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As we prepare for Christmas all the churches in Ilkley have been busy with carol and advent services. Next week there are many opportunities for everyone to come and celebrate Christmas at a variety of services.   Many offer Carols by Candlelight while others offer the familiar Christingle or Crib Services that are particularly suitable for children and families. Listed below are all the services offered in the week before Christmas by churches in Ilkley.  More details can be

Ilkley Civic Society is inviting walkers to a ‘Find Your Way around Ben Rhydding’ heritage walk on Saturday 27 December from 11am.   The meeting point is Wheatley Lane, close the Wheatley Arms. The walk should last about 60 to 90 minutes and does involve some narrow paths and gentle slopes.  For anyone who wishes, refreshments can be purchased in the Wheatley Arms afterwards. Ilkley Civic Society walks are open to all, members, non-members and visitors.   It’s not essential t

It’s full steam ahead for The Northern Swing Orchestra as they prepare for their forthcoming festive concert ‘Swing into Christmas’, on stage at The Kings Hall in Ilkley on Friday 19 December 2025. Band leader Jonathan Whatt, the 16 piece Big Band and singers have been working hard to put the finishing touches to this year’s show, which features some fantastic vocals. Yorkshire’s premier Big Band promises a night of the very best Christmas songs and traditional festive favour

The Ilkley & District Round Table is celebrating a hugely successful start to this year’s Santa Float with hundreds of families stepping outside to greet Santa and support local causes in Addingham, Valley Drive and Ilkley Town Centre. With smiling children, glowing windows, and the unmistakable sound of Christmas music echoing through the streets, the opening phase of the tour has delivered everything the community cherishes about this festive tradition. Volunteers have been

Krafts with Karen at the OTB Winter Festival Outside the Box has announced its first Winter Festival will take place on Sunday 14th December between 2pm and 4:30pm. The event, at the charity’s home at The Arcade on South Hawksworth Street in Ilkley, promises lots of festive fun, sparkle and merry entertainment for all ages. In partnership with Sally’s Army Choir, the free-entry festival will include carol singing and musical performances with the choir and OTB Music Group. Vi

One of the area’s most treasured festive traditions returns this weekend as the Ilkley & District Round Table Santa Float begins its annual tour of Addingham, Ilkley and Ben Rhydding. Loved by generations, the Santa Float spreads Christmas cheer across local streets while raising vital funds for community causes. Thanks to the generosity of residents, the Round Table raises over £100,000 every year, supporting dozens of charities, grassroots organisations and community groups

Rehearsal of It's a Wonderful Life opening on Thursday 4 th  December.  Caroline Mutton takes a look at what's on at Ilkley Playhouse - next is the festive favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a Wonderful Life opens in the Wharfeside Theatre on Thursday 4 th December. This play, by Mary Elliott Nelson, is based on the wonderful classic film directed by Frank Capra and follows the story of George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker who believes life has left him behind. On C

Don’t miss the sparkle of Ilkley’s much-loved Christmas Tree Festival which opens on Friday 5 December, at St Margaret’s Church, Queen’s Road, Ilkley. From 10am. The church provides a stunning space for 30 beautifully decorated trees from local charities, community groups, and every primary school in Ilkley, Addingham, and Ben Rhydding. Also open on Saturday from 10.00 am when the festivities continue through to 5.00 pm.   Enjoy Christmas music throughout the weekend, includi

Ilkley Manor House is hosting Colour of Dreams, a new group exhibition curated by Andreea Chitan, bringing together a vibrant selection of painters, makers, and textile artists whose work celebrates the emotional and sensory language of colour. Gentle yet radiant, Colour of Dreams explores how artists use hue, tone, and texture to hold memory, mood, and meaning. The exhibition invites visitors to slow down and experience colour as something lived and felt, a quiet conversatio

The Holly Ball 2024 at the King's Hall Organisers of the annual Holly Ball are getting ready for the biggest and best yet next month, which is set to raise vital funds for two local charities.   The black tie event, organised by The Rotary Club of Ilkley, will take place at The King’s Hall in Ilkley on Saturday 13 December, with an evening of good food, drink and entertainment.   The nominated charity this year is Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, who will receive mos

