Free festival to bring live music, food, and creativity to Malton this weekend
Malton is getting ready for a free summer celebration as the first Ryedale Gateway Festival prepares to fill the town with music, food and creativity.
The new family-friendly event taking place on July 18 will transform some of Malton’s historic spaces into a vibrant hub of live music, local food, street performances and creative community activities across Malton and Norton.
The festival is a chance for families, neighbours and visitors to come together, enjoy local talent rooted in North Yorkshire, and share a full day of music, culture and community spirit. The festival is being co-ordinated by You Will Be C.I.C., a Malton-based community interest company that supports local culture, accessible art spaces and creative community projects and has been made possible through £46,900 in funding from David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, with part of the grant supporting the creation of the Ryedale Gateway Festival.
The primary focus for You Will Be C.I.C. will be the main arena in Malton Market Place, where two stages will host continuous live music from midday until 6pm, with covers and original songs from some of the area’s best local artists.
Across the day, the festival will bring six hours of non-stop live music through multiple areas, with the music continuing later into the evening as local nightspots host events to keep the party going.
A short walk away, Talbot Yard will offer a more relaxed corner of the festival, where visitors can settle in for intimate acoustic performances while sampling local food and drink.
Hibiki Café at The Parish will offer a high-fidelity listening oasis inspired by Tokyo’s legendary music cafés, with crystal-clear sound and carefully brewed drinks.
Skatefest will bring movement, music and street culture together at the skatepark, while the Kirkham Henry Gala at St Peter’s Church in Norton will celebrate local performing arts and community theatre.
Sustainability Saturday will also take over the Palace Cinema for a showing of the National Emergency Briefing film by Chris Packham, and street music will pop up in shops and bars across the town.
Hermione Norris from You Will Be C.I.C. said: “We are really excited about the festival and our aim is to grow it into a yearly event, bigger and better each time.
"We want it to bring people into Malton and Norton, support the towns’ mix of shops and bars, and feel like a true community gathering.
“Thanks to the support from the Mayor and the Combined Authority, we’ve been able to build an event that is completely free to enter and deeply rooted in our local neighbourhood.
“Whether you are enjoying the live music in the Market Place, relaxing to acoustic sets in Talbot Yard, or checking out the other brilliant events like Skatefest at the skatepark, the Kirkham Henry Gala at Norton College or the other events around the town, everyone is welcome.”
For accessibility details, volunteering opportunities or more information, visit www.youwillbe.org.uk or follow You Will Be C.I.C. on social media for the latest festival updates.