2025 Summer Season Guide by Harrogate International Festivals

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Summer has arrived, and with it comes a wave of crea�vity, connec�on, and celebra�on here in the heart of Harrogate.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2025 summer season – the momentwhenourbeau�fulspatowntransformsintoavibrantstagefor two of the UK’s most an�cipated cultural events: the HACS Harrogate Music Fes�val and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Wri�ng Fes�val.

Fromtheveryfirstnotetothefinaltwistinatale,thissummerpromises to be unforge�able. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of literature or a passionate supporter of live music, there is something wai�ng here for you - something live, something real.

The HACS Harrogate Music Fes�val will once again bring a world-class programme of music to venues across town, with performances spanning classical brilliance, cu�ng-edge contemporary, jazz, folk, and more. Mike Lova�’s Brass Pack swings into town with the stunning vocals of Anna-Jane Casey, our Gigs at Gaia series allows you to explore our earth with a range of interna�onal ar�sts. Recitals from pianist Yevgeny Sudbin and organist Anthony Gray contrast with the vibrant Connaught Brass and our Candlelit Concert with The Marian Consort.

Expect to be moved, surprised, and inspired as ar�sts from around the globe bring their stories to life through sound…. and don’t forget your dancing shoes as Fes�val favourites House of Burlesque bring the Music Fes�val to a close.

We’realsowelcomingtheworldwith Gaia fromLukeJerramwhichtakes centre stage at St Wilfrid’s Church. With Gigs at Gaia, the Children’s Fes�val and a host of opportuni�es to see the earth in a new light as it revolvesagainstasoundscapefromBAFTAawardwinningcomposerDan Jones.

Just as powerful, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Wri�ng Fes�val — the bea�ng heart of the crime fic�on calendar — returns to gather the greatest criminal minds (the fic�onal kind, of course) for gripping discussions and thrilling encounters in the bar! Expect plot twists, big names, and razor-sharp conversa�on thanks to programming chair Mick Herron’s contact book.

A�ca Locke, Mark Billingham and Irvine Welsh are also in town, with fellow headliners Abir Mukherjee, Paula Hawkins and Kate Mosse all featuring. Mick Herron reveals all with Slow Horses showrunner Will Smith, and long-�me Fes�val favourites also take to the stage with Lee and Andrew Child, Kate Atkinson, Val McDermid and Steph McGovern. With over 100 programmed authors on stage, on site and in the bar, it would be a crime to miss it!

But what makes these events truly magical is you. In a world full of screens and streams, there’s nothing like the shared spark of a live performanceorthebuzzofapackedvenue.Thesemoments-unfiltered and unforge�able - are what live fes�vals are all about.

So don’t wait. Book your �ckets now. Be there for the applause, the silence before a big reveal — for the moments that only happen once, in a room full of others who feel it too.

Welcome to summer in Harrogate. Welcome to the music. Welcome to the mystery.

See you in summer!

Sharon Canavar | Chief Execu�ve

Festival ‘25 Diary of Events

Thurs 26 June 7.30pm | Mike Lova�’s Brass Pack | Royal Hall

Fri 27 June 11am | Young Musician: Trio Concept | Wesley Centre

Sat 28 June 7.30pm | Korros Ensemble | Christ Church

Sun 29 June 7.30pm | Fergus McCreadie Trio | The Crown Hotel

Tues 1 & Wed 2 July 7.30pm | Oddsocks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | RHS Harlow Carr

Thurs 3 July 7.30pm | Alistair McGowan: Classic Comedy & Classical Music | The Crown Hotel

Fri 4 - Sat 12 July | Gaia from Luke Jerram | St Wilfrid’s Church

Fri 4 July 11am | Young Musician: Charlo�e Spruit | Wesley Centre

Fri 4 July 7.30pm | Orchestra for the Earth | St Wilfrid’s Church

Sat 5 July 11:30am & 12:30pm | Children’s Fes�val: Orchestra for the Earth Family Workshop | St Wilfrid’s Church

Sat 5 July 1pm | Children’s Fes�val: Sublime Science | St Wilfrid’s Church Hall

Sat 5 July 3pm | Young Musician: Jali Bakary Konteh | St Wilfrid’s Church

Sun 6 July 5pm | Ahmed Dickinson | St Wilfrid’s Church

Sun 6 July 8pm | The Marian Consort | St Wilfrid’s Church

Mon 7 July 8pm | Anthony Gray: Interstellar: From Sun to Stars | St Wilfrid’s Church

Festival ‘25 Diary of Events

Tues 8 July 7.30pm | Connaught Brass | St Wilfrid’s Church

Wed 9 July 7.30pm | Yevgeny Sudbin | Wesley Centre

Thurs 10 July 7.30pm | Berwins Salon North | The Crown Hotel

Fri 11 July 11am | Young Musician: Alannah Saphir | Wesley Centre

Fri 11 July 7.30pm | House of Burlesque & Silent Disco | The Old Swan Hotel

Thurs 17 July 9-5.45pm | Crea�ve Thursday | The Old Swan Hotel

Thurs 17 July 8pm | Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards & Party | The Old Swan Hotel

Fri 18 July 9am | Special Guest: A�ca Locke, interviewed by Ma� Nixson | The Old Swan Hotel

Fri 18 July 5pm | Special Guest: Mark Billingham, interviewed by Mick Herron | The Old Swan Hotel

Fri 18 July 8.30pm | Special Guest: Irvine Welsh, interviewed by Abir Mukherjee | The Old Swan Hotel

Sat 19 July 9am | In Conversa�on: Paula Hawkins and Kate Mosse | The Old Swan Hotel

Sat 19 July 5pm | Mick Herron and Will Smith: Inside Slow Horses | The Old Swan Hotel

Sat 19 July 8.30pm | Lee Child and Andrew Child, interviewed by Paddy O’Connell | The Old Swan Hotel

Sun 20 July 9am | Special Guest: Kate Atkinson, interviewed by Lee Child | The Old Swan Hotel

Sun 20 July 12pm | In Conversa�on: Val McDermid & Steph McGovern | The Old Swan Hotel

Festival Highlights

MIKE LOVATT’S BRASS PACK

Don’t miss Mike Lova�'s Brass Pack’s electrifying debut at Harrogate’s Royal Hall on Thursday 26 June. Inspired by the 1958 CapitolRecordsalbumBillyMay’sBigFatBrass, the 25-piece ensemble features 14 brass instruments, a jazz rhythm sec�on, harp, and percussion, crea�ng a rich, swinging sound. A glamourous concert of Hollywood big hits!

