Event Programme
Illuminate Festival Pass
Make the most of Illuminate Festival 2027 with an Adult Festival Pass, offering outstanding value and access to a diverse programme of cinema screenings, live performances and inspiring speakers. BOOK YOUR PASS SOON AS THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PASSES AVAILABLE
Orwell–The Road to 1984
Discover the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of George Orwell in this compelling one-man play starring Mark Stratford. Orwell – The Road to 1984 explores the personal experiences that inspired Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, bringing the writer's warnings about power, propaganda and oppression vividly to life. A powerful opening performance for Illuminate Festival 2027.
A Climate of Truth – From Awareness to Action
Why, when we know so much about climate change, is meaningful action still so difficult? Professor Mike Berners-Lee, author of A Climate of Truth, joins Professor Alona Armstrong and Lizzi Collinge MP for a thought-provoking discussion exploring the science, solutions and political realities of climate change. An opportunity to consider how honesty, innovation and collective action can help shape ...
Patrick Grant
Patrick Grant, designer, author and star of The Great British Sewing Bee, comes to Illuminate 2027 to explore how we buy, value and make our clothes. Making the case for a fashion industry that moves beyond sustainability towards a circular and regenerative future.
The Brothers Gillespie
Experience the spellbinding music of The Brothers Gillespie at Illuminate Festival 2027. Brothers James and Sam blend intricate fingerstyle guitar, exquisite vocal harmonies and poetic storytelling to create a distinctive alt-folk sound rooted in nature, tradition and the human spirit.
Andrew Michael Hurley
Step into the unsettling world of award-winning author Andrew Michael Hurley, celebrated for his atmospheric gothic novels The Loney, Starve Acre and Barrowbeck. In conversation with fellow author Rachel Canwell, he explores the landscapes, folklore and dark imagination behind his writing, including his latest novel, Saltwash.
Stephanie Selby – Witchdaft
Join local author Stephanie Selby for a magical afternoon of storytelling at Kirkby Lonsdale Library. Discover her debut children's book, Witchdaft, meet its colourful characters and enjoy a lively reading followed by a chance to chat with the author. Perfect for children aged 7 and over, with books available to buy and have signed.
Starve Acre (15) 2023
Enter the unsettling world of Starve Acre, a haunting British folk horror film starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark. Based on Andrew Michael Hurley's acclaimed novel, this atmospheric tale of grief, ancient folklore and supernatural forces unfolds on an isolated Yorkshire farm, where a couple's search for answers awakens something deeply disturbing.
Mark Bridgeman – Dark Side of the Dales
Discover the darker side of the Yorkshire Dales with author Mark Bridgeman as he reveals extraordinary true stories of murder, mystery and robbery. Drawing on his fascinating book The Dark Side of the Dales, Mark explores 21 intriguing cases, including a possible solution to an unsolved murder. An absorbing evening for lovers of local history and true crime.
Rose of Nevada (15) 2026
A fishing boat lost at sea for thirty years mysteriously returns to a Cornish harbour in Rose of Nevada, Mark Jenkin's atmospheric time-slip drama starring George MacKay and Callum Turner. Blending mystery, folklore and the harsh realities of coastal life, this haunting film explores isolation, loss and the unsettling passage of time.
The Magic Faraway Tree (U) 2026
Step into a world of magic and adventure with a FREE family screening of The Magic Faraway Tree at Lunesdale Hall. Based on Enid Blyton's beloved classic and starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield, this enchanting film promises a wonderful afternoon for all ages. Includes a light lunch and creative activities. No booking required!
Tess Pike Candlelit Tour of St Mary’s
Discover the hidden history of Kirkby Lonsdale's beautiful parish church on an atmospheric, candlelit tour with Blue Badge Tourist Guide Tess Pike. From its possible Saxon origins to its magnificent Norman architecture and striking stained glass, experience St Mary's Church in a completely different light.
The Incomer (12A) 2026
Discover The Incomer, a wonderfully quirky and imaginative film starring Domhnall Gleeson. Set on a remote Scottish island, this charming tale follows two siblings whose unusual way of life is threatened by the arrival of an awkward council worker. Blending humour, folklore and heartfelt storytelling, director Louis Paxton explores the importance of belonging and human connection.
Murder Mystery Night
A murder, a mystery and a garden full of suspects! Join us for a hilarious horticultural whodunnit inspired by Miss Marple. Gather your friends, follow the clues and uncover the killer in this entertaining interactive murder mystery evening. Limited tickets available, so book early!
Sherri and The Speakeasies
Get ready for a fantastic night of live music and dancing with Sherri and The Speakeasies at Illuminate Festival 2027. This dynamic six-piece band transforms contemporary favourites with a stylish vintage twist, combining powerful vocals, rich harmonies and a fabulous big-band sound. Bring your dancing shoes!
Ode To Joyce
Celebrate the wit, warmth and wonderful humour of Joyce Grenfell in Ode to Joyce, a critically acclaimed theatrical tribute starring Cheryl Knight. Featuring beloved songs, hilarious monologues and rare material, this delightful production brings one of Britain's greatest entertainers back to life, accompanied by a live pianist.