Updated on 25th January 2024

An Ever-Growing List of Regular Tech Meetups & Events in Leeds

Network, skill share and talk all things tech at these fantastic events.

Written on Business Updated on 25th January 2024

The Leeds tech community is thriving – here’s a comprehensive list of regular events and meetups taking place across the city.

Leeds is arguably one of the biggest tech hubs outside of the capital, with over 53,000 people working in the tech and digital sector. There’s a great sense of community too. From newbies looking to learn how to code to experienced PHP developers who want to network with likeminded people, there are tech meetups in Leeds for every level and every industry. Here’s an ever-growing list of what’s on, where it’s happening and how you can get involved.

Leeds Digital Festival

Credit: Leeds Digital Festival

FinTech North. This open and collaborative platform takes the guise of forums, special interest groups and roundtables, as well as their much-anticipated annual conference. Expect keynote speakers, panel discussions and showcases from regionally-based FinTech firms. The FinTech North Leeds Conference returns in April 2023.

Women in Tech Breakfasts. These popular meetups are aimed at women or those who identify as non-binary who are working in tech or looking to get into the industry. With guest speakers and plenty of networking opportunities, it’s a great way to meet like-minded professionals. Women in Tech Breakfasts take place every three months at Infinity Works’ HQ.

IoT Leeds. If you’re a maker or developer working on anything Internet of Things-related, these monthly sessions are for you. Expect everything from insightful crash courses into new operating systems to laidback chats about upcoming projects at these popular tech events. IoT Leeds meet virtually on the first Tuesday of every month.

Game Republic. The varied Game Republic meetups stretch across anything from business networking and educational talks to games parties and special events. Bringing together two of the North’s largest games networks, it’s a great opportunity to meet people from your industry. Game Republic events take place every month in rotating venues across Yorkshire.

Leeds Hackspace Tech Meetups in Leeds

Credit: Leeds Hackspace

Leeds Hackspace. Leeds Hackspace is a hands-on workshop space aimed at people who like making things and are curious about how things work. You’ll be able to tinker around with amazing tools including a laser cutter, 3D printer, wood/metal workshop and more. Leeds Hackspace host weekly open nights and socials every Tuesday and monthly open days on the second Saturday of each month.

AWS Leeds User Group. These in-depth sessions provide a space for cloud specialists, developers and people who love to learn to meet up and chat all things AWS. The sessions feature hands-on labs, seminars and discussions about best practice implementation. AWS Leeds User Group meetups take place regularly at 10 Wellington Place.

Leeds Sharp. These long-running Leeds tech events offer a space for Microsoft developers of all abilities to network and learn new skills. Expect informative seminars and hands-on workshops covering everything from optimisation and accessibility through to APIs and IoT. Leeds Sharp meetings take place at 6:30pm on the last Thursday of every month at Platform.

Yorkshire Azure User Group. These monthly meetups bring together a community of like-minded professionals passionate about Microsoft’s cloud platform. Featuring talks from experts across all aspects of Azure, it’s a great place for lively debate and knowledge sharing. Yorkshire Azure User Group Events take place monthly at rotating venues.

Leeds Digital Festival

Credit: Leeds Digital Festival

Leeds Digital Festival. The popular Leeds Digital Festival is undoubtedly one of the key highlights in the Leeds tech calendar. A celebration of all things digital, the festival takes the form of a packed roster of events, shining a light on everything from AI and data to coding and cyber security. Leeds Digital Festival takes place biannually at various venues across the city.

Yorkshire DevOps. This welcoming community runs regular meetups, helping showcase all things DevOps from across the region. Aimed at people working in software and IT, the sessions feature insightful seminars and also include food and drink. Yorkshire DevOps meetups take place every two months on Tuesday evenings at rotating locations.

PyData Leeds. This newly-established community is open to data folk looking to get involved with the Yorkshire tech sector. Part of the wider PyData network, it’s a place for professionals working with data analysis tools to share ideas and discuss best practices. Launched in January 2023, more events are set to follow.

Drupal Yorkshire. Aimed at digital managers, designers, devs and product owners, the Drupal Yorkshire community is a space for anyone working with the open source CMS. Their monthly meetings feature seminars, tutorials and a handy clinic to troubleshoot any problems you may have. Drupal Yorkshire events take place on the third Thursday of each month at Platform.

LIDA

Credit: Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA)

Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA). Head down to one of these fascinating events to learn more about the world of data analytics. From educational talks led by data scientists to hands on seminars where you can learn new skills, there’s a full calendar of events. LIDA events take place regularly at their HQ within the University of Leeds.

PBI Leeds. If you’re into all things data viz, this is the group for you. The PBI Leeds meetup is an expansion of the Manchester event, providing a space for people interested in Microsoft’s Power BI tool to meet like-minded individuals, listen to expert talks and tackle hands-on sessions. PBI Leeds events take place regularly at rotating locations.

Product Tank Leeds. The popular Product Tank events are aimed at product managers looking to share experiences of design, development and management, as well as talking all things user experience. Expect seminars from key figures in the industry and plenty of opportunities for networking. Product Tank Leeds events take place at rotating locations.

Umbraco Leeds Meetup. Umbraco Leeds is a friendly tech meetup where developers, content editors, project owners and anyone interested in their CMS can share their knowledge and experiences. Sessions generally take the form of talks, with the odd social event thrown in. Umbraco Leeds meetups take place on the first Thursday of every month at rotating locations.

ODI

Credit: Open Innovations

Open Innovations. Open Innovations is a not-for-profit organisation helping companies to build and use open data. They host a packed calendar of tech events in Leeds, including collaborative workshops and hackday innovation sessions. There’s something for everyone and it’s a great place to meet fellow techies. Open Innovations holds regular events from its Munro House HQ.

