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For the curious and the inquisitive in Leeds, there is plenty to stimulate the mind and occupy your time over the colder months at several museums in the city, with some taking place already and running until the new year.
For music fans, there’s a range of audible delights on offer, be it experimental, improvised music or the works of Charlie Mingus being lovingly performed by an outstanding jazz orchestra. Meanwhile, the social history of Leeds, from women in the Victorian age to a specialist study on crime and punishment, will also be the focus of several talks and exhibitions throughout the next few months.
Several institutions will be throwing open their backstage doors, allowing locals to check out the vast collections that haven’t made it into the public displays, and for those seeking more hands-on experiences, there are opportunities to create your own ‘zine,’ and a celebration of textiles and printworks in the city.
We’ve earmarked 25 exhibitions and events that caught our attention, with many included in the price of admission into the museums themselves; as ever, though, we recommend you check the relevant institution's website for more information and bookings, to avoid missing out - or being left out in the cold without a ticket.
So what’s keeping our minds stimulated over the winter months? Read on to find out our picks.
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13. Leeds Experimental Improvised Music Showcase (February 7)
Experience an innovative evening of challenging and exciting improvised music from local musicians, pushing the boundaries of sound within the museum's atmospheric setting. This showcase is a must for those interested in avant-garde and experimental musical forms. 🔎 Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square. | Canva
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14. Beneath the Sheets Anatomy, Art and Power (February 7 - June 21)
This major new exhibition explores the controversial and fascinating relationship between artistic representation, medical understanding, and the hidden structures of the human body throughout history. It’s a deep and visually compelling look at anatomy as a source of both knowledge and power. 🔎 Thackray Museum of Medicine, Beckett Street. | Thackray Museum of Medicine
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15. Thackray Insights The Sick Sense (February 7)
Delve into the fascinating history of how surgeons and physicians used the five senses to diagnose and understand diseases like cancer 300 years ago. Dr. Claire Turner explores historical accounts of "foetid tumours" and "rotten bodies" to show how our senses shaped the medical relationship with illness when cures were scarce. 🔎 Thackray Museum of Medicine, Beckett Street. | Canva
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16. Behind the Scenes: Stores Tour (February 8)
A rare chance to venture into the vast stores beneath the Thackray Museum and view artefacts from their medical collection that are not usually on public display. This tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the curation and preservation of medical history. 🔎 Thackray Museum of Medicine, Beckett Street. | Thackray Museum of Medicine
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17. Hippo-Platypus Trail (February 14 - 21)
This fun, family-focused trail guides visitors through the museum using clues and challenges related to some of the most unusual and exciting specimens in the collection. It's a perfect activity to keep children engaged during the February half-term break. 🔎 Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square. | Leeds City Museum
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18. Armley Print Fest 2026 (February 14)
A celebration of the rich history of printing and textile design in Leeds, held at the historic industrial museum. The festival features live demonstrations, workshops, and exhibitions showcasing contemporary and traditional printmaking techniques. 🔎 Leeds Industrial Museum, Canal Road. | Canva