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What’s On In Yorkshire In February

merchant of venice tracy ann oberman. credit marc brenner (1) 11zon
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February in Yorkshire is packed with unmissable events, from world-class theatre and comedy to art exhibitions and stargazing festivals. Whether you’re looking to be entertained by top comedians like Jon Culshaw, experience Shakespeare reimagined, or lose yourself in the wonders of the night sky, there’s something for everyone this month.

Here’s the roundup of what’s on across the region.

What’s On and Events in Yorkshire in February 2025

Jon Culshaw

jon culshaw live (c) andy hollingworth archive
Img: Andy Hollingworth

Dates: 20 February

Venue: Leeds City Varieties

The star of BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringers and BBC One’s The Impressions Show, Jon Culshaw is set to follow up his 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out residency with a solo tour of impressions, comedy and music throughout the UK from February 2025. Join Jon as he conjures up an array of the best-known personalities from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and beyond in his trademark style.

Book at Leeds Heritage Theatres


Chicago

chicago faye brookes

Dates: 28 January-1 February

Venue: Sheffield Lyceum

Chicago returns to Sheffield, starring Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, and West End and TV stars Brenda Edwards as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton and Kevin Clifton as Billy Flynn. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Get tickets at Sheffield Theatres


From Haworth to Eternity

bronte parsonage museum

Dates: 1 February–1 January 2026

Venue: Brontë Parsonage Museum

Haworth, home of the famous literary Brontë family, is a key focus through all content for 2025 at the museum exhibition ‘From Haworth to Eternity’, which charts how fascination with the family has evolved, along with the village. Regular talks – in person and online – feature among others, playwright and theatre director Polly Teale on her Brontë adaptations; award-winning journalist Sharon Wright on how the siblings were influenced by their mother and BookTuber and new Chair of the Brontë Society’s Board of Trustees, Lucy Powrie.

Reserve a spot at Brontë Parsonage Museum


Dark Skies Festival

dark skies rosedale milky way by tony marsh.jpg resized (1) 11zon

Dates: 14 February-2 March

Venue: North York Moors

Space scientist and broadcaster Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE is set to help launch the 10th anniversary of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks’ Dark Skies Festival this month. Dame Maggie will be delivering her talk ‘Reaching for the Stars – an exploration of the night sky’ at Sneaton Castle in Whitby on 13th February, before the Festival opens the following evening with a special dark skies safari at Broughton Sanctuary in Skipton.

Book your stargazing experience


The Merchant of Venice 1936

merchant of venice tracy ann oberman. credit marc brenner
Img: Marc Brenner

Dates: 18–22 February

Venue: Leeds Playhouse

Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London’s West End. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock, Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain. Tensions in London’s East End are rising and Shylock, a resilient single mother and hard-working businesswoman, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future. When the charismatic merchant Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge, and who will pay the ultimate price?

Get your tickets at Leeds Playhouse


The Banff Mountain Film Festival

banff film festival 2025

Dates: 19 February

Venue: York Barbican

The Banff Mountain Film Festival features a brand-new collection of short films filled with extreme journeys, untamed characters and captivating cinematography. Join the world’s top adventure filmmakers and thrill-seekers as they climb, ski, paddle and ride into the wildest corners of the planet.

Book at Banff UK


Editor’s Top Pick For This Month’s Must-See

Daniel Arsham: Bronze God

daniel arsham bronze eroded astronaut

Don’t miss the chance to witness the stunning work of Daniel Arsham at YSP

There is not much time left to experience the work of the highly acclaimed North American artist Daniel Arsham in the grounds of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). Five of Daniel’s bronze sculptures are on show outdoors in the 18th-century Formal Garden at YSP until 30th March including Bronze Extraterrestrial Bicycle (2022), Bronze Eroded Bunny (Large) (2022), and the three-metre tall Bronze Eroded Venus of Arles (Large) (2022) – Daniel’s retelling of the ancient marble statue of Aphrodite from the 1st century BCE.

Daniel’s sculptures appear as archaeological remnants of our time that he describes as ‘future relics’. His artistic practice is underpinned by the formative childhood experience of surviving Hurricane Andrew, which struck the Southern United States in 1992 and destroyed his family home and everything around it. Reflecting this, Arsham’s works are partially decayed and explore regeneration represented by real crystals that have been cast in bronze. The inclusion of the crystal forms alludes to alchemical change (the transformation of one substance into another), growth, and progression. A visit to Easter Island in 2011 where he encountered a palaeontology research expedition deepened his interest in archaeology and continues to inform his practice.

View the exhibition at YSP


How Absolutely Picks the Best for You

At Absolutely Magazines, we pride ourselves on curating only the finest recommendations for our refined readers. Our editors leverage their extensive expertise in lifestyle journalism to ensure that every selection meets the highest standards of quality and relevance. From scouring local insider tips to understanding trends and feedback, we leave no stone unturned in identifying the most exceptional venues for you. Guided by an appreciation for your taste, we prioritise venues and events that epitomise luxury, style, and premium experiences. You can trust us to bring you the Absolute best, every time.

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Author

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Mark Kebble

Mark's career in journalism started in 2001 when he landed a role on a small lifestyle magazine in Angel, North London. Soon enough, the magazine was purchased by a larger organisation and Mark found himself promoted to editor at the tender age of 23. He later became group editor, working on magazines for Angel, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Highgate. He was also involved in a launch in Hadley Wood and a major new group website, later becoming Group Hub Editor. In 2021, Mark joined Zest Media Group and oversaw the launch of many Absolutely titles across the UK. To date, Mark has launched in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Essex, Yorkshire and Cheshire. When he does have some free time, Mark is also the Chairman of an amateur football club in Surrey and is also a fully qualified FA football coach.
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