ILKLEY Summer Festival will be off with a bang on the first big weekend of August.

Ilkley's favourite Dominic Halpin and the HoneyB's are back in town to star in the Cabaret on The Grove on August 6.

"We are making some changes in programming the festival this year," said organiser, Anne Hawkesworth. "However, when I took soundings whether to invite Dominic back there was a resounding 'yes' from those I asked.

"So, this year it will be Dolce Vita with a slight difference because its earlier in the month and it will be lighter and, hopefully, nice and warm. A Cabaret on the Grove or Dancing with Dominic will still enable Ilkley to let its hair down.

"It is hard to describe Dominic other than to say two shots of Italian Dean Martin's croon, a slice of Frank Sinatra swing, and blend that with a healthy dash of Elvis.

"Also, the evening will be set off with The Two Rivers Concert Band. If you recognise music from the shows and cinema, it won't be a coincidence."

The festival starts on August 1 – Yorkshire Day – with an opening ceremony at 11.40am, with Ilkley's town crier and chairman of the parish council calling for order to celebrate the occasion, along with music and entertainment.

The continental market returns on August 12, and will stay in The Grove daily until August 14. A pizza extravaganza also takes at the Wheatley Arms on August 12.

There will be a series of heritage guided walks covering Ilkley's history as part of the festival. These walks are with Alex Cockshott, and she can be contacted on 01943 601561 for details.

Ilkley Jazz Festival kicks off on August 16 and will feature performances by jazz musicians at various venues, including open-air performances in The Grove. Events include The Firebird Quartet at The Craiglands Hotel at 7.30pm on August 18, Emma Frisk and James Birkett performing in the intimate surroundings of Monkmans Restaurant at 6pm on August 19 and an Evening with Tina May and her musicians at the Winter Gardens on August 19, from 7.45pm.

There will be a full day of jazz performances on August 20, featuring Gary Potter, the Graeme Wilson Quartet, Beverley Beirne and the QCBA Quartet. It culminates in a free late-night jazz jam at The Black Hat from 11pm. The Black Hat is also the venue from two more free events on August 21 with a QCBA masterclass from 10am to noon and the Matt Holborn Quartet at 12.15pm.

The Ilkley Summer Festival will come to a crescendo on August 27 with the Concert on The Grove from 6pm to 10pm. This Last Night of the Proms-style event features entertainment organised by Ilkley Parish Council. This will include classical and popular music from Opera North stars and a top Yorkshire brass band.

Tickets for this highly popular finale, with singing and flag waving to round off the evening, are available from Ilkley Visitor Information Centre in Station Road or call 01943 602319. All events in Ilkley Summer Festival can be booked in this way.

Visit ilkleysummerfestival.com for a full programme of events and to find about any least minute changes and updates.