KEIGHLEY Arts and Film Festival takes place next weekend – with a packed programme of events.

Keighley Creative says the line-up of activities, which are either free or low-cost, is designed to cater for everyone.

“The festival is primarily by and for Keighley people – but it is getting wider interest beyond the town,” said a spokesperson.

“We want to show off our town and all the creative people who live and work here.

“As well as showcasing talent and performers, we are also seeking to increase the number of people visiting the town’s retailers and hospitality venues and help reboot the local economy.

“We are delighted that Keighley Creative has been awarded funding as part of the successful Keighley Towns Fund bid to both expand and develop the festival in future years – and to establish ourselves on a bigger and better scale in the town.”

The extravaganza kicks-off next Friday (October 8) and runs until the Sunday.

Organisers pay tribute to all those who are supporting the event.

“We are grateful to all our funders and to our venue partners who are hosting the programme in their buildings and public spaces,” said the spokesperson.

“We work alongside a whole host of local people and organisations who help us bring the festival programme to life.

“This year we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Ilkley Literature Festival for the first time, co-hosting and promoting four events. Its support has been invaluable to us.”

PROGRAMME

Friday October 8: 11am, 1pm & 3pm, Townfield, bus station, All Aboard! performance by Shoutdrama! Free; 11.45am, 1.45pm & 2.45pm, Royal Arcade, Royal Arcadians guided tour. Free but booking essential; 1pm-2.30pm, Keighley Creative Space, illuminated window decoration workshops. Free; 6.30pm-8.30pm, Cliffe Castle Park, Compendium of Mythical Beasts and Cottingley Faeries by Cecil Green Arts and Drum Machine. Free; 7.30pm, The Exchange, Russell Street, Crazy Arm album launch, £6 in advance/£8 on the door; 7.30pm, Jam on Top, Dalton Lane, rapper and beatboxer Testament. Free but booking essential.

Saturday October 9: 9.30am-11am/11.30am-1pm, Musicians Centre, recording studio workshop. Cost £5; 10am-4pm, Keighley Creative Gallery, Worth art exhibition. Free; 10.15am, 11.45am & 1.45pm, Royal Arcade, Royal Arcadians guided tour. Free but booking essential (the 11.45am tour will have BSL signing); 11am, 1pm & 3pm, Townfield, bus station, All Aboard! performance by Shoutdrama! Free; 11am-12.30pm/2pm-3.30pm, Keighley Creative, Make Film – short films made locally. Free; 11am-4pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, face painter. Free; noon-2pm, Cliffe Castle education room, Faeries drop-in workshops. Free; noon-12.45pm, Low Street, Buskers’ Retreat – Henry Parker. Free; 1pm-2.30pm, Keighley Creative Space, illuminated window decoration workshops. Free; 1pm-1.45pm, Ramp Revamp, Cavendish Street, Buskers’ Retreat – Felka. Free; 1pm-1.45pm, Low Street, Buskers’ Retreat – The Urban Cellist. Free; 1pm-3pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Clean North break-dancers. Free; 1.30pm, Musicians Centre, Jazz drumming workshop. Cost £5; 2pm-2.45pm, Ramp Revamp, Cavendish Street, Buskers’ Retreat – Dave McKinley. Free; 2pm-2.45pm, Low Street, Buskers’ Retreat – Callum Spencer. Free; 3pm-3.45pm, Ramp Revamp, Cavendish Street, Buskers’ Retreat – Peace Artists. Free; 5pm, Central Hall, Alice Street, Sarfraz Manzoor: They, Modern Muslim Britain. Cost £3; 6.30pm-8.30pm, Cliffe Castle Park, Light Up Keighley lantern parade and fire drawing. Free; 8pm, Picture House, North Street, Blinded by the Light (12A). Cost £6.50 (£5.50 children/seniors).

Sunday October 10: 9.30am-10.30am/11am-noon/1.30pm-2.30pm, Musicians Centre, circus skills workshop. Cost £5; 10am-3pm, Musicians Centre, graffiti art workshop (age 15-plus). Cost £5; 11am-4pm, Cliffe Castle Park, face painter. Free; noon and 1.30pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, The Maniax street show. Free; noon-4pm, Cliffe Castle grounds, Keighley Pride: Miss Informed, Jenny Wilson; noon-4pm, Cliffe Castle conservatory, Keighley Pride: Pride Flag stories and family crafts; noon-4pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Stem Theatre in a Box drop-in for four-to-11-year-olds. Free; 1pm-2.30pm, Keighley Creative Space, illuminated window decoration workshops. Free; 1pm, Keighley Creative Space, Sunday Practice hosted by Rheima Robinson. Cost £2; 2.45pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Val and Halla – Jorvik Viking Show. Free; 5pm-9.30pm, Jam on Top, Dalton Lane,Keighley Pride: Lesflicks, Beyond the Lesbian period drama. Free.

Full details about activities can be found at keighleycreative.org/festival and updates will be posted at facebook.com/keighleyfestival.