Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

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

Ricky Balshaw is frontlining Stagefright this weekend This coming Saturday, 28 March, Stagefright Comedy Club returns to the Wildman Studio at Ilkley Playhouse, we look ahead to the line-up and what else is on in April. The event will be frontlined by Midlands Comedy Award Winner Ricky Balshaw. He has been described as ‘a fascinating fusion of witty observations and storytelling’ (The Times). Joining him is Slim, who has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Live at the Hackney Emp

New trails exploring Ilkley's watery heritage will launch on Saturday, 28 March. A group of retired ex-teachers have been inspired by the new fountain to create new trails, which explain to children how it works, and also how the nature and science of water has shaped our town. Chris Oxlade, a published children’s author, has helped to create two walks which include a challenge for children and visitors. The trails map has an accessible Riverside Walk, suitable to pushchair

Alan Titchmarsh at the opening of the new fountain in April 2025 The Ilkley Flower Show will make a triumphant return on Saturday 19 September at All Saints Church, featuring renowned garden writer and broadcaster and IFS president Alan Titchmarsh CBE as guest judge. Now in its 67th year, the community-focused event will bring horticulture, arts, food and family-friendly competition back to the heart of Ilkley with a full day of displays, stalls and activities. This year’

King Duck training his ducks in the Ilkley fountain King Duck is getting his ducks all in line ready for next month’s Great Ilkley Duck Race. Organised by the Ilkley Wharfedale Club Rotarians who are hoping to sell all 6000 yellow ducks this year race on Saturday 18 April. Ducks are launched into the River Wharfe from the New Brook Street Bridge and be swept along to a finish line 350m downstream. The first ducks into the water at 2:15pm will be the red ducks taken by 100 b

This Easter, Ilkley BID is inviting families to explore the town centre with a fun-filled Easter Bunny Trail! From 28 March to 12 April, children and adults alike can join the hunt for Flopsy bunnies, hiding in 16 local shops across Ilkley. One lucky winner will take home a giant Ostrich Egg, weighing over 1kg, generously donated by Hotel Chocolat on Brook Street. Jos Mountcastle, BID Communications Officer, said: “We’re inviting families to explore Ilkley over the Easter hol

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