Celebrate Yorkshire Day in Ilkley as the town host activities along with Bradford for the official civic celebration for 2025.
Held on 1 August every year and led by the Yorkshire Society, Yorkshire Day celebrates this great county’s heritage, history, landscape, culture, and its people.
Each year a different local authority of the county is invited to host the official Yorkshire Day civic celebration by the Yorkshire Society, where all the Lord Mayors, Mayors and other civic dignitaries from across Yorkshire gather together.
This year is the turn of Bradford and Ilkley to host the special event, which coincides with the UK City of Culture 2025 year.
For the first time in Yorkshire Day history, Bradford will co-host the event with Ilkley, home of the unofficial Yorkshire anthem ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ’at’.
On Yorkshire Day, Mayors and dignitaries from across Yorkshire will meet in Bradford’s City Hall on the morning, they will be joined virtually by a group of Yorkshire lovers based on the other side of the globe - the Yorkshire Society of New Zealand.
They will then travel to Ilkley on vintage buses provided by Keighley Transport Museum.
There will be a Yorkshire Day procession along The Grove, featuring the special guests and dignitaries from across the Yorkshire district.
At 12 noon, spectators will be able to join in with a rousing rendition of Ilkley’s famous anthem, ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht’at’ which is sung every Yorkshire Day following the Yorkshire Day Proclamation by Ilkley’s Town Crier, Isabel Ashman.
The celebrations will continue in Ilkley three fun-packed days of live music, food, drink, family fun, poetry, street art, drama and more.
On Saturday, 2 August there will be live entertainment on The Grove between 9.30am – 8pm. The Grove will be closed to traffic. Feel free to bring your own picnic or enjoy delicious offerings from street food vendors on-site. Tables and chairs will be provided for visitors to relax and soak in the atmosphere.
From 10am – 3pm there will be Play in the Park at Ilkley Riverside Park with family activities.
A Yorkshire Day Market has also been organised by Real Markets Ilkley and will focus on Yorkshire based traders and include demonstrations and activities in the centre of town. This will take place on Saturday, 2 August between 11am and 7pm and Sunday, 3 August between 10am and 3pm.
On Sunday, 3 August between 11am – 4pm Ilkley Cycling Club has organised a fun kids cycling/scooting skills circuit at Ilkley Riverside Park, with British Cycling qualified coach Harry Wood. Sunday will also see the regular monthly Real Markets Ilkley on The Grove.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Mohammed Shafiq said:
“We are thrilled to be co-hosting this day alongside Ilkley and will give everyone a warm Yorkshire welcome. Not only do we have the honour of celebrating our wonderful county, but we do so when the district is celebrating our year as UK City of Culture 2025.
“There are a number of events to enjoy on the day and over the weekend so please have a look at what is happening and take part."
Other events in Ilkley include:
The first ever ThriddingsFest at St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding on Saturday, 2 August and Sunday, 3 August from 2pm until 10pm. It will focus on young people keen to showcase their talent in performance – poets, writers, actors, singers and musicians, whether individuals or groups.
Yorkshire Day 2025 at Ilkley Manor House, 1 - 3 August 2pm – 4pm - Celebrate God's Own Country with family-friendly activities, including making a paper Yorkshire Rose and playing with traditional games and toys in the courtyard.
Ilkley Manor House will also house the Rombald’s Rocks: Keighley Sculpture Trail, a collection of playful, characterful sculptures born from local legend and bursting with community spirit from 1 - 10 August.
Northern Rail will also be offering a special ticket price of £1.80* between Ilkley and Bradford, when you book in advance this Yorkshire Day. *T&Cs apply.
For more information on events taking place in the Bradford District visit www.visitbradford.com/whats-on/yorkshire-day and itsoninbradford.co.uk
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