“The ability and authority to inspire not only a whole brass sec�on but an en�re orchestra” –

John Wilson

MCDERMID DEBUT AWARD

Named in recogni�on of world-famous crime writer, Val McDermid, who co-founded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Wri�ng Fes�val in 2003 and whose dedica�on to fostering new voices in crime fic�on through the New Bloodpanelislegendary,thisnewAwardseeks to con�nue her legacy, celebra�ng and pla�orming the best debut crime writers in the UK. It will be presented at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards event on Thursday 17th July, the opening night of the Fes�val.

CONCERT BY CANDLELIGHT: THE MARIAN CONSORT

In the breathtaking se�ng of St Wilfrid’s Church, awash in late summer sun and candlelight, The Marian Consort demonstrate the depth and power of voices, with a programme inspired by nature.

“Sublimely refined, spacious and impeccably tuned performances” – The Sunday Times

Festival Highlights

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

The Children’s Fes�val is refreshed and ready to go! We’ve got science made exci�ng and sing-alongs with an orchestra.

All taking place on Saturday 5 July in St Wilfrid’s Church under Gaia, let li�le imagina�ons run wild.

ODDSOCKS

Oddsocks have been performing as a part of the Summer Fes�val for so long we can’t imagine life without them. They’re back in the glorious gardens of RHS Harlow Carr with their raucously entertaining take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream for two nights this July. Picnics at the ready!

Gigs at Gaia

Set beneath Luke Jerram’s stunning Gaia installa�on, Gigs at Gaia reveals a music programme that explores both the cosmic and the natural. A celes�al organ journey including works such as Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar Suite and Messiaen’s Le Banquet Céleste, evoking the vastness of space. Connaught Brass offers interpreta�ons of Holst’s The Planets, including 'Jupiter', 'Venus', and 'Uranus', highligh�ng the grandeur of the cosmos. Orchestra For The Earth has a nature inspired programme whilst The Marian Consort’s Candlelit Concert provides a contempla�ve experience within the Gaia installa�on.

Throughout the year our HIF + programme delivers a wide range of projects designed to improve lives through access to the arts.

Big Read

The North of England’s biggest book club returns with our Reader in Residence Luca Veste discussing Paula Su�on’s The Po�ng Shed Murder in libraries across the North. The Big Read is designed to encourage as many peopleaspossibletoengagewith their local libraries and improve literacy, educa�on and wellbeing through reading. We distribute free copies of the Big Read book, and host book groups to allow communi�es to share their experiences of the book.

Did you know? Around 5.8 million adults in the UK score at the lowest level of proficiency in literacy.

HIF Player

Born out of lockdown when live events were impossible, our Fes�val in your pocket has gone from strength to strength. Featuring the very best of our Fes�val programmes, HIF Player is available for free through our website and across all podcast pla�orms. We’ve had thousands of downloads across the world and have charted in the podcast charts in the UK, Ireland, Germany and America!

New Talent

For almost 60 years, we’ve proudly given a pla�orm to new talent with ini�a�ves including our Young Musicians Series, New Blood, and Crea�ve Thursday, all of which are designed to nurture upcoming ar�sts and authors. We’ve been helping musicians at thestartoftheircareerssinceour charity was founded in 1966 and we’re delighted to welcome a new season of Young Musicians this summer, including some homegrown Harrogate talent.

Community Libraries

Brighten up your bus ride with our community libraries on the 36, which runs from Ripon to Leeds. Pick up a free book, and dive in – remember to leave one you’ve already read in its place.

Look out for out other communitylibrariesandpickupa free book from our bookshelves across town.

Did you know? 32% of adults in the UK listen to podcasts monthly.

Did you know?

Julian Lloyd Webber, who is now one of our Vice Presidents, was a Young Musician in Harrogate in the 70s.

Did you know? Alongside reading, our mini libraries promote sharing, repurposing, and community spirit.

Gigs at Gaia

Children’s Festival

An en�re Fes�val for the li�le ones! One day’s worth of fun including visits to Gaia. Get ready to let your imagina�on and crea�vity run wild with everything from wacky science to family concerts.

Oddsocks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Making Shakespeare such enormous fun, Oddsocks is perfect for the whole family! Designed for ages 1-101, there’ll be picnics, par�cipa�on, and play in the wonderful RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.

With a host of perfectly themed performances under the earth at St Wilfrid’s Church from Insterstellar to Holst, our Gigs at Gaia series is not to be missed. Book 3 or more Gigs at Gaia concerts and enjoy a mul�buy discount of 10%.

Events taking place under Gaia are denoted by the following icon

Young Musicians

From kora to chamber music our young musicians pla�orm ensures the musicians of the future are given an opportunity on the Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�val stage. With an eye for spo�ng the next big thing from Paloma Faith and Amy Winehouse to Julian Lloyd Webber and Evelyn Glennie, check out our 2025 picks.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Fancy a party? We’ve got you covered! A packed evening of fun with the House of Burlesque followed by the ul�mate party night and Silent Disco. Dust off your dancing shoes and get on that dancefloor.

