Yorkshire Fringe Festival launches to celebrate the region’s creative talent

A vibrant new addition to the UK’s theatre calendar is set to launch in Yorkshire this  summer, bringing together performers, writers, producers and audiences from across the region and beyond.

The inaugural Yorkshire Fringe Festival will take place from 11–19 July 2026, showcasing a  dynamic programme of theatre, comedy, music, spoken word, new writing and performance  in venues across Yorkshire. 

The Festival officially launches at Leeds Conservatoire on Thursday 2 July, with guest  speakers Lisa Holdsworth, Natalie Gavin and Naomi Sumner Chen. Alongside them  artists, venue representatives and supporters are gathering to celebrate the beginning of  what organisers hope will become one of the region’s most important annual cultural  events. 

Events are taking place in Leeds, York, Ripon, Sheffield, Bingley and other Yorkshire  locations, creating a county-wide celebration of creativity while highlighting Leeds as the  festival’s principal creative hub. 

The Yorkshire Fringe Festival has been created to provide a platform for both emerging and  established artists, encouraging collaboration, innovation and audience development  across the region. 

QUOTE FROM FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEMBER & AWARD-WINNING WRITER, JONATHAN  HALL: 

“We’re so excited to launch the new Yorkshire Fringe Festival in July. We’re aiming to  establish Yorkshire as a premier destination for fringe theatre in the UK by creating an  entertaining, accessible and diverse programme of events for creatives and audiences  alike. We look forward to making this inaugural Yorkshire Fringe Festival a fantastic  success!” 

The launch event will feature festival announcements, networking opportunities and  interviews with artists and organisers. 

The Yorkshire Fringe Festival 2026 runs from 11–19 July. Tickets are available www.yorkshirefringe.co.uk.