A new and improved TESTBED will relaunch this September, at the dynamic intersection of electronic music, live culture and community. The landmark Leeds venue will reopen its doors to showcase permanent structural improvements and major upgrades across sound (a custom L-Acoustics L2 system), lighting (a fully integrated Chauvet lighting system), and overall customer experience. With a capacity of 2,500, the countdown has begun as TESTBED prepares to relaunch at the forefront of Leeds’ vibrant creative culture.

Leeds-based Red Ladder Theatre Company and Hull’s Silent Uproar have joined forces to produce a powerful new play from an exciting and original voice in northern theatre.

Close Enough to Touch, a one-person drama about secrets, sex… and toilets written by new playwright Henry Roberts, will go on tour to venues across the North of England and down to the Midlands this autumn (Oct 16 – Nov 9), and is at Leeds Playhouse Fri & Sat, Oct 23 & 24, 8pm.

Arts charity East Street Arts in Leeds have partnered with Bow Arts, one of the UK's leading providers of affordable artist studio space, to extend access to Artist Studio Finder for free, promoting affordable studios across Yorkshire and the North of England, and granting local providers the use of a tool that connects them with artist designers and makers across the regions.

2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the first Leeds Charter, issued in 1626 and granting the growing town a measure of self-government for the first time in its history. Leeds Libraries are marking this important moment in the city’s development through a dedicated Leeds400 exhibition at their Central Library and a related programme of events. 

After a highly successful debut in 2025 the Leeds Writing Festival returns this September with an equally impressive line-up of expert authors, literary agents and publishing professionals, for a day of inspiration, craft, and community at Leeds Trinity University.

A rare two-volume hand-coloured book is to go on display as part of Thackray Museum of Medicine’s brand-new exhibition opening on 18 July.

This Autumn, Leeds International Piano Competition invites volunteers to take part in a beautiful and unusual community project, in collaboration with our friends and partners Pianodrome CIC and Besbrode Pianos and led by Festival Artist in Resonance, Dora Goldsbrough.

Has creative writing ever helped you process a diagnosis, a period of illness or the experience of caring for someone? 

If you or someone you love is living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or another chronic condition, you'll know how hard it can be to put the experience into words.