Taproom Sessions

Hear some of our best musicians a�er the show for our post-show Taproom Sessions in partnership with Lilypad on Kings Road. Completely free, completely casual. More announcements incoming… see you at the bar!

Luke Jerram’s Gaia

See the world together this summer

Friday 4 - Saturday 12 July

St Wilfrid’s Church

Tickets: Adult £4, Student £3, Children £2, Families* £10 *2 Adults & 2 U18’s

GetreadytobeamazedbyGaia,agiantglowingsculptureof our planet created by ar�st Luke Jerram. Measuring an incredible six metres wide and showing super-detailed NASA images, it’s like seeing Earth from space without leavingtheground.

Thisdazzlingglobeis2.1million�messmallerthanthereal Earth, but s�ll packed with jaw-dropping detail. Every 1 cen�metreofGaiarepresents21kilometresofourplanet.

Gaia was inspired by the Overview Effect—that powerful "wow" moment astronauts feel when they see Earth from space.It’samixofwonder,asenseofconnec�ontoalllife, andaremindertotakecareofouroneandonlyhome.

Bring the whole family and enjoy a magical, out-of-thisworldexperiencethat’sbothfunandinspiring!

Saturday 5 JuLY

Our World: Family Workshop with Orchestra for the Earth

11:30am&12:30pm | StWilfrid’sChurch

Tickets: Adults £2, Children £5 Ages 3-10

Join Orchestra for the Earth under Gaia for a fun, interac�ve music workshop that brings the great outdoors to life. Explore how music can evoke a vibrant world of animals, plants, and more – complete with a livelysing-along! Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

Sublime Science’s Wacky Workshop

1pm | StWilfrid’sChurchHall

Tickets: Adults £3, Children £7 Ages 5 - 11

Start your weekend with a blast at Sublime Science! Watch your child light up with excitement as they dive into a world full of wonder. With hands-on fun like smoke rings and amazing chemical reac�ons, it's a show full of surprises - expect the unexpected and book your �ckets today!

Media Partner

Harrogate

Jali Bakary Konteh

Saturday5July | 3pm | StWilfrid’sChurch

Tickets: Adults £15, U18’s £5

ThebeautyofGambianmusicunderneaththesplendouroftheearth.

This relaxed concert features West African melodies and rhythms and is a great way to find out more about the world around us through music.

Gaia

Friday4July-Saturday12 July |StWilfrid’sChurch

Tickets: Adult £4, Student £3, Children £2, Families* £10 *2 Adults & 2 U18’s

See the world with Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals this summer. Luke Jerram’s Gaia installa�on comes to town offering a powerful visual experience. The six metre illuminated globe, featuring detailed NASA imagery floats gracefully in the church’s nave and slowly spins. With calm music and gentle ligh�ng, Gaia is peaceful and powerful.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mike Lova�’s Brass Pack

Thursday 26 June | 7.30pm | Royal Hall

Programme to include:

Brass Hits Hollywood Overture

Wouldn’t It Be Loverly | My Fair Lady Show Me | My Fair Lady

Too Darn Hot | Kiss Me Kate

Young At Heart (1954)

Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man | Showboat

Don’t Rain On My Parade | Funny Girl

John Williams Suite

Tickets: £21- £36

Mike Lova� is a renowned trumpeter, recording ar�st, and educator, celebrated for his versa�lity across genres. He is Principal Trumpet of the Grammy-nominated John Wilson Orchestra, the BBC Big Band, and Superbrass, and has performed on numerous film scores, including Avengers: Endgame and Judy. Inspired by Billy May’s Big Fat Brass, Lova�formedMikeLova�'sBrassPacktorecreateitsiconicsoundwith fresh arrangements. Featuring French horns in place of saxophones, the ensemble has wowed audiences with pieces like the Suite from Carmen arranged by Colin Skinner.

Following their 2023 debut at the Harrogate Music Fes�val, Mike Lova�’s Brass Pack returns to launch the 2025 Fes�val with a programme of Hollywood hits. Joining them is West End star Anna-Jane Casey, known for standout roles in Cats, West Side Story, and Chicago.

Casey began her career at 16, landing her first major role as Rumpleteazer in Cats in London’s West End. She has since starred in musicals including Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Chicago, and more recently appeared as Fraulein Kost in the acclaimed 2021 revival of Cabaret, alongside Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley.

Experience the magic of Hollywood with world-class musicians and a dazzling West End performer at Harrogate’s Royal Hall!

“The ability and authority to inspire not only a whole brass sec�on but an en�re orchestra” – John Wilson

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

Korros Ensemble

Saturday 28 June | 7.30pm | Christ Church

Tickets: £25

Fergus McCreadie Trio

Sunday 29 June | 7.30pm | The Crown Hotel

Tickets: £25

Eliza Marshall | Flute

Nick Ellis | Clarinet

Camilla Pay | Harp

Programme to include:

Haydn | Piano Sonata in E major, Hob.XVI:31

Debussy | 2 Arabesques L.66

Villa-Lobos | Choros No. 2

Saint-Saëns | Danse Macabre

Cheryl Frances-Hoad | Vocalise

De Falla | Ritual Fire Dance

Korros Ensemble, an acclaimed flute, clarinet, and harp trio, brings a fresh voice to chamber music with their dis�nc�ve blend and imagina�ve programming. Formed at the Royal Academy of Music in 2001, they’ve earned praise for their expressive sound and refined musicianship.

Their programme spans global styles: Haydn’s elegance, Debussy’s shimmering colours, Saint-Saëns’ dark humour, and de Falla’s fiery rhythms. Expect Brazilian flair from Villa-Lobos, contemporary depth from Cheryl Frances-Hoad, and sparkling charm from Malcolm Arnold and Marcel Tournier.

