As we head into the fifth month of the year (yes, already!) we have May Day Morris dancing, a marathon race, and a whole host of different music gigs for you to enjoy. Here then is this month’s What’s on in Otley for May 2025.

May Day dancing

Join Otley’s two Morris sides to hail the passing of Spring towards Summer on May 1st. Wharfedale Wayzgoose will be atop the Chevin at 4.30am for any hardy souls who’d like to join them. The Buttercross Belles will be around the Maypole in the early evening from 6-7.30pm. Here there will be chance for children to join in and dance with ribbons around the town’s historic maypole. (Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian).

Baroque festival

Otley is very lucky to have one of the country’s most accomplished violinists living here. Asuka Sumi is not only supremely talented but she also fronts the music collaboration Otley Baroque. This month we’ll see the first Baroque Music Festival take place over the weekend of May 3rd and 4th with a series of concerts and talks for all ages. If you love music of the age, this is a must-see.

Commemorating VD day

Thursday May 8th is the 80th anniversary of VE Day – effectively the beginning of the end of World War II. To commemorate the event, Otley Town Council is hosting a special evening of remembrance and celebration at Otley Courthouse the day after (May 9th). Attendees will be able to watch Mark Currie’s film “Memories of Wartime” and celebrate the re-launch of Dr Jason Knowles’ book “Otley – Memories of World War Two” plus much more.

Marathon Mania

On Sunday May 11 the Rob Burrow Marathon will be passing through Otley. We’ll be welcoming the circa 12,000 runners with radio DJs, music, and our regular Farmers’ Market. For a full rundown of what to see and do while here (including road closures), as well as the best places to watch, please see our other article here.

Showing off Otley’s best

Saturday May 17th sees the return of the Otley Show, the oldest agricultural show in the country. Expect everything from ferret racing to Ferris wheels at this all-day show down by the river. The fun starts at 9.30am.

Classics rev up in Otley

Venture down to Market Place on Sunday May 18th and you’ll see a host of classic cars being exhibited. Held by the Chevin Motor Club, Classics on the Cobbles aims to raise funds in aid of The Yorkshire Air Ambulance while providing a fun event at the same time. The show starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.

Music galore at the Black Horse

There’s a raft of gigs at the popular Black Horse, mainly free and mainly on Fridays in May. One to look out for not on a Friday is the appearance of the Charlotte Carrivick Band on Sunday May 18th. Charlotte is a flatpicking guitarist of international renown, sought for her inventive lead playing and regarded as an expert fiddle tune interpreter on the guitar. As such, it’s a gig not to be missed.

Dud’s jazz at the Courthouse

Fan of comedy legend Dudley Moore and of jazz? Friday May 23rd will see the Chris Ingham Trio playing The Jazz Of Dudley Moore at the Courthouse. Beloved comic actor Moore (1935-2002) was also a dazzling jazz pianist and a composer of wit and depth. The Chris Ingham Trio revisits Dudley’s evocative and appealing 1960s jazz in rich, rewarding presentation packed with striking music and fascinating anecdotes.

Month-end markets

The last Sunday of the month sees our two regular markets taking place. In Market Place from 9am to 1pm you can pick up loads of local goodies at the second of our regular Farmers’ Markets for the month. Meanwhile, an hour later the Craft Fair kicks off at Otley Courthouse. Head down there to grab some fabulous gifts and more.

Wolff at the door

Sara Wolff is a storyteller who with analogue warmth weaves together elements from prog rock, folk and art-pop. Together with her band she performs a dynamic set featuring cassette machines, field recordings and distorted, ambient guitars. She’s also on stage at Shadow Brewing on Sunday May 25th and well worth seeing. The gig is ‘pay as you feel’.

See https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/ for more details of all our events this month