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Ilkley News


Ilkley Lido’s Full Moon Swims are returning for 2026
Ilkley Pool & Lido Community Group has announced a new programme of full moon swims for 2026. The group's most popular events of the year offer a chance to swim into the evening, bathing in a magical combination of water and moonlight in one of the most beautiful pools in the UK. Last year the sell out swims attracted visitors from all over the country, with 70 percent of visitors travelling from out of the area to attend. Visitors came from as far afield as Birmingham and Ke
Feb 11


Tickets now on sale for 2026 Lexus Ilkley Open
Tickets are now on sale for Yorkshire’s biggest week of the year, the Lexus Ilkley Open. Between 7 th – 14 th June, tennis players from across the World will be bringing their talent to the grass courts at Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC). With the event growing in popularity each year, fans are being urged to purchase tickets quickly so as not to miss out on the highlight of Ilkley’s Summer calendar. From centre court to centre stage, the week will not be short o
Feb 10


Exhibition to look at Ilkley's hydro heritage
The Craiglands Hotel {Photo: Ilkley Civic Society] A new exhibition opens this month at Ilkley Manor House looking back at Ilkley's former health resort heritage. Visitors will be able to journey back in time and discover the fascinating story of how Ilkley became one of Britain’s most celebrated health resorts in the Victorian era. This exhibition is being curated by Ilkley Civic Society's Local History Hub and will explore the origins and impact of Ilkley’s Hydros through c
Feb 10
![Pat's Party honoured by Save The Children [& royalty]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/550168_d23b43e739d14ce7b9d9ec2a0183c835~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_35,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/550168_d23b43e739d14ce7b9d9ec2a0183c835~mv2.webp)
![Pat's Party honoured by Save The Children [& royalty]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/550168_d23b43e739d14ce7b9d9ec2a0183c835~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_avif,quality_auto/550168_d23b43e739d14ce7b9d9ec2a0183c835~mv2.webp)
Pat's Party honoured by Save The Children [& royalty]
Following the royal family’s recognition of Pat’s Party last year, the annual event is now being inducted into Save the Children’s FUTURE100 - a powerhouse community of 100 fundraisers, building a better future for and with children. Vic and Jackie Sedlak, Pat’s Party’s hosts and founding committee members, described why the team organise the event and raise funds for Save the Children: “Pat’s Party is a community fundraising group established 22 years ago by our friend a
Feb 9


Multi-platinum selling band WET WET WET to play intimate gig in Ilkley
Wet Wet Wet play Ilkley on Tuesday 26 May Wet Wet Wet are bringing their intimate acoustic tour to Ilkley on Tuesday 26 May, choosing the King's Hall, as it, like the majority of venues on the tour, are located in places that they’ve never played before during their 40+ year careers. As well as a brand-new album that sees them revisit their songs in a stripped back style, ‘An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Wet Wet Wet’ will see founding member Graeme Clark, long-standing guit
Feb 5


Final tickets available for Ilkley Beer Festival
Ilkley Beer Festival is marking its 18th year on February 13th & 14th with a renewed focus on community fundraising and support for local businesses. Every penny of profit from the event is reinvested directly back into the Ilkley area. Since its inception, the festival has raised more than £300,000 for local good causes, with funds supporting a wide range of organisations across the town. Money raised through the annual festival, held at the King’s Hall & Winter Garden, hel
Feb 4


Musical weekend ahead at Ilkley Playhouse
Jon Palmer Acoustic Band Caroline Mutton looks ahead to a weekend of musical entertainment at Ilkley Playhouse. The ever-popular Jon Palmer Acoustic Band returns on Friday 6 February. This is a six-piece band that performs with a passion and enthusiasm that matches the content of Jon’s songs. Mixing the traditional with the contemporary, Jon Palmer writes songs with soaring, memorable choruses that you will struggle to get out of your head, long after the evening is over. On
Feb 3


Brutus Gold will return to Ilkley for One Night of Disco Magic
Brutus Gold’s Love Train is coming back to Ilkley in May After a sell-out debut last year, Brutus Gold’s Love Train is back, bringing one night of disco magic to The Kings Hall on 30th May. This multi-generational party invites everyone – mum, dad, son, daughter – to dress up, hit the dance floor, and sing along to classic disco anthems and funky guilty pleasures. From the young to the young at heart, the Love Train is a celebration of music, fun, and togetherness. Brutus Gol
Feb 1


A Night of the Blues at Ilkley Playhouse
Steel and the Weaver, One Foot in The Groove and Diamond Dac will perform on 8th May Ilkley Live is once again partnering with Ilkley Playhouse for A Night of the Blues on Saturday 8th May 2026. The evening is the second partnership between the two, giving music lovers a fantastic evening in support of Ilkley Live, a local charity dedicated to fostering community cohesion and promoting live music in the area. A spokesperson from Ilkley Live said: “Join us for an unforgettable
Jan 29


Music and chat at King’s Hall, Ilkley!
[Photos; Bradford Theatres] There's a great line up of music and chat coming to the King's Hall in Ilkley with the likes of John Lydon and Craig Revel Horwood. Something About George – The George Harrison Story , the musical biopic tribute about the so-called “quiet” Beatle returns to Ilkley next month. Featuring a five-piece band performing beautiful songs such as My Sweet Lord, Something, Got My Mind Set On You and Handle With Care , the show includes incredible solo materi
Jan 28


