Our Favourite York Festivals - York's Dark Skies Festival is coming soon so book your event as its already selling out
Find out everything you need to know to plan your trip
It’s that time of year again when we turn our eyes (and telescopes) upwards for the Dark Skies Festival! where we get to celebrate the amazing night sky we’re lucky to have right here in North Yorkshire. This year is a big one, it's the 10th anniversary, so you know it's going to be bigger and better than ever. Forget the usual York hustle and bustle; this is about getting out into the dark, appreciating the cosmos, and maybe even spotting a UFO.
Now, the North York Moors isn't just some random patch of land; it’s officially one of only 21 places in the whole worldrecognised for having incredibly dark skies. It was made an International Dark Sky Reserve back in 2020 by DarkSky. So, if you’re looking to escape those pesky city lights, you've come to the right place. It's like York, but with more stars and less hen parties (though no guarantees).
The festival runs from Friday 14th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025, so you've got plenty of time to get involved. And there’s a whole host of events planned across England, but let’s be honest, the best ones are in the North York Moors.
Stellar Highlights to Look Out For:
A Launch with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE: The festival kicks off with a talk from the space scientist herself, which is bound to be out of this world. She’ll be looking back at the last ten years of the festival as well as discussing the wonders of the night sky, and there is even a chance to ask questions. It's at Sneaton Castle, Whitby, YO21 3QN on Thursday 13th February, so get your tickets booked.
Crafting Planets: For the little explorers, there is a drop-in felt planets craft activity where they can create their own solar system out of wool. It's at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB from the 15th to 28th February.
Ghostly Walks: If you like a bit of spookiness with your stargazing, then there are lantern-led ghost walks through Robin Hood's Bay. Listen to tales of shipwrecks, smugglers and folklore under the dark skies.
Neon Painting: Fancy getting creative? There’s a Neon Painting Workshop at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Whitby, YO21 2NB where you can paint a glowing, fluorescent universe. It's on 16th February, and all materials are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own glow sticks. There is also a neon painting workshop at Sutton Bank National Park Centre on the same day.
Birthday Bash: There's a special birthday bash at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Thirsk, YO7 2EH, complete with telescopes and binoculars for some serious stargazing. Experts will be on hand to guide you through the cosmos, and there might even be tips on catching the Northern Lights.
Astro Crafts Family Activity: If you like the idea of crafts but not planets then there is a drop-in astro craft activity at Guisborough Methodist Church, Guisborough TS14 6AF where you can make space-themed crafts. All money raised will go towards purchasing equipment for kids to experience a ‘night out under the stars’.
Starry Night Watercolours: For the artists, there's a watercolour workshop in Welburn, YO60 7EP to explore the starry night sky. It is suitable for all levels and no drawing is needed, and you get to take home two skyscapes.
Dancing with The Long Dead Stars: Join electronic dance artists, The Long Dead Stars, for a silent disco on the beach at YHA Boggle Hall, Whitby YO22 4UQ and dance under the dark skies. It's on the 2nd March, and it’s a free event.
The Dark Matters: If you want to hear experts debate how cities can become dark sky-friendly, this is the event for you. It's taking place at York St John Creative Centre, York St John University, York YO31 7EX, and they'll even be discussing how York could become the UK’s first Dark Sky City.
Local Knowledge:
Don't forget to visit the Dark Skies Festival website for the full program.
The North York Moors is also full of Dark Skies Friendly accommodation providers, so why not book a stay and make the most of the dark skies or stay in York in one of our House of York Holiday Homes - www.houseofyork.org
The Lamont Family's Dark Sky Tip: Bring a flask of something warm, and a comfy chair or blanket for maximum stargazing comfort (and don’t forget your camera for all the instagram pics).