“Crystal clarity and lyrical playing by the Korros Ensemble in this fine recording of Elizabeth Poston’s masterpiece for flute, clarinet and harp”

– John Suchet | Classic

Fergus McCreadie | Piano

David Bowden | Bass

Stephen Henderson | Drums

With a unique blend of Jazz and Sco�sh folk inspired by his country’s sublime landscapes, pianist Fergus McCreadie’s music captures the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide, with an appeal that extends farbeyondtheconstraintsofgenre.

Released to instant cri�cal acclaim, Fergus’s 2022 album Forest Floor catapultedhimintotheinterna�onalspotlight.ThealbumtoppedtheUK Jazz & Blues charts, prompted sold-out performances across the UK, praise from BBC 6 Music, The Times, NME and earned him a 2022 Mercury Prize shortlist nomina�on, the 2022 Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year Award as well as the 2022 Sco�sh Album of the Year Award –the first Jazz ar�st ever to be awarded the prize. Fergus’s latest album Stream (2024)con�nueshisexplora�onofthenatureandlandscapesof Scotland,this�medelvingintotheessenceofwater.

“The most beau�ful music that can be heard in Jazz at the moment” – Wri�enInMusic

Young musicians

Trio Concept

Friday 27 June | 11am | Wesley Centre

Bloch | Three Nocturnes

Ravel | Piano Trio in A minor

Mendelssohn | Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49

Trio Concept, founded in 2013 in Turin and recently named an ECHO Rising Star for the 2025/26 season, has quickly earned interna�onal acclaim. Their programme brings together the haun�ng beauty of Bloch’s Three Nocturnes,theshimmeringtexturesofRavel’s Piano Trio in A minor, and the vibrant lyricism of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1. Join us for a morning of expressive, finely wrought chamber music from one of Europe’s most exci�ng young ensembles.

“An ensemble of mature musicians, able to deeply relate with the score, regardless of the composer or period” – Circuito Musica

Charlo�e Spruit | Violin

Friday 4 July | 11am | Wesley Centre

Beethoven | Violin Sonata No.10 in G major, Op.96

Schumann | Violin Sonata No.2 in D minor, Op. 121

As one of Classic FM’s ‘Rising Stars’ of 2024, Dutch violinist Charlo�e Spruit is known for her expressive style and has performed at leading venues such as theConcertgebouw and WigmoreHall,appearing with ensembles including the Residen�e Orkest and Ensemble Esperanza.

Her programme features Beethoven’s lyrical Violin Sonata No. 10, followed by Schumann’s intense and sweeping Violin Sonata No. 2.

This beau�fully balanced pairing offers a compelling journey from Beethoven’s refined classicism to Schumann’s Roman�c depth—an unmissable morning of chamber music.

“Convincingly establishing herself as one of the most promising young talents” – Het Kersjes Fonds

Tickets: £15 per concert or book all four for only £50

Young musicians

Jali Bakary Konteh | Kora

Saturday 5 July | 3pm | St Wilfrid’s Church

A selec�on of tradi�onal kora pieces including: Jaraby

Allah L’a Ke

Foroya

Jato

Jali Bakary Konteh, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather—both renowned kora players—brings his own unique style to tradi�onal West African music, blending innova�ve melodies and rhythms. Known for his solo work and collabora�ons with Minyanta and the Balimaya Project, Konteh showcases the rich, harplike sound of the kora in this in�mate a�ernoon performance of tradi�onal pieces.

“An excep�onal purveyor of the Gambian tradi�on” – Afropop Worldwide

Alannah Saphir | Flute

Friday 11 July | 11am | Wesley Centre

Debussy |Syrinx

Chaminade |Concer�no

Doppler |HungarianPastoralFantasy

Üwe |Fantasie

A former pupil of St. Aidan’s School, Alannah is taking a gap year beforestudyingattheRoyalConservatoireofScotland.Shestartedher musical journey at age 5 with piano and 7 with flute, winning her category at the 2019 European Piano Teachers Associa�on Compe��on.NowstudyingwithAnnaNoakesattheRoyalAcademyof Music, Alannah is Principal Flute in the Opera North Youth Orchestra, performing works by composers including Sibelius and Shostakovich.

Oddsocks: A Midsummer

Night’s Dream

Tues 1 & Wed 2 July | 7.30pm

RHS Harlow Carr

Adults £24 | U18s £15 | U7s £7 | Student and UC recipients £17 Families* £72 *2 Adults & 2 U18’s

Alistair McGowan:

Classic Comedy & Classical Music

Thursday 3 July | 7.30pm

The Crown Hotel

Tickets: £25

This summer, Oddsocks hits the road once again with another highenergy, feel-good theatre show perfect for the whole family.

The Duke’s about to marry, but chaos is brewing. Four young lovers have bolted into the woods, thinking they’ll escape their problems, but they’ve only run into trouble with a bunch of woodland tricksters and a couple of very mischievous fairies. Meanwhile, a hapless troupe of actors decide to rehearse in a glade, and it’s all downhill from there. Enter Oddsocks, bringing their trademark chaos, slaps�ck comedy, live music, and even a pack of outrageous hun�ng dogs! Prepare for magic mayhem and comedy that’s so ridiculous it’s almost believable.

Don’t miss out—Catch the Dream!

“Outrageously funny, a joy” – No�ngham Post

BAFTA-winning impressionist, comedian, writer, and pianist Alistair McGowan brings a unique blend of comedy and classical music to the stage. Best known for The Big Impression, McGowan rediscovered his passion for piano later in life, topping the classical charts with The Piano Album.

In this charming and entertaining show, he combines stand-up, impressions, and short piano pieces by composers like Sa�e, Grieg, Debussy, and Bach. A light-hearted evening of wit, music, and surprise.

