Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

photoILKLEY is back this year for its second edition and with it comes the return of its Young Photographer Competition. The event is possible thanks to funding from Ilkley Town Council. The Young Photographer Competition is open to everyone aged 19 and under, and invites children and young people to share their own way of seeing the world through photography and to be part of a grassroots festival that celebrates creativity, curiosity and visual storytelling. This year’s th

Explore Ilkley's health resort heritage on foot with this guided walk led by Ilkley Civic Society Local History Hub. Starting from Ilkley Manor House, this walk on Saturday 25 April will take you to see the historic spa hydro buildings that made Ilkley famous as a Victorian health destination. Learn about the architecture, the people, and the stories behind these buildings. Meet Ilkley Civic Society's Alex Cockshot outside the Manor House at 2pm. This is an outdoor walking ev

A long forgotten travelling circus is set to return to Yorkshire this summer, following an unusual discovery in a North Yorkshire barn. Local theatre producer Jamie Hudson, of Yeadon Town Hall Theatre, uncovered records of a historic “Yorkshire Circus” after finding references in an old book. Further investigation led to the discovery of original equipment, including wagons, costumes and props, which had been left untouched for years. Over the past two years, the collection h

Rehearsals underway for Calendar Girls The Musical, opening on 22 April Plan your next visit to Ilkley Playhouse, we take a look at the latest what's on guide with Caroline Mutton from the playhouse. This coming Friday 17th April The After Hours Quintet will be making their Ilkley Playhouse debut, treating audiences to a scintillating, exhilarating jaunt through the vaults of British Trad Jazz, New Orleans Swing, Gypsy Jazz and Jump Blues.  Led by front man Oly Clarkson (on

Jason Robinson OBE is coming to Ilkley [Image: Bradford Theatres] Nicknamed Billy Whizz after ‘the fastest boy in the world’-as depicted in the Beano Comic, Leeds born Jason Robinson OBE is coming to Ilkley on Tuesday 12 May 2026. Jason is a sporting legend who reached the summits of both Rugby League and Rugby Union. He scored a try in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final which saw England lift the Webb Ellis Cup. Despite his medium height of 1.73m, Jason’s presence was that of a

Ilkley Musical Theatre Society’s production of Annie opens this week at the Kings Hall, Ilkley, and the IMTS can’t wait to welcome you! After months of rehearsals, set building, costume making and plenty of hard work from the incredible cast and crew, the stage is set for a truly feel-good show packed with energy, heart and unforgettable songs. With a cast of 42 performers aged 7 to 80+, over 100 costumes and props, and a unique comic-book inspired design, this is Annie like

Following the success of last year's Yorkshire Day celebrations in Ilkley, plans are underway for another two day music extravaganza with an appeal going out for performers. On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August there will be two stages, a main stage at the end of The Grove near St James's Road and an acoustic stage on The Bandstand. Ilkley Live are curating the music programme again and would love to hear from singers and bands who would like to perform. A full PA system will be

Tickets are now on sale for Ilkley Pride 2026, as the event celebrates its 5-year anniversary with its biggest and most exciting programme yet. Taking place on Saturday 27 June , Ilkley Pride will once again transform the town into a vibrant hub of inclusivity, community, and celebration, with all funds raised supporting the ongoing work of Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group and future community initiatives. The day begins with the Pride flag raising ceremony at 11:30am at the Br

Tickets available for author events at The Grove Bookshop The Grove Bookshop has announced three author events in the coming weeks. On Thursday 23rd April they welcome poet and novelist Rachel Bower, who will be discussing her fiction debut,  It Comes from the River .   The book tells the story of three women, Alex, Lauren and Nancy, who are trapped in their own lives, swept along by forces beyond their control. But there's another character in the book, beckoning, menacing,

A deeply moving performance of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater will take place at St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley on Friday [10 April] at 12.30pm, as part of the church’s monthly lunchtime recital series. Composed in 1736 during the final months of Pergolesi’s life, Stabat Mater is one of the most enduring sacred works of the eighteenth century. Written when the composer was just 26 and living in a Franciscan monastery in Pozzuoli, the work quickly gained widespread

