Home » Blog » Everything you need to know about every festival coming to Leeds this summer

Leeds Festival, 2019. Photography by: Matt Eachus

Blogs.

Everything you need to know about every festival coming to Leeds this summer

9th June 2023

This Festival Season we’ve partnered with The Hoot to put together the ultimate guide to all the festivals happening in Leeds this Summer.

Our city is 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 plays a great part in our city’s festival offerings, with Sounds of the City taking over Millennium Square all Summer long with a list of big names and concerts to suit all musical tastes, but that’s just the beginning.

Foodies can celebrate with like minded 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 a 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…

Leeds Waterfront, Water Taxi - credit Carl Milner Photography for Leeds City Council

Leeds Waterfront Festival

Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 July 2023 | Leeds Dock

Image: Leeds Waterfront, Water Taxi – Carl Milner Photography for Leeds City Council

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.

The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics - Tom Arber

Sounds of the City

Friday 6 July – Sunday 15 July 2023 | Millennium Square

Image: The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics – Tom Arber

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 Terrace at Harewood credit Visit England and Thomas Heaton

The Big Harewood Garden Party

Saturday 8 July 2023 | Harewood House

Image: The Terrace at Harewood – Visit England and Thomas Heaton

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

Image: Leeds International African Arts Festival – Leeds 2023

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

Image: Leeds Youth Music Festival

The Youth Music Festival is in its second 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 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

Image: 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

Image: Viaduct Showbar

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

Image:

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

Image: Black Music Festival

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

Image: Leeds West Indian Carnival Performers – Maria Spadafora

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

Find out more here

Springwell, North Brewing CO - Mark Newton Photography for Visit Leeds

Springwell Sessions

Friday 22 September – Sunday 24 September 2023 | Springwell Brewery and Taproom

Image: Springwell, North Brewing CO – Mark Newton Photography for Visit Leeds

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

Image: Chapter 81

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

Image: Chapter 81

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.

Love Leeds for Longer

Food and Drink