Entertainment in Leeds
The best entertainment in Leeds!
With the days stretching out and the sun peeking through from behind the clouds, spring is finally beginning to arrive in Leeds after what seems like forever. With the days getting longer and the Easter Holidays beginning, it’s the perfect time to get out and discover some of the incredible entertainment the city has to offer.
From the artistic gems hidden within Leeds Art Gallery, to the buzzing atmosphere of the O2 Academy and First Direct Arena, you’re unlikely to find yourself short of options in this cultural hotspot. But in case you do find yourself stuck, we’ve listed some of our favourite Leeds attractions below to help you find some inspiration this spring.
LEEDS PLAYHOUSE
Playhouse Square, LS2 7UP
https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/
The charming Playhouse in Leeds has been putting on reliably excellent productions for many years, and this spring sees some standout nights and seasons of shows to go see. In April, hit musical Hedwig And The Angry Inch bring their euphoric rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster to the city stage, and aptly in May, Maggie May tells the inspiring story of a Leeds family dealing with dementia, played out to the sounds of Rod Stewart.
O2 ACADEMY
55 Cookridge Street, LS2 3AW
https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyleeds/
Looking at the listings of Leeds’ O2 Academy at any time will bring up impressive big names and hot upcoming acts of various music genres. This season does just that, as legends like Gary Numan and The Charlatans come to play, whilst soulful star Michael Kiwanuka and unique pop power Lorde also perform. There’s a distinctly local theme going on too, as Corrine Bailey Rae, Alt J and The Wedding Present all bring their Leeds links to the Academy stage this spring.
FIRST DIRECT ARENA
Arena Way, LS2 8BY
https://www.firstdirectarena.com/
Leeds’ largest entertainment venue has been a hit since opening in 2013, hosting the biggest acts and famous events for over 8 years. This continues this season with diverse sell out shows that range from Premier League Darts and The Masked Singer, through Dua Lipa and Little Mix, to Andre Rieu and Alan Partridge, plus plenty more huge attractions performing at the over 13000 capacity arena.
First Direct
ROYAL ARMOURIES
Armouries Dr, LS10 1LT
https://royalarmouries.org/venue/royal-armouries-museum/
The Royal Armouries is a museum unlike any other. It primarily showcases the UK’s national collection of arms and armour, and expands on that theme with temporary exhibitions, guest talks and regular re-enactments. The serious subjects are turned into fascinating insights and fun discoveries, great for aficionados and novices of all ages. This spring tells the hard hitting stories of violent crime in At The Sharp End, a community project which provides an honest yet positive display on how West Yorkshire tackles it together. This year is Leeds Armouries 25th anniversary, and everyone is invited to go celebrate it at their dockside location.
LEEDS ART GALLERY
The Headrow, LS1 3AA
https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-art-gallery/
Nestled within the heart of the city centre, Leeds Art Gallery plays host to an impressive selection of artwork, ranging from the historic to the contemporary. Within the beautiful Grade II listed building, you’ll find numerous exhibitions and collections to explore for free, including works from British legends Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to lose track of time in the vast halls of this cultural institution. But if you do find yourself worn out from all the incredible artwork, then you can always rest your legs in the grand architecture of the Tiled Hall Café for a coffee or two.
LEEDS CITY MUSEUM
Millennium Square, LS2 8BH
https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-city-museum/
Just a short walk away from the gallery, you’ll find yet another cultural landmark in the form of Leeds City Museum. Step inside and you’ll be on your way to uncover the incredible history of the city, cross paths with some amazing animals, and even come face-to-face with a dinosaur egg. Alongside the permanent galleries, Leeds City Museum also hosts two changing exhibitions throughout the year, as well as a jam-packed calendar of events. Throughout the Easter Holidays, visitors can take part in the Extinction Easter Trail by picking up a trail sheet – there’s even a prize up for grabs if you post your completed map through the museum’s letterbox.
