2024 Activities & Events

We are a non-profit majorette team that has been running for 25 years. We currently have 8 amazing little girls that dance for us and we are looking to build upon those numbers in order to compete in competitions all over England, doing Military freestyle, as well as introducing Pom, Solos and Duets for 2024!!

Drop in to Butler’s Tea Tent for a session of bingo. Two little ducks – 22.

Bingo sessions are due to start at 2 pm and 3:15 pm.

( Photo by Alejandro Garay on Unsplash )

The multi-award winning Dancers Bizarre are a New Variety dance troupe based in West Yorkshire.

Our collective years of dance experience create and our individual passions a signature mix of gypsy rhythms, music hall
magic & showgirl pizzazz!

We specialise in spirited Romani gypsy styles and colourful New Variety performances.

The Bizarre cast continues to expand … so … why not come in and see who’s around? It may be a little bit weird and a little bit wonky in Bizarre-world, but it’s warm and wonderful as well, and we feel at home in it. We’re very happy to welcome you, too …You can also find us on Twitter: @DancersBizarre

Pete White

Pete Whites Suitcase Circus is back again along with Festival favourite.

This promises to be another roller coaster of laughs and thrills – it will have you grinning from ear to ear for the rest of the day.

Quench that first will a selection of beers, lagers and other beverages, seating will be available in and outside of the tent. This year the Bar is tun by Kirkstall Brewery.

The bar will be card only payment this year.

Come and relax in the pop-up Butlers Tea Tent. Open to all, we are delighted to welcome you to a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, where you can refresh with a glass of ice-cold Pimms, a comforting cup of tea and delicious freshly baked goods.

Butler’s is the family-run cafe/bar/restaurant open to everyone on the ground floor of Number One, Kirkstall Forge. Butler’s serves high quality, home made hot food, fresh salads and beverages daily, welcoming all of the local community.

If you haven’t called in and grabbed a coffee, lunch or even set up your laptop and made yourself comfortable here, then why not come in and say hello to Shelley and the team.

Leeds Morris Men …began as an offshoot of Leeds University Folk Club – hence our colours – and the owl on our waistcoats is part of the Leeds coat of arms (look at the top of the Civic Hall if you don’t believe us!) We have been dancing locally for nearly 70 years, and regularly perform at events and festivals all over the country. We have also toured France, Brittany, Germany,
Holland and Belgium to much acclaim.

Ferris Irish Dance Academy has been for the past 2 years by Jade and her 2 daughters. Based in Pudsey they offer Irish dance classes to 3 – 16 year olds. For more information visit Ferris Irish Dance Academy on Facebook.

The Festival parade will be leaving Hesketh Road at 11 am (NOTE this is an hour earlier than last year) to arrive at the Abbey by around 11:45 pm via the following 1.2 mile route (1.4 miles for those starting from the back).

Please take time to watch the parade supported by local schools and groups. To take part please be at Hesketh Road by 10:45 am PROMPT !! Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Kirkstall Crusaders is a community run football club which runs 26 teams across all age-groups. The club has been growing for many years and now has teams for boys, girls, men women and a veterans team.

Kirkstall Crusaders is a fun and relaxed environment for children to learn how to play, make new friends and play competitive matches. They are always looking for new members too to join the Crusaders family

Panache Display Squad are group of young gymnasts aged 6-13. The squad work together to put together routines which showcase their exciting tumbles, acrobatic lifting, and dance skill! The Display squad are part of Panache Gymnastics located in Batley. You can find out more about the squad on Instagram @panachegymnastics or email olivia.howgate@sky.com

Look out for self-titled minor celebrity of Yorkshire, Dame James, and her TaleGate Theatre chums at this year’s festival! Be sure to grab a photo with this delightful Dame and snag an exclusive discount code for August PANTO AT THE ABBEY.

www.ticketsource.co.uk/talegate

Leeds Pétanque Club are back at Kirkstall Festival this year on the new terrain, which they built last summer. Festival visitors are invited to come along, see what Pétanque is about, and of course have a go. You may well have seen the game before on holiday; also known as Boule, it is a French bowling game accessible to players of all ages and abilities. You’ll find us all day in Kirkstall Abbey Park, next to the Vesper Gate pub. We’ll be very pleased to see you, come and watch, try your hand at throwing, or even participate in a game or two. No equipment or prior experience needed, we have everything you need to take part.

You can find out more about us at https://leedspetanque.com

Kirkstall’s very own Crufts. Wagging tails are in order, or perhaps I’m barking up the wrong tree.

The dog show starts at 2 pm in the Dig Field, sign up at the information desk or at the Dig Field just before the show start.

“Oh no it isn’t!, Oh yes it is!”.

My first show was in September 1976 (when I was 8) on Gorleston Beach, Nr Gt.Yarmouth, where Dad had his first summer season of his professional career. Been performing ever since. About 15 years at Kirkstall and love it.

Based in Leeds, they are a regional group of The Vikings, the oldest and largest Dark Ages re-enactment group in the UK. Their aim is to recreate life in the 9th to 11th Centuries as accurately as possible.

Their combat displays entertain the public, their living history educates them. Within the camp you will find people from all walks of life, from the lowliest slave to the king himself, from a humble peasant farmer to an accomplished warrior, from a skilled artisan to a housewife. Children run about engaged in both chores and training for their later lives. The Viking village will be on the old bowling green (near the tennis courts).

The Vikings will also be leading the first half of the parade.

The Tailwagger Club Display Team ethos is having fun with our dogs while raising funds for charitable animal causes along the way. Our displays consist of a combination of musical sequences, fun obedience and impressive tricks.

All of the dogs on the team are first and foremost much loved family pets. We promote coercion-free dog training methods, provide information on dog training and behaviour and hope to inspire people to engage in activities with their dogs irrespective of age or ability.

Leading the parade, the City Of Leeds Pipe Band, which formed in 1960, is now over 20 members strong and has played alongside André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra at the First Direct Arena, as well as playing at Windsor Castle. The band marked the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, playing at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

www.leedspipeband.org.ukFacebook (@CityOfLeedsPipeBand)
Instagram (@cityofleedspipeband) & Twitter (@leedspipeband)

The Implexus Gym Showdown event brings together some of the strongest athletes from
surrounding areas to battle it out to be crowned King and Queen of the Showdown. If you are interested in Strongman/Woman or would just like to see humans perform incredible feats of strength then this is for you! We will also be doing public demonstrations and there are opportunities to try some events yourselves. So come on over, watch some amazing athletes and if you fancy it, get involved yourself!’