Gather your team for the annual Rotary Club of Ilkley charity quiz night
Teams are being sought for the annual Rotary Club of Ilkley Charity Business Quiz Night night which takes place on Thursday 26th February at Vitello Lounge in Ilkley. Teams of four are required to get their thing caps on and show off their general knowledge. David Shaw MBE from of the Rotary Club of Ilkley, said: " A bumper full house last year of 24 teams completing for The Andrew Hartley Trophy. . "The quiz is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors and all proceeds this year
Jan 28


Ilkley Business Awards 2026 finalists announced!
Ilkley Business Awards have today announced the shortlist of finalists for this year’s glamourous awards ceremony in March. Following a three month period were businesses and their teams where invited to enter and nominate in twelve categories, the wait is finally over! The distinguished panel of judges gathered at The Craiglands Hotel on Friday, 23 January, to assess a record number of entries. A spokesperson for the IBA’s said: “Firstly, we would like to thank our
Jan 27


Two days of beer, entertainment and community spirit
Ilkley Beer Festival returns on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February, bringing together outstanding live entertainment, a vibrant festival atmosphere and a strong commitment to giving back to the community. While the festival at the King’s Hall and Winter Garden is well known for its wide selection of beers, it also boasts a carefully curated entertainment programme designed to keep visitors entertained throughout the weekend. The festival opens on Friday evening with an en
Jan 27


Exhibition success for Outside the Box and Tinker Gallery
The 'Printastic Printorama' exhibition of work produced by members at Outside the Box, hosted at the Tinker Gallery, is proving to be a huge success with the final chance to view this weekend. The recent exhibition launch event attracted lots of visitors to the gallery and without exception, all were impressed and inspired by the work on display. Some so much so that they bought pieces to take home! The exhibition displays works in collage, pencil and paint from the members o
Jan 26


Review: Ilkley Concert Club: Rachel Podger, Elizabeth Kenny and Marcin Świątkiewicz
L to R Rachel Podger, Marcin Świątkiewicz, Elizabeth Kenny Geoffrey Mogridge reviews Ilkley Concert Club's concert featuring Rachel Podger (violin), Elisabeth Kenny (theorbo) and Marcin Świątkiewicz (harpsichord), at the King’s Hall, Ilkley on Wednesday 14th January 2026. An evening of burnished sonorities built on five sonatas for violin and basso continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704) beckoned. Rachel Podger’s opening remarks embrace her audience and we a
Jan 20


Ilkley Carnival launches Children’s Books theme for 2026
Ilkley Carnival’s 2026 theme of “Children’s Books” was launch at The Grove Bookshop with carnival committee member Colin Watson, with Lucy Allen and pupils from local schools Ilkley Carnival has announced its 2026 theme with organisers inviting the community to step into the magical world of Children’s Books for the event on Monday 4 May. The theme launch marks the start of preparations for one of the town’s most anticipated annual events which raises money for the local comm
Jan 19


Review: Ilkley Philharmonic New Year Concert 'a generous dusting of theatrical magic'
Ilkley Philharmonic New Year Concert [Photo: Michelle Heseltine Photography] Geoffrey Mogridge was in the sell out audience at the King's Hall on Saturday evening, 10th January, for the Ilkley Philharmonic New Year Concert which featured the Academy of Northern Ballet . A packed King’s Hall eagerly greeted the Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra, leader Sally Robinson and conductor John Anderson, at the start of their annual New Year Celebration. This one, like the inaugural 2025 e
Jan 14


Classic fairy tale with modern twists opens soon at King's Hall
Snow White cast outside the King's Hall/Winter Garden With opening night fast approaching, excitement is building in Ilkley as Upstagers prepare to bring their brand-new pantomime Snow White to the stage at the King’s Hall this January. In the run-up to the show, the cast recently took to the streets of Ilkley in full costume, meeting shoppers and local businesses at the town’s popular Real Food Market and spreading a little fairy-tale magic around the town centre. Snow White
Jan 13


What's on at Ilkley Playhouse?
Liam Farrelly frontlines January's Stagefright Comedy Club Written by Caroline Mutton Gaslight , the iconic Victorian thriller of manipulation, secrets and suspense opens at Ilkley Playhouse on Thursday 15 th January. The Manninghams appear to be the perfect couple – at least from the outside. But behind the elegant façade of their London home, something far more sinister is at play. Bella Manningham begins to doubt her sanity; Jack, her husband, disappears on mysterious err
Jan 11


Larger venue needed for literary duo event
Catherine Newman and Rachel Joyce An author event at The Grove Bookshop has proved so popular, it's moving to a larger venue. An Evening with Catherine Newman and Rachel Joyce will now take place at Church House, All Saints' Church, Ilkley, from 7-8.30pm on Thursday, 5 February, with more tickets now added. The two authors will be in conversation with Grove Bookshop bookseller and writer Emily Devane, about the theme of family in their novels. Fans of Sandwich and We All Wan
Jan 10
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