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Major festivals and events

Railway in Wartime Credit Tracey PhillipsRailway in Wartime Credit Tracey Phillips

From Railway in Wartime to music, food and art festivals, join in one of the many events held throughout the year across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Coast.

Traditional Yorkshire country shows are an integral part of summer, one of the finest being the Ryedale Show, Kirkbymoorside, always held on the last Tuesday in July. We’re talking sheep-dog trials, shire horses, champion cattle, ferret roulette and improbably large vegetables – with similar events at another dozen or so local shows to follow throughout August and September.

More art than agriculture? Then head to Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage in September, where picturesque fishing cottages become pop-up galleries and cafés for the weekend. Or head into the heart of Dalby Forest for Forest Live, atmospheric summer gigs featuring big names from across the music world, while we play host to a musical programme at the Inspired by… gallery, from chamber concerts to folk-roots rockers.

Major events 2019

Outdoor challenge events are not included below; you'll find walking, cycling and mountain biking, and fell and road running events listed in our Enjoy Outdoors pages. Do also take a look at the monthly farmers' markets in and around the North York Moors, and Food & Beer Festivals for more foodie ideas.

See Discover Yorkshire Coast for more major events in Scarborough, Filey, Whitby and along the coast.

June
  • 1 – 9 109 Miles, Inspired by... gallery, Danby
  • 1 – 2, 8 – 9 North Yorkshire Open Studios, artists open up their studios across North Yorkshire
  • 7 – 9 Robin Hood’s Bay Folk Weekend, a free weekend of relaxed music sessions and singarounds
  • 9 Open Farm Sunday, visit one of a number of farms across the North York Moors
  • 15 – 29 July The Lost Words, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
  • 16 BunnyRun, Sutton Bank National Park Centre: North York Moors National Park in partnership with Hardmoors Race Series hops over to Sutton Bank for a new family friendly 5K run
  • 16 – 23 Scalby Fair, Nr Scarborough: one of the few remaining village street fairs in north England (Fair Day is 22 June)
  • 22 – 23 Rosedale Walking Festival, Rosedale Abbey
  • 23 – 29 Rosedale Wildlife Week: seven days of wildlife themed walks, family activities, talks and workshops
  • 28 – 29 Forest Live, Dalby Forest, Music gigs featuring top artists in the forest (Paul Weller, Jess Glynne)
  • 29 – 30 British Falconry Fair, National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley
July
August
September
October
November
December