Welcome to the 2018 Swaledale Festival - 26 May to 9 June

Online booking opens on Monday 26 March. Priority booking for subscribers to our Festival Friends scheme opens on Monday 5 March.

"I am delighted to present a packed fortnight of performances by some of the most exciting classical, folk, jazz and world musicians, as well as theatre, film, dance, poetry, comedy, workshops, family events, talks, guided walks and art exhibitions. All this takes place in charming ancient churches, village halls and heritage buildings in the stunning landscape of the North Yorkshire Dales.

This year’s truly international line-up includes musicians and artists from Syria, Iran, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Ireland, France, Italy, Australia, India, China, South Africa, Senegal, Argentina, Venezuela, Canada and the USA, as well as a large number from the UK, and Yorkshire in particular. 

Our Young Artists Platform features immensely talented young performers early in their careers. There are new commissions and world premieres, and our programme of work in schools and care homes is more comprehensive than ever.

J.S. Bach’s keyboard masterpiece Goldberg Variations features in a number of events this year, with complete performances by both the harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani and the pianist Angela Hewitt, as well as an excerpt from harpist Catrin Finch and kora player Seckou Keita. The mathematician Marcus du Sautoy's Reeth Lecture (our tenth, incidentally) will focus on Bach’s use of mathematical symmetry in Goldberg Variations, and there will be two screenings of 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould which contains excerpts from the late pianist’s ground-breaking recordings of the work.

Please have a browse through our Programme and Exhibition pages where you will find a diverse selection of extraordinary music and art to choose from. I look forward to seeing you at the Festival!"

Malcolm Creese, Artistic Director

The Festival is extremely grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, funders, donors, legacy givers, Festival Friends and Angels, as well as the tireless work and dedication of our loyal volunteers, our staff, and members of the Festival Board. Swaledale Festival receives support from Arts Council England and from generous sponsors including  Sherwoods (Vauxhall) of Darlington, Handelsbanken, Latimer Hinks Solicitors, Kenneth Easby Accountants, T&R Theakston Ltd, Purple Creative Studio, Tennants Garden Rooms, Millgate House B&B in Richmond, the Burgoyne Hotel in Reeth and the Bridge Inn in Grinton. We are also supported by a number of Local Businesses shown here.

Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, international harp and kora stars, will be performing on Monday 28 May