There have been festivals and pageants in Hebden Bridge going back hundreds of years and the Arts Festival is at the heart of this rich and diverse continuum. Started in 1993, the Festival is an annual celebration of our town’s creativity and unique landscape. We are one of Yorkshire’s longest running arts festivals with a reputation for delivering big names in a local setting. 
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The Arts Festival is thankful to its fantastic Board of Trustees, financial supporters, the Town Hall Hebden Bridge, our amazing volunteers, our splendid audiences and of course all of the wonderful talent we have heading through our doors.

GALLERY

PAST FESTIVALS

Helen Meller steps down from Arts Festival - February 2020

After 7 successful years Helen Meller is stepping down as Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Artistic Director. Helen became the Festival’s Artistic Director after a career in publishing and television in London led her back to her native Yorkshire roots. Since then she not only bought some of the country’s best talent to the valley but also celebrated the inherent creativity of the people and the place.

“I have absolutely loved my time as Festival Director but after 7 years, it’s time to move on,” says Helen. “There have been so many unforgettable moments and I feel proud and privileged to have been able to work with so many inspiring people in so many different ways. I want to thank the Festival Board and teams past and present, our funders and supporters, our partners and collaborators, our loyal volunteers and all of the talented artists and performers who have delighted and entertained us."

The Arts Festival Board have also announced after careful consideration that this is the ideal point for them to take some time out to think about what the festival will look like in the future so will not be staging a festival in 2020. 
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"The Board want to put on record our appreciation for the outstanding work Helen has done,” says Acting Festival Chair Amanda Dalton. “Not only has Helen created a coherent artistic vision for the festival, but she’s worked tirelessly to engage new audiences and promote collaboration and partner working across the valley. We have been very lucky to have her and we wish her the very best in whatever she does next."