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Here's what you can look forward to at Richmond MayFest 2023. 

Saturday 29th April...
is MayFest Music Day

  • Medieval music from Trouvere at Richmond Castle - where the       MayFest Tavern is back with ales from Richmond Brewing Company     and tasty treats from Granny's Kitchen. Plus woodworking demos with The Foxglove Bodgers! 11am-4pm

  • Music of the Great War from Hautbois in the Market Place - on the hour 11am-3pm

  • Madcap musical fooling from Sid Bowfin in the Market Place at 11.30am, 1.30 and 3.30pm

  • Maypole Dancing with Maypole Movers in Richmond Castle - come and have a go! 11.30am, 1.00, 2.30 and 3.30pm 

  • Foot-tapping folk music with the Ran Tanners in and around the      Market Place 

  • A Musical Coffee Morning at the Town Hall 9am-12noon

  • The Leeds Waits present a musical Story of Coffee at the Town Hall at 12.30pm

  • Members of the Richmondshire Orchestra at the Town Hall, 2.30-4pm

  • Folk groups Fill the Tankard and Errol & Lesley Kirkpatrick at the Town Hall at 1.30 and 2pm

  • Medieval groove with Tritor at Richmond Castle, 1.30 and 3pm

  • Folk and world sounds from Bisarr at Richmond Castle 12 noon and 2pm

  • Folk sessions at The Castle Tavern​ including music from the Black Lion Folk Club, from around 2pm

  • Family crafts at Richmondshire Museum, supported by Richmond Duck Club: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm

   

    And don't miss:

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  • The MayFest Promenade from The Station to Easby, departing 4pm and arriving in time for tea at St Agatha's Church before...

  • Janice Burns & Jon Doran in concert at St Agatha's in Easby, with support from Nick Brooker, starting 5pm. Tickets on sale here! and get a taste of their wonderful sound with 'The Corncrake', below.

  • Richmondshire Choral Society sing Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' at St Mary's Church, 7.30pm. Tickets on sale here!

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This year we also have craft activities for families on all three days. Come and make your own MayFest Pilgrim Pin and create decorations for our MayFest Parade on Monday! 

Our Family Crafts have been generously supported by the Richmond Duck Club - many thanks!

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Sunday 30th April
... is the Day of Dance

Richmond on Swale Morris Men are hosts today to a Day of Dance featuring Morris sides from around Yorkshire and the North East. The sides will be dancing in and around the Market Place, in the Friary Gardens, in Richmond Castle and at The Station. 

 

Plus:​​

  • Richmond Castle Clog

  • Maypole dancing at Richmond Castle

  • Scottish Country Dancing at the Town Hall, 1pm & 4pm

  • Folk session at The Castle Tavern from around 1pm

  • MayFest Tavern at Richmond Castle, 11am-4pm

  • Hautbois' Music of the Great War in the Market Place

  • Ballet Class Live with the Charlotte Jacqueline School of Dance at  11am

  • Performances from Rhythm & Shoes Dance Academy at 12.30pm

  • ​Family craft activities at Richmondshire Museum, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm

  • ​Tea Dance at the Town Hall - 2pm, tickets here. Come and step out strictly Mayfest style with the AB Tea Dance Orchestra (and have a cuppa as well!)

  • Drumming and dance circle with Rhythm Calls, 4pm at the Methodist Church Hall

  • Woodworking demos with The Foxglove Bodgers at the Castle

  • ... and look out for Tom Fool in and around the Market Place!

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And absolutely not to be missed...

THE MAYFEST CEILIDH!!! with Blind Panic Ceilidh Band.

These guys were such a hit in 2022 that we are moving to a bigger venue at Richmond School. The ceilidh starts at 7pm.

Tickets on sale here!

Monday 1st May...
is MayFest Tales Day

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  • Trouvere present 'Legends' in music and words at Richmond Castle at 12 noon, 1.30 and 3pm

  • Madcap fooling and tales from Tom Fool with The Silly History Boys in the Market Place (12.30 and 2pm) and at Richmond Castle (11.30am and 3.30pm)

  • Punch & Judy in the Market Place at 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm

  • Music from the Ran Tanners in and around the town centre

  • Tales and Drama from Richmond Storytellers and Richmond Amateur Dramatics Society at Richmond Castle, 12.30 and 2pm

  • Family storytelling in the Town Hall 12 noon and 2pm

  • MayFest Tavern at Richmond Castle, 11am-4pm

  • Family craft activities in the Town Hall - perfect your look for the MayFest Parade! 12.30-2pm and 2.30-4pm

  • Plus a Clog Dancing workshop for beginner with Richmond Castle Clog, in the Town Hall at 10.30am - Free!

Monday is all about storytelling (with plenty of music thrown in too of course!)

And... Join us outside the Town Hall at 4pm for the MayFest parade, which will tour the Market Place and visit the Castle before heading to the Methodist Church for the festival finale - storytelling for all the family with the amazing Ursula Holden Gill. Starting 4.30pm - free admission!

Our Storytelling Finale is generously sponsored by Acomb Construction and Millgate House - many thanks!

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