Comedian Ken Dodd will top the bill at the eighth annual Ilkley Summer Festival, which this year stretches over five weekends.

The comedy legend, now aged 82, will bring his celebrated Happiness Show to the King’s Hall on Wednesday, August 4, in one of the biggest events of this year’s festival.

Famed for his wild hair, buck teeth, ‘tickling stick’ and quickfire jokes, the iconic entertainer is being welcomed to Ilkley by the Friends of the King’s Hall and Winter Garden, who stage a major event at the public hall as part of the festival each year.

The night will also be the official Ilkley Summer Festival reception.

A full weekend of celebration centred around Yorkshire Day, a family Picnic and Party in the Park in the Riverside Gardens – complete with a Freddie Marcury tribute act and top rhythm and blues musician Mike Sanchez – and open air concerts on The Grove are among the other big events planned for this year’s festival.

Dominic Halpin and the Honey ‘B’s, and the Tre Tennori from Opera North will perform at the Dolce Vita Latino Cabaret event on The Grove on August 21. A percentage of money from tables booked at this event will go to breast cancer charities.

Ilkley Parish Council is again organising the ever-popular Last Night of the Proms-style Concert on The Grove, the finale to the festival, on August 28.

The three day continental street market, a favourite since the beginning of the festival in 2003, will be back on The Grove again, from August 6 to 8, and Ilkley Flower Show will form part if the line-up of events, on August 7.

The festival traditionally begins on August 1, Yorkshire Day, but the festival organisers are extending the celebrations across the weekend, on July 31 and August 1, with music and activities celebrating Yorkshire’s heritage and culture.

Courtyard Capers at the Manor House Museum will be the first festival events, on July 31.