“Alistair McGowan’s impressions are faultless”

_ The Sunday Times

Orchestra for the Earth

Friday 4 July | 7.30pm | St Wilfrid’s Church

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm (free admission with event �cket)

Conductor |JohnWarner

Soloist |LanaTrotovšek| Violin

Grieg |‘MorningMood’from Peer Gynt

Tchaikovsky |Lensky’sAriafrom Eugene Onegin (arr.forviolinandorchestra)

Mendelssohn |TheHebridesOverture

Respighi |LeggendaforViolinandOrchestra

Tickets: £28

Grieg |‘IntheHalloftheMountainKing’from Peer Gynt

Vaughan Williams |TheLarkAscending Debussy |LaMer

Bri�sh conductor John Warner founded Orchestra for the Earthin 2017, fuelled by a love of the great outdoors and a desire as a musician to make a difference in the climate and environmental crisis. They believe music can provide a fresh approach to engaging people with the environmental movement and are a unique ensemble of young professional musicians, many of whom perform in the UK's top orchestras, dedicated to celebra�ng and protec�ng the natural world through music. Concerts have taken place in striking loca�ons such as the Eden Project, Royal Opera House and UK Houses of Parliament, and in 2021 the orchestra was invited to give a special performance at the COP26 Climate Summit.

Joining them is acclaimed violinist Lana Trotovšek, known for her expressive tone and musical insight, praised by The Strad and The Washington Post. She has performed at major venues like Wigmore Hall and appears regularly on Mezzo Live, Medici TV, and BBC Radio 3.

“What a concert! It remained in my mind as one of the high points of the fes�val” – Marina Mahler, granddaughter of Gustav Mahler

Ahmed Dickinson

Guitar

Sunday6July|5pm|StWilfrid’sChurch

Villa-Lobos |FivePreludes

Francisco Tárrega |CaprichoÁrabe

Tickets:£22

Albéniz |Asturias(Levenda)

Maria Camahort |Ponent

Jose Antonio (Ñico) Rojas |EnelAbradelYumurí

Eduardo Mar�n |SongsoftheCalendar

Carlo Domeniconi |Koyumbaba

Ahmed Dickinson is a renowned Cuban classical guitarist, celebratedforhisskillandpassion.AgraduateofHavana’s Superior Ins�tute of Art, Dickinson has performed at pres�gious venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall and King’sPlace.

Join us for an unforge�able concert featuring a mix of classical and contemporary guitar music from around the world. The evening will open with Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Five Preludes, a set of beau�ful and expressive pieces that capturetheBraziliancomposer’suniquestyle.

Addi�onally Dickinson will perform Eduardo Mar�n’s Songs of the Calendar, blending Cuban rhythms with classical elements, before closing with Carlo Domeniconi’s Koyumbaba, a vibrant and rhythmic piece inspired by Brazil.Thisconcertpromisesacap�va�ngjourneythrough music,expertlydeliveredbyoneoftheleadingguitaristsof hisgenera�on.

“A true pioneer” – Classic FM Magazine

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

The Marian Consort Concert by Candlelight

Sunday 6 July | 8pm | St Wilfrid’s Church

Pre-concert talk 7pm (free admission with event �cket)

Tickets: £28

The Language of Flowers

Plainsong |KyrieOrbisFactor

Ceballos |HortusConclusus

Padilla |MissaEgofloscampi –KyrieandGloria

Hugo Bell |Hermitage

Padilla |MissaEgofloscampiCredo

Vivanco |Sicutlilium

Nneka Cummins |Awake

Hildegard of Bingen |OviridissimaVirgo

Clemens non Papa |Egofloscampi

Vivanco |Surgepropera

Padilla |MissaEgofloscampi

Leo Chadburn |FlowerDic�onary

Guerrero |Egofloscampi

Experience the bold and thrilling performance of the renowned Bri�sh vocal ensemble, The Marian Consort, in the in�mate candlelit se�ng of St Wilfrid’s Church under the enchan�ng atmosphere of Gaia. This unique, immersiveexperiencecombinesthestunningmusicofthe ensemble with the warm glow of candles, crea�ng a cap�va�ng and unforge�able ambiance. As part of our Gigs at Gaia series, The Marian Consort will present a diverse concert �tled The Language of Flowers, aligning withthisyear’sthemeoftheEarth.Theconcertwillfeature an extraordinary selec�on of pieces, ranging from medieval plainsong to contemporary composi�ons. The blendofsacredandcontemporarychoralmusic,combined with the so� glow of candlelight, will provide a truly magical evening that celebrates our connec�on to the Earthandthepowerofmusic.

“Sublimely refined, spacious and impeccably tuned performances” – The Sunday Times

Anthony Gray

Organ

Tickets:£20

Interstellar: From Sun to Stars

Monday7July|8pm|StWilfrid’sChurch

Bob Chilco� |SunDance

Kerensa Briggs |LightinDarkness

Grace-Evangeline Mason |Light,Revealing

Arvo Pärt |PariIntervallo

Price | Retrospec�on (ElfonaMoonbeam)

Kris�na Arakelyan |StarFantasy

Messiaen |LeBanquetCéléste

Hans Zimmer (arr. Richard McVeigh) |InterstellarSuite

Van Oortmerssen |NunRuhenalleWälder

Anthony Gray is an organist, pianist, conductor and composer based in Yorkshire. In this evening concert, join Grayonajourneythroughtheuniverseasyoutravelfrom

Bob Chilco�’s awakening Sun Dance, through to Hans Zimmer’s epic intergalac�c score for Interstellar. Gray’s expert command of the organ is set to transform the cinema�c score into an immersive, sonic journey through space and �me. The evening will also feature the transcendent works Pari Intervallo by Arvo Pärt and Le Banquet Céleste by Olivier Messiaen, both of which will showcasetheorgan'sextraordinaryabilitytoconveyboth etherealbeautyanddeepspiritualresonance.

