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Ilkley Food and Drink Festival drops full line-up, including big tribute acts and… banana jousting?

Summer's hottest ticket (especially if you do the chilli challenge)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th April 2026

The live music programme for this year's Ilkley Food and Drink Festival has been released, featuring ABBA and Bruce Springsteen tribute acts, plus loads more entertainment.

The festival will be returning to the riverside setting this summer, with a brand-new arena also unveiled that will host free family challenges and interactive contests.

The weekend will be a celebration of great food and local talent, featuring street food, independent bars, live chef demos, live music, and an artisan market.

And now festival organisers have announced who'll be taking to the stages to soundtrack the weekend too.

There'll be a variety of local soloists, community groups, and bands, with a special tribute performance each evening.

On Saturday, that'll be Planet ABBA, one of the UK's leading ABBA tribute acts; while on Sunday headliners will be The Boss and The Beeston Street Band, a renowned Yorkshire-based tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

The new arena - the Sizzling Showdown Arena - will host an eclectic schedule of family competitions, like a family dog show, a chilli challenge eating competition, and the 'foodie olympics'.

There'll also be a new inflatable 'banana jousting' ring, where friends and family can take part in silly inflatable duels against one another.

Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns this summer
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns this summer

Festival director Michael Johnston spoke on their aims to create a fresh experience for both new and returning visitors, saying: "Heading into our seventh year, we expect to welcome plenty of new faces as well as several returning visitors.

"We want to create an exciting experience for every single person who walks through our doors, which means constantly looking for new ways to enhance what we offer.

"Several ideas that have been in the works for a while are finally coming to life."

Ilkley Food and Drink Festival takes place on 13 and 14 June, you can find out more HERE.

Ilkley Food and Drink Festival line-up

Saturday 13 June

  • 11:00 Wil Forrester Smooth Saxophone - breezy saxophone covers
  • 12:00 Hot Aire Concert Band - community concert band
  • 13:15 Sienna Craven - talented up-and-coming vocalist
  • 14:30 The Johnny Storm Band - classic rock ‘n’ roll
  • 16:00 Tempo Feliz - Samba-driven Brazilian funk
  • 17:45 Planet ABBA - Tribute to ABBA
  • 19:15 Ibiza Sax Classics - Ibiza favourites

Sunday 14 June

  • 11:00 Will Forrester Smooth Sax - vibrant saxophone covers
  • 11:45 Howlin’ Mat - solo blues artist
  • 13:00 Scoble and Friends - charming community acoustics
  • 14:15 Leeds City Stompers - red-hot blues band
  • 15:30 Gaelfroce - Celtic folk rock
  • 17:15 The Boss and The Beeston Street Band - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tribute
  • 18:30 Ibiza Sax - Ibiza Favourites to close out the festival

Read more: 24 hours in Ilkley | An insider’s guide to one of Yorkshire’s beloved spa towns

Featured image: Supplied