A popular free arts festival in the Yorkshire Dales is set to return for a fourth year after local businesses stepped in with sponsorship to help secure its future.
Reeth Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, 5 September, in the field next to the Reeth Showground, bringing together more than 50 North Yorkshire artists, live music, workshops and family activities.
The event, which has grown significantly since it launched in 2023, is free for both visitors and exhibitors. Artists are not charged for a pitch and keep 100 per cent of any sales they make during the day.
Festival organisers said the event had faced its biggest funding challenge yet after receiving no grant funding this year amid increasing pressure on arts budgets.
Instead, the festival has relied on sponsorship and donations from local businesses and individuals, with organisers thanking The Buck at Reeth, Avant Gardeners at the Dales Bike Centre, Stay in Swaledale, Moments Café and Landmarc, along with other supporters, for making this year’s event possible.
A spokesperon said: “Recognising the value of the festival has become clearer now than ever for our local artists, creatives and small arts business owners. Thankfully, local businesses have come to the rescue. The gratitude for this is immense.”
The not-for-profit charitable association was established to provide North Yorkshire artists with a free platform to showcase and sell their work while making art accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The festival also encourages emerging artists and young creatives by giving them an opportunity to exhibit alongside more established names.
Set against the backdrop of Fremington Edge, visitors will be able to browse artists’ stalls, watch live demonstrations as artists create work throughout the day, enjoy live music on the festival’s trailer stage and take part in activities for both adults and children.
Food and drink will be available from horsebox vendors operated by Moments Café and The Buck at Reeth.
The festival has grown rapidly since its launch. Around 20 artists and 200 visitors attended the inaugural event in 2023. That increased to 30 artists and approximately 400 visitors in 2024, before last year’s festival attracted 45 artists and more than 800 visitors.
Collectively, exhibiting artists generated more than £8,000 in sales during the 2025 festival.
Organisers hope to build on that success this year, with more than 50 artists expected to exhibit.
Free parking will be available over the bridge for visitors travelling from further afield, while toilet facilities will be provided on site.
Artists interested in exhibiting at this year’s festival can apply for a free pitch by emailing reethartsfestival@yahoo.com.
Further details about performers and activities will be shared in the run-up to the event via the festival’s social media channels.
