What’s on at Leeds Museums & Galleries

Browse what’s on at Leeds Museums and Galleries below, or filter results to narrow your search.

Earth Energies

08 October 2022 - 31 December 2023

Venue: Thwaite Watermill

Created by Paul Ratcliff and Darren Wall, this 8 minute film features high quality audio recordings of the wildlife and machinery at Thwaite Watermill accompanied by images and animations.

A selection of items on display as part of the David Bowie exhibition at Leeds City Museum

There’s a Starman Waiting in the Sky

17 January 2023 - 14 January 2024

Venue: Leeds City Museum

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of David Bowie performing in Leeds from local collector and Bowie fans.

A blue banner with the words Leeds Leeds Leeds in white and yellow

All To Play For: A sprint through the history of sport, play and competition in Leeds

21 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

All To Play For takes us on a sprint through the history of sport, play and competition in Leeds.

Two denim jackets which have been personalised with graffiti and images in bright colours, and a boom box in the background

A Hip Hop Journey: 50 years of Kulture

28 July 2023 - 24 March 2024

Venue: Leeds City Museum

A special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and its kulture. Free and welcome to all.

A contemporary artwork by Charlotte Cullen on display in Leeds Art Gallery

Any Work that Wanted Doing

08 September 2023 - 31 December 2023

Venue: Leeds Industrial Museum

A new display bringing together disabled people’s voices, highlighting their contributions to history and contemporary culture.

Dr Geraldine Connor statue by Lara Rose

01 October 2023 - 31 January 2024

Venue: Leeds City Museum

Lara Rose's statue of Dr Geraldine Connor is now on display in the window bay of Leeds City Museum.

People dressed in carnival outfits at Leeds West Indian Carnival

The Bridge Project

01 October 2023 - 31 January 2024

Venue: Leeds City Museum

See a vibrant display of West Indian Carnival costumes which have been designed by a group of 18 year olds from East Leeds.

Jeans being patched up with sewing items

Revive, Repair, Re-use: Stories of Sustainability

10 October 2023 - 07 July 2024

Venue: Abbey House Museum

A display co-curated with volunteers about the practices and effects of sustainability in Leeds.

Leeds City Museum in violet and mint duo tone.

Overlooked Legacies

17 October 2023 - 17 December 2023

Venue: Leeds City Museum

Overlooked Legacies is a free extended display of stories which we could not fit into the Overlooked exhibition.

Engineery

27 October 2023 - 28 September 2025

Venue: Leeds Industrial Museum

A new exhibition opening on 27 October, celebrating the life and legacy of John Smeaton and civil engineering in its many forms.

The Christmas Experience

25 November 2023 - 07 January 2024

Venue: Lotherton

Dates and times vary, please see website

The Christmas Experience at Lotherton returns for another year of festive magic and Santa visits.

A Seasonal Cornucopia

01 December 2023 - 02 January 2024

Venue: Leeds Art Gallery

A diverse selection of works selected by members of the Leeds Art Gallery team. One artwork will be unwrapped and revealed each day in December at 12pm!

Elf Trail

01 December 2023 - 07 January 2024

Venue: Leeds City Museum

Pick up a trail and spot Noel the runaway elf hiding around the museum.

A family are sat in the Palace Picture House of Armley Mills

Christmas Mystery Matinees

01 - 31 December 2023

Venue: Leeds Industrial Museum

2:00 pm

Join us for family friendly Christmas films during December. You can catch them at 2pm Tuesday-Sunday in the Palace Picture House.

decorated christmas tree with a star on top

Christmas at Temple Newsam

02 - 23 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various times and dates available

Celebrate Christmas at Temple Newsam. Explore the beautifully decorated house and get in the festive spirit with themed crafts and activities.

Father Christmas at Temple Newsam

02 - 23 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various times and dates available

Pay a visit to Father Christmas this festive season, tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a fun gift!

wrapping paper and address labels reading special delivery and santa claus

Festive Storytime with Mrs Claus

02 - 23 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various times and dates available

Enjoy an interactive experience helping Mrs Claus get ready for Christmas at Temple Newsam and get a gift to take home.

Santa at the Museum

02 - 23 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Each weekend in December except Christmas Eve

Make magical memories with Santa at Abbey House Museum this Christmas. With traditionally decorated Victorian streets, silly hats for selfies, and a craft bag to take home.

The grand hall at Temple Newsam House featuring paintings and decorative furniture, with ornate turquoise wallpaper, highly decorated ceiling, and wooden floors.

Temple Newsam Historic House Tour

12 - 15 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various dates and allotted time slots - please see booking link

Take a historic tour of Temple Newsam House with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides, and discover the beautiful interiors that cover 500 years of history.

A bauble shaped like a christmas turkey, dressed with baubles and a hat

Festive Tour and Christmas Dinner

12 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

New for 2023! Festive tour and Christmas Dinner at Temple Newsam for only £20pp.

A view from the rear of the church through the large window of Kirkstall Abbey

Meditative Walks with Brahma Kumaris

13 December 2023

Venue: Kirkstall Abbey

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Come along to the peaceful ruins of Kirkstall Abbey every Wednesday for some fresh air and a taster of Raja Yoga meditation, with Brahma Kumaris Leeds.

Crimson bedroom at Temple Newsam with ornate furniture, wallpaper and decorative art.

Carl Milner Photography Tea & talk club

Tea & talk club

13 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Drop in for a free expert talk in the stunning surroundings of Temple Newsam House. This month Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts Caroline Newton walks us though what makes a house a home, and how this informs how we present a country house.

Sustainable Stash Busting Christmas Crafts

13 - 14 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Simple festive crafts designed to use up bits from your stash or ours, including pompom garlands, cardboard gingerbread houses and woollen hat ornaments.

Pine cone decoration on a Christmas Tree

Festive House Tour

14 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Take a festive tour of Temple Newsam house and discover the stunning mansion dressed for Christmas. Festive refreshments included.

Festive House Tour

15 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Take a festive tour of Temple Newsam house and discover the stunning mansion dressed for Christmas. Festive refreshments included.

Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps!

16 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Various times

A festive children's theatre production with witty humour and fantastic music, based on Nicholas Allan’s much loved book.

Santa at the Museum

16 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Each weekend in December except Christmas Eve

Make magical memories with Santa at Abbey House Museum this Christmas. With traditionally decorated Victorian streets, silly hats for selfies, and a craft bag to take home.

Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps!

17 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Various times

A festive children's theatre production with witty humour and fantastic music, based on Nicholas Allan’s much loved book.

Santa at the Museum

17 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Each weekend in December except Christmas Eve

Make magical memories with Santa at Abbey House Museum this Christmas. With traditionally decorated Victorian streets, silly hats for selfies, and a craft bag to take home.

Christmas wreath on door with leaves and pine cones

Foraged Festive Wreath Making Workshop

18 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join us in the stunning gatehouse space for this workshop making a festive wreath using foraged foliage.

Temple Newsam Historic House Tour

19 - 20 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various dates and allotted time slots - please see booking link

Take a historic tour of Temple Newsam House with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides, and discover the beautiful interiors that cover 500 years of history.

Festive Tour and Christmas Dinner

19 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

New for 2023! Festive tour and Christmas Dinner at Temple Newsam for only £20pp.

Meditative Walks with Brahma Kumaris

20 December 2023

Venue: Kirkstall Abbey

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Come along to the peaceful ruins of Kirkstall Abbey every Wednesday for some fresh air and a taster of Raja Yoga meditation, with Brahma Kumaris Leeds.

Christmas at Temple Newsam – Relaxed Day

22 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Explore the beautifully decorated house and get in the festive spirit with themed crafts and activities. For families who might benefit from a quieter and less busy event.

Father Christmas at Temple Newsam – Relaxed Day

22 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various times

Visit Father Christmas to tell him your festive wishes and receive a gift - designed for families who might benefit from a quieter and less busy event.

adult and child hands doing christmas craft activities

Festive Storytime with Mrs Claus – Relaxed Day

22 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various times

Help Mrs Claus get ready for Christmas and get a gift to take home. Designed for families who might benefit from a quieter and less busy event.

Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps!

23 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Various times

A festive children's theatre production with witty humour and fantastic music, based on Nicholas Allan’s much loved book.

Santa at the Museum

23 December 2023

Venue: Abbey House Museum

Each weekend in December except Christmas Eve

Make magical memories with Santa at Abbey House Museum this Christmas. With traditionally decorated Victorian streets, silly hats for selfies, and a craft bag to take home.

Temple Newsam Historic House Tour

24 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various dates and allotted time slots - please see booking link

Take a historic tour of Temple Newsam House with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides, and discover the beautiful interiors that cover 500 years of history.

Temple Newsam Historic House Tour

26 - 30 December 2023

Venue: Temple Newsam

Various dates and allotted time slots - please see booking link

Take a historic tour of Temple Newsam House with one of our friendly and knowledgeable guides, and discover the beautiful interiors that cover 500 years of history.

What’s on at Leeds Museums & Galleries

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