The Northern Swing Orchestra, a renowned 16-piece big band, returns to the Kings Hall on Saturday 9 May, for a special tribute to the legendary bandleader Glenn Miller.   Miller, one of the most successful bandleaders of the 1930s and 1940s, is celebrated for iconic hits such as “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “A String of Pearls”, “Moonlight Serenade”, and “Tuxedo Junction”.   Audiences can look forward to an evening of classic big band favourites, including “Little Brown Jug”, “Ca

Mr & Mrs Charles Darwin outside the Manor House This Saturday, 11 April, Ilkley Manor House is hosting two events, a talk and free family fun. The first in the morning is a talk, Keeping the Manor House Warm , by local historian Alex Cockshott. A spokesperson said: "Have you ever wondered how such a building was heated during different phases of its use? Alex will present how the Manor House was heated throughout the centuries. "The talk will discuss how the Old Castle (now M

Ilkley will once again come alive with speed, energy, and community spirit as the much-anticipated Ilkley Cycle Races return on Friday 3rd July.   The annual event promises a thrilling evening of competitive cycling, attracting riders and spectators from across the region and beyond.   Set against the scenic backdrop of Ilkley’s town centre streets, the races will feature a fast-paced circuit designed to challenge riders and entertain crowds.    This year’s programme showcase

Following the success of the half-term events, Ilkley Board Games is back for Easter, with another afternoon of board games at All Saints for teenagers and children of all ages, plus their parents and carers. This Wednesday afternoon, 2-5pm, at All Saints Church in Ilkley, people are welcome to pop in for one game or stay all afternoon. Organisers say: "We'll have a wide range of games for different interests and abilities, and hosts to help you find one that suits you and ex

First held 2012, the White Rose Classic Cycling Sportive organised by Ilkley Cycling Club returns on Sunday 31 May 2026. Often described by many past participants as Yorkshire's 'premier' sportive, it starts and finishes at Nell Bank in Ilkley and features four fully supported routes from 37 miles to an epic 125 miles. All routes are signed on the road, with well-stocked feed stations, mechanical support and first aid throughout. The event village at Nell Bank offers refreshm

In its 25th year, The Ilkley Bandstand 2000 Trust, the charity that runs Ilkley Bandstand, has announced the programme of artists performing during its Jubilee year. Stating Easter weekend and running through until the end of summer and beyond, there's an eclectic mix from big bands to solo performers, folk music to jazz, and youth choirs to seniors instrumental groups, The programme below is subject to change, The calendar of events for each weekend from April to October are

Owen Diaram performing a live demonstration [Photo: Stephen Midgely Breakpoint Media] Organisers of the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival have confirmed the full Live Cookery Theatre line-up for their seventh annual celebration, set to take place on the 13 and 14 June at East Holmes Field. Delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Food Guide, the festival will spotlight some of the region's most exciting culinary talent, with nine different experts from leading restaurants and bus

Rehearsal are underway for Calendar Girls The Musical opening 22nd April An exciting line-up in April at Ilkley Playhouse includes Calendar Girls The Musical, the thriller Bindweed and music from After Hours Quintet and The Hooliemen. Caroline Mutton takes a look for Ilkley Chat. Visiting theatre company, Rise and Howl Collective Productions, present Martha Loader’s compelling new theatre production Bindweed on 10th and 11th April in the Wildman Studio. Four men convicted of

Tyson Kelly as John Lennon coming to the King's Hall The Internationally acclaimed John Lennon performer Tyson Kelly is bringing his 2026 UK tour to Ilkley next month. Renowned for his portrayal of John Lennon in ‘Let It Be’ on Broadway and performing as Lennon with the celebrated Beatles Tribute act ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ for seven years, Tyson's uncanny look and sound-a-like embodies Lennon’s voice, presence and artistry with remarkable authenticity. In Imagine Lennon, at th

Rave On: The Ultimate 50s and 60s Experience returns to Ilkley on Thursday 30 April. Back for another year to the King's Hall and jam-packed with more classic hits than ever before, the live band performs note perfect renditions of the most loved sounds from the decades that gifted us Rock and Roll - with hits from the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Connie Francis, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Lulu, The Beach Boy and many more. From the emergen