7 October 2026
Popular events during this year’s Dark Skies Fringe Festival will reveal nature’s hidden nightlife and help people embrace, rather than fear, darkness as they look out at the beauty of the International Dark Sky Reserves in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
The Festival, which takes place from 23 October to 1 November, includes events such as a UV fungi woodland walk, a dark sky-themed silent disco, twilight-inspired storytelling, and night time navigation using the stars.
The UV fungi walk, led by Lucy Cuzzocrea of Wild Roots Foraging, will reveal a fascinating multi-coloured night time world in woodland, where fungi and insects emit bioluminescence. Armed with special UV torches, people will be able to glimpse nature’s neon colours as Lucy explains the various scientific theories behind them.
For many, darkness is seen as something to shut out, but at this year’s Festival, there will be plenty of ways to encourage people to enjoy, rather than fear the dark. One way will be to join a silent disco outside the Nature and Star Hub at Sutton Bank as York St John University’s The Long Dead Stars perform tracks from their new album, The Dark Core inspired by the night sky and the cosmos.
Alternatively, at Danby Lodge National Park Centre there’s a family storytelling evening at the Dark Skies Station with local actor Bidi Iredale as twilight falls; while at Sutton Bank National Park Centre a dusking session will build on this February’s introduction of the ancient Dutch ritual, where a soundtrack helps people to use dusk as a time to reflect and find peace.
For those curious about the benefits of getting outside after-dark and being active, sociable walking group Yorkie Talkies Outdoors is holding several events including one in Ashes Wood near Helmsley; while Walk Yorkshire has a number of night walks in atmospheric places such as the Hole of Horcum where people can learn how to use the stars for navigation. Cyclists can also head to Sutton Bank for a repeat of last year’s 65km night gravel bike ride.
Gentler ways to embrace the dark include a host of stargazing events at beautiful locations such as Ampleforth Abbey, Danby and Sutton Bank; and a winter owl evening at the National Centre for Birds of Prey.
To mark Halloween, there’s also an array of spooky events include the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s immersive Mad Alice’s ghost train; a haunted hotel Murder Mystery evening with a 3-course meal at Danby Lodge National Park Centre; the Cosmic Wonders ‘Halloween in Space’ afternoon at Guisborough; and ghost walks at Robin Hood’s Bay.
For those wanting to stay longer during the Fringe Festival, the Saltmoore Hotel, Incline View shepherd’s huts and West Cawthorne cabins are all offering special dark skies packages, or they can choose from a variety of Dark Skies Friendly accommodation within the National Park.
Vicky Burton, Marketing Officer at the North York Moors National Park comments: “There’s a perception that nature goes to sleep as soon as darkness falls but as the Festival will show, there’s a lot of nightlife out there waiting to be discovered. Plus, one of the strong themes of this year’s Fringe event is showing how people can get out safely after dark to enjoy the wellbeing benefits of standing under a pristine night sky.”
For more information including booking details and pricing go to www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Dark Skies Fringe Festival runs across four protected landscapes - North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale National Landscape, and Howardian Hills National Landscape.
North York Moors National Park
The National Park is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, spectacular coast, ancient woodland, dark skies and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire. Nearly 14% of its staff are apprentices from local families. For more information go to www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a landscape of immense beauty and character with valleys of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns, waterfalls, woodlands and peaks - one of the country’s most picturesque places. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has two main purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities. For more information to go www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
Nidderdale National Landscape
Nidderdale National Landscape covers 603 sq km (233 sq miles) from Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales through to the edge of the Vale of York in the East. The fascinating geology of the area which has created a gorge and eye-catching rock formations, together with the tranquil expanses of water, open heather moorland, rolling pastures and scenic villages are among the special qualities of the National Landscape.
Howardian Hills National Landscape
Howardian Hills National Landscape covers 204 sq km (79 sq miles) of North Yorkshire countryside, nestled between the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York. It is a captivating landscape with its well-wooded rolling countryside, patchwork of arable and pasture fields, tranquil villages and historic country houses with classic parkland landscapes.
For further information and images please contact Amanda Brown at A2BPR on:
T: 01423 740048
M: 07876 452580
E: amanda@a2bpr.co.uk
Or Nina Beadle, Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority:
T: 01439 772577
E: press@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Or Andrew Fagg, Media Officer, at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
T: 01969 652374
E: andrew.fagg@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Last updated: 22 Oct 2026