Yorkshire Dales Diary - festivals and events through the year
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Plenty to see and do!
Uplifting festivals and other events take place throughout the year across the Yorkshire Dales. Everything happens against a backdrop of dramatic scenery, fresh air and green valleys. Country shows bring locals and visitors together to show off skills, taste excellent local produce and enjoy a proper day out. Look out for ferret racing, fell races, handicrafts, flower displays, food markets and plenty of unexpected treats. Dates change from year to year, so always check official event websites or social media pages before you travel. The listings below highlight festivals and shows that return annually across the dales. Annual festivals and country shows in the Yorkshire Dales Winter and early spring February-March Dark Skies Festival March-October Flowers of the Dales Festival March-April Wensleydale Tournament of Song Spring Skipton Beer Festival Sedbergh Artisan Market (regular dates through the year) Ride2Stride, Settle-Carlisle Railway Walking & Music Festival Hinterlands Rural Film Festival Swaledale Festival Dales Festival of Food & Drink Grassington Festival Dentdale Music & Beer Festival North Yorkshire Open Studios (June weekends) Summer Settle Flowerpot Festival (July-August) Great Yorkshire Show (Harrogate, July) Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival Leyburn 1940s Weekend Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival Art in the Pen (Skipton) Summer agricultural shows: Malham Show, Wensleydale Show, Burnsall Sports, Reeth Show, Kilnsey Show, Gargrave Show and more Autumn Medieval Music in the Dales Yorkshire Dales National Park Cheese Festival Nidderdale Show Richmond Walking & Book Festival Yarndale (Skipton) Masham Sheep Fair Three Peaks Arts Trail Winter events Littondale Christmas Fair Grassington Dickensian Festival Leyburn Christmas Festival Skipton and other dale towns host Christmas markets through November and December Planning your visit around Dales events Bank holiday weekends and agricultural show days are among the busiest times in village car parks and on narrow dale roads. If you are visiting for a specific event, book accommodation early and aim to arrive before the crowds. Many shows and galas are volunteer-run, so timings can shift with weather or ground conditions. Check organiser websites on the morning you travel, and have a backup plan such as a rainy-day option or a quieter walk nearby if plans change. There's also a vibrant programme of performances and events in these venues around the Dales The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond dates back to 1788 and is Britain's oldest working theatre in its original form today, with a really intimate atmosphere. Nearby is the Station Cinema. The Old School House in Leyburn is an arts centre with a lively programme of drama, music and community events. Victoria Hall in Settle is a grade 2 listed former Victorian music hall, now with a wide programme of drama, comedy and music. The Mart Theatre in Skipton is the world's only theatre residing in a working cattle auction mart - they alternate so you won't be watching a show surrounded by cattle! You'll also find many smaller events in town and village halls, pubs, fields and churchyards across the dales. For more ideas beyond the calendar, see our pages on perfect days out and family activities. |
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