Haworth Festival 2025

Haworth Festival 2025 is nearly here — time to get excited for ten days packed with music, literature, dance, comedy, art, and hands-on activities!
There’s something for everyone this July in Brontë Country. Here’s a breakdown by date to help you plan:

Friday 11 July
Comedy with Rob Rouse — 7:30pm
Opening night laughs with the hilarious Rob Rouse at Cobbles & Clay Cafe.

Saturday 12 July
DRAW! Tour: Haworth — 12:00–3:00pm
A creative outdoor sketching event based in Cobbles and Clay ‘Classroom’.

The Gothic Brontës Seminar Day — 10:00am–4:00pm
An immersive day exploring the Brontës’ Gothic influences with Dr Sam Hirst.

The Female Gothic Discussion — 5:00–6:15pm
A lively talk on women’s Gothic writing with Dr Claire O’Callaghan and Dr Michael Stewart.

A Gothic Haunted Haworth Ghost Tour — 9:30pm
A spine-chilling ghost walk through Haworth’s cobbled streets with folklorist Adam Sargant.

Sunday 13 July
Family Yoga — 10:45–11:30am
Free outdoor family yoga session with Liz Waddington in Haworth Central Park, meeting at the bandstand.

The First Ponden Duck Race — 12:30pm
Family fun day at Ponden Mill with a duck race, axe throwing, and live music by Joe Dury from 2:30pm.

Jack Tars live — 7:00pm
A folk band bringing maritime tunes.

Monday 14 July
Wellness Walk — 11:00am–12:00pm
Gentle guided walk for wellbeing.

Bellringing – Open Session — 7:00pm
Drop in at St Michael and All Angels Church to watch and try bellringing with Haworth Bellringers. Free, limited space for ringing.

Tuesday 15 July
Heart Trail Run — 6:30–7:30pm
A free social run exploring art on Penistone Hill; meet at the Church steps. Suitable footwear advised; charity collection on the day.

Haworth Festival Quiz — 7:30pm
Join the interactive Treehouse Quiz: answer questions on your phone in this fast-paced, fun quiz night. Free entry; book a table via the Treehouse website.

Wednesday 16 July
What the Brontës Did at the Fringe — 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Award-winning singer-songwriter Pauline Vallance brings the Brontë sisters to life in this witty one-woman show with original songs, imagining how they’d tackle today’s Edinburgh Fringe. A playful homage for Brontë fans and fringe lovers alike.

Thursday 17 July
Poetry Workshop: Emily Brontë’s Universe — 3:15–4:15pm
Join award-winning writer Tamar Yellin to explore Emily Brontë’s poetic questions about nature, eternity and love, and craft your own verses inspired by her spiritual journey. Book here.

Soul Diary – Emily Brontë’s Poetry — 2:00pm (in-person) & 7:30pm (online)
A close look at Emily Brontë’s secretive poems, their history, and the manuscripts that preserve her haunting ‘soul diary’. Book here.

Debut Book Club
An informal, friendly gathering for book lovers to chat about the monthly pick (or any favourite reads) and share recommendations. Free to join, with a food discount for attendees.

Introduction to Balboa — 7:30–10:30pm
A friendly beginners’ Balboa class at the historic Old School Rooms. No partner or booking needed — just drop in (£5 cash). Learn this stylish swing dance and enjoy social dancing to round off the evening.

Pints of View — 8:30pm
At Old White Lion Haworth, relaxed discussion over drinks.

Friday 18 July
The 309’s — 7:15–10:30pm
Kick off a weekend of Balboa dancing with The 309’s playing Western Swing and swing dance classics at the Old School Rooms. £15 in advance; discounts available if attending multiple dances.

Singo Bingo — 7:30pm
A lively festival night at Treehouse Bar & Kitchen: cross off songs instead of numbers, win prizes and enjoy a fun musical twist on bingo! Book a table.

Saturday 19 July
Wild Uplands Walk and Write — 1:00–5:00pm
Join writer Michael Stewart for a guided walk on Penistone Hill with readings, discussion, and a writing workshop inspired by the Brontë moorland views and Wild Uplands artworks. £20 including refreshments. Tickets.

Walk a Mile in My Shoes — 1:30–4:00pm
Drop in at West Lane Baptist Centre to help craft a path of fabric footprints along Haworth Main Street, celebrating creativity for Bradford 2025. Free, all ages welcome.

Silent Folk — 2:00–5:00pm
Relaxed acoustic session at The Old Silent Inn, Stanbury. All musicians welcome to join in or just listen. Free, no booking needed — just come along!

Haworth Is Talented — 7:00pm
A village talent showcase of music, dance, comedy and more at St Michael and All Angels Church, hosted by Skinner and T’witch. Audience votes for their favourites!

Hot Club of Halifax — 7:15–10:30pm
A lively social dance evening with Hot Club of Halifax playing swing for Balboa and Shag dancers at the Old School Rooms; part of the Brontë Balboa Festival Weekend (£15 in advance).

Sunday 20 July
Artisan Market In The Park — 10:00am–3:00pm
A charming outdoor market in Haworth Central Park featuring over 20 stalls of high-quality handmade products and local produce, with friendly makers happy to discuss custom orders.

An Afternoon of Live Music at Ponden Mill — 2:00–6:00pm
Free live music with Venessa Forero and guest Marina Chapman sharing her incredible story, bar and tearoom open.

Cactusville Jazz — 4:30–8:30pm
Brontë Balboa’s Balboa Tea Dance finale at the Old School Rooms with Cactusville Jazz playing Parisian Swing/Gypsy Jazz — a relaxed end to the festival’s weekend of social dances. £15 in advance.

Monday 21 July
HAHA! with Patrick Monahan — 7:30pm
Festival favourite Patrick Monahan closes Haworth Festival with his stand-up show The Good, the Pat and The Ugly, tackling cancel culture with laughs. £12 advance, £14 on the door.

Wednesday 23 July
Seascapes and Sea Glass – Watercolour Workshop — 10:00am–4:00pm
A full-day workshop with Kate of Essoldo Design, painting seascapes and sea glass inspired by nature and gemstones at The Classroom. Tickets.

Thursday 24 July
Tile Inspired Watercolours — 10:00am–4:00pm
A day with Kate of Essoldo Design, painting watercolour patterns inspired by travel and ceramic tiles, exploring techniques and metallic accents at The Classroom. Tickets.

Saturday 26 July
Celebrating Emily Brontë: Wild Drawing — 10:00am–4:00pm
A mixed media workshop with artist Anji Timlin, blending Emily’s love of art and nature with a creative walk up Penistone Hill. No experience needed! Tickets.

Sunday 27 July
Haworth Brass Band at Haworth Bandstand — 2:00–4:00pm
Relax with family and friends as Haworth’s own traditional Yorkshire Brass Band fills Central Park with classic live music.