Updated on 31st January 2025

Unmissable Events In and Around Leeds This February

Looking for exciting things to do in Leeds?

Written on Things To Do Updated on 31st January 2025

Socialise, meet new people and learn a new skill at a super-creative painting class from Prime Pass. Catch them in Leeds this February.

From unmissable shows to gigs and comedy, make February one to remember with these amazing events.

It’s going to be another jam-packed month in and around Leeds. There are loads of events taking place across the city, from West End shows to arena spectaculars, loads of family friendly fun and festivals. But that only scratches the surface of what’s going on this February, so clear your diary, call your mates and make plans for what will be a busy old month.

Prime Pass Painting. Fancy trying your hand at painting? If so, you’re in luck, because the Prime Pass February events in Leeds look fantastic, with four artist-led paint-a-pic classes! You can paint Percy the Peacock at The Fox and Next on Wednesday 5th, or Archive will be hosting the classic Starry Night on Friday 7th, Kissing Swans on Friday 14th and Sunset in Red on Friday 21st February 2025.

The Flying Dutchman. Opera North’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’ will take to the stage at Leeds Grand Theatre from Saturday 1st to Friday 21st February 2025. After being displaced, the Dutchman’s crew are condemned to wander the seas – every seven years, fate offers them the chance to end this cycle of purgatory, in the form of a woman who will be completely faithful to them.

Legend: The Music of Bob Marley. Calling all Bob Marley fans – this is the event in Leeds for you! Legend: The Music of Bob Marley will be at The Old Woollen on Saturday 1st February 2025, providing an unforgettable evening celebrating the musical icon. The cast will recreate iconic hits like ‘Could You Be Loved’, ‘No Woman, No Cry’ and many more.

The Big Green Market. Taking place on Saturday 1st February 2025, Left Bank’s Big Green Market is a must-visit if you’re into all things sustainable. They’ve invited loads of local planet-friendly makers to sell their wares, including delicious food, clothing, arts and lots of crafts. It’s the perfect place to take home some cute trinkets while also feeling good about your impact on the planet.

Craig David. On Sunday 2nd February 2025, Craig David will take to the stage at the first direct arena. It’s been 25 years since he first shot to fame with his seminal album ‘Born to Do It’, releasing a string of hit singles like ‘7 Days’ and ‘Fill Me In’ in the following years. His Leeds show will see him perform hits from his latest studio album, ‘22’.

James Bay. Wednesday 5th February 2025 sees singer-songwriter James Bay take to the stage at the O2 Academy. He’ll be performing all the latest hits from his latest studio album, ‘Changes All The Time’, which features the smash hit single ‘Up All Night’. You can hear all this and more, as well as older songs like ‘Hold Back the River’.

Two actors on stage for Shellshocked

Shellshocked. Theatre lover and wondering what’s on in Leeds? Shellshocked will be at Leeds Playhouse from Wednesday 5th to Saturday 8th February 2025 following a hugely successful sold-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival run. Written by Leeds-born playwright Philip Stokes, it follows Wesley, who’s been deeply affected by the horrors of World War Two.

Inhaler. Inhaler are back with their latest studio album, ‘Open Wide’, which you can hear for yourself at their Leeds O2 Academy show on Friday 7th February 2025. The Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 2012, releasing their first studio album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ in 2021. You may know them for songs like ‘My Honest Face’ and ‘Cheer Up Baby’.

Ilkley Beer Festival. Ilkley Beer Festival is set to take place at the Kings Hall & Winter Gardens on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February 2025. There will be three public sessions split across two days, with lots of good brews from near and far to sample. What’s more, there’s also cider, prosecco, wine and gin, as well as food from Lishmans.

Waterloo: A Tribute to ABBA. ABBA fan and wondering what’s on in Leeds this month? Look no further than Waterloo: A Tribute to ABBA at first direct arena on Saturday 8th February 2025. The arena show looks back at the sensational rise to stardom of the Swedish pop group, featuring all the iconic hits from Waterloo and Voulez Vouz to Mamma Mia and Money, Money, Money.

Leeds Record Fair. If you’re a vinyl lover and looking for events in Leeds this month, be sure to visit the Leeds Record Fair at Kirkgate Market on Saturday 8th February 2025. Now in its eighth year of monthly fairs, there are two halls packed with 84 tables, selling the very best of pop, indie, grunge, heavy metal, hip hop and pretty much any genre you can think of.

Grue. Explore the enchanting world of Grue, an immersive adventure at Bingley’s Damart Mill, on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th February and from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd February 2025. Solve mysteries, explore magical settings, and enjoy family-friendly craft workshops. Created by artist Steve Wintercroft and Yorkshire’s ARCADE, it’s built from recycled materials.

Record Fair, Leeds

Chloe Petts. For one of the funniest events in Leeds this month, be sure to get down to City Varieties on Sunday 9th February 2025 to catch Chloe Petts. Armed with her new show ‘How You See Me, How You Don’t’, her Leeds show will see her get more personal than ever before, discussing everything from old school bullies to her relationship with her food tech teacher.

