03
Mar
Eventure Knaresborough announces town's free-to-attend cultural events for 2026
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Eventure Knaresborough, the organisation formed last November to bring the town together through free events, has announced its first season's cultural programme for 2026.
The events are designed to complement the town’s existing festivals, gatherings, and seasonal celebrations, and are funded through a £50,000 grant from the York and North Yorkshire Mayor's Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund.
The aim is to attract more people into Knaresborough, driving visitor footfall and creating memorable experiences for residents.
New Events for 2026
In partnership with a range of local organisations, this year's events include:
- The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt After Party – Painting Pots – April 12
- Knaresborough Connectors – The Art of Goodbye
- Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) – Knaresborough Forest: Community and Nature Son Et Lumière
- Knaresborough Revolution – Knaresborough Classic Car Show
- St George’s Archer – Have-a-go Archer and Medieval Day
- Yorkshire CREATE – Pride Party in the Park
Knaresborough already has some spectacular free-to-attend cultural events, such as the annual Bed Race.
Eventure Knaresborough is a collaboration of organisations spearheaded by Chain Lane Community Hub and funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Chain Lane's Charlotte McEvoy said:
Eventure Knaresborough brings together key organisations from across the town who are committed to delivering free, high-quality events for everyone to enjoy. Through this funding, our ambition was to introduce fresh ideas and creative concepts that we hope will continue long after the project ends.
These events offer a fantastic opportunity to welcome both residents and visitors into Knaresborough, encouraging them to spend time on our high street and riverside while supporting the brilliant local businesses that make our town so special.
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, is supporting the Eventure initiative. He said:
High streets are constantly changing, but they have, and always will be, hubs for our communities. That's why I'm backing community-led projects across York and North Yorkshire like Eventure Knaresborough, which is improving and expanding Knaresborough’s free events by enhancing existing offerings, fostering new partnerships, and driving sustained footfall and economic development.
Residents and businesses understand most what is needed in their communities, and I am proud to be backing their plans with my Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund.
Eventure Knaresborough's steering group.
Ms McEvoy told the Stray Ferret that more events were in the pipeline, and it is hoped there will be one a month for the rest of the year. She added:
Many of the existing free-to-attend events are run by community and volunteer groups, but Eventure Knaresborough opens it up to other organisations and private businesses.
All the events are quite low-cost and ultimately it's just an opportunity for people to try things out. The partnership is what underpins them, and it's very important for the town.
It's the start of something – even after the funding's run out, we'll still be working to put on more events and boost Knaresborough's cultural life.
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