Two Rivers Concert Band will unpack a treasure trove of Christmas delights at its Christmas Concert at Ilkley Baptist Church on Sunday 7 December. The concert will start at 3pm at the church on King's Road and tickets cost £10, under 16s go free, Kate Plant from the Two Rivers Concert Band said: "Every Christmas schedule needs a rousing musical, and this year we open our concert with a selection of anthems from The Greatest Showman. Staying in film mode, we move on to Paul Du

The second Art In The Kitchen event is this weekend Ilkley artists Helen Brayshaw and Lucia Smith are coming together for a second Art in the Kitchen event this weekend. Both artists love the Yorkshire moors and portray them often in their work. For both, colour is pivotal. So it is surprising how very different their approach to colour is!   Helen pours her paint onto canvas; an intriguing, unique approach where colour accuracy is crucial. It is our recognition of her carefu

Early bird tickets are still available for the Ilkley Beer Festival 2025 [Photos Soul & Co] As the festive season edges closer, Ilkley residents are being encouraged to think beyond traditional gifts this year and consider something a little more memorable. Organisers of the Ilkley Beer Festival launched their early-bird ticket offer last month, presenting the perfect opportunity to give an experience rather than another item destined for the back of a cupboard. The festival,

Christmas Trees from the 2024 festival Now the Christmas lights are on in Ilkley, the countdown in on this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Margaret’s, where trees will be beautifully adorned and festive music promises to fill the church.   The free festive celebration on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December from 10am, will see 30 local charities and community groups each with their own beautifully decorated tree, plus organisers are pleased to announce that every primary sch

A seasonal favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life, follows folk band Gaelforce and the annual Christmas Fair at Ilkley Playhouse. Caroline Mutton previews for Ilkley Chat. This coming Friday 21st November Yorkshire Celtic Folk Rock band Gaelforce return to Ilkley Playhouse. Enjoy rocked-up traditional folk songs, self-penned tunes in the traditional style and jigs and reels. In 2023 Gaelforce won, by public vote, on the Introducing Stage at the Great British Folk Festival. Since

Performance Dance are due to perform again at the Ilkley Christmas Lights on Saturday Ilkley Town Council is keeping one eye on the weather whilst looking forward to this weekend’s Christmas Lights Switch-On event, which is set to be lots of festive fun. With an enchanting lantern parade along The Grove, a market where you will be able to make a start on your present shopping, a Christmas Grotto with the opportunity to take a selfie with Santa, musical performances and gymnas

There are two performances of Dear Santa Live at the King's Hall on Sunday 21 December Father Christmas is taking part in a live show at the King’s Hall in Ilkley this Christmas. The Dear Santa live show is taking place on Sunday 21   December and will take the audience through a delightful journey through the wonders of Rod Campbell’s classic festive story, packed with festive fun, songs, and participation. Santa is determined to deliver the most fantastic Christmas present

Talented musicians played all weekend Last weekend saw a fabulous offering of live music and beer at The Flying Duck in Ilkley which held its ever-popular Beer and Blues Festival. From Friday evening until late Sunday there was a great atmosphere, with an appreciative crowd enjoying music provided by talented musicians including Ross Tenant, Paul McKendrick, Amber and Ember, Diamond Dad, CC Easy, Ben Blue Waters, David Petit, The Gatsbys, and Mike Burtoft. In addition to musi

A DJ workshop will take place on 11th December for young people in Ilkley Village Pavilion will present a hands-on Learn to DJ taster workshop for young people aged 12 to 18, taking place on Thursday, 11th December 2025, from 6pm to 8pm at the Clarke Foley Community Hub. This fun and friendly introductory session will be led by DJ JoMo, known for work with Discobedience & Reaction Sound and as the founder of We Turn Tables. Participants will have the chance to explore digital

Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra and Academy of Northern Ballet [Photo: Michelle Heseltine] Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra will be joining forces with the talented young dancers from the Academy of Northern Ballet in their annual New Year’s Concert. IPO’s conductor, John Anderson, said: “Following the enormous success of last year’s Viennese concert, which was completely sold out, we are delighted to work once again with the amazing young dancers from the Academy of Northern Ball