Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

Lexus Ilkley Open is back in June [Photo: Jack Gray] While we’ve only just said goodbye to 2025, the team at Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (ILTSC) are already well underway with planning Ilkley’s biggest week of the year, the Lexus Ilkley Open. From the 7 th – 14 th June 2026, star tennis players will take to Ilkley’s award-winning grass courts. Attracting players ranked within the top 100 in the World, the growth this event has seen since its beginning in 2015 is outs

The Outside the Box Print Group has teamed up with the Tinker Gallery to showcase the fantastic talents and brilliant work created by Group members. The launch event for the Printastic Printorama exhibition takes place on Saturday 10th January between 2pm and 4pm at the Tinker Gallery, 25 Church Street, Ilkley and all are welcome to pop in. Emma Straw, OTB Printmaking Tutor, said: “Our members at Outside the Box are full of wonderful creativity, and have great ways of e

Gaslight opens on 15th January at Ilkley Playhouse Ilkley Playhouse's first production of 2026 is Patrick Hamilton’s psychological thriller, Gaslight. Opening on Thursday 15th January in the Wharfeside Theatre, the play is set in Victorian London and follows the Manninghams, a well-to-do couple living in a large house. Jack Manningham is an overbearing bully, while Bella Manningham is living on her nerves for fear of offending her husband. Jack is convinced that, like her mo

Runners of all abilities are being encouraged to kick-start their New Year’s resolutions by signing up for the 2026 Ilkley Half Marathon or Ilkley 5K, with early-bird entries closing on Sunday 4 January. Both popular events will take place on Sunday 12 July 2026, offering participants a summer race day through the stunning Wharfedale landscape. With the New Year traditionally a time when many people set fitness and wellbeing goals, organisers say now is the perfect moment to

The New Year’s day plunge at White Wells on Ilkley Moor takes place on Thursday 1st January 2026 between 10am and 5pm. Since 1995, people have queued up to take a refreshing dip in the stone bath. Previously the age range of dippers was between six and seventy-four and the furthest visitors were from New Zealand, Tasmania, South Africa and New York! Mark & Joanne, who run White Wells, said: "Plunging is free but we do request that visitors support the cafe and buy a drink or

Ilkley Beer Festival [Photos; Soul & Co] The Ilkley Beer Festival has been included in a guide to the 'Fantastic Beer, Wine and Spirit Festivals in Yorkshire to Check Out in 2026'. The annual event in February, organised by Ilkley & District Round Table and held at the King's Hall & Winter Garden, raises over £40,000 for local good causes each year. The guide looks at the top festivals celebrating everyone’s favourite tipples in Yorkshire, and includes the Ilkley Beer Festiv

As well as the usual Saturday morning East Holmes Field parkruns, the team in Ilkley will host two special events on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Both will start at 9am by the skatepark, so residents are being warned that the field will be a bit busier at that time. Hattie O'Looney, East Holmes Field parkrun Event director, told Ilkley Chat: “We’d like to welcome anyone to come along, it’s a fun, friendly atmosphere, and you can run, walk, or just spectate. “We’re also l

Rudolph's Run on Skipton High Street [Photo: Malcolm Stoney Photography] Rudolph's Run is coming back on Sunday 21st December and will come through Ben Rhydding and Ilkley around 6.30pm. With over 200 decorated tractors set to light up the streets, the 5th Rudolph's Run will take in the following spots: 6pm start: Otley Auction 6:15pm: Burley in Wharfedale 6:30pm: Ben Rhydding 6:35pm: Ilkley 6:45pm: Addingham 7pm: Silsden 7:15pm: Steeton 7:25pm: Sutton 7:35pm: Kildwick 7:45p

Gaslight opens 15th January Classic Victorian thriller Gaslight opens in the Wharfeside Theatre at Ilkley Playhouse on 15th January, Caroline Mutton previews this and more highlights for the start of 2026. The writer of Gaslight , Patrick Hamilton, could never have imagined his 1938 drama would give today’s world such a powerful term. The term ‘gaslighting’ - psychological manipulation intended to make the victim question their insanity – has become embedded in today’s langu

As we prepare for Christmas all the churches in Ilkley have been busy with carol and advent services. Next week there are many opportunities for everyone to come and celebrate Christmas at a variety of services. Many offer Carols by Candlelight while others offer the familiar Christingle or Crib Services that are particularly suitable for children and families. Listed below are all the services offered in the week before Christmas by churches in Ilkley. More details can be

