Holmfirth Arts Festival will be back on the streets and in the venues of Holmfirth for 2021.

The weekend of culture, art and performance, planned for September 17-19, will feature Holmfirth-born comedian Kieran Hodgson; theatre from Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley; world music from Scattered Collective plus a double bill of newly-commissioned music.

Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers will also perform, with singalong tunes and madcap dancing for all ages.

Festival director Bev Adams says the festival is being meticulously planned to enable audiences to feel safe and  comfortable at the festival, with smaller capacity audience capacities if necessary.

She said: “The life that we knew has undoubtedly changed. But we know that being involved in the arts and seeing live performance helps us to connect with people and feel better, so we are committed this year, to creating a live festival.

“Like so many festivals across the country last year, Holmfirth Arts Festival was forced to change its plans at the height of the pandemic.

“It did this by turning the original festival into three online nights of art and music, hosted live by the inimitable broadcaster Nick Ahad.

Urban Astronaut London 2015 by Ravji Vaya

“This year we are returning to the glorious, varied and live festival we had always planned, with many of the artists returning from last year, but this time in person.

“So whether you missed the whole event or tuned in online every night last year, make sure you don’t miss this year’s celebration of the return of an in-person festival.”

Holmfirth Arts Festival celebrates the unique and beautiful area by inviting the best local, national and international artists to respond to the theme of the environment, in all its diversity.

This year’s exciting live programme has something for all ages and includes an awesome outdoor programme including installations in the landscape, as well as an inspiring and entertaining indoor programme. 

There are opportunities to get involved and bring your own creativity to the Festival.

READ MORE: Commission with £2,000 on offer in memory of Steve Sykes

The Festival is calling out to musicians and composers based in, or with a connection to, the Holme Valley, to respond to its inaugural Steve Sykes Commission for New Music With a looming deadline of July 30, interested artists are encouraged to visit the commission page on Holmfirth Arts Festival’s website https://www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk/ssmc

People can take part in making living willow sculptures, creating an art trail and making, as well as taking part in, the History of Holmfirth Parade.

For more details on the Festival go to www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk