This edition took place October 12–14, 2026 in Leeds. It has ended.
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Last verified: October 14, 2026 · how we verify
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SwiftLeeds is a community-run iOS and Swift conference held in Leeds, bringing a modern, inclusive developer event to the north of the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019 and organised on a non-profit basis by a small group of volunteers, the conference is aimed at developers who build apps with Swift and SwiftUI across Apple platforms. The 2026 edition takes place on 13 and 14 October at Leeds Playhouse, preceded by an evening talk show on 12 October. The programme spans two days of talks covering Swift and SwiftUI, app performance, design, AI-assisted workflows, and the platform changes announced at WWDC26. Every ticket also includes drop-in sessions, where attendees can get one-on-one or small-group feedback from experienced practitioners. The 2025 edition, the fifth, drew more than 300 attendees from over 30 countries, which gives the event an international feel while remaining compact. Attendees gain focused technical content, direct access to speakers through the drop-in format, and the networking that a single-track regional conference makes easy. For the UK and European Apple developer community, SwiftLeeds has become one of the key Swift conference dates outside London.
SwiftLeeds 2026 takes place October 12–14, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom.
SwiftLeeds 2026 is a hybrid event — you can attend on-site or join remotely.
Travel questions? See Good to know in the travel guide below.
Leeds in mid-October is cool and often wet, with the Yorkshire autumn well established. The city has become a genuine centre for iOS and mobile development in the north of England, and its conference venues sit close to the compact centre, where Victorian shopping arcades and converted mills stand within a few streets of the station. Almost everything worth doing is within a twenty-minute walk of Leeds railway station.
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is about fifteen kilometres northwest, connected by the A1 Flying Tiger bus to the city centre in roughly thirty to forty minutes. Manchester Airport (MAN) has far wider international service and a direct train to Leeds taking about seventy-five minutes. Leeds station also links to London in just over two hours, making rail the practical choice for domestic travellers.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on Auto Europe.
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UK coverage is reliable across Leeds and the surrounding rail corridor. An eSIM is the straightforward option for visitors arriving from outside the UK. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
Victoria Quarter and Kirkgate Market. Restored Victorian arcades with stained-glass roofs, sitting directly beside one of the largest covered markets in Europe. An hour covers both. The contrast between the ornate arcades and the working market next door says more about Leeds than any single museum does.
Royal Armouries Museum. The national collection of arms and armour, housed at Leeds Dock a fifteen-minute walk south of the centre. Entry is free. Two hours covers the main galleries, which run from medieval tournament armour to Asian and African collections. Live demonstrations run on some days.
Leeds Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute. Adjoining buildings on The Headrow holding a strong collection of British twentieth-century art and a dedicated sculpture research centre. Ninety minutes for both, and entry is free. The Victorian tiled café inside the gallery is worth finding on a wet afternoon.
Kirkstall Abbey. Substantial twelfth-century Cistercian ruins in a park beside the River Aire, about four kilometres northwest and reachable by bus in twenty minutes. Free to enter. Ninety minutes covers the abbey and the riverside walk. Autumn colour through the grounds makes October a good month for it.
Which airport is best for Leeds?
Leeds Bradford is closest at thirty to forty minutes by bus, but Manchester has far more international routes and a direct train taking around seventy-five minutes.
Do I need a car in Leeds?
No. The centre is compact and walkable, with frequent buses and trains for anything further out.
How wet is Leeds in October?
Rain is frequent and temperatures sit around eight to fourteen degrees Celsius. A waterproof jacket is genuinely necessary.
Travel notes written for SwiftLeeds attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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