“Interstellar shows the wonder of worlds beyond” – Time Magazine Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

Connaught Brass

Tuesday8July|7.30pm|StWilfrid’sChurch

Tickets:£25

Aaron Akugbo |Trumpet

Harry Plant |Trumpet&FlugelHorn

Zoë Tweed |FrenchHorn

Chris Brewster |Trombone

Aled Meredith-Barre� |Tuba

Holst arr. Taillard |Jupiterfrom The Planets

Handel |Suitefrom Water Music

Tchaikovsky arr. Foster |AutumnSong(October) from The Seasons

Holst arr. Tweed/Foster |‘Venus’fromThePlanets

Holst arr. Tweed/Foster |‘Uranus’fromThePlanets

Debussy arr. Tweed |SuiteBergamasque

Elgar arr. Harvey |ChansondeMa�n &Salutd’Amour

Howarth |FourSwissTunes

A rela�vely new talent in the chamber music world, Connaught Brass have already made their debut at the Lucerne Fes�val and London’s Wigmore Hall. The vibrant ensemble seeks to redefine how brass chamber music is perceived, using their individual musical personali�es to

produce a unique collec�ve sound. Experience a cap�va�ng concert with Connaught Brass that traverses �meless melodies including Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets, with its grand brass and sweeping harmonies. A concert of vivid contrasts, beau�fully cra�ed arrangements,and�melessclassics.

“Technically astonishing, eclec�c in repertoire” – The Independent

harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

Yevgeny Sudbin

Piano

Wednesday9July|7.30pm|WesleyCentre

Tickets:£25

Bach |FantasiaandFugueinAminor,BWV904

Liszt |Funérailles

Scriabin |PianoSonataNo.10inCmajor,Op.70

Scarla� |SonatainBminor,K.197

SonatainGmajor,K.125

SonatainAmajor,K.208

SonatainDminor,K.417

Prokofiev |PianoSonataNo.4inCminor,Op.29

Yevgeny Sudbin is an interna�onally acclaimed pianist who has performed at major venues including London’s Royal Fes�val Hall and New York’s Lincoln Center. His recordings have received widespread praise, with recent honours such as Gramophone’s 2023 Recording of the Year. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, he now returns as a visi�ng professor, con�nuing to inspire the next genera�on of musicians.

His upcoming concert offers a rich and dynamic programme that showcases his extraordinary talent and interpre�ve range. In Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, Sudbin reveals the music’s emo�onal depth and structural brilliance. Liszt’s Funérailles follows, with its sweepingdramaandexpressivepower,allowinghimtoexploreboththe grandeur and the in�macy of the piece. This is a performance that promises both technical mastery and profound musical insight.

“A pianist of uncommon sensi�vity and refinement” – The Independent

Stories From the Edge of the World

Thursday10July|7.30pm|TheCrownHotel|£18

Three great minds and three great speakers feature this evening including:

Joshua Howgego – The Meteorite Hunters: On the Trail of Extraterrestrial Treasures and the Secrets Inside Them.

Isabel Losada – The Joyful Environmentalist : How to Prac�se Without Preaching.

Tom Phillips – A Brief History of the End of the F*cking World: Across thousands of years why humans believe the end is nigh?!

Join us for an extraordinary evening of ideas, wit, and wonder as Joshua Howgego, Isabel Losada, and Tom Phillips bring big ques�ons down to earth. From stones that fell from the sky to hopeful paths through climate crisis, to our strange obsession with the apocalypse, thisisanightthatdarestoask: What happens when we zoom out and look at our world from the outside in?

Each speaker has just 25 minutes to inform, challenge, and inspire –withbreaksinbetweentograbadrink,chatwithfriends,ormeetthe speakers and pick up a signed copy of their books. It’s an evening designed to open your mind, spark conversa�on, and connect us more deeply with the world around us.

Voted number six in the ‘Top 100 Things to do in the World’ by GQ magazine, Salon is a night out that will enlighten, entertain, excite your curiosity and change your life for the be�er.

Friday11July|7.30pm|TheOldSwanHotel

Tickets:£36

The UK's top sa�rical showgirls are thrilled to return to Harrogate for a night of the risqué and raucous, going right back to the subversive roots of Bri�sh Burlesque. Join UK Queen Tempest Rose and the stars of HOB straight from London's West End for a glamorous and upli�ing burlesque cabaret, followed by our legendary Silent Disco a�erparty. As seen on BBC 1, MTV, Channel 4 and ITV.

“A highly skilled piece of theatrical cabaret… rip-roaring fun” – The Stage

Silent Disco

Friday11July|9.45pm|TheOldSwanHotel

Just here for the dancing? Join us for a Silent Disco with a difference as you party the night away.

Tickets:£15

Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 July 2025

The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate

Hello and Welcome

Summer is party season, which for crime writers means the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Wri�ng Fes�val, this year enjoying its twenty-second appearance on our calendars. So welcome to Harrogate, where the genre blossoms in all its forms, whether this involves suffoca�on with a tea-cosy in a Cotswold co�age or being ba�ered to death in a fish-shop in Whitley Bay. As ever, we have an enormous variety of killer talent to help you navigate the mystery and mayhem that’s wai�ng.

There’ll be new faces, old hands, and a sca�ering of other body parts; there’ll be familiar fun and games, alongside some twists you might not see coming; there’ll be diversity, inclusion, and a bar that stays open late. And most importantly, there’ll be a warm welcome for all, as we gather in readers from near and far and lure writers from their creepy garrets and together find new ways of doing what we do best – celebra�ng crime fic�on as a community. A very happy Harrogate to you all.

Mick Herron - 2025Fes�valProgrammingChair

Crea�ve Thursday

Thursday17July|9am–5.45pm|£115

So, you want to be a writer? Crea�ve Thursday is your ul�mate pitstop on the road to publica�on. Whether you're just star�ng out or deep into your manuscript,thisinspiringdayoffersexpertpanels,hands-onworkshops,anda thrilling (yet, slightly scary) live pitching session.

