We’re not letting the colder weather and shorter days get on top of us here in Otley… instead we’re getting ready for a month of festivals and festive fun!

Otley Rugby Club’s Annual Bonfire and Fireworks will be held at the club’s Cross Green pitch this Saturday, November 4th. Festivities start at 5.30pm and there’ll be a fire work display, licensed bar, hot food stalls and things to do for the kids. Tickets cost £7.50 each or £25 for a family of four.

Next up is the absolutely fabulous Otley Science Festival. Held at Otley Courthouse from Monday November 13th to Sunday November 19th, the festival includes top speakers such as Dame Jane Francis who’ll be speaking about when the Antarctic was green, while other subjects include dinosaurs, Roman medicine, eugenics and even an introduction to cheesemaking with a tasting too!

On Friday and Saturday, November 17th and 18th, the next big Otley event sees the return of the Otley Beer Festival, also held at the Rugby Club where there will be two days of specialist ales, craft beers and live music.

We love Christmas in Otley and the end of the month sees the official start of our Christmas season with the switching on of the Otley Christmas Lights on Monday November 27th. The event, which always attracts a large crowd, starts at 5.30pm with the lights switch-on by the Town Mayor at 7pm, followed by a fireworks display.

Two guitar legends hit Otley

We have two musical greats coming to town this month, both with shows at Otley Courthouse. First up is legendary guitarist Gordon Giltrap who is joined by Carrie Martin this Saturday November 4th. Then on November 12th guitarist and broadcaster Tom Robinson hits the stage to play hits such as Glad to be Gay and 2-4-6-8 Motorway, while also telling tales from his long and varied career.

In Remembrance on Sunday 12th

Sunday November 12th is Remembrance Sunday and there’s a parade organised by Otley Town Council and the British Legion to commemorate those lost while in service. It commences at 2.15pm from Station Road and marches to a local church for a Service of Remembrance followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony in the Remembrance Garden on Bondgate.

A last bit of fun for half-term

If you’re stuck for something to do with the kids as half-term comes to an end, head down to the Kirkgate Arcade. There, kids four and above can try their hand at Eyeball Pong (like beer pong but with no alcohol). Children get the chance to throw ‘eyeballs’ into buckets to win prizes. Money raised will go to the Many Tears Charity shop. Simply pop into the arcade to take part.

And there’s more…

The Shoecake Comedy Team bring their bi-monthly popular comedy night to the Rookery on Friday November 17th, there’s a Sunday afternoon jazz lunch at Tapas N Tunes this Sunday (November 5th) from noon, and our monthly Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair are at Market Place and the Courthouse on Sunday, November 26th.

For all these and other great events in Otley this month, please see our events calendar here

That’s it for now… we’ll see you next month. 

The Visit Otley and Buy in Otley team