Sunny Bank Mills Heritage Festival
Explore our atmospheric Mills which produced some of the finest cloth in the world! Drop in to our Museum & Archive for a special Everyday Histories exhibition, discover unseen areas of the Mills on a Heritage Tour, visit The Magic Show exhibition in the Gallery, explore our Artists’ Studios (Sat & Sun only) as part of Leeds Open Studios, including our pop-up studios in the Main Yard and search out more Everyday Histories across the site.
Dating from 1829, Sunny Bank Mills was an important woollen and worsted mill, with a stimulating history. It is still owned by the Gaunt family who helped found the Mills in late Georgian times. Come along and learn more about its past during our weekend celebrating heritage, art & creativity!
Book your spot on a Heritage Tour > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunny-bank-mills-heritage-festival-tours-2026-tickets-1992334578356
Book your spot on an accessible & family-friendly Heritage Tour > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunny-bank-mills-heritage-festival-family-accessible-tours-2026-tickets-1992765962638
All activities listed below are open 10am – 4pm on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September ONLY.
FREE ENTRY and suitable for all ages (no prebooking required).
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Visit our website for more details and access information.
OPEN STUDIOS
Visit our Spinning Mill, Twisting and Red Lane Mill Studios during our Heritage Festival weekend to see what artists do all day! Meet almost 50 talented makers and artists, discover their processes and buy new work direct from independent artists and craftspeople.
This year, we are welcoming even more local artists to exhibit their work at the Mills in our first Pop-Up Studios in the Main Yard. Come along to see the work of artists and makers usually working from home studios.
POP-UP EXHIBITION
Visit a brand new collaborative exhibition by Kim Coley & Mel Davies in our atmospheric Spinning Mill Loft above the Spinning Mill Studios.
CLOCKING IN TRAIL
Follow the family friendly ‘Clocking In Trail’. Look for Everyday History spots around the site signposted by colourful bunting and archival photos, stamp your card at each of the 6 spots, and win a prize!
Visit the Main Yard, Bobbin Room or any set of Studios to get started.
More Events
Sunny Bank Mills Open Studios
13th September 2026 - 13th September 2026
Visit our Spinning Mill, Twisting and Red Lane Mill Studios during our Heritage Festival weekend to see what artists do all day! Meet almost 50…
The Magical Weekender with Pyramid at Sunny Bank Mills
26th September 2026 - 27th September 2026
Join Pyramid at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery for the final weekend of The Magic Show. Created in partnership with Sunny Bank Mills and Henshaws Arts…
Explore The Neighbourhood
Jane McDonald
National treasure, singing sensation and local lass Jane McDonald is coming back to her home county of Yorkshire in 2026 on her ‘Living The Dream’…
Learn MoreAndrew Newton: The Hypnotist Live!
World-famous hypnotist Andrew Newton returns to The Varieties with his hilarious one-man show. ★★★★★ ‘A totally great night out!’ Sydney Morning Herald
Learn MoreSlavery, Empire, and Leeds
This talk is based on a guided walking tour given by Danny Friar in September for Heritage Open Days 2026. This virtual talk explores the…
Learn MoreLogicaltramp
School, The Logical Song, Breakfast in America, Goodbye Stranger, Take the Long Way Home… A few amongst many of the massive hits that make up…
Learn MoreSimply Dylan
Simply Dylan is as straightforward as the title suggests: no frills, no gimmicks and no pretence. Led by front man John O’Connell, the band delivers…
Learn MoreTom Weston as Young Elton
Join us for an unforgettable performance starring Tom Weston, celebrating one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Since its creation in 2019, this tribute…
Learn MoreTortilla
In Britain, we tend to think of Mexican food as something for special occasions – often occasions that prominently feature tequila shots. And the morning…
Learn MoreWhitelock’s Ale House
Built in 1715, and with its current famous interior dating from the late 1800s, Whitelock’s is the oldest public house in Leeds. Under new ownership…
Learn MoreKalabash
Kalabash is a café, diner and bakery specialising in authentic Caribbean food, located on Chapeltown Road in Leeds.
Learn MoreA Nation Of Shopkeepers
Nation of Shopkeepers brings together a multi-functioning 850 capacity space including a stunning fully contained outside courtyard, situated in the heart of Leeds. They showcase…
Learn MoreSonder
A concept store in the heart of Leeds City Centre, nestled in the historic Grand Arcade. A hybrid concept store serving up coffee, interiors &…
Learn MoreChef Jono at V&V
A Professional Chef for over 16 years and a proud Yorkshireman, Jono has spent many years training in some of the UK and the World’s…
Learn MoreOtley Social Club
Otley Social Club is an accessible venue north of the River Wharfe, in a residential area of town. Our event will be in the function…
Learn MoreWork Café, Leeds
Santander Work Café, Leeds is ‘more than a café, more than a bank…’ providing state of the art banking facilities, co-working spaces and meeting areas,…
Learn MoreHamara Healthy Living Centre
The play, make and create project. A free playgroup at Hamara Healthy Living Centre By Victoria Lungu.
Learn MoreSt Andrews Methodist Church
St Andrew’s Community Centre in Beeston is a hub for the diverse community that lives locally to it, and has been so for many years.…
Learn MoreThe Mill Gallery
The Mill Gallery is an artist-run space fueled by fierce collaboration. We believe art belongs to everyone—artists and audiences alike. Our exhibitions are unapologetic spaces…
Learn MoreNorthern School of Contemporary Dance
Northern School of Contemporary Dance is a unique dance training institution offering a select group of students the opportunity to develop and excel as dance…
Learn MoreLeeds Beckett University – City Centre Campus
Based in the thriving city of Leeds, our University is one of the most popular in the country. With over 29,000 students and 3,000 staff,…
Learn MoreNorthlight 31
Gallery, cafe and community space in the old Inkwell building on Potternewton Lane https://northlight31.com/
Learn MoreGarforth Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreThe Old Woollen
500-capacity venue in Farsley, presenting the finest music, comedy and performance. Run by Trouble at Mill Events, within Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley.
Learn MoreCanal Connections
Canal Connections is a social enterprise company working along the waterways of Leeds and Bradford, connecting individuals, communities and organisations to the canal environment. Boats…
Learn MoreMeanwood Institute
The Meanwood Institute is a charitable trust and is managed by a voluntary committee which includes the four Trustees.. Its objectives are defined in its…
Learn More