Harrogate Enters Race to Become UK Town of Culture and How You Can Get Involved

Have you ever thought about what makes a town special? It's more than just shops and houses. It’s the buzz, the feeling you get from live music, cool art galleries, or amazing festivals. It's the culture. Well, Harrogate is aiming to put its vibrant cultural life on the national stage by making a bid to become the UK's very first Town of Culture in 2028. This isn't just a shiny title; it's a massive opportunity to celebrate everything that makes the town unique. And the best part? The whole community is being asked to get involved and shape what this could look like. It’s a proper team effort, calling on local businesses, residents, and creatives to help craft the perfect bid.

What's the big idea?

Think of the City of Culture award – it’s a huge deal that brings excitement, tourism, and a spotlight to a city for a whole year. Now, for the first time, there's a version just for towns, and Harrogate is throwing its hat in the ring. A dedicated group has been formed to get the ball rolling on the town’s bid. The first step is to submit an expression of interest by the end of March. T

This whole process is a chance to look at the town's cultural strengths and think about what could be possible. It's an invitation for everyone, from artists to business owners, to contribute ideas. The plan is being backed by the town’s council. The goal is to create a community-led vision for what a year of culture in Harrogate could be, filled with exciting events and lasting benefits for everyone who lives and works in the area. This bid is about more than just a year of fun; it’s about building a creative legacy.

A town with history and a creative future

Harrogate already has a rich history, known for its spa town elegance and stunning architecture. But this bid isn’t just about looking back. According to Chris Aldred, Town Mayor of Harrogate, it’s about blending the past with a forward-thinking vision. He said, “Harrogate has a rich cultural history, and we see this as an opportunity not only to celebrate this history but as a way of looking forward and showing the rest of the country what a diverse and welcoming town Harrogate is today.”

The key here is that this needs to be a community-led effort. It’s not about a few people in a room making all the decisions. It's about capturing the spirit of the entire community. Mr Aldred continued, “We want this to be a community-led bid which is why we are holding these workshops so that as many people as possible in the town can have their say. It’s all about building on the past and looking to the future and getting as many people involved as possible and hopefully making 2028 a year to remember for Harrogate.” The aim is to showcase a diverse and modern town, bursting with creative energy and potential.

Punching above its weight

Anyone familiar with Harrogate knows it already has a fantastic reputation for arts and culture. From literature festivals to major concerts, the town is a magnet for visitors from all over. Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, believes the town is already a major player. She commented, “Harrogate attracts visitors from all over the world who come here to enjoy world class festivals, concerts and events, which shows that for a town our size we’re punching well above our weight culturally.”

This bid is a chance to build on that success. It's an opportunity to forge new creative partnerships and give the local community a direct role in shaping the town's cultural life. According to the chief executive, the most exciting part is this collaboration. “What makes this bid really exciting, is it’s an opportunity to build creative partnerships and for the local community to play a part in shaping Harrogate’s cultural life,” she added. Imagine more unique events, more local talent being showcased, and more reasons for people to visit and fall in love with what the town has to offer.

Making culture for everyone

One of the brilliant things about this bid is the focus on making culture accessible to everyone. Sometimes, amazing venues or high-profile events can feel a bit out of reach. Craig Ratcliffe, a music director at a local school and for the Harrogate Band, is a big supporter of the bid for this very reason. He sees Harrogate as a fantastic cultural hub but wants to make sure everyone feels included. He explained, “Harrogate is a cultural hub for so many different things that go on already and it would be great to widen this even further.”

He pointed out that while the town has incredible venues, from small theatres to the grand Royal Hall, not everyone feels these places are for them. The bid could change that. “There are many people in Harrogate who feel these places aren’t their kind of thing,” he said. “So if we can widen participation in these venues and harness great outdoor spaces like the Stray, then we could do some amazing things, because the town’s got so much to offer culturally.” The director’s vision involves using public spaces for pop-up art, free concerts, and community events that everyone can enjoy.

A buzz around town

There’s already a growing creative energy in Harrogate, with new artists and independent businesses adding to the town's character. Richard McTague, who owns RedHouse Gallery, has seen this firsthand. He’s noticed a real shift, with more creatives choosing to make Harrogate their home. “We’re in the contemporary art world and we’ve noticed that quite a few artists in recent years have chosen to move to the town and put down roots here, which is really encouraging,” he said.

This influx of talent is creating a noticeable buzz. “We’ve also seen lots of independent bars, restaurants and artist studios opening which has created a real buzz here,” Richard added. This momentum is exactly what the Town of Culture bid hopes to harness. It’s about connecting these pockets of creativity and amplifying their impact. “There are pockets of exciting things happening and if this bid could harness that energy and bring even more creatives together, I think that would be a real bonus for Harrogate.” The bid could be the catalyst that connects the thriving contemporary art scene with the broader community, leading to some truly exciting collaborations.

How to get your voice heard

This is where everyone in the local community comes in. To make this a truly community-led bid, the steering group needs ideas and feedback from the people who know the town best. Two free workshops have been organised to gather these thoughts.

• What: Free workshops to share ideas and help shape Harrogate’s Town of Culture bid.

• Where: The Crown Hotel, Harrogate town centre.

• When: Wednesday, 4 March, with two sessions to choose from: 2pm – 4pm and 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

These informal workshops are the perfect place to talk about the town’s cultural strengths and what a year of celebration could look like. It’s a chance for everyone—from artists and musicians to local businesses and residents—to have their say. If you can't make it to the workshops in person, you can still contribute your ideas through a short online questionnaire. Every single voice is important in making this bid a success and ensuring 2028 is a year to remember.