Hear straight from bestselling authors, top agents, editors and publishers as they share insider �ps, prac�cal advice and industry secrets - everything you need to sharpen your skills and supercharge your path to ge�ng published.

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards &

Fes�val Opening Party

Thursday 17 July | 8pm

The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | £25

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Awards is one of the most hotly an�cipated nights in the crime fic�on calendar. With three awards up for grabs, the Theakston Awards have become the most coveted prizes for today’s crime writers.

Featuring the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, the six shortlisted authors will put their game face on as Master of Ceremony Mark Lawson presents the murderously good line-up.

An icon of the genre will also be honoured with the Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribu�on to Crime Fic�on accolade and our newest award, the McDermid Debut Award will celebrate emerging voices in crime fic�on. The celebra�ons will con�nue with the official Fes�val opening party.

Title sponsor

In Partnership with

harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

SpecialGuest:

A�ca Locke

Friday 18 July | 9am

A�ca Locke, acclaimed for her 2009 debut Black Water Rising and award-winning Bluebird, Bluebird, is one of America’s top crime writers. Her latest, Guide Me Home, explores Trump-era tensions. Also, a hit TV writer/producer (Empire, Li�le Fires Everywhere), Locke will discuss her work in conversa�on with journalist Ma� Nixson.

SpecialGuest: Mark Billingham

Friday 18 July | 5pm

2025 marks 25 years since Mark Billingham’sacclaimeddebut Sleepy Head and the release of his 25th novel, What the Night Brings, featuring the return of Tom Thorne. A two-�me Theakston winner and bestselling author, Billingham will reflect on his stellar career with Programming Chair Mick Herron in this special celebra�on of crime fic�on excellence.

SpecialGuest:

Irvine Welsh Friday 18 July | 8.30pm

Irvine Welsh the legendary author of Trainspo�ng, has long been a fearless chronicler of society’s fringes. Now firmly established in the crime world with his darkly compelling DI Ray Lennox series, Welsh returns with Resolu�on that takes Lennox from Edinburgh to Brighton - and straight into trouble. With a career spanning cult classics to gri�y thrillers, Welsh will be interviewed by Abir Mukherjee to discuss why crime fic�on might just suit him a�er all. 30

Tickets: £18

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

What’s On | Friday 18 July

9.00am Special Guest: A�ca Locke,interviewedby Ma� Nixson | £18

InConversa�on:

Paula Hawkins & Kate

Mosse

Saturday 19 July | 9am

JoinusbrightandearlyonSaturdaymorning for an hour in the company of two of the brightest stars in contemporary crime fic�on: Paula Hawkins, author of the global sensa�on The Girl on the Train, and Kate Mosse, whose historical thrillers like The Burning Chambers are rich in intrigue and suspense. This promises to be an engaging, insigh�ul and unmissable event.

Mick Herron & Will Smith: Inside Slow Horses

Saturday 19 July | 5pm

Since 2010, Mick Herron’s Slough House series has cap�vated readers - and now TV audiences through Apple TV+’s acclaimed Slow Horses, adapted by screenwriter Will Smith. Herron and Smith join forces to discuss the inspira�ons, challenges, and behind-the-scenes secrets of bringing Jackson Lamb and crew to life in one of TV’s best-ever crime adapta�ons.

SpecialGuests:

Lee

Child & Andrew

Child

Saturday 19 July | 8.30pm

Jack Reacher - literary legend and global phenomenon - returns in Exit Strategy, the landmark30thnovelinaseriesthathassold over 100 million copies. Creator Lee Child andco-authorbrother Andrew Child reunite to discuss their iconic hero and acclaimed collabora�on. They will be interviewed by broadcaster turned crime writer, Paddy O’Connell.

Tickets: £18 Tickets: £18 Tickets: £18

Box Office: 01423 562 303 | Booking Fees Apply

What’s On | Saturday 19 July

9.00amInConversa�on: Paula Hawkins and Kate Mosse | £18

10.30amTrueGrit | £16

12.00pmCri�cs’NewBlood | £16

2.00pmGonebutnotForgo�en | £16

3.30pmWhatPlanetAreTheyOn? | £16

5.00pm Mick Herron & Will Smith:InsideSlowHorses

6.30pmSaturdayNight’sAuthorDinner

7.00pmWhateverHappenedtotheLikelyLadsandLasses? | £16

8.30pm Lee Child & Andrew Child interviewedby Paddy O’Connell | £18 10.15pmLateNightQuiz | £14

SpecialGuest:

Kate Atkinson

Sunday 20 July | 9am

Kate Atkinson, acclaimed across genres, is beloved in crime fic�on for her Jackson Brodie series. The tough ex-soldier with a tender heart has cap�vated readers and TV audiences alike. In her latest, Death at the Sign of the Rook, Atkinson delivers a clever, Golden Age-style mystery infused with her trademark wit, inven�on, and literary brilliance. She will be interviewed by Lee Child.

InConversa�on: Val McDermid & Steph McGovern

Sunday 20 July | 12pm

The curtain falls on this year’s Fes�val in style with a unique pairing: Val McDermid, the undisputed Queen of Crime, and broadcaster-turned-novelist Steph McGovern. With over 40 novels, 19 million copies sold, and fans around the globe, McDermid’s razor-sharp storytelling has set the gold standard in the genre. She’s joined by McGovern, whose thrilling debut Deadline draws on her TV career to deliver a fast-paced, newsroom noir packed with authen�city and flair.

HIF @ Home gives you access to all the fun of the Fes�vals, from the comfort of your home.

We’re providing a host of content and talent - all free from your home, phone or laptop.

Tickets: £18

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL

Enjoy the very best of Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals by becoming a Friend of the Fes�val – from star-studded events to in�mate concerts and hidden gems.

