As the swallows return, so does one of Yorkshire’s best small festivals, where you will find art nesting under the eaves and flocking to streets and squares. The programme kicks off with fabulous funk band Huggy, followed by a swoop of concerts, workshops, performances and installations throughout the weekend.
There’s more music in the guise of Chocolat author Joanne Harris and the Storytime Band combining dark fairytales with original songs; the goose-bump inducing Ubunye seven piece jazz band; the delightful Schwa who set poetry to music; and bold and brassy Hope & Social who round off our festival on Sunday 17 June with a party atmosphere.
Holmfirth will be chattering with theatre and performance, from Britain’s leading radical theatre company Red Ladder recounting the adventures of suffragette, Annie Wilde; to quirky performance artist, ICHI, from Japan, taking us on a surreal flight of fancy; Topsy Turvy Theatre Company with their enchanting children’s
show, Christopher’s Caterpillars; and an awe-inspiring murmuration of free street theatre throughout the weekend.
Look out for a giant Heron, take a ride in a Flycycle, get busy with Bees!, watch a Flea Circus, make music with Funky Junk and dance along with The Firm Band Baja. On Sunday, settle down in front of Crow House, a silent movie-inspired street theatre how, or celebrate a golden time of good old-fashioned dancing with Bill and Bobby. Plus walks and workshops to keep you busy.
Comedian Tiff Stevenson, star of Mock the Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and Never Mind The Buzzcocks flies in from the 02 in London to get us laughing on Saturday evening and on Sunday, Spiltmilk Dance invite you to a Tea Dance with a twist. At 2pm on Saturday the Follow the Swallow Parade will set off through the town showcasing wild and wonderful winged creatures. At 3pm on Sunday, a massed choir will gather in Victoria Park for the spectacular Sing Holmfirth! revisiting the wonderful Holmfirth Feast Sings of the past. Throughout the Festival, a River of Art has come to rest in and around the picturesque River Holme, so make sure you take the time to visit this community co-created sculpture-trail.
And if all this leaves you a little peckish, pop over to Lily Pickles Artisan Market in the Market Hall to titillate your taste buds.
So, book your tickets, travel and accommodation and follow the swallow for a marvellous long weekend in June.
Book your tickets now and take advantage of our Early Bird rate before 8 June.