Ilkley Civic Society is inviting walkers to a ‘Find Your Way around Ben Rhydding’ heritage walk on Saturday 27 December from 11am. The meeting point is Wheatley Lane, close the Wheatley Arms. The walk should last about 60 to 90 minutes and does involve some narrow paths and gentle slopes. For anyone who wishes, refreshments can be purchased in the Wheatley Arms afterwards. Ilkley Civic Society walks are open to all, members, non-members and visitors. It’s not essential t

It’s full steam ahead for The Northern Swing Orchestra as they prepare for their forthcoming festive concert ‘Swing into Christmas’, on stage at The Kings Hall in Ilkley on Friday 19 December 2025. Band leader Jonathan Whatt, the 16 piece Big Band and singers have been working hard to put the finishing touches to this year’s show, which features some fantastic vocals. Yorkshire’s premier Big Band promises a night of the very best Christmas songs and traditional festive favour

The Ilkley & District Round Table is celebrating a hugely successful start to this year’s Santa Float with hundreds of families stepping outside to greet Santa and support local causes in Addingham, Valley Drive and Ilkley Town Centre. With smiling children, glowing windows, and the unmistakable sound of Christmas music echoing through the streets, the opening phase of the tour has delivered everything the community cherishes about this festive tradition. Volunteers have been

Krafts with Karen at the OTB Winter Festival Outside the Box has announced its first Winter Festival will take place on Sunday 14th December between 2pm and 4:30pm. The event, at the charity’s home at The Arcade on South Hawksworth Street in Ilkley, promises lots of festive fun, sparkle and merry entertainment for all ages. In partnership with Sally’s Army Choir, the free-entry festival will include carol singing and musical performances with the choir and OTB Music Group. Vi

One of the area’s most treasured festive traditions returns this weekend as the Ilkley & District Round Table Santa Float begins its annual tour of Addingham, Ilkley and Ben Rhydding. Loved by generations, the Santa Float spreads Christmas cheer across local streets while raising vital funds for community causes. Thanks to the generosity of residents, the Round Table raises over £100,000 every year, supporting dozens of charities, grassroots organisations and community groups

Rehearsal of It's a Wonderful Life opening on Thursday 4 th December. Caroline Mutton takes a look at what's on at Ilkley Playhouse - next is the festive favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a Wonderful Life opens in the Wharfeside Theatre on Thursday 4 th December. This play, by Mary Elliott Nelson, is based on the wonderful classic film directed by Frank Capra and follows the story of George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker who believes life has left him behind. On C

Don’t miss the sparkle of Ilkley’s much-loved Christmas Tree Festival which opens on Friday 5 December, at St Margaret’s Church, Queen’s Road, Ilkley. From 10am. The church provides a stunning space for 30 beautifully decorated trees from local charities, community groups, and every primary school in Ilkley, Addingham, and Ben Rhydding. Also open on Saturday from 10.00 am when the festivities continue through to 5.00 pm. Enjoy Christmas music throughout the weekend, includi

Ilkley Manor House is hosting Colour of Dreams, a new group exhibition curated by Andreea Chitan, bringing together a vibrant selection of painters, makers, and textile artists whose work celebrates the emotional and sensory language of colour. Gentle yet radiant, Colour of Dreams explores how artists use hue, tone, and texture to hold memory, mood, and meaning. The exhibition invites visitors to slow down and experience colour as something lived and felt, a quiet conversatio

The Holly Ball 2024 at the King's Hall Organisers of the annual Holly Ball are getting ready for the biggest and best yet next month, which is set to raise vital funds for two local charities. The black tie event, organised by The Rotary Club of Ilkley, will take place at The King’s Hall in Ilkley on Saturday 13 December, with an evening of good food, drink and entertainment. The nominated charity this year is Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, who will receive mos

Two Rivers Concert Band will unpack a treasure trove of Christmas delights at its Christmas Concert at Ilkley Baptist Church on Sunday 7 December. The concert will start at 3pm at the church on King's Road and tickets cost £10, under 16s go free, Kate Plant from the Two Rivers Concert Band said: "Every Christmas schedule needs a rousing musical, and this year we open our concert with a selection of anthems from The Greatest Showman. Staying in film mode, we move on to Paul Du