Everyone is hoping for more sunny weather as we head into summer and if you are looking for activities and events to do, then look no further than the list below.

There is something for everyone, covering every part of North Yorkshire and plenty of ideas if the temperature takes an unexpected tumble.

We cannot include every event here, so be sure to keep a look-out for local events where you live.

If you are organising an event, big or small, in North Yorkshire, please tell us and we will do our best to include it in a future issue. Just email yny@northyorks.gov.uk.

Until Saturday 6 September

Easingwold Summer of Music 2025 takes place in Easingwold Market Place throughout July. Among those appearing are the Taiko Kaminari Drummers, Dan Webster and Emily Lawler, The Mojos and Nicola Mills. Performances are free and generally run from 1pm to 3pm.

Until Friday 11 July

The Harrogate International Music Festival is a vibrant celebration of world-class musicianship in the heart of North Yorkshire.

Established in 1966, the festival has a history of daring, innovative programming, with classical and chamber music remaining at its heart.

The summer season also features Luke Jerram’s spectacular Gaia installation, an awe-inspiring illuminated replica of Earth as seen from the blackness of space, which will be located at St Wilfrid’s Church. A series of music performances will take place underneath as part of the Gigs at Gaia series.

For more information, visit the Harrogate International Festivals website.

Until Wednesday 24 September

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced that children aged four to 15 can go free on all standard services up until Wednesday 24 September.

In addition, visitors can get up to 30% off advanced bookings placed 14 days or more in advance.

For more details, visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.

Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 July

Ripon will come alive with a six-day celebration of theatre, storytelling and spectacular performance as the Ripon Theatre Festival returns.

There will be events popping up in streets, gardens, museums and unexpected places across this historic city.

Whether you are after laugh-out-loud comedy, moving drama, dazzling dance or magical puppetry, there is something for all ages and interests - and many events are completely free.

The week builds to a finale with a weekend packed with street theatre and open-air performances.

For tickets, programme details and more information, visit the Ripon Theatre Festival website or look for them on Ripon Theatre Festival Facebook site or Ripon Theatre Festival Instagram site.  

Thirsk ladies cycle group is aiming to build confidence in cycling while also providing opportunities for social riding for those with a range of abilities.

The group’s members meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 10am and aim to return by 2pm. Meet by the cycle track next to Thirsk Leisure Centre, YO7 1LU.

For more details, visit the Cycling UK website.

Thursday 3 July

Acclaimed writer Mary-Jane Holmes will be holding a four-hour poetry walk and creative writing workshop in Ripon.

It will be an opportunity to explore landscapes, reflecting on how important the environment is. The workshop combines walking, poetry and writing exercises.

It is open to writers of all genres or those curious about the creative writing process and will run from 11am to 3pm and costs £20.

Visit the Ripon Theatre Festival website for more details.

Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 July

Vans in the Valley features three nights of camping and two evenings of entertainment in a beautiful valley in Reeth, in the Yorkshire Dales.

All makes and models of vans, along with tents, are welcome no matter the budget or build for the fifth event.

People attending will be able to enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday night, with a bar, catering, trade stands and stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales.

For more details and ticket information, visit the Vans in the Valley website.

Thursday 3 to Saturday 26 July

A new production of Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, can be seen at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre.

The show is a co-production between the Stephen Joseph Theatre, the Octagon Bolton, Hull Truck Theatre and Theatre by the Lake, in association with Theatr Clywd.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at the Stephen Joseph Theatre website.

Friday 4 July

Northallerton Methodist Church choir and friends present A Tapestry of Music at Northallerton Methodist Church, 73 High Street, DL7 8EG.

A free summer celebration of musical melodies, donations can be made for Wendy’s Wish charity and Northallerton’s Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan centre. The event starts at 7.30pm.

Skipton Comedy Live features Colin Manford, Kate McCabe, Gavin Webster and Darius Davies.

Tickets are £11 and the show is suitable only for those aged over 18.

