Rock Choir
2025-07-05 10:00 - 10:30 UTC | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
The UK’s original award-winning, local, contemporary choir.
“We are a choir made up of choirs from all over North and West Yorkshire! We sing bespoke arrangements of contemporary pop and rock songs. We are all about fun and inclusivity!”
Local leader Flo Glen says “If you love to sing, you’ll love Rock Choir! No auditions and no musical knowledge needed. We meet every Thursday in Ripon at Harrogate Road Methodist Church 10am-11:30am. Harewood Rd, Ripon HG4 1TG
You can book a taster session https://www.rockchoir.com/join/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Rock.Choir.Flo.Glen/
FREE EVENT
10.00-10.30am Ripon Cathedral Forecourt
1.15-1.45pm Market Place

Saturday Street Entertainment
2025-07-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Ripon City Centre
Walkabout acts, crazy characters, circus and clowning bring the streets and open spaces of Ripon to life throughout the day.
Spend the day in Ripon soaking up the atmosphere – the best in street theatre, circus, dance, magic and fun.
Professional acts come together with community performers.
Performances will be staged at Ripon Market Place, Minster Gardens (in front of the Courthouse Museum), on Ripon Cathedral Forecourt and on Kirkgate.
All events are FREE.

Calamity Dames
These rootin tootin, gun slingin’, whip crackin’ cowgirls will give any cowboy a run for their money! Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Presented by Kitsch n Sync.

Books!
A high energy show featuring acrobatics, fire-juggling, jokes and, of course, books. Four bedraggled book enthusiasts travel from town to town – forced between the margins – on a mission to protect literature. Presented by Tit for Tat Circus.

Cloudscapes
Take some time to chill out, festival-style. Visit the Cloud Museum Trailer and relax on a giant beanbag to enjoy this fabulous part-installation/part-performance. As you lie back and look up, you’ll listen on headphones to a story all about the clouds, the sky and Lorna’s journey of a lifetime with her father. Presented by Gobbledegook Theatre.

The Dame Judy & Mr Punchinello Show!
Classic seaside mayhem with a family friendly modern twist!
Dame Judy (not that Dame Judi) has finally taken over! About time too! The show was getting far too rambunctious for it’s own good. But will Mr Punchinello agree to the new rules? It seems highly unlikely!
All the puppet show favourites are here in a topsy-turvy, parallel universe, reimagining of the seaside classic. That’s the way to do it….hopefully. Presented by Grandly Strange Puppet Theatre.

Lula Hoopa
Dynamic hula hoop circus act. Rhythmic gymnastics, dance and fun. You might even get a chance to give it a go yourself.

The Knighty Knights
Two brave and fearless knights on a quest to travel the land and bring forth joy and laughter.

The Fantastic Mr Forster
Prepare to be amazed! The Fantastic Mr Forster brings 45 minutes of wonder, laughter, and a touch of magic to audiences of all ages. Mr Forster’s dazzling tricks and fun-filled performances will have everyone talking long after the final “abracadabra”!

Victoria Sponge & Flour Power
A living, breathing and beautifully-dressed dessert, accompanied by her proud baker. The sweetest duo in town!
Presented by Chicks on Sticks.

Tooti Fruity
A “pear” of flamboyant, fruit-obsessed, banana-battling eccentrics take to the streets.
Presented by Kerfuffle Street Theatre.

The Story Cart
A travelling storyteller and his medieval cart. Choose a myth or a monster and see where the story leads. Presented by Stories Alive.

Plus a line-up of community performers from across the region, including:

Ripon City Morris
Yorkshire Voices
Slubbing Billy’s
Belebele
The Wakeman Mummers’ Musicians
Ripon Dance Academy
Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers
Lily Worth
Calle Oche
Grace Hughes
The Daytones
Skellside Folk
Flamenco de Leeds

Belebele
2025-07-05 10:30 - 11:00 | Minster Gardens, Minster Road,, Ripon, HG4 1QS, United Kingdom
Drums Agogo presents – Belebele ! This is African drumming with a Yorkshire accent! It’s funky, fun and folky – come and stomp your feet to the joyful sound of Belebele – It means “ a big personality,” and you’ll see what they mean.
FREE EVENT
Minster Gardens 10.30 – 11am
**Fancy having a go at some African drumming? Join Alison from Drums Agogo in a workshop for beginners in our Participation Zone at Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall” from 12.30-1.30pm**

Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-05 11:00 - 11:30 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
“We are The Slubbing Billy’s, a mixed Morris side dancing in the North West style. We dance in clogs , and bowler hats decorated with fresh flowers. Our large bass drum keeps us in time and our musicians play traditional folk dance tunes. In purple kit , sticks and bells we put on a colourful energetic display.”
The Slubbing Billy’s will also be dancing on Sunday in Ripon Spa Gardens and at the Little Bird Artisan Market.
FREE EVENT
10-10.30am Ripon Market Place (with Ripon City Morris & Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers)
11-11.30am Cathedral Forecourt
12.30-1pm Cathedral Forecourt (with Ripon City Morris & Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers)
2.30-3pm Cathedral Forecourt (with Ripon City Morris & Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers)
3.45-4.15pm Market Place(with Ripon City Morris & Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers)

The Wakeman Mummers' Musicians
2025-07-05 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-05 15:00 - 15:30 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
Founded in 1986 – the year of Ripon’s 1100th Charter Anniversary, The Wakeman Mummers are proud to continue the ancient tradition of “mumming”. This year we once again welcome the Mummers’ musicians, playing some of the folk music which accompanies their performances at other times of the year.
Mumming plays are a type of drama which was historically performed by local men (rather than professional actors) at specific times of the year such as Boxing Day, Easter, or Halloween. In the 18th and 19th centuries mumming plays were part of a wider number of cadging activities. They were performed on the street, in pubs, and in people’s homes, in return for money, food and drink. Modern mumming groups today often make up their own plays which can incorporate references to local and national politics and important issues such as global warming.
FREE EVENT
11.30am-12noon Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)
2-2.30pm Ripon Cathedral forecourt
3-3.30pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

Yorkshire Voices
2025-07-05 11:45 - 12:15 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
“We are a community choir who practice in nine choirs through the week in Ripon, Harrogate, Northallerton, Thirsk, York, Wetherby and Selby and come together to perform under our brilliant Choir Leader Steve Brown. Our performances are joyous! We are an eclectic group who love to sing and we have so much fun and our audiences do too. We have recently performed at The Royal Hall in Harrogate and throughout the year we try to perform at a variety of locations, such as stately homes, the cathedrals in our area, fairs and galas as well as private events and charity functions. Last year we raised over £5000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.”
FREE EVENT
11.45am-12.15pm Ripon Market Place

Ripon Youth Theatre
2025-07-05 12:00 - 12:30 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
Ripon Youth Theatre (RYT) runs on Saturday mornings and has over 50 members aged between eight and eighteen from the City and surrounding areas. Here, young people are given the chance to work on the musical theatre skills of singing, dancing and acting as well as taking part in activities such as trips to see professional shows.
FREE EVENT
12-12.30pm Cathedral Forecourt

Ripon City Morris, Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers & Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-05 12:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-05 14:30 - 15:00 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
Ripon City Morris will be joined this year all-female side, Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers and by The Slubbing Billy’s – a mixed side from West Yorkshire.
About the Ripon City Morris: “We are a North West Morris Dancing team from Ripon. We practice most Monday evenings from 7.45pm in Bishop Monkton Village Hall, which is between Ripon and Harrogate. In the summer months we dance at various pubs in the area on Monday evenings and at Festivals, weekends of dance and at many other events. We are instantly recognisable by our patriotic kit and fresh flowered hats.”
About Betty Lupton’s: A ladies morris dance team, formed in 1977 – the year of the Queen’s silver jubilee. The kit of the dancers reflects the national colours; red tights, white smocks and blue dresses with black shoes and bell pads. The team took its name from a local character from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, who was responsible for ladling out the medicinal spa waters to the visitors to the town during the 19th century. She was based at the pump room, now a museum, where you can still sample the waters and see a model of Betty Lupton.
About Slubbing Billy’s: A mixed North West Morris Team, with a reputation for colourful costumes (we call it ‘kit’) and lively, entertaining dances. The team was formed in 1986, and has a healthy age range, from enthusiatic teenagers to more experienced (mature!) members who have danced with the side since it started. Based in the Colne Valley but new members from all areas welcome. They attend events as far north as Barnard and as far south as the Cotswolds.
FREE EVENT
10-10.30am Ripon Market Place
12.30-1pm Cathedral Forecourt
2.30-3pm Cathedral Forecourt
3.45-4.15pm Market Place

