A grassroots festival launched by three Bramley businesses is returning this summer after selling out in its first year.
Mill Fest will take place at Swinnow Grange Mills on Sunday 2 August 2026, bringing live music, local traders, food, bars, flash tattoos and community entertainment back to the former textile mill site.
The event was first held last August and attracted more than 600 people, selling out before the day. Organisers say this year’s festival will build on that success while keeping the same local, independent feel.
Mill Fest is organised by three businesses based in Bramley: Against the Grain, Gray’s Salon and Rose & Thorn. The first event brought together live bands, makers, food stalls, four bars, flash tattoo artists, record sellers, tarot readers and even a judo display.
This year, the organisers are planning another full day of music and entertainment, with more traders, more food, more local beer and further opportunities for businesses, artists and makers from the area to get involved.
The festival has also become a way of bringing new life to one of Bramley’s old mill sites. Swinnow Grange Mills, like many former industrial buildings in Leeds, is part of the city’s textile heritage. For one day each summer, the site is being used as a gathering place for music, creativity and local enterprise.
Owen Wilson, from Against the Grain, said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here.
“Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”
Danae Miller, from Gray’s Salon, said the aim is to grow the event without losing what made it work first time round.
She said: “The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger.
“We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”
Organisers are expected to announce the full music line-up in the coming weeks.
Mill Fest returns to Swinnow Grange Mills, Bramley, LS13 4EP, on Sunday 2 August 2026, from midday until 10pm. The event is for over-18s only, and tickets are now on sale.
