How often do you look up at the sky at night – and what can you see?
If you’re disappointed by the lack of stars – then the Dark Skies Festival is for you.
The festival aims to celebrate our dark skies and the natural wonder of a star-filled sky.
The Dark Skies Fringe Festival returns this half-term (22 – 31 October 2021) to the North York Moors National Park after its successful debut last autumn. The main festival will take place in 2022.
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Within the North York Moors National Park, visitors will be able to enjoy a varied programme of exciting events.
From stargazing safaris, guided night walks and astrophotography evenings through to zip wire adventures and a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Light Spectacular steam train!
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Last year, the North York Moors National Park achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status.
The festival also comes with an important reminder everybody can help to protect our night skies, reduce light pollution and safeguard nocturnal wildlife.
Mike Hawtin, Dark Skies Officer for the North York Moors National Park, said: “We’re keen for everybody visiting the Fringe Festival to have fun and revel in being outside after-dark, but there is a serious message to take away as well – that we can all do our bit to protect our night skies.
“It might seem trivial to adjust the angle of external LED lighting or fit motion sensors but collectively if we all take these small, simple steps, we can make a huge difference against the detrimental impact of light blight and all enjoy starrier skies.”
6 highlights for 2021
Dalby Forest Stargazing with Hidden Horizons
22nd Oct 2021 – 30th Oct 2021, 7:30pm
Dalby Explorer Hub, Forest Courtyard, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
From £10
Booking essential
Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, focusing on objects in our solar system (the moon and other planets) as well as stars that reside far away from Earth within our Milky Way galaxy. View a range of constellations and the objects that reside within them, including deep sky objects such as nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.
Sutton Bank – Myths, Legends and Folklore
22nd Oct 2021, 5pm – 8:30pm
Sutton Bank National Park Centre YO7 2EH
£30
Booking essential
Heading off across Roulston Scar, where ancient tribes dating back to 400BC roamed this impressive plateau. From the plateau we descend down to the famous Kilburn White Horse, before heading back up to the top and across to White Mare crag where Sir Harry De Scriven met his fate one stormy night.
Light Spectacular
23rd Oct 2021 – 31st Oct 2021, 6pm and 7.45pm
Pickering Station, Park Street, Pickering YO18 7AJ
£25
Booking essential
All aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway! Marvel at our heritage carriages, decorated with thousands of lights, before departing from Pickering Station for an awe-inspiring journey. Let our voiceover man and DJ-Mix of music get you in the mood for a party the whole family will enjoy.
Robin Hood’s Bay Ghost Walk
24th, 27th, 30th, 31st Oct 2021, 6:30pm
Meet at the Slipway in the Dock outside the National Trust’s Old Coastguard Station, Robin Hood’s Bay YO22 4SJ
From £4
Booking not required
Journey through the narrow streets and alleyways of Bay as you listen to tales of the strange and supernatural mingling with ancient legends, smugglers, shipwrecks, spiritual mysteries and rip roaring ghost stories.
Nocturnal Animal Treasure Hunt
25th Oct 2021 10:30 am – 31st Oct 2021 10:30 am
The Moors National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre
£3
Booking not required
Which animals come out at night and why? Follow our deep, dark trail and solve the clues to claim your prize.
Sundown Adventure at Go Ape Dalby
30th Oct 2021, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
6 Dalby Forest Dr, Pickering YO18 7LT
£20
Booking essential
Encounter the forest at sundown as you test your skills on our Adventure course. Clamber across crossings and feel the crisp evening breeze as you soar through the air into the night on our zip wires.
For the full programme and booking details for this year’s Dark Skies Fringe Festival visit their website here.