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16
Aug
Why are Harrogate's theatre schedules looking empty over August?
Anyone searching for some entertainment in Harrogate this month will find any number of events to go to during the day, but the evening programme is looking a little lighter than usual.
In fact, there are no events scheduled in the Royal Hall until the end of September, when Cuore Chamber Orchestra plays on the 27th, and nothing listed for the convention centre till Freddie Flintoff makes an appearance on October 11.
So, what’s going on? Well, according to North Yorkshire Council, which owns Harrogate Theatre, the Royal Hall and Harrogate Convention Centre, it’s all quite normal.
We asked the council why the summer schedule is looking a little threadbare.
A spokesperson told us:
Traditionally, the end of July and August is quiet time within the event industry. This is due to summer holidays reducing demand for tickets, and many event staff working away during the summer festival season.
The Royal Hall has a full programme of events contracted over the year and there will be more to confirm as the year progresses.
The summer lull is also apparently the time when all the jobs that a full schedule would make difficult can be done without any danger of disruption.
The spokesperson said:
Maintenance is carried out in the Royal Hall when the venue is empty – and this is particularly the case in the summer.
However, we would be flexible with our maintenance schedule to host any prospective events if it made financial sense. The Royal Hall hosts public tours in July and August, as well as during the rest of the year.
Quiet please...
The lack of events at the convention centre is apparently due to it being used for private events over the summer months.
The spokesperson told us:
Harrogate Convention Centre is predominantly an exhibition and conference centre that also runs larger entertainment events.
The majority of events are hosted in the spring until July and then from September to December. Only public shows will be promoted on the website, and many events are business conferences not aimed at the general public.
The centre has a full programme of events in the autumn, starting in September, with our long-standing bridal and then flooring shows, both of which are trade exhibitions.
We have seen a similar level of bookings at Harrogate Convention Centre in 2025 as last year.
So it looks as if lovers of live shows will have to wait a couple of weeks, when the Hyena Lounge Comedy Club returns to Harrogate Theatre on August 30.
To find out more about these venues' autumn programmes, visit the Harrogate Theatre website, which lists events scheduled across all three.
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