Morris Lane roadworks lead to Kirkstall Festival parade route change

By John Baron

Ongoing roadworks on Morris Lane will mean the annual Kirkstall Festival parade is set to run a very different route due to safety reasons.

Hundreds of people usually take part in the parade along the streets of Kirkstall. But roadworks have this year scuppered the plan, meaning the parade on Saturday, 12 July will have to take place in the festival grounds at Kirkstall Abbey.

It’s the latest in the long-running saga over delays in reopening Morris Lane.

The road first closed on 9 October last year following a burst pipe which caused flooding between Abbey Walk and Hesketh Mount. 

Repairs were originally scheduled to be complete before Christmas, with further dates of March and then May provided by Yorkshire Water. Work has now slipped until August – ten months after the leak occurred.

In a statement on social media, Festival organisers wrote: “Due to the continued works on Morris Lane we regret that the Festival Parade will only take place in the Abbey grounds. You could say the works have rained on our parade.

“Led by the City of Leeds Pipe Band the Festival parade will be leaving the Burley Rugby Union Football Club on Abbey Road, proceed alongside the Rugby pitches and tennis courts, along the top path in the Abbey Grounds and round the back of the Abbey joining the main
path just after the fairground.

“The parade will then make its way along the main path to the Main Arena.

“Please take time to watch the parade supported by local schools and groups. To take part please be at the Burley Rugby Union Football Club by 11am. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.”

Kirkstall Festival takes place on 12 July. The Saturday festival is free to all from 11am-5pm, with programmes on sale to help fund the event and enable you to plan your day. 

The festival is now fully booked for stalls across the site, with over 140 stalls. These range from face painting and fundraising, promotion of groups and charities to those selling produce, crafts, clothing, and more. There will be a fun fair, attractions, events and live music.

More details on the festival can be found here.

There is a ticketed fundraising gig the evening before to help ensure this volunteer run annual event can continue in 2026 and beyond.

The event stars Weetwood Mac and Gary Steward’s Graceland, both featuring Leeds-based musicians playing within the church of the Abbey on Friday, 11 July. Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite. 

Sponsored content