A whole symphony from memory? Aurora orchestra are the experts 🤯 Aurora made history as the first orchestra to perform a complete symphony entirely from memory. Experience Mozart's Jupiter Symphony in an extraordinary new way this summer.  Wednesday 24 June  7.30pm  Royal Hall, Harrogate

Check out these events from our friends at York Festival of Ideas!

This week, Kate Atkinson talks to Lee Child about the six novels that have captivated the crime writing community. Recorded live at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2025 🔗https://bit.ly/HIFPlayer26

Our Box Office is closed for the Easter Break 🐣 We will reopen at 10am Tuesday 7 April - in the meantime, you can purchase tickets online at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com for HACS Harrogate Music Festival, Raworths Salon North, Book & Brunch and lots more!  🔗 https://bit.ly/4dZhgSB

This week, John Suchet delves into his connection with Ludwig van Beethoven, sharing stories and insights from a lifetime immersed in the composer’s world. Recorded at the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival. 🔗https://bit.ly/HIFPlayer26

The first Raworths Salon North is now on sale! 💡 Expect houseplants, lucid dream worlds, and a whole lot of “oh wow, I never thought of it like that.” Grab your tickets and grow your curiosity (and your houseplant collection). 📆 7 May, 7.30pm 📍The Crown Hotel 🎟️ head to our website

We are delighted to partner with the Wild Foundations and author Rachael Blok to deliver CSI creative writing workshops for pupils aged 9–12. These sessions support curriculum learning and creativity. As arts funding declines, our commitment to free cultural access remains essential.

On this week’s HIF Player, Lee and Andrew Child, authors of the bestselling Reacher series, talk about writing alone, writing together, and sustaining a thriller phenomenon. Recorded at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate. 🔗https://bit.ly/HIFPlayer26

Join our team as Communications & Box Office Co‑ordinator and help deliver our year‑round programme of internationally recognised cultural events. If you’re organised, proactive and passionate about great audience experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4sgvcMe

From our Friends at York Concerts... Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch, 25 March, 7:30pm, Sir Jack Lyons Hall. A programme linking Bach, Monteverdi and Charpentier with Schubert, Viardot and Semple. Songs explore love, music and our place in the world. Find out more: https://yorkconcerts.co.uk/

🎉 HACS Harrogate Music Festival at 60 🎉 Abel Selaocoe & Bantu Ensemble blur the boundaries. Davóne Tines stuns with his genre-defying voice. Aurora Orchestra play Mozart without music. BBC Philharmonic bring big orchestra energy. Oddsocks do Romeo & Juliet, their way. More soon. Tickets - 18 March.

On this week’s HIF Player, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason shares insights into her children’s journey in classical music & talks about her book, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, which has just been nominated for the Women’s Prize. Recorded live at Berwins Salon North Festival 2025 🔗https://bit.ly/HIFPlayer26

#CONCERT #REVIEW Matilda Lloyd and the Goldmund Quartet @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social "delicate trumpet wrapped in an elaborate string accompaniment" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ www.thereviewshub.com/matilda-lloy... #Harrogate

Harrogate is throwing it's hat in the ring for UK Town of Culture in 2028! Find out how you can get involved by coming along to a stakeholder workshop or filling out the questionnaire below 👇 Book here: https://bit.ly/3P2eIIQ or complete the questionnaire here:

Take a close up look at Anastasia Feruleva & Frank van de Laar's captivating performance of Schumann's 'Adagio & Allegro, op.70'🎵 You can catch Anastasia & Frank playing more Schumann at our next Harrogate International Sunday Series concert on 19 April!

