What's On - Sunny Bank Mills | Art Gallery & Business Space in Leeds

EXPLORE OUR WORKSHOP & EVENT PROGRAMME

Sunny Bank Mills’ Arts and Heritage teams programme a wide range of creative workshops, art exhibitions, artists’ Open Studios, heritage tours, markets, performances and much more.

Get involved by learning a new skill or improving one you already have, enjoying some artwork at an exhibition opening, watching a live performance in one of our beautiful spaces, visiting our Museum & Archive for a tour or attending one of our markets.

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Book a Visit

Heritage Festival 2026

Open Studios 2026

Christmas Market 2026

Aug

August 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Urban sketching: From blank page to creative confidence

Build your creativity and drawing skills in this inspiring 3-part course exploring the exciting world of urban sketching.

Aug

August 15, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 15, 2026 @ 11:00 am

Museum & Archive Saturday Booking

Book your slot for a Saturday Guided Visit to the Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive

Aug

August 15, 2026 @ 01:00 pm - August 15, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Found Object Weaving

Weave onto and around found objects with fine art weaver and Red Lane Mill studio holder, David Fox.

Aug

August 22, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 22, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Introduction to Oil Painting

Join Richard Kitson to explore the wonderful, versatile world of oil painting.

Aug

August 29, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 29, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

Aug

August 30, 2026 @ 10:00 am - August 30, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Expressive Bird Painting in Watercolour and Ink

Join Leeds artist and illustrator, Tim Gomersall, for a day of watercolour painting.

Sep

September 1, 2026 @ 02:00 pm - September 1, 2026 @ 03:30 pm

Tea & Textile Tuesdays

Join together with like minded textile enthusiasts on the 1st Tuesday of each month for Tea and Textiles in the Finishing Room.

Sep

September 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 4, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Embroider with Nature

Combine nature with embroidery on this workshop with Embroidery artist and educator Elnaz Yazdani!

Sep

September 5, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 5, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Visible Mending on clothing

Learn how to mend and embellish your clothing with artist and educator Carolann Allan.

Sep

September 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 6, 2026 @ 04:30 pm

Monogrammed Leather Purse/Case

Join designer and leatherworker Katie Roe in a workshop introducing hand leatherwork.

Sep

September 9, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 9, 2026 @ 12:00 pm

Financial Wellbeing for Creative Practitioners

Join advisor Steve in the Bobbin Room for a free chat about managing your finances as a practicing artist/freelancer.

Sep

September 11, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - September 11, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Sunny Bank Mills Heritage Festival Tours 2026

Are you itching to see more areas of the Mills? Visit us during our Heritage Festival weekend for an access all areas tour!

Sep

September 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 13, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Sunny Bank Mills Open Studios

Visit our Spinning Mill, Twisting & Red Lane Mill Studios for the opportunity to meet and chat to our resident artists!

Sep

September 12, 2026 @ 11:30 am - September 12, 2026 @ 12:00 pm

Sunny Bank Mills Heritage Festival Family & Accessible Tours 2026

Visit us during our Heritage Festival weekend for a fun family friendly and accessible tour.

Sep

September 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 18, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Mosaic Workshop

Join Kim Searle and learn the skills needed to mosaic.

Sep

September 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 19, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Screen Print and Construct your own Lampshade

Join textile designer Millie Rothera for a morning of screen printing to create your own lampshade!

Sep

September 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 19, 2026 @ 05:00 pm

Weaving Passementerie: Beginner Weaving Technique with David Fox

Learn from studio holder and expert weaver, David Fox, the 'all the rage' weaving technique, Passementerie.

Sep

September 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Print, Tie, Resist – Creative Ways to Dye Fabric with Natural Dyes

Try your hand at different ways to dye fabrics, with natural dye expert Debbie Tomkies.

Sep

September 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 20, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Rigid Heddle Loom Workshop

Learn how to use a rigid heddle loom, with weaving tutor Agnis Smallwood.

Sep

September 24, 2026 @ 06:00 pm - September 24, 2026 @ 08:00 pm

The Magic Show Lates – Curator Tour

Join us at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery for a tour of our new show featuring artists from Pyramid of Arts and Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre!

Sep

September 25, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 9, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Getting started in children’s illustration

This 3-week course will help you to find your way as an illustrator for children.

Sep

September 26, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 26, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

The Magical Weekender Performance Day!

Join us in the Gallery for magical performances from the artists and facilitators involved in our current exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 26, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 26, 2026 @ 12:00 pm

Clay Magic Wands – The Magical Weekender

Join Poppy (CloD Pottery) with artist Dan to create your own magical clay wand, inspired by his work in our exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 26, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 26, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving with Paper: Intermediate Weaving Technique with David Fox

Explore weaving with paper threads with studio holder and expert weaver, David Fox.

Sep

September 26, 2026 @ 12:30 pm - September 26, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Willow Wands – The Magical Weekender

Join Henshaws' Luke with artist Alfie for a fun willow wand making workshop as part of our new exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 26, 2026 @ 03:00 pm - September 26, 2026 @ 05:00 pm

Wire Sculptures – The Magical Weekender

Join Zoe (Deckle and Hide) with artist Debs to create your own beaded wire decoration as part of our new exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 27, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 27, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Textile Prints Inspired by Sunny Bank Mills

Come and join us for this unique opportunity to delve into the Archive at Sunny Bank Mills and create your own custom lino print for fabric.

