From Bandstand to Hatstand
Our hardworking and creative hatmakers finally got to see their gorgeous work on display.
2025 highlights:
Created by Save the Dog Video Productions
See you next year!
Hats Off to all our Performers, Volunteers and Audiences.
The fourth Ripon Theatre Festival took place over six days and nights (1-6 July) with a record number of events and an increase in total attendances.
Our diverse and popular programme included puppet shows in care homes, powerful drama at the cathedral, storytelling in the tiny Leper Chapel, five sell-out shows in Ripon Arts Hub and open-air family theatre at Ripon Races, plus two full days of free family-friendly activities.
Audiences were treated to more than 100 events staged in varied and unique venues. The city streets and open spaces came alive with a variety of characters, with community performers taking part alongside professional performers from across the UK.
Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!
Watch our 2025 Highlights video.
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Read our Impact Report:
Check out the 2025 Festival Guide
Pick up your copy of the Festival Guide from the Ripon Arts Hub, Ripon Library, supermarkets and other shops. Or open the guide using the button below and save to your PC or mobile device.
Open GuideSupporters for 2025
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About Us
RTF is run by a small team of volunteers. We work together with our funders, venues and community partners to bring colour and culture to all the communities of the city, contributing to Ripon’s development as a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
RTF is the primary project of longstanding local charity, The Ripon City Festival Trust (charity number 514981).
Find out more about us here.
Get Involved
The festival welcomes professional performers onto our city streets and venues, but it’s the people of Ripon who will really make the festival fly!
We rely on volunteers for:
- Event Stewards
- Publicity team members
- Walkabout Marshalls
- Venue & Refreshments staff
- Performers for our Community Programme
Whether you want to check tickets, look after our visiting performers or sing your heart out on a street corner, please do get in touch.
Support Us
It costs around £50,000 each year to stage the festival and run our Community Outreach Programme. We are very grateful to all those who have supported us in our journey so far, but of course we constantly need to find new sources of funding. As a registered charity, all the funding we raise goes directly towards making the festival happen.
Ways you might like to help us:
- Follow us on social media
- Like and share our posts
- Buy lots of tickets
- Make a donation
- Volunteer your time
- Encourage your company to sponsor us
