JUNE
Fossgate Festival
- When? 10-6pm, 5 Jun, 3 Jul, 7 Aug, 28 Aug
- Where? Fossgate
- How much? Free
Fossgate has lots to offer on any day but walk down on one of its festival days and experience it at a time like no other! The street party will have you wishing you had more stomach space to try all the food and drink all the drink, whilst regretting your choices as you try and dance to the live music.
York River Art Market
- When? 26 June, 3 July, 10 July, 10-5:30pm
- Where? Lendal side of the River Ouse by the Museum Gardens
- How much? Free
This event is hot off the press as it begins this year in the hope of establishing itself as a staple summer event. Survey the railings along the Judi Dench Walk and be inspired by work from artists based all around Yorkshire, ‘both established and emerging’. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
ChipShopTheMusical
- When? Wednesday 1st – Friday 3rd June 6.30pm (Food from 6pm) & 8.30pm (Food from 8pm)
- Where? Wackers Fish and Chips Restaurant, 45-49 Gillygate, York
- How much? £16.50 with fish and chips.
This is a bit of a wild card on our list of summer lovin’ and towards the pricier end of the spectrum, but it could be just the ticket if you like eating fish and chips with the eclectic combination of theatre and music, "UK Grime, Yorkshire Brass and sounds of chip shop life."
A Hawk and A Hacksaw
- When? 30th June at 19:45
- Where? The National Centre for Early Music , St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, York
- How much? £5 for students
I can’t say I’ve been a fan of the band for longer than an hour but I was drawn in by the description from the Yorkshire Festival, as well as their review from Pitchfork. They have a very refreshing and eclectic sound but I recommend having a listen before you commit.
The Tetley Weekender
- When? 25th-26th June.
- Where? Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ
- How much? Free with some ticketed events
I haven’t experienced much sound art before but if you fancy a trip to Leeds around this time, drop into this micro-festival. It’s an extension of one of their current and free exhibitions called No Quiet Place, focused on sound and visual art. Expect to see performers, live music and talks along with family activities.
JULY
The Great Yorkshire Fringe
- When? 15th July – 1st August
- Where? Parliament Street and various locations in the centre of York
- How much? It seems most tickets are around £10 otherwise there is also the free fringe
The Great Yorkshire Fringe is in its second year, hoping to establish itself as an unmissable summer occasion after its huge successes last year with over 120,000 people attending 63 events. There is a large variety of entertainment centred around comedy, cabaret, theatre, music and activities. Martin Witts, the founder has been quoted in the British Theatre Guide as saying that, “The Great Yorkshire Fringe in 2016 is going to be an even bigger non-stop cavalcade of laughs. Comedy is going to take over the city centre and the sound of infectious laughter will be everywhere!”
York Early Music Festival by The National Centre for Early Music
- When? 8th – 16th July
- Where? Smattered around the city of York
- How much? Student prices are £5 on most shows
The music events may not be everyone’s cup of tea but for £5 shows and the smug feeling after a dose of culture, it may be worth swapping Kuda Klub Klassix for Choral Pilgrimage. The more resistant you are, the more grown-up you feel post-listen. The festival "marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, with music from the Elizabethan theatre and pieces inspired by the Shakespearean themes of magic, mystery and the supernatural."
AUGUST
Leeds Festival
- When? 25th-28th August
- Where? Bramham Park
- How much? £59.50 for a day ticket, £205 for a weekend ticket.
Leeds festival has the same acts as Reading festival, including the headliners Biffy Clyro, Fall Out Boy, Foals, Disclosure, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Imagine Dragons to name a few. Sales are still going so if you fancy a weekend of debauchery and are attempting to keep the uni lyf alive post-finals, this is your ticket outta reality.
SEPTEMBER
Leeds International Beer Festival
- When? 8th-11th September
- Where? Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds, LSI 3AD
- How much? Thursday from 5-11pm is £8, Friday 12-5pm is £7.50, Friday 6-11pm is £8.50, Saturday 12-5pm is £8.50, Saturday 6-11pm is £8.50, Sunday 12-5pm is £6.
If you’re a fan of craft beer or any number of the hundreds of beers and ciders on offer, this festival is for you. Cushion your stomach with delicious selections from the street food market whilst listening to live music from the two stages.