📣Wanted... the next big voice in crime fiction!  We are on the hunt for the next voice in crime writing & need your help with the search! Do you know an aspiring author who would love to hone their craft at #TheakstonsCrime?  If this sounds like you, apply here: https://bit.ly/JGBApplyHere

This week on HIF Player, founder of UNILAD, LADbible & neurodiversity advocate, Alex discusses his experiences with ADHD & his bestselling memoir 'Now It All Makes Sense'. Recorded live as part of Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2025 🔗https://bit.ly/HIFPlayer26 @alexpartridge87.bsky.social

A close up look at Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson's expressive performance of Widor's Introduction and Rondo 🎵 We are looking foward to Mebrakh's perfomance of this piece at the Old Swan Hotel on 1 March.  Book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/Mebrakh

We’re inviting graphic designers & creative agencies to tender for the design of Harrogate International Festivals’ printed materials - including brochures, flyers & programme books. This role will help shape our visual identity in our 60th anniversary year 🔗 Full brief: https://bit.ly/HIFDesigner

We caught up with the Royal Philharmonic Society award nominee Matilda Lloyd to talk more about her upcoming performance at Harrogate's Old Swan Hotel with the Goldmund Quartet. Read the full interview and book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/MatildaQA

📣We're hiring!  Do you want experience within the arts & culture sector? Do you also want valuable events experience? This summer we are looking for a new member of our team.  For more information on how to apply: https://bit.ly/HIFFA26

This year we're inviting submissions for the Dorothy Parkinson Memorial Award. Established in 1982, this prestigious award provides a platform to the country’s rising classical musicians & the chance to perform at HACS Harrogate Music Festival Find out more: https://bit.ly/DPMA2026 📸Richard Maude

An all star line up for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has been revealed! Ann Cleeves & Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Jane Harper, Chris Brookmyre, Chris Whitaker, LJ Ross, join a list curated by Programming Chair Lisa Jewell @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social

With Lisa Jewell at the helm, we’re thrilled to welcome Chris Whitaker, Ann Cleeves & Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Chris Brookmyre, Holly Jackson, Jane Harper & LJ Ross and Lee Child to Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 🕵️ #Theakstonscrime fans find out more: https://bit.ly/news26

What an incredible start to this year’s Harrogate International Sunday Series, featuring the talented Nathan and Kasparas 🎻✨ A truly unforgettable opening performance.  Tickets for more of our spring concerts are available here: https://bit.ly/HISS26 🎶🎟️

One week until we announce more headliners for #theakstonscrime 2026. Any guesses who’s joining the 2026 line up? Who would you like to see? Drop them in the comments 👇 📸 Richard Maude - Kate Mosse and Paula Hawkins pictured at the 2025 Festival.

We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the Jane Gregory Bursaries, created to ensure access to the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and to open opportunities for writers who may face barriers to attend. Find out more 👉

Next Monday is Blue Monday, said to be the bleakest day of the year!  Beat Blue Monday with uplifting live music from the best and brightest in Chamber music. Starting this Sunday at the Old Swan Hotel. Tickets available here 👉 https://bit.ly/HISS26

We caught up with the classical music stars kicking off this year's Sunday Series, Nathan Amaral & Kasparas Mikužis, to find out more about their upcoming performance at the Old Swan Hotel. 

Happy New Year! Thank you for all your support in 2025 - and here's to an incredible 2026 celebrating HIF@60! 🥂 From the stars of chamber music at this year's Sunday Series to a host of musical and literary experiences in summer and beyond, there's plenty to look forward to in Harrogate this year!

Sunday Series through the years 🎼 From 2025 stars Junyan Chen, the Fibonacci Quartet & Amiri Harewood to past highlights Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and the award-winning Astatine Trio. Next up: Nathan Amaral & Kasparas Mikužis, 18 Jan, Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sophie Kinsella. She last joined us at the #RaworthsLitFest in 2017. Her novels, full of warmth and humour, touched countless readers including here in the office. Our thoughts are with her loved ones in these difficult times.

