CONSTANT, THE HEAVY , THE DEMAND , THE NEED , THE WANT , THE COMPARISONS , THE NOTIFICATIONS , THE EXPECTATIONS , THE RACE . IN THE CENTRE OF LEEDS.

SCULPTURE DOESN’T DO. SCULPTURE IS.

Four rooms of free sculpture. Next door to Leeds Art Gallery.

Leeds Cathedral

One of the finest Catholic cathedrals in England

Opened in 1904, this fine example of an Arts and Crafts design building at the heart of the city, serves to give glory to God and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please call in to pray and to visit. For more information on daily services please visit the website.

Phoenix Dance Theatre recently reached their 40-year milestone and are the longest-standing contemporary dance company outside of London. Founded by three black British men from Harehills in 1981, their pioneering productions continue to shape the dance landscape and touring shows regularly pop up at Leeds Playhouse and Leeds Grand Theatre.

Talented Dancers

The Northern School of Contemporary Dance has some pretty impressive alumni. The Riley is the school’s dedicated dance theatre, the largest in Yorkshire, where you can be among the first to admire groundbreaking work from the next generation of talented dancers.

The granddaddy of music festivals around these parts is August’s Leeds Festival, which has been going strong since 1999. Over three days, crowds pour in to Bramham Park to watch top rock, indie, hip hop and grime stars such as Foo Fighters, The Killers, Billie Eilish and Stormzy.

Europe’s longest-running Caribbean carnival parade, the Leeds West Indian Carnival, takes place on the streets of Chapeltown every summer. It’s a colourful affair brimming with dance, music and an authentic masquerade procession. Half a century after its very first iteration, it has grown in size and status to become an all-out celebration of Caribbean culture. Don’t miss the Carnival King and Queen Show for the most dazzling costumes!

Fun fact: the world’s oldest surviving film is believed to have been shot in Leeds in 1888 by French artist, Louis Le Prince. This trailblazing approach continues at Leeds International Film Festival, a must for movie buffs. The festival takes over various venues throughout the city for two weeks in November. There are hundreds of screenings to choose from, with films and documentaries flocking in from all over the world.

Another autumnal favourite is Light Night, which takes place over two spellbinding nights in October. See the streets and buildings of Leeds burst into technicolour after dark. As well as the incredible light projections, you can also look forward to street performances and live music. Just remember to wrap up warm!

From ancient artefacts to the latest Hollywood releases, Leeds’ cultural scene spans many thousands of years. Take your pick of top-notch exhibits.

Leeds Art Gallery is one of the city’s finest Victorian buildings. What’s more, it’s free to visit! Swing by for significant collections from both national and international artists. While here, don’t forget to cast your gaze upwards to the gallery’s original glass arched roof, uncovered in 2017 after 40 years hidden behind a false ceiling. The ornate Tiled Hall Café is equally photogenic and great for cake.

Seasonal Exhibition Programme

Also at the Art Gallery, you’ll find The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. The centre’s seasonal exhibition programme brings together the very best of handmade contemporary jewellery, ceramics, limited edition prints, glass, wood, textiles and works in mixed media exploring specific themes. There’s also an ever-changing selection of makers who support and enrich each main exhibition, plus, everything on display is for sale. Forget two-for-the-price-of-one – you can get two-forthe-price-of-none at the Henry Moore Institute right next door to Leeds Art Gallery (yes, it’s also free!). A short walk away, The Tetley is a centre for contemporary arts located in the former headquarters of Tetley’s Brewery. Today, the innovative art exhibits are the main draw but, seriously, who can resist the chance to sample a hand-poured pint of Tetley’s in the bar afterwards?

If you’re willing to use Leeds as a launchpad, you can see world-class art within a half hour’s drive of the city centre. There’s The Hepworth in Wakefield, Salt Mills in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, the open-air wonder that is Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Harewood House, an 18th-century country home with an impressive collection by artists including Turner, Thomas Girtin and John Varley.

Royal Armouries Museum is family-friendly, free and pretty flippin’ enormous to boot. Five levels of themed exhibits bring the history of armour and weaponry to life. It may sound gruesome, and it can be in parts, but every display is thoughtfully done. There’s fun to be had too, thanks to regular jousting displays and interactive talks throughout the year. It’s hard to pick a highlight, but the full-sized elephant armour is a strong contender.

As the name suggests, Leeds City Museum is the definitive place to clue up on the story of Leeds. Natural history plays a big part in the collections, including a bonafide Moa skeleton and a 3,000-year-old mummy the kids will love. However, it also presents local history with pride, from Leeds’ textile industry to sporting achievements. Been before? No matter, as the two rotating exhibitions change every year.

Victorian Medicine

Two lesser-known but equally worthy museums in Leeds are Thackray Museum of Medicine and the M&S Archive. Steel your stomach before a visit to the former, which delves into the ins and outs (quite literally) of Victorian medicine in all its gruesome glory.

The M&S Archive, meanwhile, lets you follow in the footsteps of this retail giant. Trace Marks & Spencer’s roots from a penny bazaar in Kirkgate Market all the way to the modern day, marvelling at vintage uniforms, posters and packaging through the years.

Grade 2-listed Left Bank Leeds started life as a church. However, in recent years the Gothic-style building was revived as a venue for visual arts and community events. The regular craft groups, open-mic nights and family fun days make it an art centre with real soul.

In trendy Chapel Allerton you’ll find Seven Arts – an independent, not-for-profit space which showcases a variety of film, music and theatre. It’s worth a visit for the café alone – the pizzas are a big hit.

Live music and spoken word are on the schedule at Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre, also known as HEART. This former primary school is a true community hub. Pay a visit for film screenings, jazz jams, poetry slams and a great choice of weekly classes.

Film fans won’t be disappointed by Leeds’ line-up of blockbuster cinemas. Yes, the city has big multiplexes like Vue and Cineworld, but why not spend your time (and cash) at an independent? Hyde Park Picture House is a Grade 2-listed arthouse cinema that specialises in contemporary and classic films.

Another gem is Cottage Road Cinema in Headingley, one of the oldest cinemas in the UK. It screens the latest releases and classic hits, but the cherry on top is the old-fashioned ice cream interval. Yes, wooden spoons and everything! If you’re in Leeds during the summer, bag a ticket for the outdoor Luna Cinema, in the grounds of Harewood House.

From pioneering dance companies to celebrated museums, vibrant cultural festivals to intimate music gigs, immerse yourself in the movers, makers and shakers who have helped seal Leeds’ status as a city of culture.