Major festivals and events

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.

December

• 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22 Santa Specials, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• 1, 7–8, 12–15, 19–23 Northern Lights Express, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• 1 – 15 December Helmsley Christmas Tree Festival, All Saints Church, Helmsley
• 1 – 15 December Christmas at Nunnington Hall (weekends only)
• 1 – 23 Christmas Opening, Burton Agnes Hall
• 1 – 31 Castle Howard at Christmas: experience this magnificent house decked out and lit by candle and firelight
• 1 – 23 Christmas at Dalby Forest
• 1 – February 2020 Uniquely Made - by Brigantia, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
• 6 – 8 Robin Hood's Bay 26th Victorian Weekend, Robin Hood's Bay
• 7 Christmas Lights, Thornton le Dale

Major events 2020

January

• 1 – 9 February ‘Uniquely Made’ by Brigantia, Inspired by… gallery, Danby (weekends only from 5 January)
• 25 – 26 Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend, Sutton Bank and The Moors National Park Centres

February

• 7 – 1 March Snowdrop Spectacular, Burton Agnes, near Driffield
• 8 – 9 Whitby Steampunk Weekend, Whitby Pavilion
• 14 – 1 March Dark Skies Festival, events across North York Moors and Howardian Hills
• 15 – 23 Half Term - Vikings, Whitby Abbey
• 15 – 23 March Until the Stars Come Out, Inspired by… gallery
• 15 – 23 March A First Look, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
• 21 – 23 Coastival, Scarborough

March

• 28 – 4 May What the Tide Left Behind, Inspired by… gallery, Danby

April

• 4 – 5 Sci-Fi Scarborough, Scarborough Spa
• 4 – 19 Discover National Parks, annual celebration of National Parks, check out our events programme at Sutton Bank and The Moors National Park Centres
• 10 – 13 Easter Egg Hunt, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
• 10 – 13 Easter Egg Hunt, The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
• 11 – 12 WWII Living History Weekend - Axis-Allied, Eden Camp, Malton
• 24 – 26 Books by the Beach Festival 2020, Scarborough Library
• 24 – 26 Whitby Goth Weekend, Whitby
• 24 – 26 Tomorrow's Ghosts Gothic & Alternative Festival, Whitby
• 30 – 3 May Tour de Yorkshire