Culture Seekers Unite: Leeds is The Go-To Destination to Get Your Culture Fix

Diversity, theatrics, performances, artistry, creativity and history. Leeds is a city brimming with culture around every corner that is waiting to be discovered.

The cultural offering of our colourful city, that sits in the heart of the UK, is unrivalled. From street art, live events and performances, to galleries, museums and stately homes, Leeds is a modern city that encompasses the very best the North has to offer, while honouring its incredible heritage and storied past.

Here, we share and celebrate the wealth of culture Leeds has to offer and encourage you to explore #CultureAroundEveryCorner as we head towards the winter and start planning for the new year.

 

Blended By The Light

One of the city’s most popular events has made a comeback after a year-long hiatus. Leeds Light Night is the UK’s largest annual lights and arts festival and transforms some of Leeds’s most recognisable indoor and outdoor spaces every October with spectacular artworks and captivating performances from local, national and international artists.

And speaking of artists, Leeds native Anthony Burrill has collaborated with one of the city’s most infamous country estates. Working with Harewood House, Anthony has created Together We Are, six brand new installations which focus on the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing through Anthony’s signature words, gentle humour and no-nonsense communication.

One of Leeds’ most recognised stately homes, Lotherton Hall is celebrating the art, life and culture of Japan at its latest exhibition Making Japan. Celebrating everything from arms and armour and religion to creativity and food and drink, the exhibition is a must see for history lovers to discover the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation expressed by the people of Japan.

 

Steeped In History

Leeds is a city built on a proud history of industry and from this October through to September 2022, Leeds Industrial Museum is uncovering the untold tales behind the greatest innovators in history at the Leeds to Innovation Exhibition. Featuring objects and stories from past and present, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the history of the city.

History lovers can also celebrate the 200th birthday of one of the city’s most prolific buildings. Built in 1819 by the highly regarded Cuthbert Broderick, Leeds City Museum has launched a brand new exhibition to explore the history of Leeds. Co-produced with volunteers and partners from across the city, the exhibition explores themes and objects that represent the city and give an insight into the city’s past, present and future.

 

Performances to Twist and Shout About

One of the most popular operas ever written is arriving in the city, as Opera North unveils its stunning new production of Carmen. Penned 150 years ago, the story navigates femininity, desire, violence and toxic masculinity. The show is touring the North, stopping along its way at the infamous Leeds Grand Theatre to deliver a spectacular, thought provoking performance for theatre lovers.

Another event taking to the stage at Leeds Grand Theatre is Northern Ballet’s Merlin, reawakened through a blend of classical ballet and dramatic storytelling. Visitors can be swept away on an epic adventure to discover the story of the world’s most famous sorcerer.

 

Celebrating Diversity

The African presence in Yorkshire goes back 2000 years to priests, soldiers and merchants who operated in Roman York. The Black History Walk at the University of Leeds was created to expose unseen narratives and educate visitors on recent history to provoke both questions and positivity, and inspire the people of Yorkshire to celebrate the region’s diversity.

One of the pinnacle of Leeds’ diversity calendar is the West Indian Carnival. The longest running in Europe since its 1967 inception, the carnival was started by a heritage group of West Indian students to celebrate Caribbean culture. A perfect blend of jaw-dropping costumes, infectious tropical rhythms, mouth watering food and entertainment, it’s a true celebration of diversity in the city.

 

Not convinced? We’ve got 30 million ways to change your mind.

Leeds’ rich culture status is one of the many reasons we welcomed over 30 million national and international visitors to the city in 2019. If you’re looking for even more reasons to visit, Visit Leeds has 48 hour and 72 hour itineraries with plenty of things to do, places to explore and tasty food to eat.

Discover everything that’s on offer in Leeds and come face to face with a wealth of culture here.