Festivals and music

Crossed Wires Festival What's On In July Yorkshire

Sheffield’s third – and biggest – outing of the Crossed Wires podcast festival (2-5 July) turns our fave city into our ipod made flesh. The fan faves are in abundance. There’s The Elis and John Show, Matt Forde and Alice Levine’s British Scandal and Uncanny with some fresh paranormal deep dives for anyone who still isn’t over the Todmorden UFO. We’re also excited for Blindboy, BBC Sounds and Radio 4 takeovers and some cool, late-night indie disco after–parties. They’ve basically created Muddy Yorkshire ed’s dream weekend. (Yep, nobody said she was cool).

York Early Music Festival - What's on in July Yorkshire

York Early Music Festival (3-11 July) hits its 50th birthday this year, so expect the big guns. The Sixteen, I Fagiolini and Solomon’s Knot will bring Renaissance and Baroque blockbusters to the likes of York Minster and the city’s other pretty venues. Programmes range from Monteverdi’s Vespers and Purcell’s bangers to new commissions and the international Young Artists Competition.

One of the UK’s most respected classical festivals, Ryedale Festival (10-16 July) strings together 16 days of world–class performances across more than 40 venues, from churches to stately homes and rural halls around the region. Expect everything from chamber groups and solo recitals to family concerts and talks in glorious countryside.

Meanwhile, the Staxtonbury Family Music Festival (17-19 July) Staxton (near Scarborough) is a properly home–grown and proudly family–friendly event, all about local bands, tribute acts, camping and a real village-green festival feeling. There are cool music stages, kids’ zones, food stalls and a relaxed, DIY vibe where toddlers on shoulders rub happily alongside teens in bucket hats.

Hearty Festival (24-26 July) near York is a sweet little boutique, riverside weekender. Hearty blends feel–good live music, DJs, wellness sessions and street food with glamping, hot tubs and fire pits. It’s like someone asked Muddy Yorkshire to design her ideal holiday. Elsewhere, Farmer Copleys in Pontefract has added the FarmTrax Music Festival (25-26 July) to its already-stacked events calendar, with bands and DJs performing in a farm setting with Yorkshire produce on the menu, craft drinks, family–friendly touches and plenty of Insta–ready rural scenery alongside the tunes.

For one weekend, Leeds Street Feast (24-26 July) turns Leeds’ Millennium Square into a big open–air food court, with street–food traders, bars and live entertainment. It’s free entry so you can dip in for a snack and a drink or commit to a full evening of “just one more stall”–style feasting

Tramlines Festival, Sheffield, 24–26 July is Sheffield’s big blow–out and this year’s line–up is frankly outrageous. Fatboy Slim, Wolf Alice and Courteeners top the bill, joined by Kaiser Chiefs, Blossoms, Wet Leg, Rick Astley, Gabrielle and The Vaccines. WHAT? There’s also a comedy tent, stacks of local talent and a street–food village. You don’t even have to camp in a muddy field to enjoy it.

For a classic Proms–style evening in the open air, head to York Museum Gardens on 26 July for York Proms. Pack your picnic and your best “Land of Hope and Glory” voice for a very Yorkshire take on a very British tradition.

Super Furry Animals - What's On July Yorkshire

We’re stoked about Live at York Museum Gardens: OMD, Self Esteem & Super Furry Animals (9-11 July). Three nights, three proper big hitters and one stunning venue. We’ve basically sent word home not to expect us back. Synth–pop legends OMD, Yorkshire’s very own immense Self Esteem and cult Welsh faves Super Furry Animals take over the gardens across a long weekend of outdoor gigs. And what a bloomin’ backdrop!

Arts and exhibitions

Bradford Literature Festival, 3–12 July, is a major player on the UK lit–fest circuit, bringing together authors, poets, journalists and performers for ten days of talks, debates, workshops and family events across the city. Expect everything from hard–hitting political panels and faith–focused discussions to YA events, poetry nights and heritage walks that dig into Bradford’s fascinating history.

Holmfirth turns into a sprawling open gallery for Artweek (5-11 July), with a central exhibition, dozens of fringe venues and artists from across the region showing painting, sculpture, textiles, photography and more. It’s also a charity fundraiser, so those bonkers impulse art buys are doing good. You’re welcome.

