Have a go at astro photography, zip wires and night walks in this starry festival
Discover the wonders of the night sky in this after-dark festival.
Returning for the eighth time, the Dark Skies Festival will take place from Friday 10 to Sunday 26 February 2023.
The festival aims to celebrate our dark skies and the natural wonders of a star-filled sky.
There are plenty of opportunities to appreciate our dark skies during the festival – with stargazing, mindful nighttime walks, craft activities, zip-lining, and much more.
Though the festival takes place across England, we’ve put together a guide of events happening at the North York Moors.
The North York Moors is one of only 20 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies – and it was made an International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2020.
For more information and to see the whole programme of events, visit the Dark Skies Festival website.
Nine highlights for the Dark Skies Festival
Dalby Forest Stargazing with Astro Dog
Join Astro Dog for a magical evening of stargazing in Dalby Forest. Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, use telescopes and binoculars to view the planets, learn about the history of astronomy and space travel, get to know the equipment and accessories involved in stargazing and astrophotography – and more!
- Dalby Explorer Hub, Forest Courtyard, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
- 10-26 Feb
- 7:30pm
- from £15
- Booking essential
- More info
Dark Skies adventure day
Come along to Danby Lodge to celebrate the Dark Skies Festival. Drop in anytime between 10.30am and 2.30pm for some story themed activities, rocket making and our star tracker challenge.
- Danby Lodge National Park Centre YO21 2NB
- 15 Feb
- 10:30am – 2:30pm
- £3 for children
- No booking required
- More info
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Mindful night walk in Whitby
Join Whitby YHA for a guided walk around the Abbey headland featuring stargazing, wildlife, historic views of Whitby by night and more! It’s a family event for all ages. Refreshments will be included afterwards.
- YHA Whitby, East Cliff, Abbey House, Whitby YO22 4JT
- 15 Feb
- 7-8:30pm
- £8
- Book your place by emailing: [email protected]
- More info
Night Navigation Experience – Learn how to go walking at night!
Join one of our expert leaders for a fun few hours navigating in the hills, moorlands and woods long after the sun has gone down. We’ll teach you the ins-and-outs of navigating at night, sharing invaluable tips and methods to help you find your way with confidence.
- Blacksmiths Arms, Anserdale Lane, Lastingham YO62 6TN
- 16 Feb
- 6:45-9:45pm
- £30
- Booking essential
- More info
Dark skies art workshops at Helmsley Arts Centre
Join us for mega messy, crafty, painty, foldy, sticky, papery art workshops. We’re running three sessions of brilliant art activities that you can dip into and go crazy with your creations.
- Helmsley Arts Centre, Meeting House Ct, Helmsley, York, YO62 5DW
- 18 Feb
- 9.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
- £5 per child
- Booking essential
- More info
Astro-photography at Castle Howard
Join local photographer Steven Bell to learn how to shoot stunning night time images. A night photography workshop will begin with an insightful presentation and instructional workshop followed by a tea/coffee break to digest everything you’ve learnt. The workshop will conclude with a 1.5 hour photography session in the grounds of Castle Howard.
- Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
- 18, 22 and 26 Feb
- 7pm
- from £35
- Booking essential
- More info
Shine a Light on Queer History, Lantern Walk
For the first time you can join members of Scarborough Pride to learn about the Queer history of England on an atmospheric lantern walk around Robin Hood’s Bay. An easy 1 mile walk around the bits of Robin Hood’s Bay others rarely see down hidden alleys and streets, with stops to hear stories from queer history. Celebrating LGBTQ history month and the Dark Skies festival.
- Robin Hood’s Bay Station car park, YO22 4RE
- 24 Feb
- 7-8pm
- Pay as you feel (suggested £3)
- Booking essential
- More info
Sundown zip line experience at Go Ape Dalby
Nothing quite beats the rush of adrenaline stepping off a platform in the dark, zipping through the forest in the pitch-black night air.
You’ll begin your after-dark experience with a head torch to guide you. Then once you’re safely attached to the course, your head torch will be turned off before you take the plunge on a 250m zip across a valley in complete darkness.
- 6 Dalby Forest Dr, Pickering YO18 7LT
- 25 Feb
- 5-7:30pm
- £22
- Booking essential
- More info
Dark Skies experience at Sutton Bank
Join us at Sutton Bank National Park Centre’s new Star and Nature Hub for an evening of celestial delights!
You’ll meet our resident stargazing expert who’ll introduce you to the night’s sky through our range of telescopes and knowledge of the constellations and cosmos. Gather around the Hub’s fire pit and spend the evening enjoying close-up views of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies offering the clearest views on the night.
- Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH
- 26 Feb
- 6:45-9:45pm
- £35
- Booking essential
- More info