The Harrogate International Youth Festival (HIYF) is preparing for its ‘Big Night In’ on Easter Saturday 3rd April as it moves online for the first time.

HIYF is the longest running International Youth Music and Performing Arts Festival in the UK and has been entertaining audiences with local and international students almost every Easter weekend since 1973.

And after being forced to postpone the event for a second consecutive year, HIYF organisers felt it was important to celebrate key moments of the HIYF weekends in more recent years and bring participants together for one night only virtual style!

The Harrogate International Youth Festival grand Easter parade, 2019.

Michael Newby, one of the Festivals most recognised personalities, will be hosting an Online show on Saturday 3rd April at 7.30pm.

Michael will be introducing a variety of favourite video footage of more recent concerts from both local and international acts, as well as bringing new Zoom-style videos from regular participants.

Michael said:

“This really will be a jammed packed evening! We simply could not put everything in that we wanted to – but I think we’ve got a really good selection that we know our audiences will love to see.

“Whether you’re a past participant or whether you plan to be one in the future or simply enjoy music and performing arts – this really will give you a taster of what the Festival is all about.

“We can’t wait to be together again and perform at these amazing venues in our community – but until then, we wanted to celebrate these amazing schools, groups and colleges that have performed with us over the years and really look forward to a fantastic Festival year next year.”

The HIYF Easter weekend usually opens with the marching bands in the festival’s big Easter Parade through the Harrogate town centre.

The festival also includes a concert series throughout the weekend, with big shows at the beautiful Royal Hall in Harrogate and a Strings and Choral concert at Ripon Cathedral.

Local and International students have also performed at a series of smaller concert venues in the community including Newby Hall and National Trust’s Fountains Abbey.

For more information on the Harrogate International Youth Festival and ‘The Big Night In’ this Easter Saturday – check out their website: www.hiyf.co.uk. You can also follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter – where links to the LIVE online show will be shared.

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.