So it’s to God’s own county, Yorkshire, for an aural smorgasbord of summer 2026 festivals and concerts, highlighted in various subsequent posts (watch this space!).

Harrogate International Festivals (note the plural) started in June, and runs until the end of July, with concerts and literary events. The Ryedale Festival, almost exclusively classical music, with some add-ons, takes up most of July. August 8^th sees the opening of the two-week North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, and the Swaledale Festival of Music, Arts and Walking hosted 75 events in May and June.

I headed to swanky Harrogate as a starting point, and will wend my way eastwards to sample the Ryedale Festival.