5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend October 25-275 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend October 17-205 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend October 11-135 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend October 4-65 things to do in and around Harrogate this bank holiday weekend August 23-265 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend June 28 – 305 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend June 14-16What’s new for the 2024 Harrogate Spring Flower Show

Above image: making seed bombs, Meadow in my Garden

Harrogate Spring Flower Show is back and is taking place this week over four days from Thursday April 25 to Sunday April 28. It is one of the most popular events in the area, attracting up to 90,000 visitors each year.

Get garden inspiration aplenty thanks to plant and floral nursery displays, garden designs, talks and demonstrations. There will also be stalls selling everything you could possibly need to make your garden the sanctuary you’d like it to be – the perfect inspiration as we (hopefully and eventually) head into warmer climes.

And this year visitors to Harrogate Spring Flower Show can partake in a complimentary class led by seasoned plant experts.

All you need to do is head to the Plant Workshop stand in the Grand Floral Hall and sign up. But be warned: places are limited to one class per person, are subject to availability and are sure to go fast.

Create a mini spring floral arrangement

Leafy Couture

Arrange a spring flower posy at this workshop by Leafy Couture.

Attendees will learn about the flowers that will be used for the posy that will likely be a mixture of double, frilly and parrot tulips, ranunculus, blossom, wallflowers and foliages, and then be shown step-by-step how to arrange them.

Every day, 11.15am-12 noon.

Make seed bombs

Meadow in my Garden

Meadow in my Garden is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that promotes gardening for wildlife.

Its workshop will impart some useful tips about flower meadow creation including seed selection, methodology and maintenance, and will provide a breakdown of the best way to produce seed balls to become a guerrilla gardener.

Every day, 1.15pm-2pm.

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Dive into the art of mossarium crafting 

York Terrariums

Learn all about the history and science behind these self-sustaining ecosystems before getting a chance to build your own.

The workshop by York Terrariums will start with a short introduction explaining the history and science that goes into building a terrarium, from the different plants you can use to why activated charcoal is a special ingredient.

Then you can roll up your sleeves and create your own, filling a terrarium jar with various plants, pebbles, and moss.

At the end of the session, take away the miniature garden home and watch it develop over the next few months and years.

Every day, 3.15pm-4pm.

Make sure you check out… the Houseplant Zone

Image: Pixaby

Looking for new houseplants? Then head to the Houseplant Zone, also new for 2024.

Featuring a backdrop based on the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon created by Leafy Couture Flowers, here you’ll discover perfect plants for every corner; whether it’s a shady hallway yearning for greenery or a sun-drenched windowsill begging for life.

Any finally…

A visual of Harrogate Hospital’s show garden

The long-awaited show gardens are back for 2024. Featuring inspirational garden design, they will also showcase local organisations’ work through horticulture, including Horticap, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

It will also host the Creative Borders category, supported by the Association of Professional Landscapers, that will have innovative ideas and creative concepts for the smallest of spaces.

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5 things to do in Harrogate and the district this weekend

Head to Harrogate Spring Flower Show

Harrogate Spring Flower Show is back and is taking place this week from Thursday to Sunday. It is one of the most popular events in the area, attracting up to 90,000 visitors each year.

Get garden inspiration aplenty thanks to plant and floral nursery displays, gardens designs, talks and demonstrations. There will also be stalls selling everything you could possibly need to make your garden the sanctuary you’d like it to be – the perfect inspiration as we (hopefully and eventually) head into warmer climes.

From £25, 9.30am-5pm, April 25-28, Great Yorkshire Showground, HG2 8NZ.

Listen to live music at Three’s A Crowd

Elena May

Listen to the laid-back music of Elena May as you drink or dine at Three’s A Crowd this Friday. Or on Sunday enjoy a roast until 7pm all to the background of self-accompanied piano vocalist Beth Ibbotson, who will be playing a range of feel-good favourites.

Elena May, 8pm until late, April 26; Beth Ibbotson, 6pm-9pm, April 28. 11 West Park, HG1 1BL.

Beth Ibbotson

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Go to a personal styling event

Are you unsure of what to wear or what suits you and looking for new clothes? Then head to local personal stylist Anna Mewes, who is hosting an evening of styling and shopping and will be taking clients through the hottest trends for spring and summer.

