Festival Workshops & Social Events

The first Harrogate International Youth Festival (HIYF) took place in 1973, following consultation between the Harrogate Council and the local Chapter of World Friends International, an organisation established with the goal of encouraging young people from across the world to travel, meet their counterparts and promote universal peace and friendship.

Today these core principles still apply and set HIYF apart from other musical Festivals. The Festival is a celebration of history, culture and community and our programme of events, Festival workshops & social events include the opportunity to visit, perform and engage with not only other groups from around the world, but the schools, churches and business in the areas as well as meet local dignitaries including the Mayor of Harrogate.

The Festival programme offers a wide range of opportunities for groups to learn, perform and socialise together through a series of workshops and social events some of which are detailed below .