2023 dates for UK yarn festivals

Colourful yarn bombing at UK yarn festival

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 Post Has 39 Comments

  1. Jennie Powell

    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.

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thankyou Jennie. I’ve added the West Wales Wool Show to the list. What a wonderful area to have a festival!

  2. Christine Hart

    There’s also the Buckfastleigh Wool Gathering on the 18th March

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thank you Christine, please could you send me the website for this yarn festival.

  3. Sandra Nesbitt

    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

    1. Being Knitterly

      Hi Sandra,
      I’ve added the Wild About Wool pop-up yarn market to the ever-growing list of woolly events!

  4. Alan Harris

    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

    1. Being Knitterly

      Hi Alan, thank you for letting me know about the Buxton Wool Gathering. I’ve added it to the blog post.

  5. Anja

    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?

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thank you for letting me know about this event. I’ve added it to my list.

  6. Grace Jamison

    I think there is Aberdeen in June and Angelsey in August

    1. Being Knitterly

      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!

      1. Tine

        Sadly, EWEfest and Internationalwool are not happening this year. I’ve been in contact with both organizers as I’ve applied for these shows.

        1. Being Knitterly

          Thank you for letting me know, Tine!

  7. Fi Marlow

    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.

  8. Karin Newton

    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!

  9. Riani

    beautiful colors of threads

    1. Being Knitterly

      They are indeed! It’s a shame you have to choose just one or two.

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thank you Sandra, I’ve added it to the blog post!

  10. Fiona Swain

    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.

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thank you for letting me know about the St Abbs Wool Festival. I’ve added both dates to my list.

  11. Linda Gosling-Belfield

    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

    1. Being Knitterly

      Hi Linda,
      I’m glad you find this blog post useful! I’ve added The Woolly Weekend. Have a great time!
      Nicki

    1. Being Knitterly

      Sandra, thank you for letting me know about this date. I’ve added it to the list.

  12. Tine

    No Aberdeen Yarn Feat in 2020, I just had the email from Ethiom Events

  13. John Tavender

    York Yarnfest has moved, at least for March, now at: Poppleton Centre, Main St, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6JT.

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thank you for letting me know, I’ve changed the address.

  14. Tine

    Loch Ness Knit Fest has just been cancelled for 2020

    1. Being Knitterly

      Thankyou Tine, for keeping me updated!

  15. Tine

    Woolness and British Wool Show are cancelled, too, btw.

  16. TUYISHIME Alice Lisa

    I want to attend UK festival what are the requirements

    1. Being Knitterly

      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.

  17. zulhan

    semoga tahun 2021 semua kembali normal dan lebih baik
    I hope that in 2021 everything will return to normal and get better

Comments are closed.