Open Season 2026

Welcome to our annual festival of community creativity - where YOU get to perform at the Playhouse and support singers, dancers, actors and musicians from YOUR community.

The theme for 2026 is Happy Birthday, Leeds! to mark the milestone 400th anniversary of the Playhouse’s hometown receiving its royal charter and becoming a city.

We have a packed programme this year, with a variety of performances from diverse communities across the city. Simply click on the events below for more details – and to book your Pay What You Can tickets.

Open Season is just one of the ways people can join in at Leeds Playhouse. Our artist development programme, Furnace, supports local creatives and helps to generate new work. There are also myriad opportunities offered via Playhouse Connect for children and young people, older people, teachers and students, people with disabilities, and refugees and people seeking asylum.