
UK yarn and fibre festivals
This blog post is the annual update to my calendar of yarn and fibre festivals in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). I have included dates and venues as well as links to websites. Find out about yarn festivals in the rest of Europe by reading my next blog post.
Like many other events, yarn festivals are still in flux due to Covid. Although there are a few restrictions in place, some event organisers could not organise their regular event last year: some will take place this year, but a few may not occur again.
I was lucky to visit three UK yarn festivals in 2022 – Wonderwool Wales in April, The Big Textile Show in October and the Knitting and Stitching Show in November. I hope to visit a few more in 2023!
This blog post was updated on 2 October 2023. If you plan to visit a show, please check with the organisers beforehand: you will find links to the websites below.
October 2023
The Glasgow School of Yarn
5–8 October 2023
Venue to be confirmed, Glasgow, Scotland
Website: Glasgow School of Yarn.
The Kelly House Woolly Weekend
14–15 October 2023
Kelly House, between Launceston and Tavistock, Devon, PL16 0HH, England
Website: Kelly House Woolly Weekend.
The Knitting and Stitching Show
5–10 October 2023
Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY, England
Website: Knitting and Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace.
The West Wales Wool Show
7 October 2023
Queen’s Hall and Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narbeth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 7AS, Wales
Website: West Wales Wool Show.
The Bakewell Wool Gathering
14–15 October 2023
Bakewell Agricultural Centre, Agricultural Way, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AH, England
Website: Bakewell Wool Gathering.
The Big Textile Show
Taking a break in 2023
The KUBE, Leicester Racecourse, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL, England
Website: The Big Textile Show.
The Kendal Wool Gathering
Taking a break in 2023
Kendal Town Hall, Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DL, England
Website: Kendal Wool Gathering
November 2023
Stitch Fest South West
4–5 November 2023
Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 3AF, England
Website: Stitch Fest South West.
The Knitting and Stitching Show
16–19 November 2023
Harrogate International Centre, Kings Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA, England
Website: Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate.
Yorkshire Yarn Festival
26 November 2024
Sandburn Hall, York, YO60 7RB, England
Website: Yorkshire Yarn Festival.
January 2024
Wool in Garden City
19–26 January 2024
Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Essex, EN9 3LX, England
Website: Waltham Abbey Wool Show.
Waltham Abbey Wool Show
Taking a break in 2024
Marriot Hotel, Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, AL8 6HA, England
Website: Waltham Abbey Wool Show.
Yorkshire Yarn Festival
2024 date to be confirmed
Online
Website: Yorkshire Yarn Festival.
February 2024
Blaise Wool Festival
2024 date to be confirmed
Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Rd, BD2 3HP, England
Website: Blaise Wool Festival.
Cambridge Yarn Festival
2024 dates to be confirmed
Online
Website: Cambridge Yarn Festival.
Textiles East Fair
10–11 February 2024
The Burgess Hall One Leisure, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6WU, England
Website: Textiles East Fair.
Unravel
23–25 February 2024
Farnham Maltings, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR, England
Website: Unravel.
March 2024
The East Anglia Yarn Festival
9–10 March 2024
The Norfolk Showground Arena, Norwich, NR5 0TT, England
Website: The East Anglia Yarn Festival.
Fibre Quest
2024 dates to be confirmed
Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, Somerset, BS40 6LD, England
Website: Stitch Fest South West.
The Stitch Festival
21–24 March 2024
The Business Design Centre, London, N1 0QH, England
Website: The Stitch Festival.
The Scottish Wool Producers Showcase
23 March 2024
Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Perth, PH2 0TH, Scotland
Website: The Scottish Wool Producers Showcase.
April 2024
Spring into Wool
6–7 April 2024
The Grammar School at Leeds, Alwoodley Gates, Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 8GS, England
Website: Spring into Wool.
The Great Wool Weekend
2024 dates to be confirmed
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon, EX38 8PH, England
Website: The Great Wool Weekend.
The Woolly Good Gathering
26–27 April 2024
Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL, Scotland
Website: Woolly Good Gathering.
Wonderwool Wales
27–28 April 2024
Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY, Wales
Website: Wonderwool Wales.
Cotswold Wool Weekend
2024 dates to be confirmed
The Corn Hall & Corninium Museum, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
Website: Cotswold Wool Weekend.
