15 Highlights for Heritage Open Days in Leeds

Heritage Open Days returns with a programme of events, tours, exhibitions and workshops embracing this year’s theme of Everyday Histories. This celebration of culture, history and heritage opens the doors to some of the city’s hidden treasures, beautiful buildings and all brought by amazing knowledgeable and passionate people. 

Here are 15 of our highlights for 2026’s festival running from 11th to 20th of September.  

1. Celebrate Northern School of Contemporary Dance’s 40th anniversary by stepping inside their historic Chapeltown site on the 20th September and explore displays of photographs, archive materials, artworks and more. Find out more here.
2. Step inside the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall, Guinness World Record holder as Britain’s longest, continuously operating music hall where stars like Eartha Kitt, Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini have graced the stage. Tour the venue, learn hidden histories and fun facts before relaxing with some refreshments. Book your tour here.
3. In 2027, Abbey House Museum will mark 100 years as a museum. This Heritage Open Days is your chance to reminisce with photographs and other displays, and contribute your own memories ready for their celebrations next year with the 2026 Alastair Laurence Lecture on the 11th September. Find out more here.
4. See 400 years of Leeds stories through the archives and objects held in the Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds at the 400 Years of Leeds exhibition, from coins and newspapers to rare books and art. There will also be a chance to explore Leeds’ rebellious past through alternative newspapers and other activist items. Find out more here. 
5. Hyde Park Picture House is a hub for movie-lovers this Heritage Open Day. Introduce little ones to the magic of silent film with Once Upon A Reel, go behind the scenes with a Guided Projection Room Tour or welcome Flight of the Navigator back to the big screen for it’s 40th anniversary. You can also join the M&S Archive team to watch M&S on the Big Screen, including adverts, training films and documentary clips, finishing with a Q&A.
6. Making jukeboxes since 1978, Sound Leisure is now the last manufacturer of Classic jukeboxes in the world, and one of few remaining British factories where every detail is done by hand. Learn the story behind this family-run business, witness the production of their jukeboxes and see final pieces in their showroom with a Factory Tour. Book your tour here.
7. The Leeds Library is the UK’s oldest surviving independent subscription library. It’s current location, Commercial Street, is a historic building full of character with a Georgian reading room, spiral staircases and the vault filled with rare and historic books including first editions, ready to explore. Book your tour here.
8. Join heritage pub enthusiast Jim Brettell on the 17th September for a guided tour of Leeds’ historic pubs including Whitelocks, the city centre’s oldest pub, The Adelphi and more with an opportunity for a drink at each stop. Book your tour here.
9. Head out on this self-guided audio trail exploring major moments in Leeds’ alternative heritage from Indie to Acid House to Goth. Just grab a map from participating venues or download to your phone, follow the trail to venues and locations and solve the puzzles to unlock their stories. Find out more here.
10. Take a tour of Leeds Central Library, a spectacular Victorian building in the heart of Leeds. Discover their treasure trove of beautiful stone-carved and tiled details, rare books, and areas usually closed to the public, with expert guides telling you the stories of celebrity book borrowers, previous occupants and even one escaped snake. Book your tour here.
11. The Edwardian Bramley Baths is a fascinating Leeds landmark, open since 1904. Discover the stories behind it’s 112 year history from the Depression, through World War II to today’s use as a community hub. Book your tour here.
12. Explore the Sunny Bank Mills, with its proud history of producing some of the finest cloth in the world, and now a multi-purpose venue with exhibition spaces, a Museum & Archive, artist studios, restaurants, bars, record stores and much more. Find out more here.
13. Join a walking and tractor trailer tour of the Harewood Estate on the 14th September, hearing about the history of the buildings across Harewood and the landscape restoration projects. You will have the chance to visit areas not open to the public too! Book your tour here.       
14. Join a tour of Leeds Cathedral, an outstanding example of Arts & Crafts architecture, with opportunities to visit the bell tower and watch an organ recital. Find out more here.
15. The Leeds Discovery Centre, home to the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection with over 1.3 million objects, will be open for a special Saturday event. Join the Dead Plants Society for botany related arts & crafts, a behind the scenes looks at the Natural Science Collections and more. Book your spot here.