Attend the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival

This year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival returns from 9–19 October 2025, once again bringing a rich programme of thinkers, storytellers and voices from across literature, politics, sport and journalism.

Highlights include appearances by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (discussing her new memoir Frankly), broadcaster Chris Tarrant, cricketing legend Graham Gooch, philosopher A. C. Grayling and BBC international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

The festival will take place at venues across Harrogate, including The Crown Hotel and the Wesley Centre, in a variety of formats – from author interviews and panels to community events.

Various times and venues across town, see the website for more information. October 9-19, Harrogate.

Listen to live music

This weekend don't miss the Harrogate Music Weekender.

The annual three-day festival, organised by Harrogate BID, was created to boost the town’s hospitality sector by bringing live music and entertainment to Harrogate during a typically quieter time of year.

Taking place from Friday to Sunday, it features a broad mix of performances – from tribute acts and open mic nights to DJ sets, street entertainers and quirky events such as Singo Bingo.

Find out more about the event here.

October 10-12, various venues across town; see the website for further details.

Last chance to see Helios at Fountains Abbey

It's the last weekend to experience the sun like never before, as Luke Jerram’s awe-inspiring sculpture Helios lights up the historic ruins of Fountains Abbey in Ripon.

Suspended in the nave of this World Heritage Site, the seven-metre glowing sphere – featuring NASA solar imagery and soundscapes – will be on display this Saturday and Sunday.

The sunrise and sunset tickets have sold out, but you can still see Helios during the day with standard admission, when the artwork will glow among the floodlit ruins.

General admission: free for under-fives and National Trust members, children aged five to 17 years old £10.50, adults £21, 10am-4pm, October 11-12, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, HG4 3DY.

Take part in a running race

The Grewelthorpe Multi Terrain Race is taking place this Sunday.

The annual single‑lap race is 13km through some of North Yorkshire’s most spectacular countryside, near Masham.

It’s on mixed terrain – road, trail, woodland, and moor – with several challenging ascents before descending into the picturesque Dales village of Grewelthorpe and finishing just outside the village hall.

The hall will serve as both the registration hub and the venue for the post-race prize-giving. After the race, runners can also rehydrate and refuel inside with homemade soup and flapjack.

From £17, 11am, October 12, Grewelthorpe Village Hall, HG4 3BU.

Listen to the Fitzroy String Quartet's Americans and Bohemians

This Sunday, as part of Ripon Concerts, the Fitzroy String Quartet returns to open the new concert season with an afternoon of captivating chamber music, blending intimate expression with vibrant, lyrical energy. 

Featuring Dan-Julian Drutac (violin I), Jure Smirnov (violin II), Emily Pond (viola), and Michael Newman (cello), the ensemble presents a compelling programme that spans continents and styles. 

From Philip Glass’s String Quartet No. 2 and John Luther Adams’ Canticles of the Sky, to Jessie Montgomery’s folk-inspired Strum and Dvořák's joyous American Quartet, rooted in Bohemian musical tradition, this concert will be a rich and varied listening experience.

Free for under 18s, from £10.78 for adults, 3pm, October 12, Holy Trinity Church, Ripon, HG4 2EY.