May 2024
Buxton Wool Gathering
18–19 May 2024
Buxton Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6BE, England
Website: Buxton Wool Gathering.
Tangled Galashiels Fibre Festival
31 May – 1 June 2024
Galashiels, Scotland
Website: Tangled Galashiels.
Threads Textile Festival
2024 dates to be confirmed
Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5UJ, England
Website: Threads Textile Festival.
Wild About Wool pop-up yarn market
2024 dates to be confirmed
The WaterShed, Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, HD7 5JN
Website: Wild About Wool.
Woolly Weekend and Shipston Wool Fair
No longer taking place
June 2024
The Wool Monty
8–9 June 2024
Magna, Magna Way, Templeborough, Rotherham, S60 1FD, England
Website: Leeds Wool Festival.
Leeds Wool Festival
2024 date to be confirmed
Leeds Industrial Museum, Armley Mills, Canal Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2QF, England
Website: The Wool Monty.
Woolly Weekend
2024 date to be confirmed
The Weavers’ Workshop, Dilham, Norfolk, NR28 9PT.
Website: Woolly Weekend.
Cumbrian Wool Gathering
2024 date to be confirmed
J36 Rural Auction Centre, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7FP, England
Website: Cumbrian Wool Gathering.
The Wool Monty
2024 dates to be confirmed
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield, S9 2DF, England
Website: The Wool Monty.
Wool @ J13
29–30 June 2024
The Heritage, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, ST17 0XL, England
Website: Wool @ Junction 13.
Woolfest
No longer taking place
Website: Woolfest.
July 2024
Summer Wool Festival
27–28 July 2024
Redbourne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU, England
Website: Summer Wool Festival.
Yarningham
13–14 July 2024
Uffculme Centre, Queensbridge Road, Birmingham, B13 8QY, England
Website: Yarningham.
August 2024
North East Wool Show
10–11 August 2024
Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP, England
Website: North East Wool Show.
Popup Wool Show
2024 dates to be confirmed
Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH62 5DH, England
Website: Popup Wool Show.
Sedbergh Sheepfest
2024 dates to be confirmed
Venues including Sedbergh People’s Hall, Howgill Lane, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5DQ, England
Website: Sedbergh Sheepfest.
September 2024
Southern Wool Show
7–8 September 2024
Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, RG14 7PN, England
Website: Southern Wool Show.
Unravel Autumn
2024 dated to be confirmed
Farnham Maltings, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR, England
Website: Unravel Autumn.
The Scottish Yarn Festival
2024 dated to be confirmed
Station Hotel, Leonard Street, Perth, PH2 8HE, Scotland
Website: Perth Festival of Yarn.
Llandovery Sheep Festival
2024 dated to be confirmed
Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Website: Llandovery Sheep Festival.
Kernow Yarn and Fibre Festival
2024 dated to be confirmed
The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7JE, England
Website: Kernow Yarn and Fibre Festival.
Yarndale
28–29 September 2024
Skipton Auction Mart, Gargrave Road, Skipton, Yorkshire, BD23 1UD, England
Website: Yarndale.
Shetland Wool Week
2024 dated to be confirmed
various venues, Shetland, Scotland
Website: Shetland Wool Week.
Masham Sheep Fair
2024 dated to be confirmed
Masham, North Yorkshire, HG4 4DZ, England
Website: Masham Sheep Fair.
What’s in your diary?
Please let me know about yarn and fibre festivals that are not listed by filling in the form on the Contact Me page or leaving details in the comments below.
This is a great list, thank you for compiling it! May I offer a couple of extras? 6th October 2018 will be West Wales Wool Show in Narberth, Pembrokeshire (www.westwaleswoolshow.weebly.com). I am co-hosting a knitting retreat in Cardiff on the 20th-21st October 2018 and there will be a yarn market on the Sunday 21st- http://theknittearetreat.wordpress.com.
Thankyou Jennie. I’ve added the West Wales Wool Show to the list. What a wonderful area to have a festival!
There’s also the Buckfastleigh Wool Gathering on the 18th March
Thank you Christine, please could you send me the website for this yarn festival.
Hi there
I assist in the organisation of Wild About Wool and we are hosting our 3rd Pop up Yarn Market. Can you add to your list please
Event – Yarn Pop up Market
The aim of Wild About Wool is to celebrate everything woolly: we bring you local artisan wools, designer patterns & kits, mini woolly activities, stash bash and knit & natter area.
