July is shaping up nicely in Otley, with a packed mix of cycle racing, live music, film, heritage, food, crafts, literature and early music. Basically, something for everyone — unless your chosen hobby is staying home and muttering about parking. Here are some of the highlights coming up.
Otley Town Centre Races roll back into town
Venue: Otley town centre
Date: Wednesday, July 1
The Otley Town Centre Races return on Wednesday, July 1, bringing top-class cycle racing right into the heart of town.
Now in its 43rd year, this Otley classic has seen past winners including Tom Pidcock, Lizzie Deignan, Mark Cavendish, Adam Blythe and Jonny Clay.
The races will be proclaimed open by Otley Bellman Terry Ford and the town mayor, with Otley Cycle Club supporting the event as race HQ, Race Makers and sponsor of the under-16 girls’ Super Prestige race.
There’ll also be plenty of local food and drink around the circuit, so why not make an evening of it?
A folk history of free parties, rave culture and rebellion
Venue: UpCo
Date: Thursday, July 2
Remember early 90s acid house and rave culture? Then this one’s for you.
FREE PARTY: A Folk History comes to UpCo on Thursday, July 2, telling the story of the UK’s 1990s free party and teknival movement.
This award-winning independent documentary charts how a pre-internet youth culture exploded through word of mouth, outside the commercial mainstream, taking in urban ravers, new-age travellers, Castlemorton and the anti-rave legislation that followed.
Music, politics, rebellion, community and big “how did they organise all this without WhatsApp?” energy.
Black Umfolosi bring rhythm, harmony and serious stage power
Venue: Otley Courthouse
Date: Friday, July 10
Black Umfolosi come to Otley Courthouse on Friday, July 10, bringing a spectacular blend of southern African song, rhythm, movement and stage presence to town. It’s sold out as a gig, so you’ll have to beg, steal or borrow a ticket – or hope for some returns.
Formed in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 1982, the group are known for their trademark harmonies, intricate rhythms, clicking, clapping and brilliantly choreographed performances.
Expect everything from gentle, beautiful song to full-throttle stomping, leaping and their famous Gumboot Dances, inspired by the traditions of South African mining communities.
Basically, if you like your live performance with energy, skill and a serious amount of “how are they still moving like that?” then this one’s worth a look.
Step into Otley’s past
Venue: Starts at The Core, followed by Otley Parish Church
Date: Saturday, July 11
Take a wander through Otley’s past on Saturday, July 11.
The monthly heritage walk starts from The Core at 10.30am, offering a chance to explore some of the stories, buildings and characters that have helped shape the town.
Afterwards, there’s also a guided tour of Otley Parish Church from 12.30pm.
Join the walk, the church tour, or both. Free entry, sensible shoes advised, mild historical smugness optional.
Choir meets rock orchestra at Otley Courthouse
Venue: Otley Courthouse
Date: Friday, July 17
Two fab community bands for one? Don’t mind if we do.
Woolpack Studios Community Choir and the Rock Orchestra bring their annual showcase performance to Otley Courthouse on Friday, July 17.
Expect a cracking mix of music, from hard-hitting rock classics to gentle harmonies — one minute tugging at the heartstrings, the next having you punching the air like you’ve just remembered you own a leather jacket.
Now in its 14th year, Woolpack Studios Community Choir welcomes new members with no auditions needed, just a love of great songs.
The Rock Orchestra, which started in 2018, brings an ever-growing repertoire taking in everything from Zeppelin to Abba, via Bowie, The Who and plenty more.
Otley Bookfest begins its first chapter
Venue: Otley Common
Date: Saturday July 18
Well, that’s a turn-up for the books.
Otley is getting its own literature festival later this year, and the story starts on Saturday, July 18, with the Otley Bookfest 2026 Launch Night & Fundraiser at Otley Common.
The first Otley Bookfest will take place over the weekend of November 27–29, bringing authors, readings, music, conversation and workshops to town.
To help get things off the ground, Friday’s launch concert features the mighty Commoners Choir and local heroes the Otley Ukulele Orchestra, with all proceeds supporting the first festival.
A little bit of Amsterdam comes to Otley
Venue: Sancta Bookshop Cafe and Otley Parish Church
Date: Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19
The Otley Baroque Summer Festival brings two acclaimed early music ensembles from Amsterdam to town over the weekend of July 18–19.
The festival features performances of 16th and 17th-century European music in two beautiful Otley venues.
On Saturday, The Lyra-Way perform songs of love, longing and sorrow at Sancta Bookshop Cafe, with shows at 3pm and 5pm.
On Sunday, Cantus Quintus bring English madrigals and consort music to Otley Parish Church at 4pm.
Beautiful music, beautiful venues, and absolutely no danger of someone shouting “Free Bird.”
Music in the Marketplace returns
Venue: Market Place
Date: Saturday, July 25
Otley BID’s annual summer Music in the Marketplace returns on Saturday, July 25, bringing free live music to Market Place while you shop, wander, browse or pretend you only came into town for one thing.
Opening the series is Eve’s Jazz Duo, performing from 10am to noon.
Leeds-based jazz vocalist Genevieve Begley is known for her warm tone and expressive take on traditional jazz, and for this special Otley Market performance she’ll be joined by guitarist Jeff Hewer.
Expect a relaxed set of classic jazz favourites and a rather lovely soundtrack to your Saturday morning.
From farm to fork in Market Place
Venue: Market Place
Date: Sunday, July 26
Clear some room in the fridge…
Otley Farmers’ Market returns on Sunday, July 26, bringing local food, drink, produce and handmade treats to Market Place from 9am to 1pm.
Come for a browse, support brilliant local producers, and leave with something delicious you definitely didn’t plan to buy but now consider essential.
A Sunday mooch without the retail park
Venue: Otley Courthouse
Date: Sunday, July 26
Fancy a Sunday browse without accidentally ending up in a retail park? Much better plan.
Otley Craft Fair returns to Otley Courthouse on Sunday, July 26, with a lovely selection of handmade crafts, gifts and local creations.
Pop in between 10am and 1pm, have a mooch, support local makers, and maybe find something brilliant you didn’t know you needed until exactly that moment.
Yorkshire Day gets the Woolpack treatment
Venue: Outside Woolpack Studios, Bondgate
Date: Saturday, August 1
A sneak peek at early August: celebrate the greatest day in the greatest county. Modest, as ever.
Woolpack Studios Yorkshire Day Festival takes place on Saturday, August 1, outside Woolpack Studios on Bondgate, with live music from 11am to 6pm.
The line-up includes community groups, orchestras and bands that play, learn and rehearse at the studios, with old favourites, possible new discoveries and a proper eclectic mix of music.
Free to attend, flat cap optional but spiritually encouraged.
For more details of these and other events in Otley, see https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/