Ten things to do in Leeds for your 2025 tick list 

If you’re looking for some New Year’s inspiration to get 2025 off to a brilliant start, look no further. For Visit Leeds it’s less ‘new year, new you’ and more – ‘new year, new things to do!’ So here are our top ten 2025 recommendations to kick start your new year and fend off those January blues by discovering a new city with plenty to keep you entertained.

1. Go to more gigs!

Birthplace of brilliant bands like the Kaiser Chiefs and Mercury Prize winner English Teacher, Leeds is home to an incredible independent music scene. Check out live music venues such as Brudenell Social Club, The Wardrobe and Project House and make 2025 the year to discover new music or finally see that band you love, live.

And why stop at gigs when there are music festivals to discover? Commit to the full festival experience with an August bank holiday weekend at Leeds Festival, get the ultimate all-day festival feel with Live at Leeds in the Park on May bank holiday, or discover venues across the city centre in November with Live at Leeds in the City. Check out Leeds events here.

2. Try a new cuisine

Post Christmas, we’re stuffed with turkey, done with sprouts and don’t get us started on Christmas pudding. So, step away from traditional fare and try something new. There’s a wealth of brilliant independent restaurants in Leeds offering a range of cuisines and fusion flavours to bring your tastebuds out of hibernation and take them all around the world.

A Leeds Food Tour is a great way to quickly tick off some top foodie hotspots and get a true taste of Leeds. Choose from guided or self-guided food tours and gear up for a whole lot of food and plenty of interesting foodie facts.

Kirkgate Market kitchen is home to some hidden gems of the Leeds food scene, whether it’s jerk chicken from Jenny’s Jerk or noodles from Banh & Mee, Kirkgate Market is on hand to level up your lunchtimes this year. For more of a dining experience White Cloth Hall, behind Leeds Corn Exchange, is a gorgeous food and drink market hall with a twist, here they offer everything from tacos at Salma to bao buns at Kuala Lumpur Café, but with table service and beautiful historic surroundings. 

If you’re craving curry, we have you covered with authentic Keralan flavours at award-winning Tharavadu and veggie Indian street food at Bundobust. For those looking for gluten-free options, Leeds has some great offerings including 100% gluten-free restaurant Oxford Place and nationally acclaimed Wildcraft Bakery produces mouthwatering savoury and sweet treats with no gluten. Or add a little ooh la la to your next meal out in Leeds with French cuisines at Sous Le Nez and Kendall’s Bistro. For pasta-lovers, Sarto offers delicious seasonal pasta dishes or try out the newly opened Caffe Concerto for a three-tiered pasta dinner (for those who find it impossible to decide what they want). Tuck into more Leeds food and drink here.

3. Soak up the atmosphere of live sport

From watching football at the legendary Elland Road stadium to discovering something a little different, like an evening watching Leeds Knights at Planet Ice, there’s something for everyone in Leeds’ vast live sport offering.

Headingley Stadium is home of Leeds Rhinos’ as well as hosting national and international rugby league and union matches throughout the year. Yorkshire County Cricket in Headingley has a great cricket programme all year-round and is set to host next year’s England v India Test Match. There’s never been a better time to visit if you’re a cricket fan.

As one of the biggest cities in the UK and known all over the world for being the hub of triathlon racing, next year will also see Leeds host its first IRONMAN which is sure to be an epic event whether you’re taking on the challenge or cheering from the sidelines.

Last year’s Rob Burrow Marathon saw tons of runners take to the city streets and we can’t wait to welcome marathoners back again for 2025’s race.

It’s a great year for sport in Leeds, so whether you’re a regular attendee or never seen live sport before in your life, 2025 is the year to embrace the experience.

4. Discover art outside galleries

In addition to Leeds’ glorious art galleries, the city’s streets are also brimming with art to be enjoyed. Explore the Leeds street art trail and see how old and new work creates a unique backdrop to the city, telling the story of Leeds and its communities.

Not-to-be-missed city centre murals include as the 32ft ‘Cornucopia’ near Leeds Corn Exchange, which represents the city’s illustrious trading past or Add Fuel’s Echoes which was commissioned last year as part of Leeds 2023 celebrating Leeds’ ceramics heritage. There are also plenty of murals that celebrate notable Leeds’ people including ‘Leeds Faces’, located on the canal by the Royal Armouries. This piece illustrates Leeds-born celebrities like Sue Ryder, John Craven, Nicola Andrews and Alan Bennet. And it’s not just murals, visit the newly developed Aire Park near the iconic Tetley Brewery building and you’ll find ‘Hibiscus Rising’ a 30ft tall flower symbolising hope in the city by award-winning sculptor Yinka Shonibare.

With artwork scattered across the city and its surroundings, get your fresh air and culture fix all in one as you discover Leeds’ street art offering.

5. Shop small and independent

As well as high street favourites and glamorous department stores, Leeds’ shopping scene also includes a host of brilliant boutiques and independent businesses.

Leeds’ iconic Corn Exchange is a shrine for indie shopping with gift shops, clothing brands and food and drink stores which are uniquely Leeds. And of course the famous Victorian arcades! From handmade craft shops and vintage clothing stores in Queen’s Arcade to one-of-a-kind jewellers and boutique bookstores in Thornton’s Arcade, to the high-end shops and restaurants found in the stunning Victoria Leeds. Leeds has loads to offer if you’re looking to step away from high street chains and shop a little differently this year.

6. Delve into History and Heritage

From exploring the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey and seeing Henry VIII’s armour at the Royal Armouries Museum to living out your historical fantasies at Harewood House, Lotherton Hall and Temple Newsam, Leeds has a wealth of historic sites and stately homes to enjoy so why not make 2025 the year to take a trip to the past!

To unearth the rich history to be found within Leeds city centre, you can book a walking tour to find out more about its heritage and evolution into the Leeds you see today. For train lovers, discover the world’s oldest continuously working railway with a trip to Middleton Railway, where you can experience a traditional steam train ride.

7. Think differently about theatre

Whilst many of us may love the odd musical and are partial to a panto at Christmas, there’s so much more to enjoy across Leeds’ theatres.

Experience the beauty of the ballet at Leeds Grand Theatre with Northern Ballet’s 2025 programme featuring the return of favourites Merlin and their adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (as they work on their new show for 2026, Gentleman Jack).

Or perhaps you’re interested in experiencing an opera? Opera North’s programme ranges from comedy to tragedy and even includes some musical theatre adaptations. 

You can enjoy world class productions at the Leeds Playhouse. Some of them are even made-in-house including new shows Through It All Together and adaptations of beloved stories like Animal Farm, and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

8. Select from a year-round calendar of events

Forget FOMO this year and add our annual Leeds events to your calendar early so you don’t find yourself double booked or missing out.

From Foodie Festivals in the Spring to Leeds Pride in July and Leeds West Indian Carnival in August, and later in the year Light Night Leeds in October and Leeds International Film Festival in November, there is always something going on in Leeds. So be sure to follow @VisitLeeds to stay up to date with all our awesome events and you’ll never be stuck for stuff to do in 2025

9. Be part of Bradford 2025!

Speaking of events, they don’t come much bigger than Bradford 2025. We are super proud of our Bradford neighbours for being the UK’s next City of Culture and know they have some exciting plans for the year ahead.

Kicking off with RISE, an epic magic performance taking place in the city centre which has been created in collaboration with Steven Frayne, the brilliant Bradford-born magician formerly known as Dynamo.

Other programme highlights announced so far include legendary DJs as you’ve never seen them before in Bassline Symphony and an interactive performance of the Railway Children, complete with rail ride on the historic Keighley Railway. Bradford is on track for a great year, and you won’t want to miss it. Find out more about the programme here.

10. Spend more time in the great outdoors 

Whilst we love the pace of the city, its shopping scene and nightlife, there’s something to be said for the restorative peace of the great outdoors. And in Leeds you can experience both.

A short drive out of the city centre, Roundhay Park is a perfect spot for a Saturday morning run or a Sunday stroll, with Mansion House and the Lakeside Cafe on hand for a coffee and bite to eat. 

Or venture a little further to explore the Otley countryside. Otley Chevin Forest Park is a designated nature reserve comprising 700 acres of woodland, crags and open heathland and the locally named ‘Surprise View’ offers extensive views of the Wharfe valley.

For more day trip inspiration see our suggestions here.

And there we have it, ten things to do to get 2025 off to a brilliant start in Leeds. With new events and attractions being announced all the time, it was tough to choose only ten topics so make sure to keep track of all things Leeds by following us across social media at @VisitLeeds!