Ilkley’s Garden Music festival, Ilkley Live, returns on 12th and 13th July for its fourth year and it’s bigger than ever.
The number of acts has risen again and is now over 90 and the festival has expanded to cover two days to fit in all that music.
Music will fill the streets of Ilkley again as members of the community play and sing in gardens across town. The festival started in 2021 as a way to bring the community together after lock-down and was so popular that it has become an annual staple for the town.
The festival, which organisers believe to be the only one of its kind, is run by the community for community. Anyone can perform in their garden (or borrow one) and the program is published so that the public can walk from one garden to another to see music of their choice.
‘It has really taken off this year!’
says Festival Co-Director Dan Hammond
We have over 90 acts signed up which is a lot, even for a commercial festival. The festival is highly inclusive – anyone can play if they want to and the range of music has expanded too with everything from rock to Rachmaninoff so we hope to see an even bigger audience walking from place to place and soaking up the great atmosphere.
"The heart of the festival is the community. It is very much a do-it-yourself event. People have improvised stages, promoted their venues on social media, offered their gardens to performers and much more, it has been truly heartening!
"The festival is free to attend and performers play to benefit the community and to support our official charity, Outside The Box. Outside the Box runs a popular local café and brings a fresh approach to enabling adults and young people who have learning disabilities and other support needs to achieve more and have greater independence, choice and fulfilment in their lives. All commercial venues are generously donating to Ilkley Live and there will be a chance to for everyone to give on the day."
Anyone who wants to play can just sign up at www.ilkleylive.com.
The festival programme is also available on the same site at www.ilkleylive.com/programme.
You can hear more about Ilkley Live all next week (8-12 July) on the Your Ilkley breakfast show, Dan will be chatting to Nick Hancock.
Starbucks smaller advertising pole refused
Ilkley Carnival 2026 - a real celebration of community spirit
Ilkley law firm unveils new head of personal law
More Ilkley children to benefit from Fruit & Veg for Schools programme
Ilkley travel company proves biggest isn't always best!
Ilkley Pool and Lido group pauses fundraising
Countdown begins for 167th Great Yorkshire Show
Multi-million pound Kex Gill scheme enters final stages
Bookmark Project celebrates major milestone
Ilkley – a solar energy success story!
Plans for Addingham's most chaotic and hilarious day of the year
Former cop turned comedian returns to King's Hall
Clarke Foley announces ‘Wellbeing Month’ in May
Entries for Ilkley Triathlon 2026 open on Friday
Ilkley butcher brings home the bacon
Charity football match to return to honour teen
London Marathon success as local runners raise more than £10k for The Principle Trust
Ilkley charity’s volunteer wins special award
Ilkley Veterans Breakfast Club celebrates fourth anniversary
Countdown to Ilkley Carnival begins!
