Holmfirth Arts Festival 2026

The 2026 Fetsival celebrates the final year of our three-year theme ‘Flow’, embracing our local environment and the people within it. Our focus is on the new springs of local talent that are bubbling up in our vibrant valley, and we are profiling some of the creativity of some of our younger people. Look out for pop up performances and showcases during the festival. We will continue to celebrate the Graveship of Holme, which will be represented in this year’s Townships in Flow Parade. Please come along to one of our free making events and become part of the parade yourself. Our annual Big Free Weekend is also going to be an action-packed few days; with parties to both open and close the events. The highly popular River of Art will return to the banks of the River Holme for everyone to enjoy, a ‘Mass Brass’ ensemble will accompany the parade. There will be traditional British and contemporary Brazilian music, Bhangra and French Breton dancing and songs from the Wooldale Warblers along with giant puppets, craft workshops, VR experiences, aerial circus spectacle and you might bump into some Nora Battys. This is also Bev Adams, our Festival Director’s final year and celebration.   She has done a marvellous job leading the festival over the past eight years and has brought many exciting and memorable moments to Holmfirth during her tenure. She will be sorely missed by   us all and will be remembered as the ‘Queen of the Parade’ having returned   this popular historic event to the town. Our Board of Trustees and patrons, Jessica Gunning and Kieran Hodgson, hope you all enjoy this year’s event and will join us in participating in our broad range of free and Pay as You Decide activities.

Festival at a Glance:

Flow together - Participatory   programme from April onwards.

River oF art - Installation along the banks of the River Holme 12th-14th June.

Townships in Flow - Parade including Mass Brass, Saturday 13th June 4.30-5pm, departs Methodist Church Gardens and returns to Holmside Gardens. 

River Rhythms - Opening party with Dr Pete’s Salsa Band, Friday 12th June 7pm-9pm, The Box Office Bar. 

Emerging Eddies - Grass roots performances and activities, Saturday 13th June 12noon to 4.30pm, Holmside Gardens and Methodist Church and Gardens.

Rising Currents - Street theatre and activities, Sunday 14th June 12noon-5pm, Holmside Gardens, Methodist Church and Gardens. 

Funky Flow Family Finale -   Closing Party with Happy Daggers Sunday   14th June 5.15pm–7.30pm, The Picturedrome. 

New Streams - Emerging talent showcase Sunday 28th June 1.30pm–6pm,   The Picturedrome. 

All information available on our website www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk