What's On in Leeds
Thursday 18 June 2026
Leeds has that rare Thursday energy that feels like the weekend has already arrived — the kind of night where you could start with a laugh, lose yourself in live music, and end up dancing until the city goes quiet. From intimate singer-songwriter sets to student-fuelled club nights, there is a version of tonight that belongs entirely to you.
Highlights

Alyssa Bonagura - America's Backroads Tour — Nashville-rooted Alyssa Bonagura brings her transatlantic road trip of a tour to the wonderfully cosy Hyde Park Book Club at 7:00pm, and if you have never caught her live, this is the night to put that right. Expect warm, story-drenched Americana that feels like a late-summer drive with the windows down — intimate, honest, and completely disarming. Check the website for tickets before this one sells out.

Faetooth — Brudenell Social Club is one of the finest small venues in the country, and at 7:30pm it plays host to Faetooth, a band whose brooding, atmospheric sound rewards every single bit of attention you give it. The Brudenell crowd is always passionate and knowledgeable, which makes for a room that genuinely crackles with energy even before the first note lands. Check the website for tickets and get there early — it will be worth it.

The Stand-up Comedy Experience — Comedy at The New Headingley Club is a proper night out — the kind where you arrive a stranger to whoever is on the bill and leave with aching cheeks and a name saved in your phone to watch again. Kicking off at 7:30pm and priced at £10–£17, it is genuinely one of the most accessible live entertainment options in the city, and the atmosphere at Headingley never disappoints. A brilliant mid-week treat whether you are going solo, on a date, or rounding up a gang.

All Jokes Aside Free Comedy Night — If your wallet is having a quieter week, The Northern Market at 7:45pm has you completely covered with this free comedy night that punches well above its price point. There is something brilliantly democratic about great stand-up in a market setting — it strips away all the fuss and just leaves the funny. Swing by, grab a drink, and let the evening take care of itself.

3PM Selects Presents: Selection. — The night starts early at Distrikt, where 3PM Selects kicks off at 6:00pm with a curated selection of electronic music that sets the tone for everything that follows. It is the kind of event that rewards those who show up with an open mind and a willingness to let the music do the steering — Distrikt's sound system will handle the rest. Check the website for full details and door prices.

IMPULSE THURSDAYS (Student Takeover) — When The End fires up at 9:00pm for Impulse Thursdays, Leeds' student population takes the reins and the result is reliably, gloriously chaotic in the best possible sense. This is the deep end of the city's nightlife — loud, sweaty, uninhibited, and utterly alive — and if you have ever needed a reminder of why Leeds has one of the best club scenes in the country, this is your Thursday evening masterclass. Check the website for tickets and dress to move.
Full listings
| Event | Venue | Time | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Music | |||||
| Alyssa Bonagura - America's Backroads Tour | Hyde Park Book Club | 7:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Faetooth | Brudenell Social Club | 7:30pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Nightlife | |||||
| 3PM Selects Presents: Selection. | Distrikt | 6:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| IMPULSE THURSDAYS (Student Takeover) | The End | 9:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Comedy | |||||
| The Stand-up Comedy Experience | Comedy @ The New Headingley Club | 7:30pm | £10–£17 | Tickets | |
| All Jokes Aside Free Comedy Night | The Northern Market | 7:45pm | Check website | Tickets | |