This will be followed by a chance to shop the Mint Velvet collection in store with a glass of bubbles in hand.

£20, 6.30-8.30pm, April 25, Mint Velvet, 29-31 James Street, HG1 1QY.

Attend a local wine fair

Local independent wine merchants Ake & Humphris is putting on its annual spring wine fair this Sunday.

Simply pick up a tasting glass on arrival and work your way round the table where you can sample more than 50 styles that include floral whites, new champagnes, decadent reds, fruity rosés and natural wines, as well as spirits.

These include wines from new origins including Slovenia and Bulgaria, new grape varieties such as Zelen and Zibibbo, plus some prestigious bottlings by wineries including Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs and Elderton Estate from Barrossa, Australia, not forgetting spirits from local distillers, Noble Spring.

£25, 12-2pm, 3-5pm, 6-8pm, April 28, Balcony Sports Bar, Harrogate Cricket Ground, Saint George’s Road, HG2 9BP. Places are limited so visit the website to reserve your space. For over 18s only.

Go to a duo of choral concerts

Voces Seraphorum choir

Formed in 2015, chamber choir Voces Seraphorum performs regular concerts at cathedrals and churches. Singing in a variety of styles, this Saturday they will perform well-known choral masterpieces alongside some lesser-known songs all to the background of brass band Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band at St James Church Birstwith on Saturday.

They will also be performing at St Michael & All Angels’ Church Beckwithshaw on Sunday but without the brass band.

From £12, 7pm, April 27, St James Church Birstwith, Lackon Bank, HG3 2NG. £10 per adult (children are free), 4pm, April 28, at St Michael & All Angels’ Church Beckwithshaw, 4 Otley Road, Beckwithshaw, HG3 1QW.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend

Get out and about with our guide of the top cultural goings-on from 19-21 April.

See the bluebells of Nidderdale

Now that the weather is finally fine and dry, it’s time to dust off those walking boots and get out into the great outdoors. And this walk is especially for you if you’re an experienced hiker as it’s a 20-mile loop.

Starting in Hampsthwaite, you’ll walk along the River Nidd then onto Brimham Rocks and Ripley Castle, and on it you’ll see all of the springtime sights including the beautiful bluebells of Nidderdale.

Free, 8am, April 20, starting at Hampsthwaite Church, Station Lane, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, HG3 2HB. Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on this guided walk.

Paint like Picasso

(Image: Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs)

Unleash your creativity at one of PopUp Painting’s events held at Harrogate’s Major Tom’s Social Bar. Themed on artist Annie Dalton’s Picasso-inspired Two Sleeping Dogs, try your hand at painting a masterpiece that you can hang on the walls of your home afterwards.

The two-and-a-half-hour class includes all art supplies, and you can also ask for guidance if you so wish.

£35.99, 3-5.30pm, April 21, Major Tom’s Social Bar, The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB.

Watch Sister Act the Musical

You can’t go wrong with a musical, and Sister Act the Musical is especially uplifting. The community production presented by Ripon Amateur Operatic Society tells the story of Deloris van Cartier who witnesses a murder and takes refuge in a convent.

Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior and she turns the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire.

From £20, 7.30pm April 17 – 20, and a matinee at 2.30pm on April 20, Harrogate Theatre, 6 Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.

Attend a printmaking workshop

(Image: Pixaby)

Learn the basics of how to use printing blocks at this workshop at St Mark’s Church where you can pick your own pattern to stamp a pattern or a message onto a piece of fabric.

All materials are included, as well as light refreshments.

Free but suggested donation £5, 10am-4.30pm, April 20, St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate, HG2 8AY.

Watch The Making of Motown

Local author Derek Shelmerdine is co-presenting Harrogate Film Society’s Season 1 of Music Legends.

The first film of the series of four is on Friday night is Hitsville: The Making of Motown that details the golden age of the soul music legend. It looks at the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s.

Featuring rare performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage offer insight into the history and cultural impact of Motown Records.

£6 or £5 for HFS members, doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm, April 19, Bilton Club, Skipton Road, Harrogate, HG1 4LL.

Also check out… French Impressions that explores music by two of the great French Impressionist composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. It’s on at Ripon Cathedral at 7.30pm on April 20 and tickets cost from £20.

Do you have an event that you’d like us to potentially feature in the future? Drop me an email at francesca@thestrayferret.co.uk

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