Over 6,200 tickets were sold for 50 music, arts and walking events across 18 venues, from Handel’s Messiah filling the heights of Ripon Cathedral, to brass, strings, woodwind, piano, percussion and vocals resounding in the chapels and churches of the Dales, to a folk fest in a cowshed.

Swaledale Festival kicks off this month, with fifty events rippling across the Dales from 28 May to 11 June to mark the Festival’s special 50th anniversary. 

This year’s Swaledale Festival features 50 music, arts and walking events in celebration of its 50th anniversary. With seven weeks to go until the fields dance with buttercups and the merriment begins, you may be wondering where to start, so here are some gems that are sure to entertain and inspire.



We are delighted to announce the line-up for 2022! The Festival, which will run from 28 May to 11 June, will consist of 50 music, arts and walking events to mark the Festival’s 50th anniversary. 

It is with deep sadness that we have to report the death of multi-instrumentalist and Festival favourite Clare Salaman after a long illness.