Events and Festivals Mark May in Leeds

Leeds offers a diverse calendar of activities this May

Leeds is set to host a wide range of events throughout May, featuring music festivals, food fairs, art exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. The city’s May calendar includes both established and new events, catering to various interests and age groups.

Music and Festivals

• Trevor Nelson’s Soul Nation – The Wardrobe, 2 May: A night dedicated to soul and R&B from the 1980s to the 2000s, featuring DJ Trevor Nelson.
• MiNT Festival – Newsam Green Farm, 2-3 May: Yorkshire’s largest dance festival returns with multiple stages and arenas.
• Guiseley Sounds Festival – Nethermoor Park, 9 May: The inaugural festival includes headliners such as Toploader, Dodgy, and The Dunwells.
• Brighton Beach – Project House, 3 May: A club night with Britpop, 60s Soul, Northern Soul, and R&B music.
• Hop City – The Old Flax Store, 15-16 May: A two-day festival featuring breweries, live music, wine, cocktails, and street food.
• Leeds Jazz Festival – Various venues, 21-25 May: A city-wide celebration of jazz with national and international musicians.
• Slam Dunk Festival – Temple Newsam, 24 May: A one-day alternative music festival with headliners including Good Charlotte and Sublime.
• Beyond The Woods Festival – Hazelwood Castle, 30 May: Leeds’ first forest festival focusing on disco, house, and techno music.
• Country Club: Country Music Festival – O2 Academy Leeds, 30 May: A country music event featuring line dancing and rodeo bulls.

Food and Markets

• North Leeds Food Festival – Roundhay Park, 9-10 May: A family-friendly event celebrating international cuisine and local food talent, including street food, chef demonstrations, and live music.
• Mindful Market – Leeds Corn Exchange, 9-10 May: A market showcasing small ethical businesses.
• Great British Food Festival – Harewood House, 23-25 May: Features street food, artisan markets, chef demos, workshops, and family activities.
• The Great Exhibition of Prize Ales – The Tetley, 29-31 May: A festival of beers, food, and entertainment relocated to The Tetley.

Arts and Exhibitions

• The Great Leeds Print Fair – Leeds City Museum, 2 May: Creatives exhibit prints, zines, and books using various printing techniques.
• Art In Your Eyes 2026 – Holy Trinity Boar Lane, 9-10 May: Showcases over 50 artists working in different mediums.
• Phantasmagoria: Folkloric Sculpture for the Digital Age – Henry Moore Institute, 15 May to 30 August: An exhibition combining folklore with digital culture through sculpture and multimedia.
• UNEARTHING(S) & Garth Evans: The Anti-Virus Sculptures – Leeds Art Gallery, 22 May to 30 August/3 October: Two new exhibitions featuring work by Hannah Catherine Jones and sculptor Garth Evans.
• Threads Textile Festival Market – Sunny Bank Mills, 16-17 May: Over 50 stalls with textile art, haberdashery, and workshops.
• Yoga Morning with Harewood Holistics – Harewood House, 31 May: An outdoor yoga session followed by a guided exhibition tour.

Family and Community Activities

• Toddler Raves – Leeds City Museum, 13 May: A music and dance event for children aged 0-4 years.
• Rob Burrow Marathon – Headingley Stadium, 10 May: A marathon route through Leeds countryside, named in honour of the Leeds Rhinos player.
• The Leodis Cup – Kirkstall Abbey, 16-17 May: A medieval sports tournament with re-enactments, entertainment, and food stalls.
• World Goth Day – Leeds City Museum, 23 May: Part of the Leeds Festival of Gothica with performances and exhibitions.
• Thor’s Tipi – Leeds City Square, 14 May to 31 August: An outdoor venue offering cocktails, live music, and games during the summer months.

These events reflect the variety of cultural, musical, and recreational opportunities available in Leeds throughout May. Residents and visitors can explore the city’s offerings, from historic venues to outdoor festivals and family-friendly occasions.</p