August in Otley comes with a proper summer mix of music, markets, family activities, film, food and a healthy dose of Yorkshire Day pride.

There’s free entertainment in Market Place, affordable family fun at Garnett Field, live music with dinner, a Beatles singalong, a film screening, and the small matter of Otley Farmers’ Market for anyone who likes their Sundays with added cheese.

Here are some of the events coming up in town this month.

White roses, live music and a proper Yorkshire welcome

Venue: Outside Woolpack Studios, Bondgate
Day/time: Saturday, August 1, 11am to 6pm

Celebrate Yorkshire Day with live music outside Woolpack Studios on Bondgate.
The Woolpack Studios Yorkshire Day Festival will feature community groups, orchestras and bands that play, learn and rehearse at the studios, with a mix of old favourites, new discoveries and plenty of variety across the day.
It’s free to attend, and a lovely way to mark the greatest day in the greatest county.

Saturday mornings, nicely soundtracked

Venue: Market Place
Day/time: Saturdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 10am to noon

Otley BID’s free Music in the Marketplace continues every Saturday morning through August, bringing live music to the town centre while people shop, browse and enjoy what’s on offer.
The August line-up includes Niamh Folk Harp on August 1, Jamie’s Jazz Sax Duo on August 8, Edward Jones and Robin Marsh on August 15, the Kirsty Elgin Duo on August 22 and Sara Page on August 29.
Expect everything from modern harp and jazz standards to stripped-back acoustic songwriting and original music.

Market Place gets its summer holiday moment

Venue: Market Place
Day/time: Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10am to 1pm

The Kids Free Funzone is back in Market Place every Wednesday throughout August, with free activities for children aged 2–13.
Organised and fully funded by Otley BID, the Funzone brings together a changing mix of activities including story time, crafts, climbing, music and dance, crazy golf, competitions and prizes.
It’s a handy summer holiday option for families, especially once the “I’m bored” chorus has begun warming up for the day.

Big fun without the big price tag

Venue: Garnett Field
Day/time: Thursday, August 6, relaxed session 11am to noon, main session noon to 4pm

Breeze in the Park is back in Otley this summer, bringing an afternoon of affordable family fun to Garnett Field.
The event includes inflatables, interactive play, arts, activities, entertainment and plenty to keep children busy. Entry is just £1 per child and booking is required. A Breeze Pass is not needed.
There will also be a relaxed session from 11am to noon for children and young people with additional needs who may benefit from a quieter start, smaller crowds and extra support.

A little help from your friends

Venue: Woolpack Studios
Day/time: Saturday, August 15, 3pm to 6pm

Woolpack Studios is inviting music lovers to play and sing their way through Let It Be by The Beatles, performing the album from start to finish in its original running order.
Acoustic instruments are welcome, with a digital PDF songbook provided in advance, plus practice videos to help people prepare. There will also be a licensed bar, hot drinks and a Beatles-themed quiz to round off the afternoon.
A lovely one for Beatles fans, singers, strummers and anyone who thinks making music together beats another afternoon on the sofa.

Into the woods, but not quite as expected

Venue: UpCo
Day/time: Tuesday, August 18, 7.30pm to 9.30pm

A Quiet Canopy comes to UpCo for an evening film screening on Tuesday, August 18.
The film follows Daniel and his lifelong friend Noah as they find themselves lost in the woods. But when Noah begins acting in increasingly disturbing and irrational ways, Daniel can no longer trust his own senses.
As reality blurs with delusion, he has to work out what is true before both the forest and his own mind consume him. Tickets are £2.99.

Food, flamenco and late-summer grooves

Venue: Tapas and Tunes
Day/time: Friday, August 21, 6.45pm to 11pm, and Saturday, August 29

Tapas and Tunes has two Music with Dining events in August, combining live music with the full Tapas and Tunes menu.
On Friday, August 21, award-winning flamenco guitarist Samuel Moore performs from 6.45pm to 11pm. Hailed by BBC Radio 3 as “a fantastic flamenco guitarist”, Samuel has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall in New York to Ronnie Scott’s in London.
The full menu will be available, from light bites and cheese to a full feast of various tapas.
Then on Saturday, August 29, Sam Stevens, co-owner of Tapas and Tunes, brings jazz funk and Ibiza grooves to another Music with Dining evening.
Food, music and a very decent excuse to make a night of it.

Bring a bag, leave with something delicious

Venue: Market Place
Day/time: Sunday, August 30, 9am to 1pm

Otley Farmers’ Market returns on Sunday, August 30, bringing local food, drink, produce and handmade treats to Market Place. Pop down for a browse, support brilliant local producers, and head home with something tasty you didn’t technically need but will absolutely justify later.

For more details of these and other events in Otley, see https://www.visitotley.co.uk/whats-on/calendar/