Leeds is preparing to step into the pages of a literary favourite this summer with Wonderland Awaits, a free, family-friendly experience inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Running from Saturday, July 26, to Sunday, August 31, 2025, the event is being delivered by LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) and promises a playful reimagining of the city centre.
Following last year’s MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover, which attracted over 550,000 visitors, Wonderland Awaits invites the public to explore Leeds in a new way. Visitors will be able to pick up a trail map and discover interactive installations, live theatre, and surprise encounters throughout the city. Alongside the larger-than-life characters and themed locations, there is also a puzzle woven into the trail with weekly prizes on offer.
Key locations across Leeds will be transformed into scenes from Lewis Carroll’s world, including Aire Park, Leeds Corn Exchange, Merrion Centre, Royal Armouries, Trinity Leeds, Victoria Leeds, and Leeds Conservatoire. Students from the Conservatoire will also take part in live performances during the event.
Dan Leroy, Business Manager at Cuddle Creative Works, the company behind the immersive designs, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be bringing the extraordinary works of Lewis Carroll to life for this year’s Wonderland Awaits project. It’s such a pleasure to lift these surreal scenes from the pages of the books and reimagine them on the streets of Leeds.”
Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said:
“LeedsBID creates a portfolio of inspired events across Leeds city centre to animate it for key holiday periods like the summer, which has created an expectation of what is to come. This summer Wonderland Awaits will inject creativity and colour into the city centre for five weeks to delight and entertain families and visitors, encouraging them to embark on their own mini adventures. People really won’t want to be late to join in the fun. Collaborating to bring unique events like Wonderland Awaits to Leeds, which are freely accessible to all, makes coming to Leeds different to other locations, making it a place people want to be.”
James Broughton, Head of Marketing Communications at Town Centre Securities PLC (Merrion Centre), said:
“LeedsBID’s events always bring energy and vibrancy to the city. These creative activations are hugely popular with our visitors and truly enhance the shopping and leisure experience. We’re thrilled to support another unforgettable summer.”
For more information and upcoming announcements, visit wonderlandleeds.com or follow @wonderlandleeds on social media.
