From 3rd to 6th September, Tadcaster transforms into a vibrant celebration of arts and culture. Explore pop-up exhibitions, take part in creative workshops, enjoy live performances in surprising locations, and meet the artists bringing the town to life. Check out the Quick View Timetable in the programme below to see what’s on this festival weekend.
Art for everyone, everywhere in Tad
Tadcaster Creates is back for a jam-packed weekend of art and creativity in the heart of town. Don’t miss Freedom Festival on tour at Tadcaster Barn, comedy at EGG, and exhibitions from Emy Spinks, alongside hands-on sessions where you can try your hand at whittling, printmaking or photography. There’s interactive storytelling with local children’s author Sara Last for younger visitors too, plus the workshops and events you loved first time round. Plus much much more!
You still don’t need to know anything about art. You still don’t need to book ahead for most things. You just need to show up.
Don’t miss: Freedom Festival on Tour!
On Thursday 3rd September, mark your calendars for Freedom Festival on tour at Tadcaster Barn, 11am–5pm. Hull’s internationally acclaimed arts festival is bringing a taste of its world-class programme straight to Tadcaster, with a free afternoon of street theatre, dance and circus for all the family. Expect the unexpected as five very different acts take over the Barn:
- RO-TES – an international performance bringing fresh energy and spectacle to the streets of Tadcaster.
- Senescence – a mesmerising, hoop-based physical performance from Dutch artist Camiel Corneille, exploring the body’s struggle between growth and decay through kinetic, almost balletic movement.
- Acrobot – a high-energy, larger-than-life acrobatic robot bringing playful chaos and daring stunts to the crowd.
- Otempodiz – a striking dance piece from Ertza Dance Company, the result of an artistic exchange between Mozambique and Spain, exploring how time is lived and felt across cultures.
- Lilliput – a playful, family-friendly show that transforms everyday spaces into places of wonder and discovery for younger visitors.
Try something new
We have a wide range of workshops to choose from in our second festival. No experience needed – just curiosity. Our workshops are guided by local creatives and are facilitated by local community group Tadcrafters . Most workshops are free but require booking and include:
Emy Spinks Doodle Art Workshop: Drop in sessions – Thursday 12-4pm and 3rd Sept and Saturday 5th September 10-2pm
Paracord Macrame Bracelet for Beginners with Monica from Craft ‘n’ Do: Friday 4th Sept 10-12pm at Tadcaster Barn
Beginners Crochet (Tadcrafters skills sharing session): Friday 4th Sept 10-12pm at Tadcaster Barn
Sashiko for Beginners (Tadcrafters skills sharing session): Friday 4th Sept 1-3pm at Tadcaster Barn
Snufflemat making (Tadcrafters skills sharing session): Friday 4th Sept 10-12pm at Tadcaster Barn
Bushcraft Taster Session with Nick from Project: WILD Saturday 5th Sept 11-12.45am at Tadcaster Barn
Porch Press Printing Workshop (no booking required) Saturday 5th Sept10am-3pm at Tadcaster Barn
Golden Hour Photography Workshop with David Lindsay: Sunday 6th Sept 6.30-8.30am Meet at 43 Kirkgate
Featured events
Don’t Miss…
- A crackin night of comedy at Everything Good Goes – Wednesday 2nd Sept 8pm. An evening of big belly laughs with host Jed Salisbury. Tickets are £15 (available from the bar)
-
Follow the Leader – interactive storytelling adventure for children aged 4 to 8 with local author Sara Last. Friday 4th Sept 2-2.45m at Tadcaster Community Library
- A Crackin night of comedy at Everything Good Goes – Wednesday 2nd Sept 8pm. An evening of big belly laughs with host Jed Salisbury. Tickets are £15 (available from the bar)
-
Youth day at The Barn, Saturday 5th September – Face painting from Monica from Craft ‘n’ Do, skateboarding with free use of ramps, skateboards, scooters and BMXs, colouring book station and skateboard decorating (bring a deck or purchase one for £10)
- Tadcaster Cobbles Art Market – a bijou pop-up art market on the cobbles (outside the old Costa) on Kirkgate with local artists and crafters. Friday 4th Sept 10-3pm
- Young in Tad exhibition – Saturday 5th Sept 12-4pm at Tadcaster Barn
- Tadcaster High Street exhibition with Daisy Robson at 43 Kirkgate (all weekend)
- Emy Spinks Exhibition at 43 Kirkgate (all weekend)
- St Mary’s church choir rehearsal – all welcome. Saturday 5th Sept 4-5pm at St Mary’s church, Kirkgate
- Watch and listen to the bell ringing practice – Sunday 6th Sept 3-3.45pm at St Mary’s church, Kirkgate
- Window painting across town with artists Claire Bentley Smith and Maude Caldecott
And don’t miss many more pop-up exhibitions and meet and greets with local artists Vicki from Porch Press (The Works), Claire Bentley-Smith (A&K Lee Butchers), Geoffrey and Dorothy Leathley, Maryam Farjamfar, Glynis Mills (Gallery 42), Yvonne Hogarth and Beth Elsdon (30 High Street), U3A (15 High Stret) and Andrea Hall at (Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool) – see the brochure below for more details.
Come and be part of it
Whatever you’re into – making, watching, listening or just being – there’s a place for you at Tadcaster Creates.
3-6 September 2026 · Venues across Tadcaster
For the latest updates follow us @totally_locally_tadcaster on Facebook and Instagram
Donate here Your support helps Tadcaster Creates cover essential costs – including supporting the festival’s organisation, and promoting future events.
Tadcaster Creates is organised by Tadcrafters CIC, with venues and partners across town including The Barn, Beth Elsdon Art, Bentley in the Field, Maude Made, Gallery 42, Porch Press and many more. “We’ve been lobbying for an Arts Centre in Tadcaster for some time. In the meantime, we’ve taken matters into our own hands – and made the whole town our arts centre.” – Su Morgan, founder, Tadcrafters
Made possible by the Tadcaster community