Heritage Open Days

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Heritage Open Days is back for 2026!  

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

Our Heritage Open Day Grants are also back, scroll down to find out more.

2026 Theme: Everyday Histories 

Exploring daily working life through the ages

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker - what did your ancestors do, and what was their daily life like? In 2026 we’ll be exploring stories of working lives, from learning a craft to establishing routines and cherished rituals. What will you discover in our factories, kitchens, dockyards, gardens and beyond?!

What is Heritage Open Days?

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest cultural festival, taking place every September. Across the country, more than 5,500 events are organised by over 2,000 organisers and supported by around 46,000 volunteers.

Leeds Civic Trust has been involved in Heritage Open Days for almost 30 years. In Leeds, we help promote the festival by producing leaflets and city-wide posters, sharing events on social media, distributing flyers and generally spreading the word. We’re also proud to call ourselves Heritage Open Days super-fans. Our dedicated volunteering committee has built strong relationships across the city and has extensive experience of how the festival works.

Each year, Leeds Civic Trust produces a listings and highlights guide. In 2026 we will publish a leaflet introducing the festival and directing people to our online listings guide, which will go live on 10 July 2026. If you are organising an event, please register it on the national Heritage Open Days website by 14 June to ensure it is included in our online listings.

Heritage Open Days offers something for everyone, whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or exploring on your own. Past events in Leeds have included dance workshops, spoken word performances, exhibitions, sing-alongs, and the ever-popular walks, talks and tours.

Here is some useful information, please click the links below: 

• Heritage Open Days website to register your events for 2026

Our Heritage Open Days Grants Are Now Open for 2026!

We’re delighted to be offering another round of Heritage Open Days Support Grants for 2026, helping bring free, family-friendly events to life across Leeds. After a fantastic response last year, with creative trails and activities welcoming many first-time visitors, we’re excited to support even more organisations, groups, and individuals to share the city’s stories in fun and engaging ways.

Taking place from 11–20 September 2026, this year’s festival explores the theme Everyday Histories, alongside celebrating Leeds’ 400th anniversary. We’re looking for imaginative, accessible activities that help children and families discover the people, places, and everyday experiences that have made Leeds what it is today.

If you have an idea that could spark curiosity and bring heritage to life for younger audiences, we’d love to hear from you!

To apply, please see the application below:

Leeds Civic Trust Heritage Open Days Grant 

Closing date 18 May, please return all completed application forms to office@leedscivictrust.org.uk

Important Dates for 2026: 

• Heritage Open Days Registrations Open: March 
• Leeds Civic Trust Grants open: 23 March 
• Leeds Civic Trust Grants close: 18 May
• Deadline to register your events on the national website to be included in Leeds Civic Trusts online listings guide: 14 June
• Leeds Civic Trust HODs launch for organisers: 07 July 
• Heritage Open Days leaflet to start appearing in libraries, One Stop Centres and Leeds Museums and Galleries: 13 July 
• Registration for the Heritage Open Days National Site closes in 14 August 
• The festival!: 11 - 20 September 

Please keep an eye on our social media for further information.

Full information will also be available on the Heritage Open Days website.

Don’t forget, if you need any information, you can email us at office@leedscivictrust.org.uk or drop us a message on instagram or facebook. We are here to help!