Skipton Waterways Festival

A new annual event, the first of which was in 2002.

The event takes place on the first bank holiday weekend in May.

This great family event takes place in the canal basin and offers lots to see and do. There are many boats of all shapes and sizes as well as boat trips, music and other entertainment.

Medieval Markets

This event happens each year in Skipton and gets bigger and better each year. Thousands of people brave the extreme cold weather and come from far and wide to enjoy the event.

For two consecutive Sundays in December the High Street is closed to traffic and turned into a medieval extravaganza.

The market is held with stall-holders dressing in period costume and charity stalls offering barbequed food and various gambling opportunities for good causes.

There are fairground rides accompanied by a fairground organ and miniature traction engine rides. Regulars to the event are the Harlech Medieval Society who re-enact very realistic battles with knights in armour and all too real weapons.

The event closes with a lantern parade by local schoolchildren and carols sung in the church yard.

Sheep Day

The first Sunday in July sees the hosting of Skipton's Sheep Day.

This event celebrates Skipton's historical association with sheep farming and the woolen industry. It is usually opened by local celebrities and features events and displays including:

Shepherding skills - demonstrated with ducks!

Sheep Shearing

Traditional crafts such as hedging and rope making.

Birds of Prey

Ferrets and rats

Rare Breeds

Farmers' Market.