Ripon Theatre Festival - What's On In July Yorkshire

The lovely Ripon Theatre Festival, (5–12 July) festival scatters theatre across Ripon’s streets, parks, venues and historic corners. There’s everything the theatre nerd (ok, me) needs – street performances, family shows, new writing, classics and fringe pieces popping up in chapels, gardens and unexpected spots. Get your yes-ands at the ready.

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate (23–26 July) is
THE only place to be for crime readers and writers. The festival packs the Old Swan Hotel with panel events, interviews, workshops, awards and late–night bar chats. There are some real heavyweight crime names here (Lisa Jewell, Erin Kelly, Liz Nugent and Val Mc-freaking-Dermid!) alongside hot debut authors, with lively discussions about everything from domestic noir to serial killers.

York Comedy Festival - What's On July in Yorkshire

This year’s York Comedy Festival (12 July) in York Museum Gardens has a properly hilarious bill. Russell Howard, Joanne McNally and Ross Noble headline an outdoor gig that promises big laughs in one of the city’s prettiest green spaces. Perfect for a giggly pally picnic.

Theatre

Sound of Music - What's On in July, Yorkshire

The hills are alive in LS1 as everyone’s favourite musical, The Sound of Music (9 July-1 August), skips into Leeds Grand courtesy of Opera North for a much-anticipated summer run. Expect all the big songs, Alpine escapism and wholesome Von Trapp family shenanigans. Ideal for a multi–generational night at the theatre.

Master of mind–bending stagecraft Derren Brown brings his latest show, Only Human, to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield (14-18 July) for a five–night residency. You’ll never trust anyone ever again.

Time–warp your way to York Grand Opera House for a week of cult musical madness with The Rocky Horror Picture Show (20-25 July). Fishnets, corsets and audience participation are very much encouraged, so dust off the dressing–up box and prepare to get bawdy along with the rest of the Rocky faithful.

Oh, what a night! The Tony–winning musical Jersey Boys, which hits Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre on 20 July, tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Expect wall–to–wall hits, slick choreography and a sing–along soundtrack that’ll stick with you forever.

Heritage and history

Ricardians unite. Middleham in North Yorkshire celebrates its most famous resident, Richard III, with a full weekend at Middleham Castle (4-5 July) of living history, costumed interpreters, battle displays and talks focused on the Wars of the Roses and Richard III’s story.

The North Yorkshire village of Ingleton goes fully vintage every year (3-5 July) for Ingleton 1940s weekend, a gorgeous themed weekend, complete with swing and big–band music, classic vehicles and period dress. It’s the perfect excuse for a good old dress-up. Now, where’s that trunk?

Pontefract leans into its liquorice heritage with an entire festival (Pontefract Liquorice Festival, 12 July) devoted to the stuff. There are stalls, tastings, themed bakes, kids’ activities and live entertainment all centred on the town’s most famous export. Maybe give it a swerve if you’re not an ouzo fan.

Great Yorkshire Show, Things to do in July in Yorkshire

The region’s biggest agricultural show, The Great Yorkshire Show (14-17 July) brings livestock classes, equestrian displays, rural crafts, trade stands, food halls and a huge shopping village to the Harrogate showground. From prize–winning cattle and machinery demos to artisan sausages and country clothing, it’s a full–day outing that covers pretty much every corner of Yorkshire rural life and we wouldn’t miss it for the freaking world.

For a grand foodie day by the water, Scarborough Seafest (17-19 July) celebrates Scarborough’s maritime and fishing heritage with seafood stalls, live music, cookery demos and family entertainment overlooking the bay. And, oooaaaarrrrr, we’re not going to lie, you’re going to see pirates everywhere at the bonkers Withernsea Pirate Festival, (18 July). With fancy dress, live performances, games and activities for kids, the town’s Valley Gardens is a family–friendly pirate playground. Lovely seaside silliness.

Doncaster Balloon Festival - what's on in July, Yorkshire

Watch hot air balloons dominate the skyline at Doncaster Balloon Festival (24-25 July), with mass ascents (weather permitting), night glows, funfair rides, food stalls and entertainment on the ground. YOU WILL NEED YOUR CAMERA.

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