Ripon Theatre Festival

A Midsummer Night's Dream
2025-07-06 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | The Old Deanery, Minster Road,, Ripon, HG4 1QS, United Kingdom
It’s Midsummer’s eve and deep in an enchanted forest mischief is stirring. The Fairy King and Queen are feuding, four runaway lovers are tying themselves in knots, and a troupe of quite appalling actors are preparing a theatrical extravaganza destined to impress. With shapeshifting trouble-maker Puck at the helm, the course of true love never did run smooth.
One of the UK’s leading open-air touring companies, Three Inch Fools, bring their fresh and lively style of music, history, and hilarity to Shakespeare’s most iconic comedy.
Staged in the gardens of Ripon’s most exclusive venue, The Old Deanery – this finale event is a guaranteed highlight of the 2025 festival.
Suitable for ages 7+
Gates open 6.15pm
Please bring your own rug or folding chairs (but no umbrellas!).
Picnics welcome but please respect our hosts by purchasing all drinks at the bar.
Dogs are NOT allowed at the performance.
Performance continues regardless of weather.
Running time approx 120 mins including 20 minute interval
Sunday 6 July, 7pm
Tickets: £20

Bee Cart
2025-07-06 15:15 - 16:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Bee guides Bombus and Borage have left the hive with the Bee Cart – their mobile world of interaction, bee wisdom and surreal fun. Delve into the world of bees, learn the pollen packing dance, the waggle dance, try out their buzz pollinator, and maybe even get your nose pollinated! Presented by Pif Paf.
FREE EVENT
10.15am Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)
12.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens
3.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens

The Puppet Petting Farm
2025-07-06 14:45 - 15:15, 2025-07-06 12:15 - 12:45 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Come join us down on the farm for this brand-new puppet show from HandMade Theatre. Featuring a wonderful collection of loveable animals from the cheeky goat to the giant highland cow. Playfully interact with these wonderful puppets and enjoy original music and songs.
The puppets are handcrafted from recycled materials and come to life in this fun filled show suitable for the whole family.

FREE EVENT
10.30-11am Ripon Spa Gardens
12.15-12.45pm Ripon Spa Gardens
2.45-3.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-06 14:45 - 15:15 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, 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

Ripon Dance Academy
2025-07-06 14:30 - 15:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Ripon Dance Academy offers high quality dance training in Ballet, Modern Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Acro. Classes are offered from pre school to 18 and pupils have the opportunity to take part in IDTA examinations, full school shows and dance festivals.
RDA will also be performing on Sunday at Ripon Spa Gardens from 10-10.30am and on Saturday at Minster Gardens from 1.15-1.45pm
FREE EVENT
2.30-3pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)

The Pied Piper
2025-07-06 14:15 - 14:45, 2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Notice this Notice are proud to present their brand new adaptation of Pied Piper of Hamelin! Based on Robert Browning’s much loved poem, the mischievous Piper outwits the greedy townsfolk and their plague of pesky rats.
Expect a RAT-ical performance with music, witty wordplay, and plenty of audience participation as we bring this classic tale to Ripon. Grab your walking shoes and prepare for a laugh-out-loud theatrical treat!
FREE EVENT
11-11.30am Ripon Spa Gardens
12.30-1pm Ripon Market Place
2.15-2.45 Ripon Spa Gardens

Punch and Judy
2025-07-06 14:15 - 14:35, 2025-07-06 13:15 - 13:35, 2025-07-06 12:15 - 12:35, 2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:20 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Beautiful, hand-carved wooden puppets come to life in a fast-moving and funny show that has lots of good old-fashioned knock-about fun, with loads of audience participation.
Each show lasts 20 minutes
FREE EVENT
Ripon Spa Gardens
11.00am
12.15pm
1.15pm
2.15pm

Medusa
2025-07-06 14:00 - 14:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Medusa Gothic Morris are a small Knaresborough-based dance team bringing elegance and Gothic mystery to the art of Morris dancing, with black kit and purple hankies, and tunes in a minor key. They would welcome new dancers (no experience necessary) and musicians. To join us, contact Sally on 01423 868753 or email spolem@hotmail.com
FREE EVENT
2-2.30pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)

Circus Skills with Tit for Tat
2025-07-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Ripon Theatre Festival 2024
Have a go with juggling balls and clubs, poi and ribbon twirling, staff spinning, Chinese yoyo, diabolo, balancing props and handstand tuition. Take time out from seeing shows to have some fun with the experts.
Tit for Tat are an eccentric Circus Theatre company that believes in celebrating the ordinary. They create high-octane entertainment for public spaces, arts events and theatres. Catch them on Saturday too in the Market Place with their acrobatic fire-juggling show – Books!
Ripon Spa Gardens
11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm
FREE drop-in session

Breadcrumbs
2025-07-06 13:30 - 14:15, 2025-07-06 11:30 - 12:15 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Hansel and Gretel are siblings that just can’t seem to get along. They argue about everything: Who’s the loudest, who’s the fastest, who’s the smartest, who’s Mum’s favourite, and who gets the most Christmas presents?!
So when they wake up lost and confused in the heart of the enchanted forest one day, it’s no surprise they even disagree about how they came to be there! But with only a trail of breadcrumbs to guide them home, they’ll have to put aside their differences once and for all to solve the mystery of how they got there and make it home in time for tea!
This family show packed full of music, magic and puppetry from Wrongsemble celebrates how even the simplest story can become the wildest fairytale in the hands of the right storyteller!
Age guide 3+
FREE EVENT
11.30am -12.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens
1.30-2.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens

A Knight Away
2025-07-06 13:30 - 14:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Follow Sir Kuss and his loyal (if somewhat grumbling) squire on their well deserved time off!
After many a quest, its finally time for a rather well-earned holiday. It was very kind of The Knightly Order to send him on this permanent vacation. As a paragon of Justice – Sir Kuss feels this is nothing more than a very well deserved reward for his lifelong heroics!
Of course, if you were to ask his ever-loyal and forever-burdened squire, you might hear suggestions that The Knightly Order were actually quite keen to ‘relocate’ him. Bored of his endless stories and nostalgic re-enactments, and shaking their heads at his somewhat ‘dated’ ideals and understanding of chivalry. It was felt that a bit of a ‘rework’ of the order was… well, in order.
With plate mail, swim shorts, holiday games, sights to see, and axes to juggle – this bumbling entourage of knightly stupidity are absolutely delighted to meet you!
Presented by Tit for Tat Circus Theatre.
FREE EVENT
11.15-11.45am Ripon Spa Gardens
1.30-2pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird 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

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)

Open the Book - The Story of Joseph
2025-07-06 13:00 - 13:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
The story of Joseph (and his famous technicolour dream-coat) in around 20 minutes. Performed by Open the Book.
Open the Book say: “We are a group of Christians from a number of churches in Ripon who go into schools to act out Bible Stories. If you ask a Primary aged school child from Ripon they will know about us! We aim to make these stories accessible to young people and adults alike, with opportunities for audience participation! We’d love to hear from people who would like to get involved. Contact John 01765 690930 or office@holytrinityripon.org.uk ”
FREE EVENT
1 – 1.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Bee Cart
2025-07-06 12:30 - 13:15 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Bee guides Bombus and Borage have left the hive with the Bee Cart – their mobile world of interaction, bee wisdom and surreal fun. Delve into the world of bees, learn the pollen packing dance, the waggle dance, try out their buzz pollinator, and maybe even get your nose pollinated! Presented by Pif Paf.
FREE EVENT
10.15 Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)
12.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens
3.15 Ripon Spa Gardens

The Pied Piper
2025-07-06 12:30 - 13:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom

Ripon Dance Academy
2025-07-06 12:00 - 12:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Ripon Dance Academy offers high quality dance training in Ballet, Modern Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Acro. Classes are offered from pre school to 18 and pupils have the opportunity to take part in IDTA examinations, full school shows and dance festivals.
RDA will also be performing on Sunday at the Little Bird Artisan Market from 2.30-3pm and on Saturday at Minster Gardens from 1.15-1.45pm
FREE EVENT
12-12.30pm 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)

Head in the Clouds
2025-07-06 11:45 - 12:15 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
A serene and beautiful walkabout act of three wandering women with their head in the clouds…. Feeling foggy?… In limbo?….When things get a little stormy, remember that after the rain comes a rainbow…these airheads will leave you feeling on cloud 9!
Curiously quirky walkabout act brought to you by Kitsch n Sync Collective.
FREE EVENT
10-10.30am Ripon Spa Gardens
11.45am– 12.15pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)

Ripon Goes to Bollywood
2025-07-06 11:30 - 12:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Ripon goes to Bollywood is an inclusive dance group led by Sarita McDermott. The group started dancing together after the last lockdown and meet weekly. They perform at events and festivals in Ripon throughout the year.
This style of dancing is Indian Kathak dancing. It expresses emotions through story telling, and connects the body to the mind. Great for exercise and wellbeing. The group is very excited to perform in the festival.
FREE EVENT
11.30am-12noon Little Bird Market

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

A Knight Away
2025-07-06 11:15 - 11:45 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Follow Sir Kuss and his loyal (if somewhat grumbling) squire on their well deserved time off!
After many a quest, its finally time for a rather well-earned holiday. It was very kind of The Knightly Order to send him on this permanent vacation. As a paragon of Justice – Sir Kuss feels this is nothing more than a very well deserved reward for his lifelong heroics!
Of course, if you were to ask his ever-loyal and forever-burdened squire, you might hear suggestions that The Knightly Order were actually quite keen to ‘relocate’ him. Bored of his endless stories and nostalgic re-enactments, and shaking their heads at his somewhat ‘dated’ ideals and understanding of chivalry. It was felt that a bit of a ‘rework’ of the order was… well, in order.
With plate mail, swim shorts, holiday games, sights to see, and axes to juggle – this bumbling entourage of knightly stupidity are absolutely delighted to meet you!
Presented by Tit for Tat Circus Theatre
FREE EVENT
11.15-11.45am Ripon Spa Gardens
1.30-2.00pm Ripon Market Place (Little Bird Artisan Market)

Circus Skills with Tit for Tat
2025-07-06 11:00 - 12:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Have a go with juggling balls and clubs, poi and ribbon twirling, staff spinning, Chinese yoyo, diabolo, balancing props and handstand tuition. Take time out from seeing shows to have some fun with the experts.
Tit for Tat are an eccentric Circus Theatre company that believes in celebrating the ordinary. They create high-octane entertainment for public spaces, arts events and theatres. Catch them on Saturday too in the Market Place with their acrobatic fire-juggling show – Books!
Ripon Spa Gardens
11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm
FREE drop-in session

Slubbing Billy's
2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
