Where Can I See James Arthur Play Live In Yorkshire Summer 2026?

Right, let's talk about plans. Not weekend plans, but big, exciting, circle-it-on-the-calendar plans. Specifically for summer 2026. It feels ages away, but the best things are worth waiting for, and this is definitely one of them. The chart-topping singer-songwriter James Arthur has just announced a massive return to Yorkshire for two huge outdoor shows. Get ready for some serious singalongs under the summer sky, because this is the kind of music news that makes your whole week.

So, what’s the big announcement?

Get your diaries out. James Arthur is heading back to his northern roots for a couple of seriously special gigs. He's a busy man, but he's making time for two massive headline shows in God's Own County.

First up, he’s returning to the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Friday, 3rd July. Anyone who was there back in 2018 knows how special that night was, and this promises to be even bigger.

The very next day, on Saturday, 4th July, he’s making his first-ever appearance at the incredible TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall in Halifax.

A debut at such a historic venue? That’s going to be one for the books. It's a fantastic opportunity to hear his amazing album material live. The whole series of events is organised by the brilliant promoters at Cuffe and Taylor.

A little reminder of why James is a big deal

It’s easy to forget just how massive James Arthur is. He properly burst onto the scene back in 2012 when he won The X Factor. Since then, he’s become one of the UK’s most successful male solo artists. Ever. Think about that. We’re talking more than 15 billion streams worldwide. That’s not a typo. Billion. He’s sold out arenas and even picked up a BRIT Billion Award last year for hitting over a billion streams in the UK alone. His song 'Rewrite The Stars' from The Greatest Showman even went 5x BRIT Platinum.

The Middlesbrough-born singer-songwriter has given us some absolute anthems. Songs like ‘Impossible’ and ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ are the soundtrack to so many moments. But it's not just about the old hits. His newer music shows a completely different side to him. Following his 2024 number one album, Bitter Sweet Love, his latest album, Pisces, is incredibly personal. It’s all about connection, inspired by his life as a dad, a partner, and a friend. It’s got a mix of pop, rock, and even Americana sounds. There's even a track called 'Friends', which is a moving tribute to the late Matthew Perry. It shows James at his most honest, and that raw emotion is what makes his live shows so powerful. He is an artist who truly connects with his fans through his songs.

Two pretty amazing places for a gig

It's not just about the artist; it's about where you see them. And these two venues are top-tier. The Scarborough Open Air Theatre is exactly what it sounds like – a massive outdoor stage by the coast. There’s nothing quite like hearing your favourite songs with the sea air around you. It’s a proper summer experience.

Then there’s The Piece Hall in Halifax. This place is genuinely stunning. It's a Grade I listed building, which is a fancy way of saying it’s historically super important. It’s the only Georgian cloth hall left in the world, and its massive courtyard feels like something out of a European capital. It’s now filled with cool independent shops and bars, and when they put a stage in the middle, the atmosphere is electric. It is a true cultural hub in Yorkshire.

Julian Murray from the promoters Cuffe and Taylor is clearly buzzing about it. He said:

“James was such a popular headliner at Scarborough OAT in 2018 we just had to bring him back. His career has seen him excel in many genres and his fans absolutely adore him. His live shows are always unforgettable, packed with emotion, passion, incredible music, and that unmistakable voice that has captured fans worldwide. This will be another great night here on the Yorkshire coast.”

Nicky Chance-Thompson, the CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, added:

“We try hard to deliver something for everyone at Live at The Piece Hall and it’s great to see some more pop heading back to our wonderful venue. James has such a unique, powerful and versatile voice that’s works so perfectly whether its own honest and emotional ballads or featuring on some of the most iconic dance tracks of recent years!”

Who else is playing in summer 2026?

These gigs are part of a wider series of concerts, TK Maxx Presents, happening at both venues. And the line-ups are looking brilliant. It’s not just James Arthur you can catch. Here’s a look at who else is confirmed so far. Plenty of official artist merchandise will be available at these amazing shows!

At TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026:

• JUN 26: Pete Tong Ibiza Classics
• JUN 28: Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
• JUL 3: James Arthur
• JUL 4: David Gray + The Divine Comedy
• JUL 22: Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei
• JUL 23: Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei

At TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2026:

• JUN 6: Shed Seven + Seb Lowe + The Guest List
• JUN 13: Embrace + Idlewild + The Hazy Janes
• JUN 20: Ethel Cain
• JUN 21: Belle and Sebastian + Saint Etienne
• JUL 4: James Arthur
• JUL 5: David Gray + The Divine Comedy
• JUL 10: Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
• JUL 12: Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
• AUG 1: Opeth
• AUG 8: The K’s

A quick word on the people making it happen

You might be wondering about the name in front of the events, TK Maxx. The brand, along with its sister company Homesense, is part of a bigger family called TJX Europe. They're known for offering amazing finds in their stores, and now they're helping to bring incredible live music experiences to beautiful locations.

Tickets for both of James Arthur's shows go on general sale at 10am on Friday, 24th October. Mark your calendars now!