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).

WE'RE RECRUITING! We are recruiting for a Marketing and Communications Manager to lead the strategic delivery of all marketing, press, and audience engagement activity at Harrogate International Festivals. Find out more here 👇 https://bit.ly/WorkWithHIF

Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival Week 1 ✅ After opening with Patrick Grant & A.C. Grayling on Thursday, we talked politics with Nicola Sturgeon & had live animation fun with LightWeight. Plenty more fun to be had this week, head to What's On on our website!  📸Gerard Binks and Richard Maude

From our Friends at York Concerts!  Renowned British pianist Danny Driver returns to York to bring his insight and artistry to a programme centred on Bach’s Goldberg Variations.  More information here 👇 https://yorkconcerts.co.uk/whats-on/2025-26/bach-goldberg-variations-danny-driver/

Just 1 week to go! The Children’s Festival at Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is nearly here, packed with stories, creativity, and fun for a variety of ages. Head over to harrogateinternationalfestivals.com to find our more details and book your tickets today! 🎟️ £7 per event

Starting this evening, Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival brings LightWeight to Crown Place, Harrogate!  Join us tonight and tomorrow (between 5.30-9pm) as this incredible installation will be dancing with colourful live animations! This interactive pop-up is FREE to all 🫧 #raworthslitfest

#RaworthsLitFest kicks off with a full house! Day One opens with Patrick Grant. As he chats with Gaynor Barnes - he delves on his compelling new book ‘Less’, championing the idea that living with fewer, higher-quality things is the key to sustainability.

Catch Jeremy Hunt discussing his new book, "Can We Be Great Again?" with Matt Stadlen at Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.  17 October | 12.30pm | The Crown Hotel, Harrogate. 🎟️Tickets at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

Great family friendly event coming up soon! 🦕 Check out the details below 👇

Exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with some of our 2025 authors are now live! Visit the 'You're Booked' section on our website to discover who said what - and get inspired by their words. #raworthslitfest

I recognise this artwork! Amazing what you find on your travels. Great banner work from @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social 👍

Fascinating session listening to @lucaveste.bsky.social talk about the value of libraries, crime writing and the popularity of cosy crime as part of #BigRead2025 with @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social and @dialoguepublishing.bsky.social

Raworths Runs returns this Friday in partnership with Early Bird Run Crew and we hope to see you there!  Like reading, running can lower stress, boost wellbeing and bring us together. No matter your ability, join us by Harrogate Centotaph, 6.30am for a 5k run & receive a free book for taking part!

Just 2 weeks until Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is in full swing! 📚 Explore our brilliant lineup and book your tickets now via our website. And keep an eye out for exclusive author interviews landing on our platform very soon. #raworthsharrogateliteraturefestival #raworthslitfest

I’m now ready for the discussion of #ThePottingShedMurder by Paula Sutton for @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social #BigRead2025. Next up is a hug in a book in the form of #LetTheBellsRingOut from Milly Johnson and @simonschusteruk.bsky.social #BookSky #BookBlogger

Honoured to produce the artwork to promote @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social Literature Festival 2025. It's an autumunal cast of literary genius! Check out the itinerary and get booked up for some events... harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival/raworths-harrogate-literature-festival/

#theakstonscrime is on the Road at the Big Read 2025 visits Knaresborough Library before heading to #Acomb later this afternoon! Discussing all things 🪏 Potting Shed Murder 🥀 by Paula Sutton! @lucaveste.bsky.social

This week on HIF Player, journalist and commentator Kat Brown, smashes the stereotypical idea of ADHD with scientific evidence, historical context and provides practical support for ADHD minds. Listen to this week's episode: https://bit.ly/HPKatBrown 🎧 @katbrownwrites.com

Looking forward to welcoming Dr Tom Bellamy, Anita Cleare and Kadiatu Kaneh-Mason for tonight's #BerwinsSalonNorth event! Focusing on Parenting, Passion and Perservence.  7.30pm | The Crown Hotel, Harrogate 

Teenage eye-rolls, romantic obsession & musical prodigies, #BerwinsSalonNorth explores the science and stories behind human connection. Join Dr Tom Bellamy, Anita Cleare & Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, this Thursday in Harrogate, for an evening of insight, empathy & inspiration.  

Delighted that @harrogatefestivals.bsky.social has chosen #TheCutThroatTrial as its Book of The Month! Thank you, you lovely festival folk! ❤️

Clarity. Connection. Collaboration. These are at the heart of Anita Cleare’s powerful insights into the challenges of parenting teens. 📆 Catch her live at Berwins Salon North on 11 September for an evening of warmth, wisdom, and real talk. #BerwinsSalonNorth @berwins.bsky.social

Throwback to #raworthslitfest 2024 📚 We're busy behind the scenes with preparations for this year's Festival, taking place 9-19 October, hope to see you there!

Tune into this episode of HIF Player, where Mike Berners-Lee, author of acclaimed books such as How Bad Are Bananas and There Is No Planet B, discusses climate action and asks "who is really in control? 🌦️ Listen here https://bit.ly/HIFPlayerMike 🎧

We are delighted to share the artwork for this year's Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 📚 The incredibly talented @graemebandeira.bsky.social  has captured the essence of this Festival in his artwork - great writing, leading thinkers and sharing stories!

We're hiring a Marketing and Communications Manager!   From shaping innovative marketing campaigns to managing media relations and overseeing digital platforms, your work will elevate HIF’s profile and impact. Find out more and apply here 👇 https://bit.ly/CommsMarketingManager

General booking is now open for #raworthslitfest 📚 This October, there will be brilliant author talks to lively debates and family fun, this year’s programme is packed with stories, ideas and inspiration💡 Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation 👇 https://bit.ly/RHLF25

Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival returns this autumn with ten days of big names & brilliant conversations from 9 -19 October. Booking is now open for Friends of the Festival. General booking opens Wed 27 Aug at 10am📚 Become a Friend and book your tickets today 👇 bit.ly/FestivalFriends25

Tune into HIF Player this week to hear cricketing legend Monty Panesar discusses view from his front row seat as he recounts some of the greatest dramas in English cricket, along with his own inspiring story🏏 Listen here 👇 https://bit.ly/MontyHIFPlayer

We are recruiting for a Marketing and Communications Manager to lead the strategic delivery of all marketing, press, and audience engagement activity at Harrogate International Festivals. Find out more and apply here 👇 https://bit.ly/CommsMarketingManager