Rising stars and established artists with one thing in common - a love of the ukulele - will be in Huddersfield this weekend for the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival.

More than 30 acts have been lined up from across the world, including performers from the United States, France, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands...and Worcester, to name a few.

Quirky acts at the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival
Quirky acts at the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival

And in keeping with the genre, they have some of the oddest band names on the planet, from The Fleabitten Dogs, who are in the UK for the first time, to the “riotously odd” Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers.

And then there’s YouTube star Danielle Ate the Sandwich, bluegrass legends The Quiet American and The Devil’s Jukebox....

Also watch out for Leeds-based six-piece Hope and Social. The Festival is promising “something spectacular” from the Yorkshire boys but their lips are sealed at the moment.

Here’s everything you need to know about the festival

When is it?

The festival runs from May 27-29.

Performances and workshops run from early afternoon until the evening, all three days.

Where are the venues?

The festival is centred on the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Other venues are also featured, including the Head of Steam put at the railway station and the Vinyl Tap record store.

Grand Northern Ukelele Festival, Huddersfield - Top performers Sarah Maisel and Craig Chee from San Diego.

What’s on?

There are two full days of concerts and there are workshops for uke fans who are keen to improve their skills.

Workshops will be led by some of the top uke players, performers and makers in the world.

There’s also a Grand Gala Concert at Huddersfield Town Hall starting at 6pm on Sunday.

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How much does it cost?

A full weekend ticket is £44. Tickets for children aged 12-18 cost £30 for the weekend, and kids under 12 go free.

Grand Northern Ukelele Festival, Huddersfield - Kris Ball performing at Vinyl Tap.

Where can I find out more?

Visit the website at nothernuke.com for full line up and events details.

Get ready for the weekend with this ukulele flash mob!

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Ukulele fact file

  • Wigan-born uke player George Formby was once Britain’s highest paid entertainer. By 1939, Formby was estimated to be earning £100,000 a year.
  • One of the first videos to go viral on YouTube was a ukulele tune. Jake Shimabukuro’s version of George Harrison’s While my guitar Gently Weeps has been viewed more than 14 million times.
  • The first man on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, loved to play the uke. In fact, he spent time in quarantine, after returning from the Moon, strumming his uke.