The show starts at 8pm and for ticket information and more details, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July

Ingleton 1940s Weekend is a free event that allows visitors to step back in time for a weekend full of nostalgic entertainment.

Enjoy the music and fashions of the era, learn the history of the Second World War and take part in an act of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

For more information, visit the Ingleton 1940s Weekend website.

Saturday 5 July

Duncombe Park, Helmsley, is the setting for a steam and vintage rally.

Steam engines, tractors, cars, vintage lorries, crafts, fun fair are among the attractions on offer between 9.30am and 11pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

Tickets are £12 with advance, concession and family tickets available.

For more details call 07989 810104, email gytecwebmaster@gmail.com or visit the Duncombe Park Steam and Vintage Rally website.

Join Skipton Choral Society and Bradford Concert Band for their summer concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The event will feature music from stage and screen and a Last Night of the Proms finale.

Tickets are priced at £15 with under-18s gaining free admission and the concert starts at 7.30pm. For more information, visit the Skipton Choral Society website.

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July

Middleham Castle is hosting a weekend dedicated to King Richard III.

Visitors will be treated to a weekend of immersive history as the York City Levy brings the late 15th century to life in a living history encampment to showcase the sights, sounds and stories of the era that shaped King Richard III.

The castle can be found at Castle Hill, Middleham, DL8 4QG.

More details are available on the English Heritage website.

Saturday 5 July to Sunday 3 August

Scarborough Art is a mix of exhibitions, open studios and workshops taking places across Scarborough and the surrounding area.

Part of The Scarborough Fair series of festivals, Scarborough Art provides a platform for 70 mostly local, visual artists of all disciplines.

Visitors will be able to view, learn about and buy work directly from the artists who have created it in galleries, outdoor locations, artists’ studios and their homes.

For more information, visit The Scarborough Fair website.

Saturday 5 to Monday 7 July

Experience a weekend immersed in the heart and soul of music with the Whitby Soul Weekender at Whitby Pavilion.

The event will feature renowned DJs and live performances, offering a non-stop party atmosphere.

Tickets start from £5 and for more information, visit the Whitby Pavilion website.

Sunday 6 July

Northallerton Food Market takes place between 11am and 4pm on the High Street.

Hosted by Northallerton BID, there will be live music, food and drink available.

Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 July

The 166th Great Yorkshire Show will take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.

Visitors can expect to see the best animals in the country competing, alongside national breed shows, machinery, food and first-class entertainment to celebrate the very best of farming, food and the countryside. Free shuttle buses are operated by The Harrogate Bus Company every day. The buses run every 10 minutes from Harrogate Bus Station to the Showground’s White Gate, starting at 7.30am. The last bus departs the Showground at 7pm. The event raises funds for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and for more information, visit the Great Yorkshire Show website.

Wednesday 9 July to Monday 4 August

A big wheel is coming to Whitby, with visitors able to take a ride from 11am to 7pm daily.

Soaring high above the cliffside, the wheel will offer breathtaking panoramic views of Whitby’s dramatic coastline, bustling harbour and historic landmarks.

Located on the green behind the famous Whalebone Arch on West Cliff, rides cost £5 for those under 1.4 metres in height and £7 for those over 1.4 metres.

There will be no advanced booking, so just turn up. The wheel will not operate in bad weather and may close at short notice.

Tuesday 10 July

Berwins Salon North returns to The Crown Hotel in Harrogate, when three special guests explore what it means to live on and love the Earth.

These cabaret-style nights out, sponsored by Berwins Solicitors, bring together three experts to explore the most stimulating ideas in art, science and psychology.

Hosted by the former Calendar presenter Gaynor Barnes, the event will see science journalist Joshua Howgego, joined by author, public speaker and environmentalist Isabel Losada and writer and journalist Tom Phillips, known for his witty popular history books.

Together they will discuss everything from positive solutions to the climate crisis, to our strange obsession with the apocalypse, as they explore what happens when we zoom out and look at our world from the outside in.

Tickets are available from the Harrogate International Festivals website or by calling the box office on 01423 562303.

