It’ll be our eighth year celebrating all that’s fascinating about the night sky. As usual we’ll be joining our friends in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to put on a great spectacle. It’s always a pleasure to show you just how special our dark skies are.
In December 2020, we were designated International Dark Sky Reserve status. Did you know our combined area of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales represents the largest protected area in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe? Now that’s got to be something to appreciate and make the most of!
As always we love to welcome back the annual favourites such as night navigation experiences, ghost walks in Robin Hood’s Bay, stargazing at the National Park Centres, astrophotography workshops, daytime trails and art workshops for kids.
For 2023 we’re pleased to welcome new, exciting additions that include a yoga and night run, stay and gaze weekend and a lantern walk on the coast. Plus, there’s more events in the pipeline, so watch this space!
www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
It’s a star-studded line up
We’re delighted to be showcasing an eighth Dark Skies Festival – full of activities and opportunities to appreciate the wonders of the night sky.
The North York Moors is one of only 20 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies. An International Dark Sky Reserve, awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association.
So, what are you waiting for? Tis the season to look up and marvel at the thousands of sparkles in the sky. See our exciting programme below.
Extend your visit and book dark skies friendly accommodation so you can explore during the daytime too!
Get involved in the Festival fun and see the full programme of events.
Here are some local family events:
Brush up on your investigative skills and search for nocturnal animals. Complete the challenges to claim your prize. Fun for all the family.
Drop in any time between 10.30am – 3pm. No booking required.
Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centre
YO21 2NB / YO7 2EH
Adult: Free
Child: £3 includes prize
Discover the forest by night. Venture out with the Forest Ranger stalking through the woodland to try and catch a sound or glimpse of wildlife with your night vision equipment.
Keldy Cabins, Cawthorn YO18 8HW
Adult: £12
Child: £12 (minimum age 10 years old)
Spend a night under the stars with York Astronomical Society. Enjoy an evening of illustrated talks and stargazing at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH. Minimum age 10 years.
Adult: £16
Child: £10
Join dark skies expert Richard Darn and fellow astronomers for a special evening at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB.
Our star party will be dominated by the great and ancient constellations…
Adult: £15
Child: £10 (suitable for 6+years old)
Discover the forest by night. Venture out with the Forest Ranger stalking through the woodland to try and catch a sound or glimpse of wildlife with your night vision equipment…
Cropton Cabins, Moor Lane, Cropton. YO18 8ES
Adult: £12
Child: £12 (minimum age 10 years old)
Join us at Sutton Bank National Park Centre’s new Star and Nature Hub for an evening of celestial delights!
Adult: £35
Child: £35 (suitable for 12+ years old)
Come along to Danby Lodge (YO21 2NB) 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.
Minimum age 3
Adult – Free
Child – £3
Drop in. No booking required.
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.
Places are limited so booking in advance is essential.
Adult: £8
Child: Children under 8 free
Become a ‘citizen scientist’ and take part in our Star Count, a cosmic census to map light pollution.
We’ll be asking you to choose a clear night between 17 – 24 February and look to the skies to see how many stars you can spot within Orion.
Star-filled skies are one of the most magical sights our countryside has to offer. We want to reconnect people across the country with the wonder of a truly dark sky.
FREE
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
Book as many sessions as you like and enjoy the day! Starts at 9.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. £5 per child
Join us for a night dominated by the constellations of Orion, Gemini and Leo. It’s also the time of the year when we get a good view of many distant galaxies and clear skies permitting we will spy great star systems whose light has taken millions of years to reach us! Plus Mars will still be visible and shooting stars can’t be ruled out!
Star Hub, Sutton Bank National Park Centre. YO7 2EH
Adult: £16.50
Child: £11 (Suitable for 6+years old)
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