About Us | Harrogate International Festivals

The leading multi-art form cultural festival for Yorkshire

Harrogate International Festivals has fired up hearts and minds since its inception in 1966, revolutionising the cultural landscape of the North Yorkshire spa town.

We deliver an innovative and evolving programme, bringing the world’s most enthralling performers to our doorstep and creating distinctive cultural experiences through our year-round delivery of Festivals and events. Our diverse portfolio dramatically increases the cultural and tourism offer for Harrogate and the surrounding area as well as bringing joy, insight, opportunity and connection to the communities we serve.

Children stood outside watching the water feature.

We champion artists at every stage of their careers, celebrating world-renowned talent while nurturing the next generation.

The Festivals play a key role in Harrogate and the wider region, promoting engagement with the arts through outreach to schools, young people, and within our communities, ensuring everyone can experience the transformative power of the arts.

We are committed to access for all through our digital programmes, including free podcasts with leading thinkers and globally renowned authors.

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Whilst our line-up has evolved and adapted over the years, our ethos has stayed the same – to deliver distinctive and inspiring cultural experiences by, and for, as many communities as possible. Across the 2023-24 season, the Festivals delivered over 200 events, issuing 28,324 tickets across its portfolio of activities. This included 2,516 free and discounted tickets for children, young people and our communities, and an estimated 70,000 visitors to free to access events.

As a charitable organisation, we are funded almost entirely by ticket sales, sponsorship and donations, with just 2% of our income coming from public funding. We rely on the support of a great many national and regional sponsors, funders and partners to secure our international profile and position as a leading cultural festival in the north of England.

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