Embrace the arts: Harrogate Competitive Festival returns

The Harrogate Competitive Festival is in full swing, having kicked off last weekend and continuing across the next two weekends in March — celebrating music, speech and drama.

Held at Harrogate High School, the Festival features a wide range of competitive classes, giving young performers the chance to showcase their talents in front of friends, family and a live audience.

Founded in 1936, the Festival has a long-standing tradition of nurturing young talent. 

Participants not only get to perform, but also receive valuable feedback from professional adjudicators, helping them develop their skills and confidence on stage.

Beyond the competition, the Festival emphasises the importance of the arts in the community, highlighting creativity, expression and performance for all ages.

 13-15 and 20-22 March, Harrogate High School, Ainsty Road, HG1 4AP. 

See the first signs of spring

With the days getting longer and the weather hopefully starting to warm up, it’s time to dust off your walking boots.

This year spring officially starts on March 20 and one of the signs that spring is well and truly on its way is when spring plants such as snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses and bluebells come out to bloom.

These can especially be seen on The Stray in Harrogate, so make the most of the season and head out for a walk or run. 

For more inspiration, check out these 7 places to see spring flowers in Yorkshire.

Watch Six Nations matches

The Six Nations continues this Saturday, and Roosters in Hornbeam Park is screening some of the matches (see below).

Throughout the tournament, it is running a XV and Scoundrel promotion where you can collect stamps every time you buy one of its pints at Roosters and once you’ve got five stamps, you receive your sixth pint for free.

Saturday's fixtures 

Ireland v Scotland, kick off 2.10pm

Wales v Italy, kick off 4.40pm

France v England, kick off 8.10pm

The offer runs all day every day until March 14, Unit H5, Fifth Avenue, Hornbeam Park Avenue, Harrogate, HG2 8QT.

Learn about the history of Nidderdale

Nidderdale Museum is offering two for one tickets this Saturday for National Lottery Open Week.

The exhibits are set out across 13 rooms and focus on rural life, with sections on agriculture, local industries, religion, transport and costume. There are displays that include re-creations of a Victorian schoolroom, a cobbler’s workshop, a 1930s hairdresser’s salon and a shop among others.

It will be open on Saturday from 10.30am-3.30pm and customers can get two entries for the price of one for participants in the National Lottery Open Week (the offer is redeemable by anyone with a National Lottery ticket).

Under 16s free, £5 per ticket for adults (but as above, 2 for 1 entry for those with a National Lottery ticket), 10.30am-3.30pm, March 14, Nidderdale Museum, The Old Workhouse, King Street, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5LE.

Celebrate Mother’s Day

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, so treat your mum or your mothering figure to a gift from one of the many shops in the district, a big bouquet from an independent florist, or a meal at a local restaurant.

Harrogate is buzzing with Mother’s Day celebrations. Families can enjoy the Mothering Funday at Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza in Harrogate town centre, featuring fun activities like an inflatable wipeout challenge and prizes, running from 11 am to 3pm. 

For those looking to treat mum to something special, restaurants such as Ambers, The Ivy, and Carters Champagne Bar and Grill are offering indulgent Sunday lunches and afternoon teas, complete with seasonal menus.

For a more hands-on experience, local workshops like the Flower Meadow Workshop at Marton cum Grafton Village Hall gives you the chance to create beautiful spring floral arrangements together. 

Whether it’s a lively family event, a delicious meal, or a creative activity, Harrogate offers plenty of ways to make Mother’s Day memorable.

See the venue’s website for the full details.