This November we truly have one of the most packed events calendars of the year, starting off with Bonfire Night, moving onto things that go bang at the Otley Science Festival and also the welcome return of Otley Beer Festival… and that’s not to mention our countdown to Christmas begins with the Lights Switch On at the end of the month.
With so much to do, you’re spoiled for choice, but here’s our selection of some of the best things taking place in town this month.
Bonfire night fun at the Rugby Club
The Otley RUFC Annual Bonfire and Fireworks event takes place on Saturday November 2nd from 5.30pm. Join the team at Otley Rugby Club for a night of spectacular fireworks and a roaring bonfire. Get ready to be amazed by dazzling displays and enjoy the warmth of the bonfire with friends and family. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate and create lasting memories.
This show could give you Nightmares
Halloween may be over but the frightfest continues at Otley Courthouse this Friday (November 8th) as Book of Darkness & Light in association with LittleMighty present Nightmares, three classic ghost stories – live on stage! The show features three of the most spine-tingling tales ever written – The Judge’s House by Bram Stoker, The Kit-Bagby Algernon Blackwood and John Charrington’s Wedding by E Nesbit – be prepared for the spooky time of your life!
Keyboard chaos at UpCo Arts
Carol Hodge & Julia Othmer will be taking to the stage at UpCo Arts on Saturday November 9th. Carol is a seven-fingered, piano-pounding, Yorkshire-dwelling singer-songwriter. Think Regina Spektor meets Billy Bragg. Julia, the child of refugees, draws from a richly cultured palette of experience to inspire her intensely human yet otherworldly piano performances. Sounds amazing!
Explosive excitement at the Science Festival
The quite magnificent Otley Science Festival kicks off on Sunday November 10th with a family Science Show in the afternoon followed by a screening of the festival Science Film, the 1951 classic The Day The Earth Stood Still. Throughout the week there’ll be loads of events, including From Grain to Glass, the Science behind Beer with Ilkley Brewery, and When Antarctica Was Green with Dame Professor Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey.
In remembrance of those fallen
On a more solemn note, this year’s Remembrance Day Parade organised by Otley Town Council and the Royal British Legion remembers all those from Otley who have given their lives for their country. Held on Sunday November 10th, the parade commences at 2pm from Manchester Square and marches to the Parish Church for a Service of Remembrance followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony in the Remembrance Garden on Bondgate.
Beer festival gets Prosecco bar
Otley Beer Festival and Otley Rugby Club will again be in partnership to host this year’s Otley Beer Festival at Otley Rugby Club on Friday and Saturday November 22nd and 23rd). The festival will be presenting 50 cask beers, plus some interesting keg beers and ciders. For the first time they will be running a Prosecco and gin bar for those who don’t like a beer and there will, of course, be soft drinks and food available.
Grab some local and artisan produce
This month’s Farmers’ Market in Market Place and the Craft Fair at the Courthouse will take place on Sunday November 24th this month. The former starts at 9am, the latter at 10am – both finish by 1pm.
Christmas season kicks off
Monday November 25th sees the start of our Christmas Season with the Otley Christmas Lights and Fireworks 2024 switch on from 5.30pm in Market Place. The event will be compered by the Otley Bellman Terry Ford alongside radio DJs from Your Harrogate/Your Ilkley. There’ll also be appearances from the Leeds Rhinos, circus acts, choral performances, an appearance by Santa and, perhaps, even an early live rendition of the song to this year’s Christmas film
For these and other events in Otley, please see our Events calendar here