HEART Fest ’26
Heart Fest returns this year bigger than ever! We will be celebrating all the amazing things that happen here at Heart with a day festival suitable for all ages. This year, to commemorate 400 years since Leeds received its royal chartership we are celebrating our rich textile history with our poster quilt, and more activities woven throughout the day that celebrate our history. Check out below to find out more details!
Key Information:
When is it? Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of May, between 10-5pm on both days with an evening event between 7-10pm on the Saturday.
Where is it? The HEART Centre in Headingley, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN
What is HEART Fest? It’s a free day full of activities and events celebrating everything we do at HEART! We will close the car park and have stalls and musical performances outside, plus loads of activities and events going on inside the ground floor of the building, and our lovely ABK cafe will be open to fuel you throughout!
The HEART Fest Market:
We are excited to be bringing back the HEART Fest market – a chance to showcase some brilliant pieces from some of the most talented local artists and artisans from across the city! The HEART Fest market also prioritises giving a chance to both expereinces and first time vendors, whilst focussing on providing a wide range of high quality products. Expect to see stalls selling art, accesories, plants, jewellry, and much more!
When? Saturday the 23rd, 11-4pm
Where? The Shire Oak Hall, plus a few stalls outside in the playground
Live Performances:
We have got an absolutely stellar lineup of artists perfoming outside in the playground this year, with a diverse range of genres and sizes, there will be something for everyone to enjoy! In no particular order we have got an exclusive set from Fergus Quill on the double bass and piano, beautiful alt folk from HerOrangeCoat off the back of her recent EP release, country-gaze from newcomers Gloria, neo-soul jazz piano and vocals from a 3 piece led by Luke Saunders, lovely folk rock originals and covers from Katerina, mind-bending solo jazz piano from Glen Leach, grunge-folk from 4 piece Absi – and all capped off from an exciting performance from Mean Steel – a steel pan band based in Meanwood!
When? Saturday and Sunday between 12-5pm
Where? Out in the playground under a stage!
The HEART Family Ceilidh:
Our beloved Ceilidh has been a stand out smash at HEART over the past year. For HEART Fest this year, we have decided to open up the fun to all ages with our family edition of the Ceilidh! With a more relaxed and inclusive set of dances, feel free to join at any age – children must be supervised by an adult! This edition is free to join, but will be capped at 65 tickets as usual as our hall isn’t the biggest!
When? Sunday at 3pm
Where? The Shire Oak Hall
T-shirt Printing and Clothes Swap:
We are so excited to trial a HEART Fest First, with a t-shirt and tote-printing stall on both days of the festival. Featuring a bespoke logo made by one of our own staff, members of the public will be able to walk away with handmade, limited edition HEART merchandise, printed in either black or white ink.
When? Both days between 11-3
Where? Playground
Family Film Screenings: 
For the second year in a row, we have collaborated with Hyde Park Picture House and HEART is thrilled to be able to screen children’s films on both days of the festival! With tHE help of the Picture HOuse, we can guarantee that HEART Fest will provide fun for all ages!
When? Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
Where? Tiny Boo
Life Drawing at HEART:
For all you budding artists, HEART Fest has got you covered! Our monthly Life Drawing at HEART will be holding two free sessions on the Sundayand, as usual, all abilities are welcome. Get creative with the guidance of our wonderful in-house artist, Tommy Egan. All materials are provided during this fdantastic opportunity to try the class for free!
When? Sunday 12-2pm
Where? Monkbridge Room
Leeds Jazz Festival x HEART Fest:
In collaboration with Jazz @ HEART and the Leeds Jazz Festival, we will be bringing you an hour and half of dynamic, vibrant entertainment, courtesy of the HEART House Jazz Band – featuring John Arnesen on Drums, Sam Jackson on Double Bass and Harry Orme on guitar.
When? 11:30am on the Sunday
Where? Shire Oak Hall
HEART On Board with DJ Muck:
To cap off Saturday’s whirlwind of a day, we are super excited to be hosting a special edition of HEART On Board – our board game night, with DJ Muck spinning his magic out of vinyl. Come join in for a fun night of board games, sountracked by a DJ who will get you up on your feet!
When? 7pm on the Saturday
Where? Shire Oak Hall
Zine Making with Blue:
We will also be hosting a free drop in zine making stall through both days! Come along and hang out with talented illustrator Blue as he takes you through the different steps of making your very own zine! Whether you have made a million before or trying for the very first time, you will definitely have lots of fun at this stall, and if you are just wanting to do something quick then you can contribute to our “Wall Quilt” !
When? Both days between 11-3pm
Where? Playground