The 2026 Swaledale Festival will begin this weekend, bringing two weeks of music, creativity, walking and cultural events to communities across the northern Yorkshire Dales.
Running from Saturday, May 23 to Saturday, June 6, the festival will feature internationally acclaimed musicians, emerging artists, writers, comedians and community performers at venues throughout Swaledale, Arkengarthdale, Richmondshire and Wensleydale.
This year’s programme opens with performances by violin and guitar duo Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Plínio Fernandes, alongside the UK debut of vocal ensemble SYSTIR in Grinton.
Festival audiences can also look forward to performances from pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason in Richmond, sitar player Jasdeep Singh Degun in Arkengarthdale, and kora musician Suntou Susso in Grinton.
Among the headline acts is acclaimed baritone Roderick Williams, who will perform alongside the Carducci String Quartet in a programme featuring Schubert and Philip Glass, before returning later in the festival for a recital with pianist Susie Allan.
The festival will also welcome jazz singer Clare Teal and comedian and musician Rachel Parris to The Garden Rooms at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn.
Organisers say this year’s programme places a strong focus on the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of the Dales landscape.
Events include nature-inspired talks from local organisations and experts, creative writing workshops, woodland sound explorations and outdoor painting sessions where artists will respond to live music in meadow settings.
A new Royal Philharmonic Society commission will also receive its world premiere during the festival. Composer Vivek Haria’s SANGAM: Songs of the River has been specially created for the Swaledale Festival and will be performed in Aysgarth by soprano Margaret Lingas and pianist Christopher Glynn.
Community participation remains a major part of the festival programme, with performances planned from local brass bands, choirs and singing groups, including Muker Silver Band, Reeth Brass Band, Marske Choir and the Military WAGS Choir from Catterick.
The closing concert will see folk fusion group Mishra join forces with vocalist Deepa Shakthi for what organisers describe as an “electrifying finale” in Grinton on June 6.
Alongside the live performances, two free exhibitions will run throughout the festival, including artist Martin Lever’s Into Over Beyond at The Station and photography exhibition Composed by the Land at Hudson House.
Festival organisers said the event continues to celebrate the close relationship between landscape, creativity and community across the Yorkshire Dales.
More information and tickets are available from the Swaledale Festival website.
