Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which celebrates its 150th birthday this year, Grassington Festival has created a whole array of adventures, mischief and riddles to tempt and tantalise young children and their families.

ALICE'S Adventures in Wonderland is a story that continues to delight adults and children alike thanks to its wondrous imagery, and twists of perspective and logic.

Using the book as one of its central themes this year, Grassington Festival has devised some truly mischievous and tantalising treats for younger audiences. Look out for the giant teacup trail, Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties, secret rabbit holes and Alice-inspired riddles.

“The team has already had lots of fun conjuring up all the Alice in Wonderland ideas and events for this year’s festival,” said festival director Kate Beard.

“The giant teacups which will be kindly planted in the festival colours by Grassington in Bloom, are going to be absolute showstoppers, and our visual arts team, led by Carine Brosse, have been working hard creating some magnificent and very recognisable characters from the book, which will most certainly delight our younger visitors.”

In keeping with the festival ethos there will once again be an abundance of free weekend events for all the family, kicking off with the opening procession on Saturday, June 13, which will showcase the vibrant output of the festival’s work with local primary schools and Gills Top care home.

Following the procession, Bradford Grammar School Concert Band and Yorkshire’s most exciting ukulele collective, The Grand Old Uke of York – will kick off the party in the square.

On Sunday, June 14, there will be promenade performance of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party created by Paper Finch. Tickets need to be booked in advance and festival goers are invited to meet in the square, before embarking on their magical journey down never ending pathways, to a hidden wonderland where mischief, riddles and maybe even a Mad Hatter awaits...

On Saturday, June 20, alongside all the free entertainment in the square, which continues on the following Saturday too, there will be a free family drop-in "down the rabbit hole", where children of all ages are welcome to come along with their grown-ups to create some ‘Alice’ inspired dens.

In addition to all the fun and games taking place around the village, there are many wonderful concerts and other unique events for children and their families which can be booked in advance. This year on Monday, June 22, the festival will present its first-ever classical concert for children in the 700-seat festival marquee.

Alongside Peter and The Wolf and Leopold Mozart’s Toy Symphony, the festival will be hosting the world premiere of The Song of the Sea that Was.

The Song of the Sea that Was is an orchestral score which was inspired by the work of a group of adults with learning disabilities, and which tells through music and sound, the story of limestone - from its origins as the flora and fauna of our local landscape, to its current form as a geological feature; in other words, ‘the song of the sea’.

With Skipton Building Society Camerata performing many elements of this unique score on a solo lithophone, which is like a xylophone, but is made from locally quarried limestone, the concert promises to be a memorable event for adults and children alike.

The amazing Illyria are back this year, once again bringing their awe inspiring and hilarious outdoor theatre to the grounds of Bolton Abbey Priory. Festival goers are invited to bring their own seating and picnic before settling down to watch what will be a most spectacular performance of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - the original boy-wizard story.

Featuring breathtaking magical illusions designed by the world famous Paul Daniels, and more water than you can imagine – the show is guaranteed to be an absolute treat for families to enjoy together.

Theatre for older children this year takes the form of a fast-paced and hilarious romp through all 37 of the Bard’s plays in just 97 minutes, courtesy of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. This abridged version of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare was the West End’s longest-running comedy, clocking up nine years at London’s Criterion Theatre, and will be performed in the festival hall on Sunday, June 14.

Finally, Grassington Festival will this year be hosting their first ever Comedy Club 4 Kids on June 21. Children (and their parents) can expect to enjoy comedy from some of the best stand-ups and sketch acts on the international comedy circuit. The concept which has enjoyed fantastic reviews, guarantees the boisterous rowdy feel of a real comedy club, but without any of the rude bits!

“It seems fitting in our 35th year, that our programme offers an even wider variety of family themed events,” says Kate, “Local children will now have more opportunities than ever to get involved in the festival, and enjoy all the wonderful artistic and musical experiences that are available.”

The find out more information or to book tickets, visit grassington-festival.org.uk or call the box office on 01756 752691.