The perfect gift for the book lover in your life!  Our mystery book bundles include 3 signed paperbacks or 4 signed hardback crime thriller books.  🛍️ https://bit.ly/HIFShop25

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...  A bundle of crime thrillers! 📖 The 12 Days of Christmas Book Bundle is available to purchase from HIF Shop along with our mystery book bundles, #TheakstonsCrime Water bottles, Emma Bridgewater mugs & more ✨ 🛍️ https://bit.ly/HIFShop25

The Mayor’s Carol Concert returns to the Royal Hall as the perfect way to enjoy a Christmas concert, some carol singing and a visit from Father Christmas himself 🎅 A free event that you can bring the whole family to. Tickets are FREE but must be booked in advance! 🎟️https://bit.ly/MayorsCarols26

Alongside "trumpeter extraordinaire" Matilda Lloyd, the Goldmund Quartet - praised for their "exquisite playing" - will be bringing the spirit of a 19th-century musical salon to the Old Swan Hotel this February.  Book online today to secure your seats: https://bit.ly/HISS26 🎼

The Christmas elves are back! Support your local arts festival & buy a gift through HIF Shop! We've got something for everyone: 📕Murder in Harrogate 📚Mystery Book Bundles 🕵️‍♂️Theakston Old Peculier Water Bottle ☕Limited Edition Emma Bridgewater Mugs 🎼Sunday Series Subscriptions 🎁Gift Vouchers

The wait is over as we reveal the first #TheakstonsCrime bestsellers & readers’ favourite headliners who will take to the stage next summer. 🩸 David Baldacci 🩸 Steve Cavanagh  🩸Alice Feeney 🩸 Nadine Matheson 🩸 Gillian McAllister 👉 Find out more: https://bit.ly/3XiRnnu

We're thrilled to announce the highly acclaimed “queen of the psychological thriller” and bestselling writer Lisa Jewell as Programming Chair for the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. 👉 Find out more: bit.ly/3XiRnnu

Tickets are selling fast for this year's Harrogate International Sunday Series finale. Cellist Anastasia Feruleva has delighted audiences across Europe & will be accompanied by prize-winning Dutch pianist Frank van de Laar. Book online today to secure your seats: https://bit.ly/HISS26 🎼

A gentle reminder that tickets for Harrogate International Sunday Series are on sale now!  Amongst this year's talented line up is Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson (pictured here) & Kumi Matsuo on clarinet & piano respectively. Join us this Spring for incredible classical music.   🎫 https://bit.ly/HISS26

This week's Salon Spotlight focuses on Dr Alex Box.  A futurist and beauty tech innovator, Alex has collaborated with the world’s leading designers, musicians & tech giants, including Chanel, Lady Gaga & Google. Find out more about Dr Alex's in our next newsletter - head to our website to sign up!

Tickets for Harrogate International Sunday Series are now on general sale!  Book online or over the phone today to secure your seats and join us in celebrating some of the best young talent in classical music 🎼

We are delighted to share that our November pick for HIF Book of the Month is The Cat by Georges Simenon. Find out more November's Book of the Month by heading to the You're Booked section of our website 📚 @penguinukbooks.bsky.social

🔔 Calling all Friends of the Festival! Priority booking for the 2026 Harrogate International Sunday Series closes on Tues 4 Nov. Secure your preferred seats now before tickets go on general sale.  Join us for another year of remarkable performances and unforgettable Spring mornings full of music!

Tickets are available now for our next Berwins Salon North event: Redefining Who We Are - Past, Present and Pixelated. Thursday 20 November | 7.30pm | The Crown Hotel, Harrogate  Head to our website to get your ticket.

🚨 Programme announcement!  We are excited to reveal the dynamic programmes from our internationally renowned Sunday Series 2026 chamber musicians. Booking is now open for Friends of the Festival, with general booking open on Tuesday 4 November at 10am. Head to our What's On page to find out more!

That's a wrap on Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 2025! A huge thank you to all the fantastic authors who took part, to The Crown Hotel, to our wonderful sponsors Raworths Solicitors for their invaluable support & to our audiences for coming together to celebrate literature! 📸Richard Maude

#BritishBeautyWeek starts today, & who better suited to front this year’s campaign than Alex Box? As the founder of V-Metics, the world’s first virtual cosmetic software, she’s redefining beauty for the digital age. We can’t wait to welcome her this November at Berwins Salon North. 🎟️ Available now!

Our Box Office is closed today due to the team being onsite at Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival! 📚 You can still book your tickets online at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or on the door (subject to availability).