Ripon Theatre Festival is thrilled to welcome a record-breaking number of community performers to this year’s festival weekend, taking place on 5–6 July 2025. This year’s line-up is bigger, more diverse, and more vibrant than ever before – with 24 groups, some featuring over 50 performers, bringing an eclectic mix of music, dance, theatre, and community spirit to the open spaces of Ripon.
Groups are travelling from far and wide – from West Yorkshire, Leeds, Boston Spa, and Harrogate – to perform alongside local Ripon talent and professional acts from across the country.
A Celebration of Global Dance
The weekend will feature a rich showcase of dance styles from around the world, including:
- Appalachian Dance from Cricket on the Hearth
- Ripon Goes to Bollywood
- Flamenco de Leeds
- Plus, four different Morris Dance sides will bring traditional energy and colour to the city streets throughout the weekend.
Flamenco de Leeds
Returning Favourites and Exciting Debuts
Popular choirs and theatre groups returning to RTF include:
- Rock Choir
- Yorkshire Voices
- Ripon Trinity Singers
- Open the Book
- Ripon Walled Garden Performers
We’re also excited to welcome new choirs to the festival for the first time:
- Soul Choir from Holmfirth, bringing rich soul, blues, and gospel sounds
- The Daytones, a male voice close harmony group
- The ever-popular Dishforth Military Wives Choir
Music Without Borders
Festival-goers can enjoy a musical journey with:
- African drumming from Harrogate’s Belebele
- South American rhythms with Calle Oche
- Traditional folk music from Skellside Folk Group and The Wakeman Mummers
- Solo performances from talented local artists Lily Worth (vocals) and Grace Hughes (violin)
An Evening on Kirkgate & Some Pop-Up Poetry
Community music-making continues into the evening at the Kirkgate Street Party, creating a lively and inclusive festival vibe in the heart of Ripon. Meanwhile, local poets will be sharing their work in two pop-up venues during Saturday daytime – The Portly Pig bar and The Little Ripon Bookshop.
Spotlight on Young Talent
Young people are taking centre stage too, with performances from:
- Ripon Dance Academy, presenting a variety of dance styles
- Ripon Youth Theatre, showcasing local talent in musical theatre
Don’t miss a moment of the action!
Explore the full list of RTF 2025 Community Performers and find out where to see them over the weekend at:
👉 ripontheatrefestival.org/events/tag/community