Ripon Theatre Festival

Punch and Judy
2025-07-06 13:15 - 13:35, 2025-07-06 12:15 - 12:35, 2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:20 UTC | 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

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
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

The Puppet Petting Farm
2025-07-06 12:15 - 12:45, 2025-07-06 10:30 - 11:00 | 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

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)

Breadcrumbs
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

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

The Pied Piper
2025-07-06 11:00 - 11:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom

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

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)

Bee Cart
2025-07-06 10:15 - 11:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, 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
3.15pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Sunday Family Day
2025-07-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Once again our Family Day takes place across Ripon Spa Gardens and at the Little Bird Artisan Market on the Market Place.
Open-air theatre, walkabout acts, circus skills workshops and Punch and Judy plus music, stories and dance from community groups. Bring a picnic to the park and stay all day!
Join us for a full day of fun, starting at 10am
All events are FREE.

Head in the Clouds
2024 favourites Kitsch n Sync (The Tea Cosies & Hedge Heads) return with a serene and beautiful walkabout act. These airheads will leave you feeling on Cloud 9!

The Pied Piper
Theatre on the move, based on Robert Browning’s much-loved poem. The mischievous Piper outwits the greedy townsfolk and their plague of pesky rats. Follow the performers around the park with music, witty wordplay, and plenty of audience participation. Performed by Notice this Notice Theatre Company

Breadcrumbs
Hansel and Gretel are siblings that argue about everything. When they wake up lost and confused in the heart of the enchanted forest one night, 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! Music, magic and puppetry from Wrongsemble.

Punch and Judy
Traditional show with beautiful hand carved wooden puppets. Fast-moving and funny. Presented by Jolly Good Productions.

Circus Skills Drop-in
Have a go with juggling balls & clubs, poi and ribbon twirling, staff spinning, Chinese yoyo/diabolo, balancing props and handstand tuition. Take some time out from seeing shows to have some fun with the experts.

The Puppet Petting Farm
Come down on the farm with HandMade Theatre. Featuring a wonderful collection of loveable animal puppets from the cheeky goat to the giant highland cow. Original music, songs and plenty of interaction.

Bee Cart
Join Bombus and Borage on a journey of discovery into the weird and wonderful world of bees and all things nature.

A Knight Away
A bumbling entourage of knightly stupidity. Sir Kuss feels he deserves a well-earned mini-break. His ever-loyal, but overburdened squire is not so sure.

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

Ripon Dance Academy
Ripon Trinity Singers
Cricket on the Hearth
Open The Book
Ripon Walled Garden Performers
Slubbing Billy’s

Sunday Street Entertainment at Little Bird Artisan Market
2025-07-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Once again our Family Day takes place across Ripon Spa Gardens and at the Little Bird Artisan Market on the Market Place.
A fantastic range of professional acts and community performances whilst you browse the stalls or pull up a deck chair and take the weight off for a while.
All events are FREE.

Head in the Clouds
2024 favourites Kitsch n Sync (The Tea Cosies & Hedge Heads) return with a serene and beautiful walkabout act. These airheads will leave you feeling on Cloud 9!

The Pied Piper
Theatre on the move, based on Robert Browning’s much-loved poem. The mischievous Piper outwits the greedy townsfolk and their plague of pesky rats. Follow the performers around the park with music, witty wordplay, and plenty of audience participation. Performed by Notice this Notice Theatre Company

A Knight Away
A bumbling entourage of knightly stupidity. Sir Kuss feels he deserves a well-earned mini-break. His ever-loyal, but overburdened squire is not so sure.

Pop-up Giant Puppet
See the results of the Puppet Workshop held earlier in the day

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

Slubbing Billy’s
Ripon Goes to Bollywood
Trinity Singers
Dishforth Military Wives Choir
Medusa
Ripon Dance Academy

Ripon Dance Academy
2025-07-06 10:00 - 10:30 | 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
10-10.30am Ripon Spa Gardens

Head in the Clouds
2025-07-06 10:00 - 10:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom

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

The Wind in the Willows
2025-07-05 17:30 | Ripon Races
Mole yearns to explore the wide world. Gruff old Badger enjoys peace and quiet. And Rat likes picnics and just messing about in boats. Their idyllic lives on the Riverbank are turned upside down when Toad, bewitched by the roar of an engine and the screech of burning tyres, pursues his latest in a long line of extravagant obsessions: a fast, red motor-car. Multiple award-winning Illyria celebrates Kenneth Grahame’s timeless tale of friendship, laughter, the longing for home and the lure of adventure. Enjoy it all summer across the UK where the story is set: in the great British outdoors.
By Kenneth Grahame. Adapted by Oliver Grey. Presented by Illyria.
Running time: 100-minutes (approximately), including a 20-minute interval.
Suitable for: Ages 5+ (younger children also welcome)Sponsored by Elstob Auctioneers
Please bring your own rug or folding chairs (but no umbrellas!), picnics welcome.
Dogs are NOT allowed at the performance.
Performance continues regardless of weather.
Saturday 5 July, 5.30pm
Tickets £11.00 – £17.00

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

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

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)
