Your guide to Leeds / Music and Entertainment in Leeds
Music and Entertainment in Leeds
Leeds is a modern city that balances its history and culture with the latest trends in music, art, food and nightlife. Visitors come to experience sporting events, fabulous restaurants, world-class museums, galleries and more. Leeds is a beautiful destination for single adults, families and couples because of the variety of things to do. When you visit Leeds, you'll find plenty of attractions to keep you busy, even if you never leave the city.
Music Events
O2 Academy Leeds
O2 Academy Leeds is a music venue operated by Academy Music Group (AMG). The Leeds location is one of many such places owned and operated by AMG around the country. O2 Academy Leeds hosts club nights, comedy shows, concerts and even sporting events from its location on Cookridge Street. O2 Academy focuses on safety and security for all occasions. Most parts of the venue are accessible to those with mobility difficulties, and you can reserve a wheelchair space by calling the venue. You can find a full schedule of events on the venue's website, along with links to purchase tickets.
Millennium Square
Millennium Square is an outdoor public space and entertainment venue. The Square was established to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium in the year 2000. Paid for by the Leeds City Council and the Millennium Commission, the project cost £12 million at the time of construction. Today the area is an events center and pedestrian walkway that also hosts sporting, cultural and community events. It's an easy walk to the major attractions at the City Centre and convenient to both bus and train stations. You can find the calendar with all that is happening on the venue's website.
Brudenell Social Club
The Brudenell Social Club is an eclectic venue with a heart and a passion for diversity in art. The Club encourages creativity in music to promote social interaction. It operates as a nonprofit entity with charitable status and is owned and managed by the members. Almost every night of the week you can find local bands playing at the Brudenell. The club also offers a lounge, craft beers and a game room. Local clubs and organizations often use the Brudenell for meetings. Visit the website for a calendar of events.
Sporting Events
Leeds United Football Club
Elland Road is the home stadium for the Leeds United Whites. You can catch a game, but if you're visiting at a time when the team is not playing at home, you can book a stadium tour. Visit the dressing rooms, the trophy display, the tunnel and more. Elland Road also serves as an events venue for the community, so check the calendar for upcoming opportunities to visit.
Headingley Carnegie Stadium
Headingley Carnegie Stadium officially changed its name to Emerald Headingley Stadium in 2017 when Emerald Group Publishing purchased the naming rights. This complex is home to the Headingley Cricket Ground and the Headingley Rugby Stadium; the two entities share common facilities. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club (CCC), the Leeds Rhinos rugby league and the Yorkshire Carnegie rugby union clubs call this facility home. The venue also hosts conferences and special events, so visit the website to see what's happening during your visit.
Food and Drink Events
Leeds Kirkgate Market
The Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of the largest indoor marketplaces in Europe, offering everything from market-fresh food to clothing and flowers. Since 1857, salespeople of all kinds have made the market as entertaining as any show in a theater. Depending on the day of the week, you might find an Asian Bazaar or a farmer's market. If you're looking for something unique for lunch, the Leeds Kirkgate Market is the place. You'll find every kind of cuisine you can imagine, along with beer, wine, coffee and smoothies.
Whitelock's Ale House
In continuous operation since 1715, Whitelock's Ale House is the oldest public house in Leeds. Over the years, the owners have preserved the history of the place. However, they've kept the menu and the service on the cutting edge. Enjoy a craft beer from a Yorkshire brewery along with something delicious from a locally sourced and made from scratch menu. Wonderfully welcoming and inclusive, Whitelock's is open every day of the week and family-friendly. Bring your children and even your dogs!
Cultural Events
Leeds Art Gallery
If you're on a budget, you can find some fascinating things to do in Leeds that won't cost you a penny. For example, admission to the Leeds Art Gallery is free. Take in the modern and contemporary British art as well as special events and classes for children and adults. When you're ready for a break, you can enjoy lunch in the Tiled Hall Cafe. The seasonal menu changes often, so check it before you go to make sure it meets your dietary needs.
Northern Ballet
Northern Ballet is a dance company specializing in productions that tell a story. The company also produces classical ballet and travels all over the United Kingdom. Northern Ballet offers classes and elite-level training for students up to the age of 16. You can find a full performance schedule online.
Opera North
Opera North operates out of the Leeds Grand Theatre; however, performances throughout the season are held at venues in other cities as well. Most of the performances are in English, but some are in the language of the libretto with subtitles. Opera North has a reputation for being forward-thinking and aggressive about introducing young people to the joys of opera. The company offers special packages for those who are new to opera and those under the age of 30 to encourage them to learn more about the art form.
A visit to Leeds is never boring. Whether you're into music, sports, museums or trying new things to eat and drink, you'll find a place to do what you love in this city.