Friday 11 July

Marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Skipton Town Hall’s ‘Designed for War’ exhibition explores the power of design in shaping public perception and fuelling the Second World War effort.

Highlighting a wide selection of posters donated to Craven Museum by W.W Holgate which were collected during the war itself alongside objects from the museum’s collection, it connects national narratives to the local histories of Craven and beyond.

A curator will delve further into the history of graphic design and government messaging in a time of national importance.

Sessions will last for about 30 minutes. Booking is required as the gallery will be closed to the general public when the event takes place.

For more information, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

Saturday 12 to Monday 14 July

Scarborough Extreme is a showcase of activities that forms part of The Scarborough Fair series of summer festivals.

Visitors can unleash their inner adventurer and discover a wide range of exciting activities at various locations across Scarborough and the surrounding area.

Whether you are a thrill-seeker, adrenaline junkie, or just someone looking to step out of your comfort zone, Scarborough Extreme has something for everyone and features surfing, skateboarding, cycling, music, workshops and much more.

For more details, visit The Scarborough Fair website.

Saturday 12 July to Sunday 7 September

Settle Flowerpot Festival takes place around the town.

The festival is free and visitors will be able to explore the town's nooks and crannies searching for the creations made from flowerpots. Flowerpot trail and quiz leaflets can be bought to record finds.

For more information, visit the Settle Flowerpot Festival website.

Sunday 13 July

The Richmond Chamber Orchestra play in Wensleydale for the first time, bringing a varied programme with something for every taste.

Appearing at St Andrew’s Church in Aysgarth at 3pm, the orchestra will perform pieces by Elgar, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Janacek and Percy Grainger.

Director and solo violinist Philippa Mo recently appeared in The Lost Music of Auschwitz on Sky Arts and has also recorded a new album of Bach’s music for solo violin.

Tickets are £15 and £7.50 for under-18s. They can be obtained from the Ticketsource website, by phone on 0333 666 3366 or at the door. More information is available on the Richmond Chamber Orchestra website.

Northallerton Carnival takes place at Applegarth Car Park and Playing Fields in the town.

There will be food, music and rides from 11am to 3pm.

Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 July

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival takes place at The Old Swan hotel in Harrogate and features bestselling authors to emerging voices.

The special guests this year include Attica Locke, Mark Billingham, Irvine Welsh, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Mick Herron and Will Smith. They will be joined by Lee Child, Andrew Child, Kate Atkinson, Val McDermid and Steph McGovern.

A full list of all author panels can be found on the Harrogate International Festivals website.

Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July

The Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival features more than 250 traders, live music, celebrity chefs, ale tasting and on-site camping and caravanning.

The event takes place at Aireville Park, Skipton.

The weekend will be filled with foodie fun including TV chefs, James Martin and Si King.

There will also be live cookery stages, foodie workshops, vintage funfair, kids’ activities, tastings, gin schools, cookery schools, live music from local artists, tribute acts, bars and more.

For ticket information and more details, visit the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival website.

Saturday 19 July

Lug Ole Gander (LOG) is a live electronic music series coming to North Yorkshire.

From creative workshops to live performances, LOG provides music experiences for those living in rural areas where access to equipment and events is limited.

Behind the events are four young producers, collaborating as part of a developmental programme created by AMP Music.

LOG 2 will take place at Thirsk’s Rural Arts Centre, with support from Debbie Armour, of Burd Ellen and a headline performance from Dirty Freud.

For more details, visit the Amp Music website.

Saturday 19 July

The Selby Food, Drink and Craft Festival will be located in the Market Place and runs from 10am to 3pm.

Local produce and cuisine from across the world will be on offer, along with live music, facepainting, refreshments, specialty bars and free samples.

This year, due to popular demand, there will also be a craft festival alongside the main event.

For more details, visit the Selby Town Council website.

Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 July

Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally features exhibitors, food, fairground and trade stands.

It takes place at Marfield Fields, half a mile north of Masham on the A6108 towards Leyburn.