The Magic Flute. Opera North will bring Mozart’s most famous opera to the stage at Leeds Grand Theatre from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 22nd February 2025. You’ll join Prince Tamino, who’s on a quest to find love and happiness – armed with a magic flute and the bird-catcher Papageno, he must battle trials and tribulations to reach the imprisoned Pamina.

James Blunt. Don’t miss your chance to see James Blunt at first direct arena on Thursday 13th February 2025 as part of his ‘Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary’ tour. He’ll be performing the remastered Back to Bedlam album in its entirety, as well as other classic hits from his career. Expect to hear ‘You’re Beautiful’, ‘Goodbye My Lover’ and many more.

The Magic Flute, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre

Credit: Alastair Muir

Miffy Trail. Inspired by Dick Bruna’s much-loved book ‘Miffy at the Gallery’, Leeds City Museum will be holding its very own Miffy Trail from Friday 14th to Sunday 23rd February 2025! Head on over and see if you can find Miffy in different places around the museum and spot the objects she’s looking at. Once you’ve found them all, head to the gift shop to claim your very own Miffy sticker.

Hansel & Gretel. Don’t miss your chance to see Northern Ballet’s rendition of Hansel & Gretel at Leeds’ Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre from Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd February 2025. This reimagined magical ballet for children follows Hansel and Gretel as they take a walk through the woods, unaware of the damage they’re leaving behind.

There’s A Monster In Your Show. Based on Tom Fletcher’s book of the same name, ‘There’s A Monster In Your Show’ will be at Carriageworks Theatre on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th February 2025. The story follows a group of performers who are getting ready for their show, but quickly discover they’re not alone – Little Monster wants to be in on the fun too!

Jorvik Viking Festival. The Vikings are back in York from Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd February 2025 for the annual JORVIK Viking Festival! The city will be taken over by Viking warriors, with living history encampments, workshops, tours, traditional crafts and more.

Queen Extravaganza. If you never got the chance to see Queen live, never fear, because the very best next thing will be at first direct arena on Tuesday 18th February 2025. Queen Extravaganza, the only official Queen tribute band, will be celebrating 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody with a load of fan favourites like ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’.

The Merchant of Venice 1936. Straight from selling out the RSC and London’s West End, you can catch The Merchant of Venice 1936 at Leeds Playhouse from Tuesday 18th to Saturday 22nd February 2025. The Shakespeare classic is set to be transported to 1930s Britain, where Shylock, a resilient single mother, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future.

A production of Merchant of Venice 1936

Credit: Marc Brenner

Pantera. If you’re a metal fan, this has to be one of the best events in Leeds for you. Pantera will take to the stage at first direct arena on Wednesday 19th February 2025. The Texas foursome first formed over four decades ago, and although they disbanded in the early 2000s, their legacy has never wavered, producing hit songs like ‘Cowboys from Hell’ and ‘Domination’.

The House Party. From Friday 21st February to Saturday 1st March 2025, The House Party will be at Leeds Playhouse. You’ll join Julie, who’s throwing a party in her father’s extravagant townhouse for her 18th birthday. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and her best friend Christine is trying to pick up the pieces, but what happens when the party gets out of hand?

Wakefield Rhubarb Festival. If you’re a rhubarb lover, don’t miss the Wakefield Rhubarb Festival from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd February 2024. Taking place across the city centre for the whole weekend, you can expect market stalls, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and much more. You can even indulge in candied rhubarb-topped pizzas!

Biig Piig. In anticipation of her much-anticipated debut album 11:11, Biig Piig will be at Brudenell Social Club on Sunday 23rd February 2025. The Irish singer and rapper performs in Spanish and English and has released a string of EPs since she first burst onto the scene in 2016. You may know her for songs like ‘Feels Right’ and ‘Switch’.

Leeds Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival. What’s on in Leeds for music lovers, you ask? Well, how about Brudenell Social Club’s Leeds Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival? Taking place on Sunday 23rd February 2025, it features a stacked lineup of talented local musicians like These Wicked Rivers, Gráinne Duffy, Jon Amor and the Backbone Blues Band.

You Me At Six. British rock royalty You Me At Six will be stopping off at Leeds’ O2 Academy on Sunday 23rd February 2025 as part of their farewell tour. Their 20-year career has included two number-one albums, as well as world tours and streams that have topped over a billion worldwide. Get ready for hits like ‘Bite My Tongue’ and ‘No One Does It Better’.

The cast of Only Fools & Horses the musical on stage

Credit: Johan Persson

Only Fools & Horses: The Musical. Straight off the West End, Only Fools and Horses: The Musical will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 24th February to Saturday 1st March 2025. Based on the legendary TV show, it features all the cast favourites like Del Boy, Rodney and Cassandra, with a hilarious script and 20 original songs.

Circa Waves. Liverpool indie legends Circa Waves are back in Leeds at the O2 Academy on Tuesday 25th February 2025. They’ll be performing in support of their latest album ‘Death & Love Part One’, the first instalment of what’s set to be a reflection on their career so far. Expect songs like ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’.

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Ella Aldridge Writer

Ella moved to Leeds in 2018 and never looked back. She joined the Leeds-List team as a writer in 2023 and her knowledge of the city continues to grow every day. She never passes up an opportunity to try somewhere new, be it visiting an exhibition or dining out at restaurants off the beaten track.

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