Yorkshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dressing-up">DRESSING UP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1714" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-scaled.jpg" alt="Nuno Lopes Whitby Goth Weekend" class="wp-image-8086" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-300x201.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-768x514.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-1536x1028.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/nuno_lopes-whitby-goth-weekend-975266-2048x1371.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



Something to sink your fangs into as <a href="https://www.whitbygothweekend.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitby Goth Weekend</a> returns to the coast for three days of alternative music, bonkers fashion and after-dark antics. Expect everything from live bands and DJ sets to markets, meet-ups and a hella load of photo ops along the atmospheric cobbled streets and windswept harbour. Make it Halloween but in May. 1 – 3 May.



More dressing up at the <a href="https://www.visitdoncaster.com/whats-on/arts-and-culture/steampunk-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doncaster Steampunk Spectacular</a>, an all-day celebration of Victoriana, goggles and glorious eccentricity that takes over the city centre. Expect costumed promenades, a Steampunk and vintage traders’ ‘fayre’, tea-duelling at the Mansion House and live entertainment popping up everywhere across the city. A splendid day out. Doncaster city centre, 9 May.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="2373" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-scaled.jpg" alt="Delia Stevens Swaledale" class="wp-image-8088" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-300x278.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-1024x949.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-768x712.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-1536x1424.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Delia-StevensSwaledale-2048x1898.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



If your taste runs more to fiddles than fishnets, <a href="https://www.fileyfolkfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Filey Folk Festival</a> is busy tuning up. A musical mainstay, this free-entry, multi-venue shindig packs in more than 100 acts across pubs, halls and seafront spots. Look out for informal singarounds, sessions and open mics. 1 – 3 May.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.todfolkfest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Todmorden Folk Festival</a> takes place the same weekend, headlined by the brilliant Stockton band, The Young&#8217;uns. 1-3 May. If you can’t choose between these, head to <a href="https://www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holmfirth Festival of Folk</a> the following weekend. You’ll catch everything from concert headliners and ceilidhs to morris dancers jingling through the streets, as well as plenty of family-friendly events across the weekend. 9 – 11 May.



Elsewhere, the <a href="https://www.swalefest.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swaledale Festival</a> has got its usual eclectic programme of classical concerts, folk gigs, talks and walks to one of Yorkshire’s most spectacular landscapes. From chamber music in tiny churches to bands in village halls, it’s the perfect excuse to hang up your walking boots for a couple of hours. From 23 May.



The big boy himself Nigel Kennedy is also back for a UK tour, dropping into <a href="https://www.scarboroughspa.co.uk/whats-on/nigel-kennedy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scarborough Spa</a>. This is a live performer not to be missed. 16 May.&nbsp;



Brass band buffs, head on over to the <a href="https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/town-halls/event-details.aspx?eventId=124201AHSBPSMLDTGVBNKDJHSLBJTLQLB&amp;utm_source=Creative%20Kirklees&amp;utm_medium=Black%20Dyke%20Brass%20Festival%202026%20Gala%20Concert&amp;utm_campaign=custom-link-button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Dyke Brass Festival 2026 Gala Concert </a>at Huddersfield Town Hall. The world-famous band will be on its typically virtuosic form and is joined by other local bands, including Yorkshire Youth Brass Band, and will leave you buzzing all the way home. Huddersfield Town Hall, 31 May



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-and-comedy">THEATRE AND COMEDY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="460" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/PeterKay.jpg" alt="Peter Kay in Leeds" class="wp-image-8092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/PeterKay.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/PeterKay-300x192.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



Comedy ledge Peter Kay is back on the road and heading for <a href="https://www.firstdirectbankarena.com/events/detail/peter-kay-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leeds</a>, bringing his legendary observational humour and on-the-nose nostalgia to the city. This is reportedly his last tour so grab a golden ticket while you can. 16 May. If you like your popular culture well and truly punctured, the mighty Stewart Lee will do it for you at the Leeds Playhouse, 11 May. Scottish superstar Daniel Sloss presents his brand-new show BITTER at <a href="https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/daniel-sloss-bitter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York Barbican</a>. 21 May.



Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, Bill Kenwright presents a thrilling stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption at <a href="https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/the-shawshank-redemption-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leeds Grand</a>, starring the mighty Joe McFadden stars Andy Dufresne. 19-23 May. We’ve got a bumper crop of musicals this summer in the county but, PSI, the world’s biggest tearjerker, Miss Saigon, returns to <a href="https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/miss-saigon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradford Alhambra</a>, 5-9 May. There are 400 caveats to this show: namely, it’s TRAGIC and YOU WILL CRY.&nbsp;



Fancy an evening in the company of Simon Armitage, the UK Poet Laureate? He’s dropping into Huddersfield’s <a href="https://www.thelbt.org/what-s-on/spoken-word-and-talks/simon-armitage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawrence Batley Theatre</a> for an intimate reading and Q&amp;A. It’s a great chance to hear some of his best-loved poems delivered live. 17 May.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-scaled.jpg" alt="York Races " class="wp-image-8090" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/Yorkbest-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



Fancy a day at the races? <a href="https://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York Racecourse’s</a> Dante Festival is a regular fixture in the Yorkshire sporting calendar. Don your best hat and enjoy three thrilling days of action. 13–14 May.



During half term, Malton’s <a href="https://edencamp.co.uk/whats-on/tank-week-half-term/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eden Camp</a> will hold a full week dedicated to some of the most iconic armoured vehicles in military history. You’ll be able to get up close to some seriously hefty machinery as you wander the original huts and exhibits.&nbsp;23-31 May.



If *someone* needs to let off steam, you can set your little ones off to run wild (in a totally controlled way) at <a href="https://www.totfestfestival.com/yorkshire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Totfest Yorkshire </a>(Wetherby Racecourse) the family festival designed especially for under-10s. Enjoy live shows, rides, messy play, creative zones and, thankfully, plenty of chill-out spaces for grown-ups.&nbsp;17 May.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/GBFF-at-Harewood-2017-credit-Great-British-Food-Festival-4-2.jpg" alt="Great British Food Festival, Harewood House" class="wp-image-8089" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/GBFF-at-Harewood-2017-credit-Great-British-Food-Festival-4-2.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/GBFF-at-Harewood-2017-credit-Great-British-Food-Festival-4-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2026/04/GBFF-at-Harewood-2017-credit-Great-British-Food-Festival-4-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



We do love our grub in Yorkshire and there’s no shortage of events to indulge our passion (it’s CULTURAL, ok?). Check out the <a href="https://northleedsfoodfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Leeds Food Festival</a> in Roundhay Park for international food, live chef demos and artisan market stalls, 9-10 May. Meanwhile, <a href="https://sheffieldfoodfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sheffield Food Festival</a> returns later in the month with local flavours and home-brewed musical talent, 23-25 May. The biggie &#8211; <a href="https://harewood.org/events/great-british-food-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great British Food Festival</a> &#8211; returns to Harewood House again. Expect (adult and kids) masterclasses in cooking, baking, floristry and more, as well as the intriguingly titled “Live Fire Stage”. Marshmallows at the ready. 23-25 May.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<a href="https://yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/the-hills-are-alive-touring-musicals-coming-to-yorkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The hills are alive! Touring musicals coming to Yorkshire</a> <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/whats-on-around-the-muddy-counties-this-weekend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">From festivals to May Day mischief – your bank holiday weekend is popping</a>

Hooray for May! Things to get your eyes and ears round this month

You may also like