How the famous spa town of Ilkley is gearing up for Yorkshire Day 2025 with a series of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy across the first weekend in August.

Pictures by Stephen Garnett

It might mean nowt to some, but to proper Yorkshire folk, the date 1st August means only one thing – a day to celebrate everything that makes this the best place in the world to live.

Held every year since 1975 and led by The Yorkshire Society, Yorkshire Day celebrates the county’s heritage, history, landscape, culture, and its people, with a different town or city chosen every year as official hosts of the event.

And his year, thanks to the Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID) and Bradford Council, Ilkley has the honour of co-hosting the official Yorkshire Day celebration, the centrepiece of Yorkshire Day, alongside Bradford, the UK City of Culture 2025, and the town is looking forward to creating a weekend of activities that will capture the essence of the community and celebrate everything that makes Yorkshire such a special place.

Running from Friday 1st August to Sunday 3rd August it will be three fun-packed days full of live music, food, drink, family games, poetry, drama and lots of Ilkley civic pride.

Recently named as the Sunday Times Best Place to Live in the North and North East 2025, Ilkley has a wealth of attractions from the iconic Cow and Calf rocks and famous Ilkley Moor to the wonderful riverside green spaces, as well as many historical attractions, including Ilkley Manor House.

And it will be a warm Ilkley welcome for visitors to the town, with 2025 proving to be both a recognition and a celebration of the heritage, culture and hospitality of the Bradford district, as well as its warmth and community spirit.

Yorkshire Day 2025 will showcase the best of Ilkley to visitors from all across Yorkshire and the country and it’s certain to be a weekend to remember for the whole family.

WHAT’S ON

Friday 1st August
The celebration will follow the traditional format of events, featuring a spectacular procession along The Grove by 170 mayors, town criers and dignitaries.

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 Clarke Foley Community Hub will host a Yorkshire Beer Festival on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August showcasing local breweries based within Yorkshire with an evening session from 5-9pm on both days.

Tickets available at: booking.bradford2025.co.uk

Saturday 2nd August
The Grove will be closed for traffic and there will be an eclectic programme of drama, dance, poetry and music with local artists performing throughout the day, culminating in a headline act by popular Yorkshire band well known for their up-tempo performances. 

A Yorkshire Day Market organised by Real Markets Ilkley, will focus on Yorkshire based traders and include demonstrations and activities in the centre of town.

Family activities will take place at the Riverside Park.

The Clarke Foley Community Hub will once again host the Yorkshire Beer Festival from 5pm – 9pm with a family-friendly session from 1pm – 4pm.

Sunday 3rd August
The Yorkshire Real Markets will be offering local and speciality food produce, drinks, crafts, artwork, homeware and more.

For more information about the celebration weekend, please visit discoverilkley.co.uk.