When:
04/11/2018
Time:
Sunday 10:30-16:00
Where:
The WaterShed, 22 Bridge Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 5JN
Hi Sandra,
I’ve added the Wild About Wool pop-up yarn market to the ever-growing list of woolly events!
Afternoon Nikki
This is a great resource. But we have signed up to a new show in 2019, which you might wish to add. This is the Buxton Wool Gathering, run by the same team who look after the Bakewell WG later in the year. It is held on 11-12 May 2019 at Buxton Pavilion Gardens, St. John’s Road, Buxton, SK17 6BE
Hi Alan, thank you for letting me know about the Buxton Wool Gathering. I’ve added it to the blog post.
Hi there, what a super list! Rheged in Penrith, Cumbria usually have a knit and stitch show in April. I don’t think the 2019 dates are released yet, but it might be worth an add?
Thank you for letting me know about this event. I’ve added it to my list.
I think there is Aberdeen in June and Angelsey in August
Grace, thank you for reminding me to update this blog post. There seems to be a lot of new shows in 2019. I’ve added Aberdeen, Angelsey and Sheffield. I’m sure there’s also one in Newcastle: hoping someone knows the name!
Sadly, EWEfest and Internationalwool are not happening this year. I’ve been in contact with both organizers as I’ve applied for these shows.
Thank you for letting me know, Tine!
Hi Nikki. Textiles East Fair. Swavesby Village College, Cambs. Fri-Sat 22/23 Feb
Wool, Yarn and all things textiles, including Beads, Silks, Felting, Embroidery, Jewellery, Guilds.
Vanessa of The Spinners Stash will be there with her treasures including some Spinolution Wheels.
Dear Nicki, a very tardy « Thank You » for including us in your listing. We were thrilled with the success of our first event last year, and are delighted to have filled every vendor spot, and have a waiting list for this year’s event, which promises to be even bigger and better! We’re just working on workshops and Social events now, and will be updating our website and social media regularly.
Thanks again for your support, we greatly appreciate it.
Ps: if Aberdeen is a bit far away for a day trip, we urge you to check out http://www.visitabdn.com and see for yourself what a great weekend or holiday destination it is!
beautiful colors of threads
They are indeed! It’s a shame you have to choose just one or two.
Hi We re hosting The Wild About Wool 4th Pop up Yarn Market on the 9th June 2019 in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield- more info here – http://www.thefemininetouchdesigns.co.uk/events_242908.html
Thank you Sandra, I’ve added it to the blog post!
St Abbs Wool Festival takes place in Eyemouth, Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders twice a year. Most recent was yesterday (6th April). Next one is on November 2nd.
Thank you for letting me know about the St Abbs Wool Festival. I’ve added both dates to my list.
Hi, this is a fantastic list. It has helped me plan my weekends away! Can I ask you to add “The Woolly Weekend” 15th &16th June, 2019, hosted by The Worstead Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. @ the Weavers’ Workshop, Dilham, Norfolk, NR28 9PT. http://www.worsteadweavers.org.uk
Hi Linda,
I’m glad you find this blog post useful! I’ve added The Woolly Weekend. Have a great time!
Nicki
Hi
Can you please add the Wild About Wool Pop up Yarn Market to your list
3rd November 2019
Slaithwaite, Huddersfield , West Yorkshire
https://www.thefemininetouchdesigns.co.uk/events_242908.html
Sandra, thank you for letting me know about this date. I’ve added it to the list.
No Aberdeen Yarn Feat in 2020, I just had the email from Ethiom Events
York Yarnfest has moved, at least for March, now at: Poppleton Centre, Main St, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6JT.
Thank you for letting me know, I’ve changed the address.
Stitch Fest South West
31st October 1st November , Newton Abbot Racecourse.
https://www.facebook.com/1593496214279574/posts/2227891877506668/
Loch Ness Knit Fest has just been cancelled for 2020
Thankyou Tine, for keeping me updated!
Woolness and British Wool Show are cancelled, too, btw.
I want to attend UK festival what are the requirements
Alice, I’m not quite sure what you mean. However, due to the Covid restrictions in the UK, yarn shows are not running at the moment.
semoga tahun 2021 semua kembali normal dan lebih baik
I hope that in 2021 everything will return to normal and get better
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