Festivals you need to attend in Leeds this summer

While the weather may not let you believe it, it is now officially summer in the UK, which means it’s time to have some fun!

If you’re a student in Leeds, or you’ve returned home for the summer, there will be plenty to keep you occupied until term starts again. Likewise, if you’re a professional working in Leeds, your weekends are guaranteed to be filled with exciting events throughout July and August.

You’ll be happy to know that there’s a myriad of festivals happening this summer — there’s something for everyone too, so take a look below and get planning.

Leeds Food & Drink Festival

• Friday 28^th-Sunday 30^th June 2019
• Millennium Square, Leeds city centre
• Cost: Free to enter, but be ready to pay for food and drink inside

Now in its ninth year, this three-day festival is organised by Yorkshire Evening Post and Leeds City Council. Exhibiting the very best food that Leeds has to offer, explore a mouth-watering selection of stalls featuring local food, street food, artisan treats, and much more. Top tip: arrive hungry!

Leeds Waterfront Festival

• Saturday 29^th-Sunday 30^th June 2019
• Granary Wharf, Leeds city centre
• Cost: Free

Now in its 12^th year, Leeds Waterfront Festival offers a hive of free activities for the whole family. Organised by the Canal & River Trust, the festival lets you try your hand at canoeing, paddle boarding, and climbing. Fancy a more relaxed day? Try yoga and meditation instead or listen to live music while you chill out in a deckchair next to the canal.

Bradford Festival

• Friday 12^th-Sunday 14^th July 2019
• City Park, Bradford
• Cost: Free

This isn’t in Leeds, but it’s so nearby it would be a shame not to include it. Bradford Festival is a showcase for fantastic local, national and international live music, dance, theatre, comedy, and creativity. This event promises to be vibrant and colourful, with plenty of entertainment for adults and kids.

Cocoon in the Park

• Saturday 13^th July 2019
• Temple Newsam House, Leeds
• Cost: £66

This year presents the last ever Cocoon in the Park, so if electronic dance music is your thing, you’re not going to want to miss this monumental event. Sven Väth leads the way, with nine other in-demand acts such as Eats Everything and Carl Craig taking to the stage also.

Kirkstall Festival

• Saturday 13^th July 2019
• Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
• Cost: Free, and programmes cost £2

This community festival is mainly self-funded and entirely run by volunteers! If you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy a fairground, over 160 stalls, food and drink, and an excellent programme of comedy and live music throughout the day. Of course, you’ll also get to enjoy being in the grounds of the beautiful Kirkstall Abbey.

Leeds Festival

• Friday 23th-Sunday 25^th August 2019
• Bramham Park, Leeds
• Cost: £69.50 for a day ticket and £205 for a weekend camping ticket

Founded in 1999, this annual music festival attracts 90,000 people from all across the country with its impressive line-ups — this year sees Foo Fighters, Chvrches, Twenty One Pilots, and Royal Blood take to the stage, alongside many more. Enjoy the whole weekend and camp onsite, or buy a day ticket to catch your favourites before heading back to your home comforts.

Which festivals are you attending this year? Let us know in the comments below!