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Spring is in the air - and so is music as Ilkley Live brings a delight of musical events to entertain Ilkley in the coming months! The first offering is the Spring Community Sing , which will take place at the Clarke Foley Community Hub from 10.00-12.00 on Saturday 11 April. This event will once again be led by natural voice leader Keely Hodgson. Keely teaches songs through singing and repeating, mixing traditional and new tunes to create a joyous sound that is full of harmon

Voices of Yorkshire at a previous sold out concert at the King's Hall This June, Voices of Yorkshire are delighted to welcome Tunbridge Wells Musical Theatre Choir to Ilkley for a very special evening of shared singing and friendship. Choirs Across Counties on Saturday 6 June is exactly what it sounds like — two community choirs from different corners of the country coming together to swap songs, share stories, and celebrate the joy of singing as one. A spokesperson said: "Ex

The cast of Teechers Brand-new local theatre company, That’s The Badger Productions, is heading back to school this June as they present Teechers, the hilarious and fast-paced comedy by John Godber.   Running at Ilkley Playhouse from 3–6 June, the production brings to life the trials, tribulations and absurdities of school life through the eyes of three Year 11 students. First performed in 1987, Teechers has become one of the most widely performed modern British plays, celebr

Nabeela Ahmed Ilkley Soroptimists will host writer, poet and spoken-word artist Nabeela Ahmed at St. John’s Church, Ben Rhydding, on Thursday 26 March at 7:30pm. Nabeela Ahmed, a multilingual voice on identity, family and womanhood, grew up between Bradford and Kashmir, which brings a powerful blend of languages and perspectives to her work. Her work draws on the two cultures in which she has lived and is written in three languages. Nabeela's debut poetry collection, From Kas

The Human Body is currently on stage at Ilkley Playhouse We take a look at what's on now and coming soon to Ilkley Playhouse. Lucy Kirkwood's play The Human Body is in its second week in the Wharfeside Theatre and runs until Saturday 21st March. It’s the winter of 1948. The weather is freezing and austerity is biting as GP Iris Elcock works hard to help implement Nye Bevan’s National Health Service Act and its revolutionary promise to provide free healthcare for all. In addi

On Sunday 29 March, Two Rivers Concert Band will hold their Spring Concert, under the expert baton of their musical director, Gregory Moor. The concert starts at 3pm, doors open at 2:30, at Ilkley Baptist Church on Kings Road in Ilkley. The Spring Concert will include a varied programme of music reflecting the past, present and future. Some pieces are inspired by our British folksongs and landscape, while others represent places much further afield... as a spokesperson explai

The Ilkley Playhouse Vintage Fair on Saturday 4th April will be the final fair organised by Jill Coulson of Burley-in-Wharfedale business Alfie Robot Retro. Having run the event in Ilkley since 2015, Jill has decided that the 20th fair, on Easter Saturday, will be the last one and has promised to go out with a bang. More than 20 of the best loved traders from the last 19 fairs will return to bring a host of classic vintage fashion, furniture, vinyl, jewellery, ornaments, book

Award-winning author, Liz Flanagan The Grove Bookshop is excited to be hosting an evening of historical fiction with award-winning author, Liz Flanagan this week. The event will be at the shop from 7-8.30pm on Thursday, 19 March. The author will be in conversation about her novel, When We Were Divided , which is set in Yorkshire during the English Civil War. Bookshop manager Mike said: 'I am looking forward to speaking to Liz about the eternal issues faced by families torn ap

ASO at the King's Hall with David Greed [inset] [Photo: Niamh O'Hearne] The audience will hear wonderful violinist David Greed playing the exquisite Korngold violin concerto - full of passion and yearning for love – at the Airedale Symphony Orchestra’s next concert ‘Yearning’ on Sunday 29 March. Taking place in the King’s Hall in Ilkley, the orchestra will perform Jennifer Higdon: All things majestic: Teton Range, Korngold: Violin concerto with soloist David Greed and Dvorak:

Ilkley Musical Theatre Society's [IMTS] upcoming production of Annie is coming to the Kings Hall, Ilkley from 15th–18th April. For this production IMTS are taking Annie back to its original 1920's comic book roots. Inspired by the world of Little Orphan Annie, the creative team have worked to recreate the black and white pages and exaggerated characters of the famous comic strip on stage. Every costume, wig and prop has been carefully sourced or lovingly handmade, while a spe