Sep

September 27, 2026 @ 10:00 am - September 27, 2026 @ 12:00 pm

Felt Magic Creatures – The Magical Weekender

Join Leigh and artist Heather to create your own magical fuzzy creature, inspired by artwork in our new exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 27, 2026 @ 12:30 pm - September 27, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Junk Magic Characters – The Magical Weekender

Join Henshaws' Lizzie with artist Olivia to create your own 3D magic character inspired by artwork in our new exhibition, The Magic Show!

Sep

September 27, 2026 @ 03:00 pm - September 27, 2026 @ 05:00 pm

Character Design – The Magical Weekender

Join Leigh for a character design workshop inspired by the work of Pyramid artist Alexander in our exhibition, The Magic Show!

Oct

October 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 4, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Screen printing with stencils: Creative mini prints

Discover the playful possibilities of screen printing in this hands-on workshop.

Oct

October 4, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 4, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weave a Scarf for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 10, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Portraits in Oils for Beginners

Learn crucial techniques when painting portraits in oils with artist Richard Kitson.

Oct

October 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 10, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weave a Scarf for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 17, 2026 @ 10:30 am - October 17, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Kintsugi Craft Workshop

Discover the ancient art of Kintsugi with Amelia Bedson in a fun and creative way.

Oct

October 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 18, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Monoprinting Workshop

Join Cath Brooke to create Monoprints using found and cut stencils.

Oct

October 18, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 18, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weave a Scarf for Wool Month

Agnis Smallwood has designed a bespoke workshop for Sunny Bank Mills to celebrate Wool Month in October.

Oct

October 23, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 23, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Introduction to Punch Needle

In this fun and relaxed workshop you'll learn the basics of Punch Needle with Kim Searle.

Oct

October 24, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 24, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Introduction to Botanical Printing

Welcome to the fascinating world of creating beautiful prints on fabric from plants and leaves!

Oct

October 31, 2026 @ 10:00 am - October 31, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Observing the Seasons – Autumn

Returning to the same space throughout the year, we will observe the changing seasons through our colourful and expressive sketches.

Nov

November 6, 2026 @ 10:30 am - November 6, 2026 @ 01:00 pm

Embroidery Design with Couching/Slow Stitch

Grow your hand embroidery knowledge with textile artist Carol-Ann Allan and learn the basics of Couching.

Nov

November 7, 2026 @ 10:00 am - November 7, 2026 @ 02:00 pm

Contemporary Sashiko

Victoria Merness will show you how to do this beautiful Japanese method of embroidery in a simplified way.

Nov

November 7, 2026 @ 10:00 am - November 7, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

Nov

November 8, 2026 @ 10:00 am - November 8, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Screen Print and Construct your own Lampshade

Join textile designer Millie Rothera for a morning of screen printing to create your own lampshade!

Nov

November 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - November 20, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Introduction to Punch Needle

In this fun and relaxed workshop you'll learn the basics of Punch Needle with Kim Searle.

Nov

November 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am - November 22, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Intermediate Weaving Course – how to set up a loom

This 3 day course is aimed those who have been on the beginners weaving course or already have some experience of weaving on a shaft loom.

Nov

November 27, 2026 @ 02:00 pm - November 27, 2026 @ 08:00 pm

Sunny Bank Mills Christmas Market 2026

Join us in the 1912 Mill to shop with and meet over 60 independent makers and artists per day!

Dec

December 4, 2026 @ 11:00 am - December 4, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving a Bracelet Inspired by the Archive

Tour the Sunny Bank Mills Archive with textile artist David Fox and weave your own bracelet.

Dec

December 5, 2026 @ 10:00 am - December 5, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Mark, Motif & Repeat : A Pattern Design Workshop

A Full Day Creative Workshop with Jules McKeown. No experience needed - just curiosity, a sketchbook, and a willingness to explore.

Dec

December 6, 2026 @ 10:00 am - December 6, 2026 @ 04:00 pm

Weaving in a Day

Spend a day learning to weave on one of our looms!

Dec

December 11, 2026 @ 10:00 am - December 11, 2026 @ 02:30 pm

Screen Print and Construct your own Lampshade

Join textile designer Millie Rothera for a morning of screen printing to create your own lampshade!

Dec

December 12, 2026 @ 03:00 pm - December 12, 2026 @ 05:00 pm

Colourful Weaving

A fun weaving workshop with tutor Agnis Smallwood, where you will learn how to weave and experiment with colour!

Museum & Archive bookings

Discover the story of Sunny Bank Mills and its workers during a 1 hour bespoke, interactive guided tour of our on site Museum & Archive. Every Saturday from 10am-3pm. Book directly on our Eventbrite.

We offer group bookings and longer visits for research purposes. Find out more.

The Gallery

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What’s On

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Book a Visit

Heritage Festival 2026

Open Studios 2026

Christmas Market 2026