A NORTH Yorkshire music festival is promising to be "bigger and better" than ever before.
Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival will take place from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2, with a packed programme of more than 50 events across the market town.
Venues in the town centre and Church Street will host a mix of free, donation-based, and ticketed events.
There will be more dance this year, with on Saturday both Bollywood and Line Dance classes back by popular demand, the 400 Roses Morris dancing on Church Street and then a Ceilidh on Sunday afternoon.
There will also be art, with a free exhibition of some of the collected work of celebrated Yorkshire Moors artist Lewis Creighton, and local history with two guided ‘History Walks’ around the fascinating town.
Highlights include headline performances at the Memorial Hall, with Kirkby Soul taking the stage on Friday night, The Maestros on Saturday, and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts BRASS Band closing out the festival on Sunday evening in the James Holt Concert Hall.
Kirkby Soul, an eight-piece band featuring two vocalists and a full brass section, will get the audience moving with a night of classic soul music.
Saturday night sees the return of The Maestros, who performed as the Bootleg 60s last year.
They will play hit songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s in a lively set designed to keep the crowd dancing.
Sunday’s finale is a special Beatles celebration, featuring the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band joined by guest musicians and singers.
Organisers say the festival is "bigger and better" this year but will retain the "warmth and welcome of the community."
Discounted afternoon tickets are available for several themed events.
On Friday, an ‘Acoustic Friday’ ticket for £19 grants access to concerts by John Drakes, Lost in Eve, Emma Lynne, and Casper at All Saints’ Church.
Emma, a 21-year-old vocalist with BBC radio appearances to her name, will open the event at 3pm.
She will be followed by Casper, a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for deeply emotional performances.
At 5.30pm, John Drakes returns by popular demand, supported by the harmonious duo Lost in Eve.
A ‘Folk Afternoon’ ticket for £20 covers a full day of folk and acoustic music at the Methodist Church from 2.15pm to 10.30pm on Saturday.
Acts include The Browns, Mills and Farrell, Nessy Williamson, the Ryedale Celtic Music Circle, and an end-of-night singaround.
On the same day, a £22 ‘Acoustic Afternoon’ ticket at All Saints’ Church provides entry to performances by Mark David Roberts, the Pelican Babies, and Boo Hewerdine, formerly of 1980s band The Bible.
Boo, described as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters," has written for artists including The Corrs, Chris Difford, and Eddi Reader.
He will be supported by emerging artist Tymisha.
Sunday’s ‘Dance Afternoon’ ticket for £18 includes entry to both the Howard Hebron Band at 1.45pm and the Jackhare Ceilidh Band at 5pm.
A separate £5 ticket provides access to live music in the garden of the White Swan pub.
The Spankin’ Monkeys, Diva Strop, and The Cover Ups will perform on Saturday, while Sunday’s line-up features Moorside 3, The Scorchers, and Grayson and Jacobs.
Free and donation-based events are also part of the schedule.
The John Lane Duo will perform jazz at All Saints’ Church on Saturday night, and the Weighton Waytes Choir will take the stage on Sunday afternoon.
Additional acoustic sets will take place throughout the weekend at the Memorial Hall Acoustic Bar and various pubs and cafes around the town.
Full event details are available at www.kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk/kirkbymoorside-music-festival-2026