Harrogate International Festivals

Recently voted the happiest place to live in the UK, Harrogate is home to Bettys Tea Rooms, the Turkish Baths, and the beautiful Valley Gardens, and of course Harrogate International Festivals.

For the last 50 years, Harrogate International Festivals has been part of the social fabric of the Harrogate District. From our early beginnings in 1966 to the present day, we offer hundreds of events in our wide and varied programme, and millions of opportunities to read about Harrogate through our national partnerships. We are passionate about making the arts accessible to everyone, and keep our love of Harrogate at the heart of everything we do. From literature to crime writing, music to our pioneering Salon North, there is something to suit every cultural palette.

As an arts Festival we are fortunate in that we can make the very best of the venues and spaces available in our town, whether that be the Valley Gardens, intimate spaces or soaring concert halls.

Looking beyond the Festivals, Harrogate has a Cathedral City, a Spa town, historic market towns, a World Heritage Site and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty all within a few short miles of each other, Harrogate is the perfect destination to host the ‘Home of Festivals’.

Whether you love the great outdoors or prefer shopping and good food, whether your passion is for gardens, history, art, culture or theatre, we have it all and more besides. With so much to enjoy, it is easy to see why the area was voted the happiest place in Britain for three years running!

Slip back to ancient times visiting monuments such as Ripon Cathedral, Fountains Abbey, our Turkish Baths or admire the 18th Century elegance of historic houses such as Newby Hall.

Stroll through the award winning Valley Gardens or RHS Harlow Carr or mooch around the stylish shops in Harrogate or the independents and galleries in the market towns.

Enjoy a pub lunch with stunning views, take tea at our famous Bettys Tea Rooms or enjoy top notch food at one of our many fine restaurants. Festivals, Flower Shows, Fairs and The Great Yorkshire Show pepper the calendar throughout the year so no two weeks are ever the same.

A hugely diverse range of accommodation options means you can stay in anything from five star luxury to a bunk barn. Choose from smart town hotels, rural bed and breakfasts or a pub with rooms – and everything in between.

For those that prefer self-catering there are a host of cottages, serviced apartments, caravan and campsites.  Whatever your budget, whatever your style, there is something just for you.