WordPress Leeds. Join a likeminded group of developers, designers and publishers to share your knowledge and experience of this popular CMS platform. The regular events include speaking slots and you can request a topic to be covered if there’s something specific you’d like to learn. WordPress Leeds event take place virtually on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Applied AI Leeds. Looking to find out more about the fascinating world of AI? Head to Applied AI Leeds, a gem in the Leeds tech event calendar, where you’ll learn all about how to use artificial intelligence within your day to day life. Expect everything from tips and tricks through to deep dives on selected topics. The first Applied AI event takes place in April at Parallax, with more to follow.

Leeds PHP. This PHP-focused meetup welcomes developers of all levels and abilities to come together from across Leeds to discuss all things PHP, tech and the web. With a healthy mix of seminars and casual socials, it’s a great opportunity to meet and network with likeminded professionals. Leeds PHP meet virtually on a regular basis, alongside in-person socials.

Digital Sport North

Digital Sport North. Straddling sports and tech, the thriving Digital Sport North meetups help bring professionals together to promote networking, encourage skill sharing and develop careers. Aimed at those working across media, broadcasting, betting, gaming and more, expect fascinating seminars across a wide range of topics. Digital Sport North events take place regularly at rotating venues across Leeds.

Leeds JS. The Leeds JS community meet up regularly to discuss the latest tools and trends relating to JavaScript. The sessions are open to developers of all levels and abilities, from experienced devs to those looking to get to grips with the language. Each event features two short talks, networking and food and drink. Leeds JS meetups take monthly at BJSS.

Leeds Data Science Meetup. You can network with students, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs at the Leeds Data Science meetups. Each of these popular sessions feature two speakers from local companies, as well as plenty of opportunities to chat with your tech-minded peers. Leeds Data Science meetups take place bimonthly at Platform.

Analytics Pioneers Leeds. If you work within digital analytics, the Analytics Pioneers meetup provides a great way to network, skill share and talk all things data. Expect exciting lectures within a relaxed environment and a chance to catch up over a beer. You can attend as a guest, as well as presenting or hosting one of the events. Analytics Pioneers meet virtually on a regular basis.

Sky Coding Club Tech Meetups in Leeds

Sky Coding Club. Sky’s popular Coding Club is a fantastic resource for developers of all abilities, with their Slack channel providing a useful place to have your coding queries answered. Their virtual and in-person events take that support to the next level – explain your problem and you’ll be paired with a developer who can help. Sky Coding Club events are announced on their Slack channel.

Leeds Tech Night. This new event welcomes tech professionals for engaging sessions that showcase the local tech community. Launched in partnership with Brio Digital and Doza Consulting, expect a different topic at every event and a host of expert speakers, alongside food, drink and networking opportunities. Leeds Tech Night takes place every three months.

Agile Yorkshire. You can network with fellow IT professionals from across Yorkshire at these monthly meetups. On top of discussions about Agile software development methods and Extreme Programming, expect keynotes from some of the industry’s highest profile speakers. Agile Yorkshire meet on the second Wednesday of each month.

Hey! Presents. Designed to offer a series of talks with the diversity and intrigue of TED but on a local level, Hey! provides a fun, free and insightful space where digital creators can learn more about a whole host of topics. Their calendar culminates in the All Day Hey! Conference, which takes place annually. Hey! Presents talks take place throughout the year.

She Does Digital

Credit: She Does Digital

She Does Digital. The feel-good She Does Digital meetups set out to encourage and support more women into the digital industry. Whether you work in digital or you’re looking to break into the scene, you can expect ample networking opportunities, inspiring stories and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. She Does Digital meetups take place twice-yearly at various venues.

Silicon Yorkshire. Expect to network with over 300 tech professionals, including some of the region’s leading experts, while grabbing a drink at the warm and inviting Silicon Yorkshire meetups. You’re bound to leave inspired. Silicon Yorkshire events take place regularly at rotating venues, alongside the Silicon Expo.

Visual Media Conference. The annual VMC is a celebration of innovation, creativity and sustainability, bringing together professionals from the creative digital world for a one-day conference. Expect international speakers and case studies from leading brands, along with talks on all things marketing and communications. The Visual Media Conference takes place annually.

No Code Lab. No Code Lab’s annual Super Hack sees teams of non-techies pair up with tech-minded partners, working against the clock and one another to come up with fascinating no code solutions. Past events have welcomed teams from the likes of BJSS and Panintelligence, alongside charities such as Candlelighters. No Code Lab’s hack events take place annually.

LegalTech in Leeds

Legal Tech in Leeds. Delivered by Whitecap Consulting, Legal Tech in Leeds brings together the city’s legal and digital industries. Regular events are run in partnership with key stakeholders such as Bruntwood SciTech and Barclays. Expect seminars, hackathons and networking drinks. Legal Tech in Leeds events take place regularly in rotating venues across Leeds.

New Monday. This community initiative brings together like-minded individuals and organisations across creative, digital, TV and film for a breakfast networking session. Expect insider tips and inspiration, as well as collaboration opportunities – all while enjoying coffee and croissants. New Monday events take place on the first Tuesday of every Month at Department.

Think we’ve missed something? Send your tech meetups through to us at [email protected].

Cover image credit: Alex Dodd
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Kirsty Allen Senior Writer

Kirsty joined the Leeds-List team in 2022, bringing eight years of writing experience with her. She lives in Normanton, which is the perfect base for exploring, and as a self-confessed foodie, she’s steadily working her way through every restaurant, street food stall and pop-up in Leeds.

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