Tickets for Swaledale Festival 2025 go on sale on Monday 10 March. This year’s Festival runs from Saturday 24 May to Saturday 7 June, with 60+ music, arts and walking events to inspire, transport and exhilarate in the spectacular northern Yorkshire Dales.
A series of special concerts will celebrate the genius of Maurice Ravel 150 years after his birth. His shimmering colours feature in performances by renowned North East chamber orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia with superstar trumpet soloist Matilda Lloyd, legendary French pianist Pascal Rogé, and in chamber music by the award-winning Carducci String Quartet.
World-class artists come to Dales stages, including the giant of Indian classical music Amjad Ali Khan, celebrated Cuban guitarist Eduardo Martín, harpist Lise Vandersmissen, jazz violin virtuoso Emma Fisk, and extraordinary turntablist Shiva Feshareki.
English supergroup Granny’s Attic and the silken-voiced Martha Tilston bring foot-tapping folk.
Radio 4 favourite Mark Steel presents his hilarious new comedy show The Leopard in my House.
A record ten Young Artist Platform concerts will shine a light on rising stars, including accordionist Ryan Corbett, prize-winning cellist Joshua Lynch, pianist Xiaowen Shang, woodwind group Trio Volant and trumpet and tuba players Stan and Nona Lawrence. “We are overjoyed that an established classical music festival puts faith in young artists like us,” Stan Lawrence said. “On a personal note, my family lived in Muker, Swaledale, for many generations. It's great to be able to reconnect with my heritage, and very inspiring to be playing music in such a beautiful part of the world.”
There’s theatre, film, and puppetry – as well as the annual Reeth Lecture, this year given by Professor Sir John Lawton, the expert on nature recovery and President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Prof. Sir Lawton said, “I want to take the opportunity to share my vision for how the Yorkshire Dales National Park can play a crucial role in delivering more, bigger, better-managed and joined up sites for the benefit of wildlife and the people who live, work in, or visit the Dales. I’m looking forward to this unique chance to meet and talk to farmers, landowners and visitors alike.”
The 2025 Festival offers a wealth of opportunities to participate and create, from a traditional Dales dance workshop and landscape photography to painting and a community singing day on Fauré’s popular Requiem led by dynamic young conductor Sarah Latto. Professional forager Jim Parums returns to run two wild food workshops in Hudswell Woods, and twelve expert guided walks will explore our stunning Dales landscape.
As always, local musicians play a huge part. Festival-goers will be treated to the evocative sounds of Leyburn, Muker and Reeth brass bands, and performances from local choirs Swale Singers and Jervaulx Singers. And in the Festival’s first international exchange, Bammental School Symphony Orchestra from southern Germany will perform a joint concert with local pupils from Richmond School Orchestra, fostering international connections and sharing artistry.
Ongoing collaborations with schools and care homes will see a selection of world-class musicians performing free of charge for residents and pupils, enabling them to experience the thrill of live music.
The Festival takes place across Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale in a vast range of locations, from tiny chapels and historic churches to characterful village halls and sublime outdoor spaces.
The Festival’s newly appointed Artistic Director, Fraser Wilson, said, “Artists and audiences come here from around the world because it’s a unique place to share music. Arriving at the events is part of the experience, as your journey takes you through the beautiful and inspiring National Park. The concert might take place in a tiny tucked-away chapel or a cosy village hall, so it feels quite intimate and not like going to a massive venue. You can have a drink in the local pub, and maybe the performers will be there too. It’s a special musical gathering – but one which spreads across a wide area.
“The quality and variety from which you can choose is also pretty special; we include all kinds of music, a guided walk nearly every day, and some fascinating hands-on sessions involving Swedish basketry, dancing, and painting. Come for a while and see what takes your fancy. It is unlike any other festival I can think of. And I have the excitement of it being my first Festival too!”
Tickets for all concerts are available to under 25s for just £3.
Picture: Jervaulx Singers © Rhian Hughes