Summer holidays are in full swing, and we are only a matter of weeks away from Leeds Festival 2026 - it is officially August in the city, with an incredible array of events lined up for this month alone.
Alongside the massive weekend at Bramham Park, August brings everything from huge heritage hip-hop shows in historic abbey ruins to Europe’s oldest Caribbean carnival taking over our streets at the end of the month.
That’s not even to mention the fantastic gigs and events taking place at Leeds Heritage Theatres, Brudenell Social Club and a wide range of venues we’re lucky to frequent here in the city.
Whether you're looking for stadium-filling comedy, West End-calibre theatre, or niche independent gigs, here are 19 huge events happening across Leeds in August 2026 that caught our eye in the newsroom.
13. Talib Kweli (August 17)
Hip-hop royalty and Black Star co-founder Talib Kweli headlines an intimate show at the Brudenell for a rare, up-close performance. 📍 Brudenell Social Club | Getty Images for Dayglo Presents
14. Outdoor Adventure Cinema (August 21 - 23)
A weekend of open-air film screenings under the stars, featuring classics like 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Mamma Mia!', and family sing-alongs. 📍 Harewood House | vertu
15. Mogwai (August 21 and 22)
Scottish post-rock pioneers, Mogwai take over the Brudenell for two sold-out, wall-of-sound shows in an iconic grassroots setting. 📍 Brudenell Social Club
16. High Society (August 25 - 29)
Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy comes to the Grand, starring Helen George, Freddie Fox, and Julian Ovenden set to a legendary jazz score. 📍 Leeds Grand Theatre | Pamela Raith Photography
17. Leeds Festival 2026 (August 27 - 30)
The crown jewel of August in West Yorkshire. Tens of thousands head to Bramham Park for a massive Bank Holiday weekend featuring headliners Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Florence + The Machine, Raye, Skepta, and Kasabian. 📍 Bramham Park
18. An Evening with Sir David Jason (August 30)
National television treasure Sir David Jason takes to the stage for a live interview recounting stories from his iconic acting career spanning Only Fools and Horses to A Touch of Frost. 📍 Leeds Grand Theatre