Ryedale Festival 2026

About

image: Matthew Johnson

The Ryedale Festival has unveiled its 2026 summer programme, presenting 16 days of music, performance and cultural experiences across North and East Yorkshire from 10 to 26 July 2026. The festival will feature 60 events in 40 venues, bringing internationally recognised artists, major premieres and creative collaborations to some of the region’s most distinctive historic buildings and landscapes.

Building on significant growth in recent years, the festival continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and ambitious music festivals. The 2026 programme introduces nine new venues, expanding its reach to locations including Bridlington Priory, Howden Minster, Richmond, Selby, York and Kirkbymoorside.

Five Artistic Residencies Shape the Festival Programme

The 2026 programme is centred around five artistic residencies, each offering audiences the opportunity to explore unique musical themes and performances throughout the festival.

John Wilson and Sinfonia of London

Launching a new three-year partnership with the festival, John Wilson and Sinfonia of London open proceedings at York Barbican with An English Summer. The programme celebrates British orchestral music and includes Vaughan Williams’ popular work The Lark Ascending.

The Gesualdo Six

Internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six present a four-concert residency spanning venues from Bridlington Priory to the historic parish church in Richmond. Their performances explore themes of nature, evening, English sacred music and dawn, joined by guest artists trumpeter Matilda Lloyd and cellist Josephine Knight.

Van Baerle Piano Trio

The Van Baerle Piano Trio will explore the relationship between Brahms and Shostakovich through a series of four concerts. The residency combines Shostakovich’s Preludes and Fugues with performances of Brahms’ complete piano trios. Writer and BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Stephen Johnson will provide additional insight into the composers and their work.

Laura van der Heijden

Award-winning cellist Laura van der Heijden curates a diverse sequence of concerts examining musical connections across genres, instruments and eras. Highlights include Haydn’s C Major Cello Concerto, a recital centred on Saint-Saëns’ The Swan, and performances featuring the cimbalom.

Imogen Whitehead

Brass soloist Imogen Whitehead showcases the expressive qualities of the flugelhorn throughout her residency. The residency concludes with the world premiere of a new Flugelhorn Concerto by Gabriel Jackson, performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Charlotte Corderoy.

Inspired by Yorkshire’s strong brass band heritage, the project also includes masterclasses and performance opportunities for young musicians, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to community engagement and musical development.

Internationally Acclaimed Soloists and Ensembles

The festival welcomes a distinguished line-up of performers, including:

• Sheku Kanneh-Mason
• Isata Kanneh-Mason
• Benjamin Grosvenor
• Junyan Chen

Junyan Chen appears following international recognition and success at the Leeds International Piano Competition.

Major ensemble performances include:

• Tenebrae celebrating its 25th anniversary at Ripon Cathedral
• Dunedin Consort presenting a Purcell-inspired programme in Helmsley
• Royal Northern Sinfonia performing in Sledmere and Hovingham

Celebrating Song and Storytelling

Song remains a central feature of the festival programme. Mark Padmore performs Schubert’s Winterreise in one of the region’s atmospheric churches, while a dedicated Schubert Day, guided by BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Katy Hamilton, explores the composer’s life and music through piano sonatas, songs and a late-night performance of the String Quintet.

The day also includes a rare UK appearance by The Erlkings, a Schubert-inspired folk-rock ensemble known for bringing the composer’s emotional world to contemporary audiences.

Early Music and Musical Heritage

The festival marks the 400th anniversary of John Dowland’s death through several performances by Dowland’s Foundry, recreating the intimate and conversational character of his lute songs.

Early music enthusiasts can also experience The Salt Road, where writer Horatio Clare and ensemble In Echo retrace the route of Bach’s famous pilgrimage to hear Buxtehude. The project combines music, storytelling and landscape to create an immersive audience experience.

Yorkshire-Inspired Performances

Several events draw inspiration from Yorkshire’s cultural heritage. Emily Levy and Matthew Bourne present songs inspired by Bradford-born suffragette Julia Varley, reimagining British folk traditions through contemporary performance.

Additional highlights include:

• Eliza Carthy and The Restitution performing at Selby Abbey
• Matt Ford celebrating Sinatra and the swing era in Malton

Supporting Emerging Talent and Family Audiences

The festival’s partnership with BBC Radio 3 continues in 2026, with five BBC New Generation Artists appearing across seven concerts. These performances will be recorded for future broadcast, extending the festival’s reach to audiences across the UK.

Emerging musicians are supported through the Waverley Young Artists programme, while families can enjoy a range of storytelling and music events, including:

• The Duck With No Luck
• Don’t Ask the Dragon
• Opera North’s Mini Magic Flute

Festival Director Comment

Festival Director Christopher Glynn said:

“A festival should feel like a world that audiences can step into. The aim is to bring exceptional performances to beautiful Yorkshire locations while welcoming visitors from across the region and beyond. With nine new festival venues and some of today’s most inspiring artists, the festival looks forward to sharing music with more people than ever during summer 2026.”

Ryedale Festival 2026 Dates and Tickets

Ryedale Festival 2026 takes place from 10 to 26 July across North and East Yorkshire. The full programme and ticket information are available via the festival’s official website.