If you’re planning to stay with us at some point this year or just visiting the area. First of all, The Masons Arms and the village of Gargrave are excited to have you here! In order to help with your visit, we also wanted to provide a guide to the events taking place in and around Skipton.
You’ll know that in Skipton you’re never short of things to do. A town with rich history and the Leeds Liverpool Canal meandering through it, filled with cafes, independent shops and as lots of fun events. Let’s dive in!
Skipton Beer Festival
When: 23rd – 25th May 2024
Where: Skipton Town Hall
Time: 11am – 10pm (20:00pm on Saturday 25th)
With over 60 real ales, and a range of Cider and Perry (wine also available). If you’re not drinking, there is a range of soft drinks available.
Cash and Contactless payments will be accepted at this festival.
D-Day 80th Anniversary
When: 06th June 2024
Where: Holy Trinity Church
Skipton will be honouring the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landing. There will be a Beacon Lighting in the Holy Trinity Church yard, as well as a service of remembrance.
Skipton Gala
When: 8th June 2024
Where: Skipton High Street
Time: 1pm
For over a century Skipton Gala has been supporting the local community by raising money for organisations and charities in and around Skipton and is always held on the second Saturday in June.
The procession will leave Westmoreland Street at 1pm and will continue up the High Street and make their way to Aireville Park.
Skipton Sheep Day
When: 30th June 2024
Where: Skipton High Street
Time: 10am – 4pm
Skipton’s heritage as ‘Sheep Town’ is celebrated annually with sheep displays and racing and many other sheep related activities which fill the High Street.
Sheep Day – Celebrating Skipton’s Heritage will be taking place on Sunday 30th June and is a free day full of family fun!
Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
When: 19th – 21st July 2024
Where: Funkirk Farm
Time: All day
The UK’s biggest food and drink festival takes place at Funkirk Farm and this year has a fantastic line up!
The festival is bursting with a whole host of foodie activities and kids love the festivals as much as grown-ups do and there’s many activities to keep them entertained.
Activities for Kids include – Rides on farmer John’s mini tractors, building sandcastles in the giant sandpit, becoming a chef in the kid’s cookery school, meeting some furry friends at the petting farm, cutting, sticking, and colouring in the crafting tent, dressing up for the princess party, getting messy in the mud kitchen or dancing all day at the kids disco.
Live music kicks off the weekend and continues through to Saturday and Sunday evening with amazing tribute acts alongside renowned artists including Blue, Chesney Hawkes and DJ Gok Wan and Brutus Gold’s Love Train. Wear your fancy dress, cover yourself in glitter and dance the nights away!
Tickets are priced from £32 + booking fee.
Tough Mudder: Yorkshire
When: 27th July 2024
Where: Broughton Hall
Time: 8am – 5pm
Why not take on a challenge like a Tough Mudder, individually or as a team?
Get stuck into the world-famous obstacle across the Yorkshire Dales. Pushing yourself to your limits, the course is scenic but also tough and gruelling!
Tickets cost £80 to participate.
Horrible Histories: Rotten Royals
When: 2nd & 3rd August 2024
Where: Skipton Town Hall
Time: 1:30pm & 6pm (2nd August) and 11am & 4pm (3rd August)
Treat the whole family to meeting some revolting rulers and mad monarchs from Britain’s past! Featuring the funniest and most outrageous regal scenes from their Barmy Britain shows, Rotten Royals promises to have you all amused!
Tickets are £16 for adults, £14 for Children or £48 for a Family Ticket (Four people)
Yarndale
When: 28th – 29th September 2024
Where: Skipton Town Hall
Time: All day
This award-winning festival is back for 2024 and brings together a range of makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in Skipton and attracts yarn enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate the brilliance of wool in all its forms and enjoy a wondrous woolly weekend.
The show is designed to encourage everyone to share ideas and creative inspiration and aims to bring together a community of like-minded crafters. Every aspect of the yarn journey is represented, from the woolly animals themselves, through the various stages of production to the stunning finished products.
Visitors will find plenty of inspiration for new projects and an incredible array of yarns and equipment to browse through and buy.
You are also able to try your hand at all sorts of skills and techniques in a range of workshops led by experienced practitioners and listen to some inspiring talks.
Christmas Lights Switch On
When: 24th November 2024
Where: Skipton High Street
Time: 4pm
We know mentioning Christmas this early sounds mad with such important events you must plan well ahead!
The annual Christmas event starts the day with the Santa Fun Run on the High Street from 10am – 12pm. Live music will be on a stage filled with local artists throughout the day hosted by Rombalds Radio.
There will be a trading market throughout the day with Christmas themed stalls where you can purchase all your Christmas presents.
The Lights will be switched on at 5pm.
Christmas Markets
When: 1st December 2024 onwards
Where: Skipton High Street
Time: 10am
Skipton’s Traditional Christmas Market is a fantastic festive day for all this year! With over 100 stalls featuring some of the region’s favourite artisan makers, producers, and crafters! Combined with an array of fabulous independent shops in Skipton it’s the perfect opportunity to make a start on your Christmas shopping!
There’s lots of entertainment planned too, including a festive music stage. You. Can listen to Fairy-tale of Ney York, with a mulled wine in one hand and a German bratwurst in the other!
Fill up with other festive food and drinks, such as mince pies, hot roast chestnuts, boozy hot chocolate, and plenty more!
Summery
We hope at least one of these events has been added to your diary! There’s plenty more events going on in and around Skipton this year. With more details coming out constantly.
And if you’re looking for a local pub with home-made food and hand pulled beer, come and see us at The Masons Arms in Gargrave! And if you live further afield, why not book into our cosy B&B!
Thanks for reading,
The Masons Arms Team