Harrogate International Festivals (HIF) is a registered charity[1] and one of the UK's longest running arts festivals, having been established in 1966.[2] It is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.[3]
Festivals include the Harrogate Music Festival, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate International Spring Series, Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and a programme of outreach which includes the Spiegeltent and Children's Festival programmes. HIF also runs a programme of community outreach including literacy, music and arts programmes for young people and communities with least access to the arts due to rural isolation, geographical location or social exclusion.[4]
Charles, Prince of Wales is the Festival's patron,[5] and Peter Blackburn CBE is its honorary president.[6]
Dame Fanny Waterman, DBE was honorary president from 2009[2] until her death in 2020, the position having previously been held by Clive Leach CBE.[7] A past vice-president was Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam.[8]
The current Chair of the Trustees is Fiona Movley.[6]
In 2017, HIF won the Northern Soul Arts Festival of the Year Award.[9]