Bookearly,gainpriorityentrance,accessFriends’Lounges,enjoy a host of benefits and help make a difference.

The Friends of the Fes�val scheme starts at just £30 per year.

As a charitable arts organisa�on your dona�on as a Friend will support the development of our interna�onally acclaimed por�olio of ac�vity delivered across the year, in addi�on to our outreach work HIF+ which reaches young people and communi�es across the north.

For more informa�on, or to become a Friend, please contact the Fes�val Office on 01423 562303 or join online: www.harrogateinterna�onalfes�vals.com

Nicola Benede� Violin

Thursday4December | 7.30pm | RoyalHall

Tickets:£18-£39.50

Programmetoinclude:

de Sarasate |CarmenFantasie

de Sarasate |CapriceBasque

Bloch |Prayer Trad. |AshokanFarewell

Join Nicola Benede�, “the country’s favourite violinist” (The Times) for a unique and personal show as she returns to pre-eminent stages across the UK for her first solo tour in over ten years.

Combining stunning performance with storytelling, Nicola shares a selec�on of shorter works from roman�c to virtuosic to folk, combined with her thoughts surrounding her choices of music, as well as her experiences over the past decade. This performance will be in�mate and personal, with Nicola joined onstage by fellow musicians including Brazilian guitarist Plinio Fernandes and accordionist Samuele Telari.

A Grammy and Classical BRIT Award-winner, Nicola is renowned for her expressive ar�stry and dynamic presence. Known for championing music educa�on through her Benede� Founda�on and her role as Director of the Edinburgh Interna�onal Fes�val, Nicola con�nues to inspire audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of the most influen�al violinists of her genera�on in the heart of Harrogate. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

How to Book

Online:

harrogateinterna�onalfes�vals.com

By Phone: 01423 562 303

In Person: 32 Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1DB

Opening Times

Ticket Collec�on

Group Bookings

Par�es of ten or more booking their �ckets in one transac�on for a single event receive a 5% discount on their �ckets.

Mul�ple Offers

Book all four Young Musician concerts and enjoy a mul�buy discount. Four YM concerts for £50.

Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm.

Please note on-site Box Office opening hours will differ. Please visit our website or call us for more informa�on.

Payment

Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals accept all major credit/debit cards (except American Express), as well as cash. We do not store your credit or debit card details and payments will be taken on a per transac�on basis, as indicated by the card holder via phone or online.

Booking Fee

We charge a £2.50 transac�on fee per booking which is non-refundable. Ticket sales alone do not cover the costs of our Box Office and booking fees are vital to the development, maintenance and running of our in-house Box Office system and staffing.

In most cases, �ckets are available to collect from the on-site Box Office up to 30 minutes before the event, or at our Cheltenham Parade Box Office up to 1 day before the event. If bought in advance, we can post your �ckets for £1.50 via second class post. Please visit our website or call for more informa�on.

Please note that �ckets for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Wri�ng Fes�val are e-�cket or to be collected on the door only.

Buying Tickets on the Door

Tickets may be available to purchase on the door, subject to availability. Be aware events can sell out in advance and early booking is recommended.

Bag Searches

Please note there may be random bag searches in opera�on.

Concessions

Concessions are available for Under 18s, students in full �me educa�on, carers, and those receiving unemployment benefits. Appropriate iden�fica�on must be provided.

Book 3+ Gigs at Gaia concerts and enjoy a 10% mul�buy discount.

Programme Changes

Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals reserves the right to make altera�ons to the programme as become necessary including event cancella�ons.

Fes�val Programme Book

The essen�al full colour souvenir programme book with details, biographies and programme notes of all Fes�val events will be available at all concerts for £5.

Refunds

The Box Office cannot refund money or exchange �ckets except in the case of an event cancella�on. Please note, booking fees are non-refundable.

Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals would like to thank the following organisa�ons for their support

Crime Novel of the Year Partners

Harrogate

Trusts and Foundations

Crime Event Sponsors

Accommoda�on Partner

Associate Sponsor

Des�na�on Partner Corporate Patrons

Corporate Friends

About Us

Patron

His Majesty King Charles III

Honorary President

Peter Blackburn CBE

Vice Presidents

Mrs Frainy Ardeshir

Dr Terry Bramall CBE

Mrs Liz Bramall CBE

Lesley Garre� CBE

Jane Gregory

David Haxby

JulianLloydWebberOBE

Val McDermid

David Salter

Chris�ne Woods

Harrogate Interna�onal Fes�vals is the flagship Arts Fes�val for the North of England. A charitable organisa�on, our passion and ambi�on maintain our posi�on as an arts organisa�on delivering Fes�vals of na�onal importance and drama�cally increasing the cultural opportuni�es for Harrogate and the wider region.

Board of Trustees

Fiona Movley, Chairman

Ma�hew Osbourne, Treasurer

Rod Findlay

Jenny Harris

Lucy Hind

Iain Jenkins

Craig Ratcliffe

Susan Rumfi�

Fes�val Team

SharonCanavar |ChiefExecu�ve

Charlo�eGreensmith|Music&EventsManager

ClemenceRoux |LiteratureFes�vals Manager

LisaMcKiddie |Digital&Communica�ons Manager

ShelbyGibbs |Communica�ons &BoxOfficeCo-ordinator

DanielleJoyce |Events&Accommoda�on Co-ordinator

IonaCro� |Music&Engagement Co-ordinator

HannaDilley |FinancialController

PaulineEpson |FinancialAssistant

Support Services

Thanks

With special thanks to all our volunteers, without whom the Fes�val could not happen.

Fes�val events will begin punctually at the �me stated. The use of mobile phones, cameras and audio/visual recorders is strictly prohibited. The management reserves the right to refuse admission and change or cancel the adver�sed programme as necessary. All informa�on correct at �me of going to press. Original Cover art by Graeme Bandeira.