Events during the Dark Skies Festival
Here is a full list of the events that will be taking place during the festival for more detailed information on each event just visit https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/north-york-moors-events
Festival Skies and Mars red hot! - Sutton Bank National Park Centre 1st Feb 2025 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 1st Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Magical Night 'Awe-Walk' & Stargazing - Kilburn White Horse car park 8th Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 8th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
An evening with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE: The Dark Skies Festival’s 10th Anniversary launch event - Sneaton Castle, Whitby, YO21 3QN13th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 13th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Felt Planets drop-in craft activity - Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB 15th Feb 2025 11:00 am - 28th Feb 2025 2:00 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 15th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 15th Feb 2025 6:45 pm
SOLD OUT: Big Dark Skies Festival Birthday Bash at Danby Lodge - Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB 15th Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Whitby Night Photography Workshop - Abbey House Tearooms (Near Whitby Abbey) 15th Feb 2025 7:00 pm
Neon Painting Workshop at Danby Lodge - Danby Lodge National Park Centre, Whitby, YO21 2NB 16th Feb 2025 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Neon Painting Workshop at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 16th Feb 2025 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 16th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dark Skies talks with the Whitby Astronomical Society - Whitby YHA 16th Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebrate 10 years of the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival from your own home with Professor Carole Haswell - Online 17th Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 17th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 18th Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Dark Skies talks with the Whitby Astronomical Society - Whitby YHA 18th Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 18th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 19th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk Robin Hood’s Bay - Robin Hood's Bay 19th Feb 2025 6:45 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 20th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 20th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 21st Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 21st Feb 2025 7:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 21st Feb 2025 10:00 pm
Sutton Bank – White Horse Circuit dark skies walk - Sutton Bank 22nd Feb 2025 4:30 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 22nd Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 22nd Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Night Navigation Experience - Location not specified 22nd Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 22nd Feb 2025 7:00 pm
SOLD OUT - Big Dark Skies Festival Birthday Bash at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Thirsk, YO7 2EH 22nd Feb 2025 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Whitby Night Photography Workshop - Whitby 22nd Feb 2025 7:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 22nd Feb 2025 10:00 pm
Felt Planets drop-in craft activity - Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB 23rd Feb 2025 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Cistercian Walk under dark skies - The Black Swan, Helmsley 23rd Feb 2025 4:30 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk Lastingham - Lastingham 23rd Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 24th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 25th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Starry Night Watercolour Workshop - Welburn, YO60 7EP 26th Feb 2025 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Astro Crafts Family Activity - Guisborough Methodist Church, Guisborough TS14 6AF 26th Feb 2025 10:00 am
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 26th Feb 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 27th Feb 2025 7:30 pm
Felt Planets drop-in craft activity - Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB 28th Feb 2025 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Robin Hoods Bay night walk – A Smugglers Paradise - Robin Hood's Bay 28th Feb 2025 4:30 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 28th Feb 2025 6:45 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 28th Feb 2025 7:00 pm
Stargazing Experience in Dalby Forest - Dalby Forest 28th Feb 2025 10:00 pm
Starry Night Watercolour Workshop - Welburn, YO60 7EP 1st Mar 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hole of Horcum – Levisham circular walk at night - Saltergate Car Park 1st Mar 2025 4:30 pm
The Robin Hood's Bay Dark Skies Ghost Walk - Robin Hood's Bay 1st Mar 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank - Sutton Bank 1st Mar 2025 6:45 pm
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk Robin Hood’s Bay - Robin Hood's Bay 1st Mar 2025 6:45 pm
Dancing with The Long Dead Stars - YHA Boggle Hall, Whitby YO22 4UQ 2nd Mar 2025 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm
The Dark Matters - York St John Creative Centre, York St John University, York YO31 7EX 4th Mar 2025 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Dark Sky Meander & Stargazing - High Dalby House cottages in the middle of Dalby Forest 22nd Mar 2025 6:00 pm
So there you have it, a stellar line-up for the 10th Anniversary Dark Skies Festival. Go on, get out there, look up, and enjoy the show!

To find out more and plan your star gazing just visit https://www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/north-york-moors-events
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