Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

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

It’s a Wonderful Life opens on Thursday 4th December By Caroline Mutton, Ilkley Playhouse Enjoy a weekend of music, comedy and film at Ilkley Playhouse, starting with an unforgettable night of blues music  this coming Friday 14th November. The event is in support of Ilkley Live, a local charity dedicated to supporting cohesion in the community and promoting live music in the area. Not one, not two, but three acts showcasing blues music, covering the greats of the era and orig

Andrew Randall with Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra Geoffrey Mogridge reviews Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Opera Matinee' at All Saints Church, Ilkley on Sunday 2nd November 2025. Sunday afternoon at the opera is a noteworthy first for Ilkley. Conductor John Anderson had devised an exciting and varied programme of operatic excerpts with wide audience appeal for this auspicious occasion. Nabucco was Guiseppe Verdi’s first popular success. The splendid Overture previews theme

Cast of White Christmas coming to the King's Hall in December Kick off your festive season in sparkling style with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the timeless musical extravaganza coming to Ilkley this December. Fresh from his celebrated performance as Jean Valjean  in the 40th anniversary Let the People Sing  performances of Les Misérables  at Leeds Grand Theatre, Rob Durkin  is once again taking centre stage, but this time, it’s behind the baton. Rob joins the team of Whi

Ilkley Christmas Lights switch-on is on Saturday 22nd November 2025 Ilkley Town Council is looking forward to hosting this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On event, which is being held on The Grove on Saturday 22nd November. Before the official switch-on takes place at 5pm, there will be a full day of festive fun, which starts with a Christmas market from 10am.  Visitors will be able to make a start on their shopping and enjoy tasty treats whilst being entertained with music o

On the 50th Anniversary of his death, Shostakovich’s music still blazes with defiance and beauty, and Airedale Symphony Orchestra will take to the King’s Hall stage on Sunday afternoon to perform three pieces. Britten: Four Sea Interludes, Wallen: Mighty River and Shostakovich 5th Symphony. A spokesperson for Airedale Symphony Orchestra said: “Experience an afternoon of musical drama, exploring music that inspired Shostakovich - Britten’s Four Sea Interludes and music inspire

Ilkley Moornotes have announced their winter concert date, Saturday 6 th  December, taking place in the ancient parish church of All Saints, Ilkley at 7.30pm.       As well as songs from the choir there will also be poetry readings and carol singing too.    Kate Stevens, Musical Director, Ilkley Moornotes says:   “The choir always looks forward to our festive concert in December as it allows us to sing such a wide variety of songs, old and new as well as joining with the audi

WTA brings The Nutcracker and the Music Box to Ilkley 20th-22nd November The enchanting story of The Nutcracker and the Music Box will be brought to The Kings Hall this November by Wright Theatre Arts (WTA).  You are cordially invited to a dazzling 1920’s Christmas party, where the story starts. This reimagining of the traditional ballet, combining the well-loved Nutcracker with the traditional folk tale of the enchanted music box, premieres new choreography by Lynne Wright,

Ilkley Musical Theatre Society presents Little Shop of Horrors 12-15 November With a week to go until opening night, Ilkley Musical Theatre Society [IMTS] is bursting with excitement as their latest production, Little Shop of Horrors, prepares to take over the King’s Hall in Ilkley. Months of rehearsals, creativity and hard work have led to this moment, and the cast and crew are more than ready to wow audiences from 12 to 15 November 2025. Every number has been polished to pe

Lindy Garner Ceramics will be at the Christmas Makers' Fair The much-loved Ilkley Manor House Christmas Makers’ Fair is back on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, open from 10am to 5pm each day. The medieval Manor House will be beautifully dressed for the festive season and filled with stalls offering unique, hand-crafted gifts. Visitors can expect a broad array of items including scarves, homeware, glass statement pieces, home décor, jewellery, prints, knitwear, Christmas d

Ilkley Christmas Tree Festival returns on 5 and 6 December Ilkley’s much-loved Christmas Tree Festival is back at St Margaret’s Church, lighting up your pre-Christmas celebrations on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December, from 10am.   St Margaret’s on Queens Road will host 30 beautifully decorated Nordmann Christmas trees, supplied by Moss and Moor, each representing a local charity, community group or school. Regular favourites and new participants include Ilkley Community Networ

The Ilkley Food & Drink Festival 2025 [Photo: Stephen Midgely Breakpoint Media] The Ilkley Food & Drink Festival will return for its seventh annual celebration on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June 2026, set against the riverside backdrop of Ilkley and the iconic Cow & Calf Rocks.   Now a staple of the Yorkshire summer calendar, the festival continues to evolve, growing each year in scale, production, and ambition. Attendees can expect a weekend filled with live music, chef d

Beer and Blues Festival runs Friday to Sunday, 7-9 November Wharfedale’s only Brewpub, the Flying Duck in Ilkley hosts its annual Beer and Blues Festival this weekend (7-9 November), in support of Ilkley Live, the town’s Community Music Festival. The popular venue, which incorporates sister company Wharfedale Brewery within its grounds on Church Street, will be donating 10 pence per pint sold towards next year’s music extravaganza where over 100 acts provide free performances

Ashlands Bonfire & Fireworks event is on 8th November With just over a week to go, excitement is building across Ilkley as the town prepares for one of its most anticipated autumn traditions - the Ashlands Bonfire & Fireworks Night. Taking place on the school field on Saturday 8 th  November, the bonfire night has become a firm favourite in the local calendar, drawing hundreds of families, friends, and neighbours together for an evening of community celebration and entertainm

Real Market will be on The Grove on Sunday Yorkshire's finest makers, bakers and creators will return to Ilkley on Sunday for Real Markets Yorkshire on The Grove. The free to attend market is open 10am until 3pm. A spokesperson for the market said: "We’re back in Ilkley this Sunday with another vibrant market bursting with fantastic independent stalls, delicious street food, and that unbeatable community spirit — the perfect Sunday outing! "Come along to browse unique treasur