African Drumming Workshop
2025-07-05 12:30 - 13:30 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
If you’ve got a heartbeat you’ve got rhythm! Learn to tap your natural human potential in this relaxed and friendly one-hour beginners’ session led by Alison Lyon from Drums Agogo.
Alison has been teaching drumming for twenty-one years, and her fun (and sometimes rather silly) style has made her classes and workshops a hit with adult students and children alike. She has studied under some of the world’s greatest masters. Her teachers include Guinean djembefolas Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate, Nansady Keita and Iya Sako, as well as Seckou Keita and the late Magatte Dieng from Senegal, Ivorian Sidiki Dembele and respected teachers of Ghanaian drumming, such as Ben Lawrence.
Drums Agogo have classes in Harrogate, Otley and York. As one of Alison’s evening class students says: “She makes the complicated seem simple!”
No previous experience necessary.
Participants must be aged 8+ & under 16s accompanied by an adult.
Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall
12.30-1.30pm
Taster sessions are Pay What You Can (PWYC) events. You can just turn up, but booking in advance is recommended and helps us plan for numbers.

Flamenco de Leeds
2025-07-05 13:00 - 13:30 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
Flamenco de Leeds was started in 2015 after looking for local Flamenco workshops and events and found they were few and far between. Since then, they are providing regular workshops, events and performers across Leeds and further afield.
The ethos of Flamenco de Leeds is very much focused on enthusiasm and ensuring everybody feels welcome to participate in any way they can. If you can clap your hands, stamp a foot, bang a stick or shout Ole you can get involved!
FREE EVENT
1-1.30pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)
*Want to give Flamenco a go? Sign up for the Flamenco Dance Taster Session – 10-11am at our Participation Zone in Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall. Led by Vanessa from Flamenco de Leeds. Perfect for beginners.*

Rock Choir
2025-07-05 13:15 - 13:45 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom

Soul Choir
2025-07-05 13:30 - 14:00 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
Choir leader, Dan Price says: “We are a community based choir with three groups based in West Yorkshire. We sing uplifting music to a good standard. We mostly sing classic soul but have also learnt some blues and gospel. The sessions are relaxed and all levels of ability and confidence are welcome. We are fun and inclusive.”
Soul Choir began in the Summer of 2018 with 5 people learning ‘I Wish I Knew How it Feels to be Free.’ Since then Soul Choir has gone from strength to strength growing to over 90 members and expanding their repertoire.
FREE EVENT
1.30-2pm Ripon Cathedral Forecourt

Skellside Folk Group
2025-07-05 13:30 - 14:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
What they say: “The ‘Skellsiders’ have played together during the day in various locations and with different group names for about 11 years. We are mostly retired and have a keen interest in some form of folk music. Some of us also play in orchestras, ceilidh bands or for local dance groups. We currently meet twice monthly at Ripon Rugby Club and welcome anyone who can already play any instrument.”
FREE EVENT
1.30-2pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

The Wakeman Mummers' Musicians
2025-07-05 14:00 - 14:30 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom

The Daytones
2025-07-05 14:00 - 14:30 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
What they say: “We are a male harmony chorus based near Boston Spa. We sing popular music, interspersed with some banter. We very much like audience participation, and our repertoire reflects this, with songs such as YMCA, Sweet Caroline and Amarillo. We have performed at Choir Festivals in York and Harrogate. We are men of a certain age, and don’t take ourselves too seriously – fun for us and the audience is our aim.”
FREE EVENT
2-2.30pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

Lily Worth
2025-07-05 14:30 - 15:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
Lily is a well-known local singer and performer. She is also a regular director and committee member of the Ripon Charity Pantomime Group. On 5th July she may well be joined by other pantomime performers – come along to see who might be popping up!
What Lily says: “I have an absolute love and passion for singing and performing. I hope I can encourage others to sing and smile and also do things that they love”.
FREE EVENT
2.30-3pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

Grace Hughes
2025-07-05 15:30 - 16:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
Grace says: “I am a violinist who can play a variety of genres. I regularly play in orchestras, but I also play my electric violin in rock bands and I also love to play folk and pop. In September, I am going to study violin at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. “.
FREE EVENT
3.30-4pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

Ripon City Morris, Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers & Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-05 15:45 - 16:15 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom

Calle Oche
2025-07-05 16:00 - 16:30 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
What they say: “The group is called Calle Oche as this is a place in Brazil and we perform music that is from Latin America or influenced by this style of music. The group consists of two guitars, a bass guitar, a ukulele, percussion, mandolin, violin and clarinet. Two of our performers also sing. We are currently a u3a group. Our repertoire includes Fly Me to the Moon and Sway – well known songs with a Latin feel. We also play other Latin American music that is perhaps less well known but just as catchy such as Havana and Lambarda. The most well known is probably La Bamba.”
FREE EVENT
4-4.30pm Kirkgate (outside Davis & Lund Estate Agents)

