirkstall Abbey is ‘Give What You Can’ admission.
Discover the Wildlife Trail at Kirktall Abbey
Explore further family fun at Kirkstall Abbey this summer:
- Celebrate Leeds: 400 Years of a Royal Charter, with the Arbeau Dancers
- Crafty in the Cloister
- Arty in the Abbey
- Urban Nature – Building in LEGO
15) White Rose Kids’ Carnival
White Rose Centre | 24th July to 6th September
Roll up, roll up! White Rose Kids’ Carnival returns this summer with family-friendly fairground rides, adventure attractions, trampolines and plenty of holiday fun. Plus enjoy free workshops throughout the summer holidays. Free entry, with ride tokens available to purchase
Plan your visit to the Carnival
Discover other Family Fun Adventures at White Rose Shopping Centre this summer:
16) Enjoy a Loud Gallery Tour
Leeds Art Gallery | 6th, 13th and 20th August
Book your Loud Gallery Tour place.
Explore more family fun at Leeds Art Gallery this Summer:
17) Summer of Fun at Leeds Kirkgate Market
Kirkgate Market | 21st to 24th July
Enjoy free activities at Kirkgate Market from LEGO and Duplo, to colouring and more. Keep an eye on their socials for more announcements.
Discover free family activity at Kirkgate Market
18) Discover Hocus Crocus
Thackray Museum of Medicine | 18th July to 1st September
Dig into the magical world of plants, medicine and playful discoveries, inspired by Thackray’s latest exhibition Where Magic Grows. With daily activities like making your own potions, story times and a Fairy Finders Explorer Bag for under 5s. Included in museum admission.
19) Butterfly Bliss
Tropical World | 23rd July to 31st August
Celebrate a season of relaxed, nature-inspired activities for all ages at Tropical World. Learn more about butterflies with activities, keeper talks and more.
20) WP Nature Trails
Wellington Place | various dates in August
Families are invited to explore the FREE Wellington Place Nature Trail throughout August, alongside an exciting programme of nature-themed events and activities taking place across the Wellington Place neighbourhood in Leeds. The trail will lead visitors on a journey around Wellington Place, helping them discover local wildlife, plants, and flowers while enjoying everything the area has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are there any free family activities?
Many of Leeds’ attractions are free entry and offer free events. This includes the Royal Armouries Museum and their horse shows, the Trivial Pursuit experience, the Story Explorers exhibition at Leeds Central Library, and the activities at Kirkgate Market.
Some events and activities are included in the ticket price like Harewood House’s Outdoor Play.
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Why is Leeds the best place for the Summer Holidays?
Leeds offers one of Yorkshire’s most varied family summer holiday programmes, combining free museums, outdoor adventures, historic attractions, wildlife experiences, theatre performances and interactive exhibitions, as well as being the perfect base to explore the countryside of Yorkshire. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip or a longer stay, there are activities suitable for all ages throughout the six-week school holiday period.
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How do I travel around Leeds?
Leeds city centre is walkable, with many areas now pedestrianised, and majority of attractions within 20 minutes of each other.
If you are visiting the Royal Armouries Museum, why not head to the Leeds Dock Water Taxi behind the Leeds Train Station and arrive in style for just £3.50 pp.
There are buses to many of the destinations outside of the city centre, including the 33/34 to Kirkstall Abbey and the 36 to Harewood House.
Leeds also has a well connected railway to get around West Yorkshire and further afield.
For more details on parking and other modes of transport check out our Travelling to Leeds page.
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What can I do on a rainy day?
Leeds is home to many indoor attractions including our museums & galleries, activity venues like bowling and trampoline parks, and historic homes.
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What is there to do with teenagers?
Trinity Leeds is home to some of the most popular high-street brands for a shopping trip, and then head to Trinity Kitchen for lunch where the variety of food options would satisfy the whole family. Activities popular for teenagers include Arcade Club for gamers, Planet Ice for ice-skating, Team Sport indoor go-karting, bowling at Ten Pin, and plenty of Escape Rooms to choose from across the city.