In the main ring this year along with exhibitor parades, public steam engine steering and tug of war, will be the Paul Swift Stunt Driving Team.

Other attractions include the Force of Nature steam rocket bike and the Lonestar Old West Living History and Re-enactment Society.

For more information, visit the Masham Steam Rally website.

Sunday 20 July

Newby Hall, near Ripon, will be surrounded by vintage and classic cars for the North’s biggest one-day car show – the annual Historic Vehicle Rally.

The event, which is organised by the North of England Classics and Pre-War Automobiles, attracts exhibits from all over the country. More than 1,000 vehicles of all makes, from Aston Martin to Wolseley, will be polished up by their proud owners and put on parade for one of the highlights of Newby’s opening season.

Adult tickets are £14 online, £15 on the door, while a child ticket is £9 online and £10 on the door.

For more information, visit the Newby Hall website.

Weeton Show, near Harrogate, features equine, sheep, horticulture, produce and children’s entries.

There will also be Punch and Judy, brass bands, ferret racing, ice cream and pints of Weeton Wiggle. Watch riders in the horse and pony classes, be entertained by gundogs, hounds, vintage tractors and shows throughout the day on the main event field.

Indulge in a bit of light shopping in local food, trade and craft stalls or if you are feeling athletic take part in one of the many traditional sporting events.

For more information, visit the Weeton Show website.

Malton Museum Roman Festival takes place from 10.30am to 4pm at Orchard Fields, Old Maltongate, Malton.

The Romans will be making camp and cleaning all their kit in anticipation of marching around the fort with the Kids Roman Army. Recruitment starts at 10.30am.

As well as the living history encampment, visitors can see Roman entertainments and crafts. Roman History researchers and archaeologists will be there too, along with authors of both fact and fiction.

For more information and ticket prices, visit the Malton Museum website.

Monday 21 July to Friday 15 August

North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service has a fun-filled, action-packed programme planned for young people and their families at Bewerley Park in Pateley Bridge and East Barnby, near Whitby.

As well as their popular Adventure Club, they also have a range of two-day courses lined up for young people aged 10-14. Mountain biking skills is back at Bewerley Park and their Royal Yachting Association accredited sailing courses will be running again at East Barnby. For summer 2025 they are also offering courses in paddle sports skills as well as climbing and rock skills.

Family activity days, suitable for adults with children aged eight and over, offer three options to choose from. You can join the team on a canoe journey, a climbing day or a caving experience and an offer of 10% off your family activity day is available by booking using the code ‘Hello10’.

For the Adventure Club there is also a 10% discount for siblings or booking more than one day. Suitable for ages eight to 13, Adventure Club activities include climbing, caving, high ropes, river scrambling and water sports such as canoeing and sailing.

For more information, visit the North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service website.

Friday 25 to Monday 28 July

The Deershed Festival takes place at Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, Thirsk.

Among those appearing are Wunderhorse, The Unthanks, Joan as Policewoman, Idlewild, Big Special and Honeyglaze.

On the comedy front, Lucy Beaumont, John Shuttleworth, Katie Pritchard and Su Mi will be taking to the stage.

For more details and ticket information, visit The Deershed Festival's website.

Wednesday 30 July

Visitors to the Rotunda Museum in Scarborough will be given the chance to create moving models of butterflies, beetles and other creepy crawlies.

All activities are free unless otherwise stated, but adults require an Annual Pass to enter.

The museum is located on Vernon Road, Scarborough, YO11 2PS.

The event takes place between 11am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm. It is free for children, but a £5 annual pass is required for adults.

More details can be found on the Scarborough Museums and Galleries website.

Thursday 31 July to Thursday 28 August

Skipton Town Hall will host an exhibition by Nelson called “My Nana’s Cabinet”.

Inspired by the contents of a china cabinet belonging to her grandmother, Nelson uses silk fabrics and intricate hand embroidery to meticulously recreate each object, exploring the fragility of memory.

The accompanying exhibition will explore her research and development for this piece.

For more information, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.