WHAT’S ON

The summer season sees a huge array of events arrive in Yorkshire. Every day of every week there are irresistible reasons to get out there and sample the eclectic entertainment and culture. Here are ten of the many highlights of what’s on across the county this summer:

14 - 19

Sheffield DocFest

The UK’s leading documentary festival is held right here in Yorkshire. The city of Sheffield brings doc makers and lovers together for a week of film, television, immersive and art. Opening with the World Premiere Of Paul Sng’s Tish and with Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Banietemad as Guest of Honour, plus crowd pleasers such as Munya Chawawa, this is a unique and diverse celebration of documentary.

23 - 02

Bradford Literature Festival

Bradford Literature Festival began less than a decade ago to an audience of under a thousand; now, the event attracts tens of thousands of people to dozens of venues to see hundreds of artists. Fitting for such a strong multi-cultural city, the line up is always significantly diverse, and this year sees an incredible list of authors, poets, politicians, activists and visionaries, from the famous to the fascinating. If there’s nobody you want to see here, you might want to read more.

02 - 08

Holmfirth Art Week

The charming local town of Holmfirth hosts one of the UKs largest open art exhibitions, with over 400 artists and 2000 artworks at Holmfirth Civic Hall, plus thousands more at dozens of fringe venues. Enjoy the diverse creations of talented photographers, painters, textile-makers, ceramicists, sculptors and more in the inclusive atmosphere of this exceptional long-running event.

07 - 14

York Early Music Festival

The National Centre for Early Music is a uniquely pioneering musical hub which is proudly located in the centre of York. Their ‘jewel in the crown’ is the annual York Early Music Festival, a celebration of the city’s medieval churches, guildhalls and historic houses through the highest standard of music. Their Grade I listed medieval church is the perfect home for these concerts, which this year commemorates composer William Byrd.

10 - 16

Leeds Poetry Festival

Celebrating the spoken word and the written verse, Leeds Poetry Festival presents a week of workshops, talks and performances at intimate venues such as Hyde Park Book Club and Left Bank. This creative showcase invites everyone in, from the wordsmiths to the novices, to enjoy an array of personal poetry. And look out for the winner of this year’s competition, themed ‘out of time’.

Great Yorkshire Show

Exactly what it says in the name - this show of Yorkshire is great. Remarkably, this renowned event is on its 164th show and it only gets greater. Across the expanse of the Harrogate showground this summer will be the usual exceptional agricultural attractions, from animals and entertainment to local food and drink, as over 100,000 visitors enjoy all that makes Yorkshire great.

28 - 31

Deer Shed

Returning to North Yorkshire this summer is the coolest family festival in the country: Deer Shed. This year’s tagline is ‘A Wonderland of Creativity’ and the line up confirms this to be true, with an eclectic mix of music, comedy, literature and cinema to be entertained by, plus science, sports and arts to interact with. From national heroes Public Service Broadcasting and Bridget Christie to local favourites English Teacher and Rob Auton, there’s an array of excellence to enjoy in the friendliest field in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

At Funkirk Farm near Skipton, for one weekend in July, it is turned into the most delicious piece of Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival brings the finest local grub at stalls of specialist produce and an array of tasty street food. Plus workshops, celebrity chefs, and music from tribute acts: it all makes for a fun-filled food-filled weekend.

Whitby Folk Week

The evocative coastal town of Whitby is famous for its gothic attractions, but its relationship with folk music is equally strong. Indeed, it is a fitting setting for the traditional English song, and as such Whitby Folk Week has been held here since the sixties. Now, over 600 events at 50 venues attract folkies from all over to this year enjoy concerts by the likes of Maddy Prior, Reg Meuross and Granny’s Attic.

28 - 29

Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta

The August bank holiday weekend provides many options across the county - from Leeds Festival to Malton Food Lovers. Or for some unique fun for all ages head to Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta at their brand new home of Castle Howard. At this impressive site there will be music and entertainment, food and drink, and of course, balloons! There are hot air balloons, a mass balloon launch and a balloon night glow, for a magical bank holiday weekend.