Spring is very much in the air and with the brighter skies and warmer temperatures comes the desire to get out and about and enjoy the best of what North Yorkshire has to offer.

The number and variety of events for all the family is on the increase and there’s something for everyone in our listings below.

We cannot include every event here, so be sure to keep a look-out for local events where you live.

If you are organising an event, big or small, in North Yorkshire, please tell us and we will do our best to include it in a future issue. Just email yny@northyorks.gov.uk.

Monday 28 April

Wade Radford, the film-maker of 'The Busby and Me', will be joining Thirsk Museum for the day to discuss the history surrounding Busby’s stoop chair.

This will include scans from his personal archives, including original sketches of the spirits of the Busby Stoop Inn. The oak chair was supposedly cursed by the murderer Thomas Busby before his execution in 1702 in North Yorkshire.

The event runs from 10.30am to 3pm. Donations can be given to the museum. For more details, call 07596 483416, email info@thirskmuseum.org or visit the Thirsk Museum website.

Wednesday 30 April to Thursday 1 May

Pirates Love Underpants is being performed at Harrogate Theatre.

A perfect first theatre experience for youngsters, it is based on the book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort.

The audience will join a swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the captain’s treasure chest.

Tickets are priced between £17 and £68. For more details, visit the Harrogate Theatre website.

Throughout May

Renowned Dales artist Lynn Ward has an exhibition called New Light running until 25 May at Yore Mill Gallery on Church Bank in Leyburn.

Apart from her murals, which adorn a number of locations across the region, the artist has become well-known and respected for her work inspired by the “humble magnificence of the Dales”.

For more information, visit the Yore Mill Craft Shop and Gallery website.

Until Friday 16 May

More than 200 artists from across North Yorkshire have come together at Craven Arts House in the heart of Skipton to showcase their diverse talents, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the region’s artistic community.

There are talks, demonstrations and workshops by the artists involved during the exhibition. Admission is free.

For more information, email info@cravenarts.co.uk or visit the Craven Arts website.

Until Friday 2 May

Local artist Colin Powell will have an exhibition at Scarborough Library, showcasing his paintings from around the town. The library is based on Vernon Road.

Friday 2 May

Mark Farrelly brings his hugely-acclaimed solo play, Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, to Skipton Town Hall, offering an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York.

Tickets are priced at £16, and the performance starts at 7.30pm. The play is suitable for anyone aged 14 and over.

For more details, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

The Haunted Thirsk Guided Tour starts at The Town Clock on the Market Place in Thirsk.

The tour will explore the ancient areas of the market town and discover its haunting tales.

It lasts about 75 minutes and pre-booking is required.  Anyone wishing to join the tour is asked to meet at 6.55pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets are priced at £9 for adults, with concessions costing £7. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. For more details, call 07876 010835 or email tina@historicexperiences.com.

Friday 2 to Sunday 4 May

The Filey Folk Festival features more than 100 musicians performing a range of styles including traditional and contemporary folk music, Americana, country and blues.

Entry is free for the independent folk festival on the North Yorkshire coast.

For more details, visit the Filey Folk Festival website.

Celebrate the magic of words and stories at the Filey Literature Festival, an annual gathering that brings together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts in the picturesque setting of Filey.

The event takes place at various locations across the town.

For more details, visit the Filey Literature Festival Facebook page.

Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May

Richmond MayFest features three days of historical and traditional music, dancing and family entertainment.

There's a May Fair at Richmond Castle, the Busking Day, a MiniFolkFest at the Town Hall, the MayFest Ceilidh, medieval music in concert and the MayFest PlayFest among other events, all happening in and around Richmond town centre.

Many of the events are free with special offers for local residents.

For more information, visit the Richmond Mayfest website.

Saturday 3 May

A craft fair takes place in the Market House in Hawes in Wensleydale.

The show will feature a wide range of handmade crafts and art products created by local and regional makers. The crafts on display will include wood products, linocuts, cards, knitwear, handmade bags, jewellery, studio pottery and photography.

The show is open from 10am to 4.30pm each day.

There is free admission for visitors along with level access for disabled people.

For more information, visit the Wensley Fairs website.

Stokesley Farmers Market takes place in front of the Town Hall on the first Saturday of every month.

There are about 40 stalls from around the region selling a wide range of locally produced food and drink.

For more information, visit the Northern Dales Farmers Markets website.

Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 May

The 2025 Sorrymate.com May Motorcycle Hill Climb takes place at Oliver's Mount in Scarborough.

Spectators will be able to see riders taking part on sidecars, race bikes, vintage bikes, Morgan three wheelers, four-wheeled SuperLite Buggies and the popular SuperMoto class of machine that took the overall wins in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

People can also enter their own road legal bike under the “Run What Yer Brung” class and experience Oliver’s Mount under closed road race conditions.

Passholders for the 2025 season at Oliver’s Mount get free entry to the event. Admission prices start at £4.20 and children aged under 16 will be able to attend for free.

On the day, prices are £6 per day for adults, and £10 for the weekend.

For more details, visit the Oliver’s Mount website.

Henshaw’s Beer Fest takes place at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre at 50, Bond End in Knaresborough, HG5 9AL.

Featuring a weekend of craft beer, live music, and family entertainment, whether you’re a beer enthusiast, a music lover, or just looking for a great day out with friends and family, there is something for everyone.

Entry is priced from £16 and for more information, visit the Henshaws website.

Visitors to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Pickering Station will be able to meet Paddington Bear when he makes a special appearance.

The bear, made famous in the books by Michael Bond, will be at the heritage railway in North Yorkshire. 

For more information, visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

A summer hanging basket workshop is taking place at Harrogate Horticultural Nursery.

The workshops will give advice for gardening enthusiasts who are looking to add a splash of colour to their outdoor spaces.

Participants will have the opportunity to create their own 12-inch hanging baskets using a selection of home-grown seasonal bedding plants.

The workshops, which last about 90 minutes, include a guided tour of the greenhouses, refreshments, and materials such as plants and compost to create a hanging basket along with gloves.

The workshops run between 10am and 11.30am at the nursery which is located on Nursery Lane in Harrogate. After creating baskets, they will be cared for by the nursery's experts until June, ensuring they are ready to thrive outdoors without the risk of frost.

For more details and to book, visit the Harrogate Horticultural Nursery website.

Biltonbury 2025 takes place at Bilton Working Men’s Club on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

An indoor family music festival, it also features outdoor stalls, food and rides.

Bands appearing include Beautiful Martins, Drop Leg Steppers and Badness.

For more details, visit the Bilton Working Men's Club facebook page.

Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May

The Tulip Festival 2025 takes place at Constable Burton Hall and Gardens, Leyburn DL8 5LJ.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm with last admissions at 3.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £12.50, with children £5. For more details, call 01677 450361, email estate@constableburton.com or visit the Constable Burton website.

Sunday 4 May

A walk and talk for people who have lost a loved one to cancer starts at 10.30am in Stokesley.

The event is for people aged 18 and over and the walk will take a route along the River Leven to Great Ayton. It will last between one-and-a-half and two hours.

For more details, visit the Loss Foundation website.

A family commemoration day of events for VE Day is taking place in Masham.

The commemorative parade of themed wartime floats assembles at I’Ansons Mill at 1.30pm before setting off at 2pm. Following a parade around Masham, the floats will then assemble at the south side of the Market Square. Prizes will be awarded for the best adult and children’s floats.

A community barbecue will then take place in the Market Square from 3pm. Bring your own food. Drinks will be available from Masham Town Hall.

The band, Also Known As, will be performing live from 7pm to 9.15pm in the Market Square.

For more details, visit the Visit Masham website.

Monday 5 May

Craven Museum will be the venue for sessions for relaxation on the first Monday of each month.

Relaxed sessions are aimed at people with additional sensory needs and anyone else who may benefit.

Sessions are available to individuals, groups and families to make visiting the museum more accessible.

Relaxed sessions run from 9.30am to 10.30am and 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

For more details, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

Wednesday 7 May

Cara Dillon, a multiple award-winning Irish folk singer, and acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman will be performing at Selby Town Hall.

Tickets are priced £22 in advance or £24 on the door and the show starts at 7.30pm.

For more information, visit the Selby Town Hall website.

Thursday 8 May

Cuore Chamber Orchestra, directed by William Dutton, will perform their launch concert at the Royal Hall on Ripon Road in Harrogate from 7.15pm.

The orchestra is a new venture showcasing orchestral music at the highest level in the heart of Yorkshire and bringing together the county’s best young professional musicians.

Music will include Gustav Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, Lennox Berkeley’s Serenade for Strings, Edward Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro with the Elmore Quartet and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.

The compere for the night will be Freddie Fox, the great-great-grandson of Royal Hall founder Samson Fox and the son of actor Edward Fox.

Tickets are priced at £35. There are concessions for disabled people, students and income-based allowance. Tickets for under-18s are priced at £5.

For more details, visit the Harrogate Theatre website.

Friday 9 May

The Royal Hall in Harrogate will welcome visitors for a free guided tour between 2pm and 3pm.

The Grade II listed hall is designated as one of architect Frank Matcham's greatest achievements and has been compared to venues such as Blackpool Grand, Hackney Empire and Glasgow King’s Theatre.

The free guided tours are suitable for people with some mobility problems. During the tour, there will be opportunities to sit down and take a break.

For more details, visit the Royal Hall Restoration Trust website.

Saturday 10 May

Families can meet the emergency services at Monk Park Farm at Bagby near Thirsk YO7 2AG.

On Emergency Services Day, visitors will be able to enjoy what the farm has to offer, as well as having the chance to meet members of the fire brigade, police, the Red Cross, and DocBike, a charity aimed at preventing motorcycle deaths and injuries in the UK.