Kirkgate Street Party
2025-07-05 16:00 - 20:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
The fun continues on Kirkgate with buskers, bands and more. Enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants, or have drink before taking in more theatre.
FREE EVENT – just turn up!
4 – 8pm Kirkgate

Short and Sweet Yorkshire Showcase
2025-07-05 17:00 - 18:20 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Get ready for an electrifying showcase of Yorkshire’s finest up-and-coming talent as the Short and Sweet Yorkshire Festival Finalists take to the stage at Ripon Festival 2025! This special event celebrates the very best in local new writing, with a diverse line up spanning theatre, spoken word, and music.
Short and Sweet Yorkshire is an annual festival of 10 minute new writing with previous finalists showcased here for you. Expect a thrilling mix of 10 minute genres and styles, from thought-provoking drama to laugh-out-loud comedy, and from heartfelt storytelling to bold, boundary-pushing performances.
Featuring homegrown talent from across Yorkshire, this is a chance to see fresh, original work from the region’s most exciting emerging artists.
Don’t miss the new wave of creative voices bringing their passion and talent to Ripon Festival, 10 minutes at a time!
Age guide 16+
Ticket Price: £7

Almost Austen
2025-07-05 20:00 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Catherine is a modern girl in love with Jane Austen’s world. She can’t believe her luck when she meets her very own Mr Tilney.
Through passages from Northanger Abbey, songs from musicals and operatic classics, singer Louise Geller relates Catherine’s romantic ups and downs as real life and fantasy collide.
Following a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday festival-style. ‘A must for any Janeite’
Age guide 12+
Saturday 5 July, 8pm.
Tickets £14

Ripon Trinity Singers
2025-07-06 10:30 - 11:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Ripon Trinity Singers is a local community chamber choir rehearsing at St. Wilfrid’s Community Hall every Thursday evening during term time. We sing a wide range of a cappella repertoire from medieval to contemporary in many different genres: classical, folk, world music, pop….. and are happy to sing at any community event. Please contact Nicky Brierley-Woods for more information: nicky_woods@btinternet.com
FREE EVENT
10.30-11am Ripon Spa Gardens
Also
12-12.30pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Market Artisan Market)

Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
“We are The Slubbing Billy’s, a mixed Morris side dancing in the North West style. We dance in clogs , and bowler hats decorated with fresh flowers. Our large bass drum keeps us in time and our musicians play traditional folk dance tunes. In purple kit , sticks and bells we put on a colourful energetic display.”
The Slubbing Billy’s will also be dancing on Saturday on the Cathedral Forecourt and in Ripon Market Place.
FREE EVENT
11-11.30am Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)
2.45-3.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Cricket on the Hearth
2025-07-06 11:30 - 12:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Cricket on the Hearth is an Appalachian step dancing team that meets in St. John’s Church Hall, Harrogate, HG1 3DT, on Sundays at 6.30pm to 8pm. We are a mixed side and dance mostly to American old time music played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin. New members – dancers and musicians – are welcome. If interested, please contact Stella by email, sfzealand@hotmail.co.uk
FREE EVENT
11.30-12noon Ripon Spa Gardens

Ripon Trinity Singers
2025-07-06 12:00 - 12:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Ripon Trinity Singers is a local community chamber choir rehearsing at St. Wilfrid’s Community Hall every Thursday evening during term time. We sing a wide range of a cappella repertoire from medieval to contemporary in many different genres: classical, folk, world music, pop….. and are happy to sing at any community event.
Please contact Nicky Brierley-Woods for more information: nicky_woods@btinternet.com
FREE EVENT
10.30-11am Ripon Spa Gardens
12-12.30pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)

Dishforth Military Wives Choir
2025-07-06 13:00 - 13:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
The Military Wives Choirs is a registered charity and network of 75 choirs in British military bases across the UK and overseas, bringing women in the military community closer together through singing. We share a love of singing and have a communal understanding that comes from our members’ shared experiences of the Armed Forces.
FREE EVENT
1-1.30pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Market Artisan Market)

Ripon Walled Garden Performers
2025-07-06 13:30 - 14:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
We can’t wait to welcome these performers back to the festival. Here’s what they told us about their group:
“At Ripon Walled garden, members attend the day service and take part in different activities such as dance, drama and singing with Makaton signs. Through singing, they learn Makaton sign language which improves communication. Dance and drama promote a sense of well-being and confidence. All our members are now well-rehearsed and have performed many times, both at the garden and at community events. Our theatre performers will be bringing you a selection of numbers from recent performances.”
FREE EVENT
1.30-2pm Ripon Spa Gardens