Music fans in Ilkley came together on Friday evening for a special Elton John tribute night at The Hollygarth Social Club, raising £1,000 for two charities supporting mental health and cardiac care across the region. The event was organised by John from Ilkley School of Motoring as a community fundraiser in support of Andy’s Man Club and Take Heart, two organisations providing vital support to people facing significant health challenges. Providing the evening’s entertainment

Violinist Andy Long Geoffrey Mogridge was in the audience to review Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra's ' Turkish Delight' concert at All Saints Church, Ilkley on Sunday 8th March 2026. The orchestra’s spring concert brought exotic colour and eastern mystery to a capacity audience on an otherwise grey Ilkley afternoon. Conductor John Anderson’s tempting bill of fare consisted of works by Rossini, Mozart and Rimsky- Korsakov. Rimsky was represented, not by the familiar and much lo

Outside area at The Yard Bar & Kitchen Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group has announced its Pink Pony Club, the town’s most fabulous LGBTQ+ party, is set to return, taking place on Saturday 28 March at The Yard Bar & Kitchen. Get ready for a night of big pop anthems, glitter, dancing and unapologetic self-expression as Pink Pony Club transforms The Yard Bar into a high-energy celebration of Pride, community and pure joy. Doors open at 8pm, and the dancefloor will be waiting. Insp

Arborist comes to Ilkley on Monday 4 May Village Pavilion have announced another exciting musician coming to Ilkley on bank holiday Monday, 4 May. Arborist will perform at Ilkley Moor Vaults. with support from Serin and BP Walker. Arborist is Belfast's Mark McCambridge, who first made waves with his debut single "Twisted Arrow" featuring Kim Deal of The Breeders. Since then, Arborist has gone on to support legendary acts including Low, Cat Power, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Gu

A compelling new theatre production, Bindweed, is coming to Ilkley Playhouse this spring. Produced by Ilkley based company Rise & Howl and written by Martha Loader, the award-winning Bindweed follows four men convicted of domestic abuse offences who meet each week to undergo a perpetrator programme. But as Jen, the new group facilitator, starts to make progress with the men inside the room, life outside begins to buckle. A shattering and darkly funny play about responsibility

Beyond The Baseline 2025 After much anticipation, Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC) have now revealed the full line up for this year’s Beyond the Baseline music concerts. Held in association with the Lexus Ilkley Open, the debut of the music concerts in 2025 became the talk of the town, with many hailing the week as the highlight of the Summer calendar. Following the success, the team at Ilkley have been working away to create another week to remember from 5 th -14 t

The charity Nell Bank in Ilkley is once again opening its doors for two days of Easter fun with the return of its Easter Egg Hunt. The outdoor education centre is inviting families on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April between 10am and 3pm. A spokesperson said: "Spring's arrived, but all the eggs have vanished. Come and help us find them this Easter in our best-ever Easter Egg Hunt. "As well as the egg hunt itself, there's plenty to keep everyone busy — our Adventure Playgrou

Mrs Norton portrayed by Irene Lofthouse  The talk at Ilkley Manor House will celebrate past pioneers and today’s changemakers.   An engaging new interactive talk, Brilliant Bradford Lasses, will take place this Friday 6 March 2026, 5–6:30pm, marking International Women’s Day by shining a light on extraordinary women and girls connected to Bradford from the 19th century to the present day.   Audience members can expect a lively session that blends history, performance and part

A Charity Lunchtime Opera Gala at the King's Hall in April will invite audiences into the thrilling world of opera. Headlining is international soprano, Alexandra Lowe, renounced for her performances rich in drama, passion, and vocal brilliance. Alexandra weaves powerful storytelling with soaring melodies, bringing timeless operatic moments vividly to life. Alexandra will be joined by distinguished guest artists, Elgan Thomas (Tenor), and Katie Stillman (Violinist), accompan

PippaFest 2025 After a phenomenal debut last year, PippaFest is back and bigger than ever. The family-friendly music festival returns to Burley-in-Wharfedale on Sunday 3 May with an incredible 11-hour programme of live music, bringing the community together for a day of celebration, remembrance and fundraising. Held in memory of Pippa Simpson, a talented singer/songwriter who sadly passed away in 2024 from brain cancer, age 25. PippaFest was created to honour her wish of an a