For more details, contact 01845 421124, email eyup@monkparkfarm.co.uk or visit the Monk Park Farm website.

Tuesday 13 May

Award-winning writer-performer Daniel Bye returns to touring the UK with his first new solo play for seven years at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.

Imaginary Friends explores grief and authenticity in the contemporary media landscape.

The play has been written and is being performed by Daniel Bye, with lighting design by Katharine Williams and sound design by Ziad Jabero.

Imaginary Friends starts at 7.45pm and tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at the Stephen Joseph Theatre website.

Wednesday 14 May

An Artists into Mental Health workshop is taking place at Rural Arts at The Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk YO7 1QS.

The event aims to provide inspiration and information for artists interested in working in mental health settings or developing their understanding in this area.

It will be presented by performance poet, expert communicator and former mental health nurse Rob Gee.

All art forms and backgrounds welcome. The event runs from 2pm to 4pm and costs £15.

For more information, contact 01845 526536 and for tickets email hannah@ruralarts.org or visit the Rural Arts website.

Thursday 15 May

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical visits the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.

The performance has been billed as spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, and it is the first ever long-form improv show to have a full West End run and to win an Olivier Award.

Created on the spot from audience suggestions, the cast take ideas for settings, genres, musical styles and the show title and weaves them into ingenious storylines with hilarious characters.

From Lin Manuel Miranda to Stephen Sondheim, whether it’s set in a primary school, Ancient Egypt, or a mattress shop – if the audience thinks it, The Showstoppers can turn it into a hit musical.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online via the Stephen Joseph Theatre website. 

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May

The Whitby Fish and Ships festival takes place at Whitby Marina car park and runs from 10am to 4pm each day with the bar and music marquee open until 11pm on Saturday.

Activities during the free event include cookery demonstrations by local chefs, fish craft tips and demonstrations, live music from local bands and sea balladeers, family activities and entertainment, free craft sessions and local exhibitors and stalls.

For more details, visit the Visit North Yorkshire website.

Tuesday 20 May

Billboard-topping Nashville-based bluegrass songstress Kristy Cox, Australia’s biggest bluegrass and country music export, is performing at Selby Town Hall.

Tickets are priced £18 in advance or £20 on the door and the show starts at 7.30pm.

For more information, visit the Selby Town Hall website.

Thursday 22 May

Thirsk Ladies Club is presenting Style Confidence by Anna Phillips at Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall Annexe on Westgate in Thirsk, YO7 1QR.

Visitors will be given tips and learn how to make the most of their wardrobe.

The event starts at 7.30pm and is free for members with visitors charged £3. For more information, contact 01845 522819.

Thursday 22 May to Saturday 24 May

Skipton Beer Festival takes place at Skipton Town Hall.

Organised by Keighley and Craven CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), there will be about 70 real ales and a range of cider and perry.

Non-beer drinkers will also be catered for, with wine, prosecco, and soft drinks. There will also be pies supplied by a local butchers, Stanforth.

Non-members are charged £4 per session, while CAMRA members will be able to attend for £1 per session if they produce a valid membership card.

For more details, visit the Skipton Beer Festival website.

Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 May

Hambleton District Show, the largest horse show in the North of England, takes place at Sutton Park, Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York, YO61 1DP.

The show was established more than 25 years ago at The Barugh, Carlton Husthwaite, and has now grown to a show with in excess of 200 classes with qualifiers over the years for shows such as the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show.

For more details, visit the Hambleton District Show website.

Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June

It's fun and games for all the family during half-term at Nunnington Hall.

Visitors will be transported to the fun of a village fete with themed games throughout the gardens. They will be able to have a go at hook-a-duck, while test their aim at the coconut shy and picking up a hot dog from the tea gardens in this week-long event.

Fun at the Fete is being staged daily at Nunnington from 10.30am to 5pm, with last admissions at 4.15pm.

For more details, visit the National Trust website.

Saturday 24 May to Saturday 7 June

The Swaledale Festival features more than with 60 music, arts and walking events in the spectacular northern Yorkshire Dales.

The festival will take place across Swaledale, Wensleydale, and Arkengarthdale in a variety of locations.

It will feature classical, folk, worldwide and jazz musicians as well as rising stars.

There will be theatre, film, comedy, talks and puppetry, and opportunities to participate and create, from Swedish basketry and landscape photography to the opening Fauré Requiem Singing Day and 12 guided walks across the Dales.

For more information, visit the Swaledale Festival website.

Friday 30 May

Magician Danny Lee Grew will be performing his new one-man show, 24K Magic, at Skipton Town Hall.

The performance will be showcasing his magic and illusions with the art of sleight of hand.

Tickets are priced £15 for adults, while over-60s and under-18s can gain admission for £12 and groups of 10 or more will pay £10 each.

For more details, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.