Dark Skies Festival: North Yorkshire Moors

The Dark Skies Fringe Festival returns to the North York Moors from 24 October to 2 November 2025, offering ten nights of stargazing adventures, guided walks, creative workshops, and storytelling under some of the darkest skies in the UK.

Recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve, the North York Moors hosts a packed programme of events, from night hikes and ghost train rides to astro-photography sessions and Gothic light shows at Whitby Abbey.

Highlights include expert talks from astronomers and authors, immersive folklore evenings, and live music under the stars.

The festival also promotes the importance of protecting dark skies for wildlife and wellbeing.

Visitors are encouraged to stay with Dark Skies Friendly accommodation providers to experience the magic for longer and support businesses helping preserve this unique environment.

Running alongside this celebration, the Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival offers a parallel programme of celestial events across another of the UK’s most spectacular starry landscapes.

A wider celebration returns in February 2026, when the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales unite for the main Dark Skies Festival.

EVENT SCHEDULE

• Help Protect Our Dark Skies – 21 Oct, 6:00pm–8:00pm, North York Moors
  An insightful talk from the ReConnect team about the impact of light pollution on nature and human health.
• Hideaway, Wander and Wonder – 24 Oct–2 Nov, Dalby Forest
  Unwind in two hand-built hideaways tucked into a woodland garden, with easy access to dark skies.
• White Horse Circuit Dark Skies Walk – 24 Oct, 4:30pm, Sutton Bank
  Begin your adventure with sunset views across Roulston Scar and a walk beneath one of England’s best night skies.
• Illuminated Whitby Abbey – 24 Oct–1 Nov, 6:00pm–9:00pm, Whitby Abbey
  The Gothic ruins light up with dramatic effects, spooky fun, and family-friendly Halloween ambience.
• Dark Skies with Dani Robertson – 24 Oct, 7:00pm, North York Moors
  A nature-focused evening with author Dani Robertson celebrating the wildlife that thrives under dark skies.
• Whitby Night Photography Workshop – 24 Oct, 7:00pm, Whitby
  Capture striking nightscapes with guidance from local photographer Richard Burdon.
• Summertime Farewell Walk – 25 Oct, 10:00am–6:00pm, North York Moors
  Mark the end of British Summer Time with a full-day moorland walk led by River Mountain Experience.
• Walking in Heartbeat Country – 25 Oct, 4:00pm, North York Moors
  Explore the tranquil valleys and waterfalls made famous by the Heartbeat TV series—after dark.
• Sutton Bank Night Walk with Large Outdoors – 25 Oct, 6:45pm, Sutton Bank
  Experience the magic of walking through the darkened landscape under wide, starlit skies.
• Astro Photography at Ampleforth Abbey – 25 Oct, 7:00pm–10:00pm, Ampleforth Abbey
  Learn to shoot the night sky with astro-photographer Steve Bell in a peaceful monastic setting.
• Dancing with The Long Dead Stars – 25 Oct, 7:00pm–8:15pm, Whitby YHA
  Electronic dance music under the stars in Whitby’s gardens, with new tracks and live visuals.
• Mad Alice’s Ghost Train – 26 Oct & 2 Nov, various times, North York Moors
  Ride through haunted landscapes with tales from the infamous Mad Alice for a frightful journey.
• Hole of Horcum Night Walk – 26 Oct, 4:30pm, Levisham Moor
  A moonlit circuit through the vast amphitheatre of the Devil’s Punchbowl with sweeping night views.
• Dark Skies with Whitby Astronomical Society – 26 Oct, 7:00pm, Whitby
  A telescope night and talk to uncover the constellations, planets, and deep-sky wonders above.
• Evening Walk from Clay Bank – 29 & 31 Oct, 4:30pm–8:00pm, Clay Bank to Wainstones
  A short but rewarding hike with dramatic dusk views across autumn-coloured moorland.
• Stories of the Stars at Ryedale Folk Museum – 29 & 30 Oct, 6:00pm, Hutton-le-Hole
  Explore folklore and ancient navigation in a special after-dark experience at the museum.
• Dark Skies Experience with Large Outdoors – 29 Oct & 1 Nov, 6:45pm, Sutton Bank
  A guided stargazing session with telescopes and tips in one of the UK’s top night sky spots.
• Robin Hood’s Bay Night Walk – 1 Nov, 4:30pm, Robin Hood’s Bay
  Follow the smuggler’s paths on a coastal night walk through one of Yorkshire’s most storied villages.
• Cistercian Walk by Night – 2 Nov, 4:30pm, Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey
  A 7-mile circular hike linking historic monastic sites with clear skies overhead.