With a year-round calendar of events, exhibitions and festivals, you can be sure that no matter when you visit there is always something exciting to do!
Art exhibitions and festivals
Terra Incognita: On This Land | In This Land | Of This Land exhibition - 7 March – 28 June, open daily from 10am to 4pm
Forest Arts Exhibition Space, Low Dalby Courtyard
A contemplative exploration by lens-based artist Rachel Rimell of the conflicted concepts of land access and ownership, revealing uncomfortable truths about the ways in which physical boundaries and social constructs shape our relationship with, and stewardship of, the land. Find out more on Forestry England's website.
Simon Palmer - Back to Home Territory - 9 - 30 May 2026
Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
Over the last four decades Simon Palmer has become one of Britain’s leading water colour artists. Like other British artists before him he draws a spiritual connection from the land in a specific place. Zillah Bell Gallery, 15 Kirkgate, Thirsk.
Mini Arts Festival & Fringe 23 - 31 May 2026
Glaisdale’s Mini Arts Festival is an inclusive, accessible community arts festival holding events and activities around the National Park. This year's format includes a week of fringe events and workshops, concluding with the festival weekend hosted at the Robinson Institute in Glaisdale. Expect a rich mix of performances such as storytelling, puppetry, poetry-writing, open mic and art workshops.
Festival Weekend 30 - 31 May 2026
Sat 30 May – Festival Performance Day and Evening Concert
Sun 31 May – Arts & Crafts, Music, Walk and Farewell Concert
Multiple venues in and around the North York Moors, including Glaisdale, Lealholm, Whitby, Loftus and Saltburn, are set to come alive with music, dance, theatre, spoken word, art demos and a whole range of workshops – we welcome you to join in!
The Mini Arts Festival outline programme is now live.
Online bookings from 1 February.
‘Reflections’ Exhibition at Lockton Tea Rooms & Gallery - 3 June for 7 weeks
The group will be showcasing a new body of work, responding to the theme of "Reflections". Each artist will create a piece of work within a uniform format, exploring the various facets of the theme in their own medium and art form to create a varied and diverse exhibition. Lockton Tea Rooms & Gallery, Lockton YO18 7QA
Plants for 'Free' Workshop at Gumboots and Wellingtons, 6 June 2026, 1 pm - 4:30 pm
Guided by Jan Hoyland, a professional gardener who has worked as Head Gardener at various National Trust properties, this workshop will take you through the art of propagating plants. From learning the theory to practical demonstrations, Jan will cover seed sowing techniques, softwood and hardwood cuttings, layering, division, leaf cuttings and bulbs. £55 per person, including refreshments and homemade cake. Gumboots and Wellingtons, Ellerburn. Contact Lesley at Gumboots and Wellingtons to book your place on 07968 805117 or AndyAndLesley@hotmail.com.
North Yorkshire Open Studios 6 - 7 June and 13 - 14 June 2026
An annual event enabling artists and makers to open their studios, meet and sell their work. Includes work across a range of different disciplines including painting, printmaking, ceramics, woodwork, glass, jewellery, photography, sculpture, textiles, mixed media, and more. See their summer Open Studio information.
Wire Workshop at Gumboots and Wellingtons, 28 June 2026, 1 pm - 4:30 pm
Learn to bend and twist wire into delicate nature inspired decorations. Workshops are relaxed and friendly, perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a few hours of creativity and chatter .£55 per person, including refreshments and homemade cake. Gumboots and Wellingtons, Ellerburn. Contact Lesley at Gumboots and Wellingtons to book your place on 07968 805117 or AndyAndLesley@hotmail.com.
Sue Slack Exhibition 18 July - 31 August 2026
Ryedale Folk Museum
Sue is delighted to announce her solo exhibition at the Ryedale Folk Museum Gallery entitled “Finding the Dramatic’. In this exhibition, Sue presents a series of mixed-media works, inspired by scenes from the hills and dales of the North York Moors and the coast.
Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage 2026 - date tbc
It’s been called the friendliest festival on the coast. For one weekend in September, cottages across the picturesque fishing village of Staithes open as pop-up galleries showcasing the work of artists, sculptors and creatives, offering visitors a chance to meet them and see their work.
Across 90 temporary galleries, more than 130 artists, both amateur and professional, exhibit their work in houses and public spaces at the top and bottom of Staithes. Expect to listen to music in the cobbled streets and venues around the village, and be entertained by a programme of heritage activities, talks and walks.
North Yorkshire Open Studios 7 - 8 November 2026
Another opportunity to meet Open Studio's artists. A great opportunity to find unique gifts ahead of Christmas! See winter Open Studio's details.
Catch of flavour of other festivals and events happening throughout the year in the North York Moors too.
Whitby Lit Fest 19 – 22 November 2026
Whitby’s Literature Festival is a celebration of writing and authors, past and present, in many genres, including novels, short stories, plays and poetry, some of which have been inspired by Whitby along the way.
Music festivals
Bach at Christ Church, Appleton le Moors 1 March 2026
The North York Moors Chamber Music Festival presents Benjamin Baker (violin) and Jamie Walton (cello). Visit the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival website for further details and tickets.
Ryedale Festival 2026 Season Launch Concert - Takács Quartet 27 March 2026
Performance by Budapest based Takács Quartet at St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Pickering. Visit the Ryedale Festival website for further details and tickets.
Schubert Quintet in C Major, the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival Ensemble - 16 May 2026, 3.30pm - 4.30pm
St Martin on the Hill, Scarborough, YO11 2BT
Big Ideas By The Sea presents in collaboration with the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival a performance of Schubert's Quintet in C Major (D. 956) by the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival Ensemble. Find out more and buy tickets at Ticketsource.
Whitby Maritime & Shanty Festival 16 - 17 May 2026
Traditional sea music and shanties with performances at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and Pannett Gallery. Visit the Great North Folk Festival website to find out more.
Crawfest Music Festival July 2026 - details tbc
Crawfest is a family friendly music festival held every July at Partings Farm near Scarborough and Pickering in North Yorkshire.
Great North Folk Festival, Botton Village 10 - 12 July 2026
Originally founded to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North York Moors National Park, the Great North Folk Festival is now a fully independent event attracting music lovers from the local community, and around the folk world. It's renowned for its beautiful location, friendly atmosphere and an amazing mix of music.
Ryedale Festival 10 - 26 July 2026
Each year, the Ryedale Festival brings outstanding classical artists from across the world to perform in some of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful and historic settings.
Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival 31 July - 2 August 2026
The Gateway to the Moors Music Festival will feature a wide variety of musical genres by established and emerging artistes will be held at indoor and outdoor locations across Kirkbymoorside including Soul, Acoustic, Rock, Pop, Country, Folk, Disco, Choral, Brass, Bollywood, Orchestral, Funk, Contemporary and 60s, 70s and 80s. The festival also includes dance classes, music lessons and guided walks.
Saltburn Folk Festival 7 - 9 August 2026
Saltburn Folk Festival is a friendly, multi-venue event, set in the historic seaside town of Saltburn. Enjoy concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, dance displays, sessions and singarounds.
North York Moors Chamber Music Festival 8 - 22 August 2026
Renowned musicians from around the world gather every August in some of the area's most remote and beautiful churches for the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, where the journey to the venue is part of the magic.
Whitby Folk Week 22 - 28 August 2026
A week long festival celebrating British traditional song, dance, music and storytelling. With many wonderful artists to choose from Whitby Folk Week has a full programme of daily concerts, talks, interviews and presentations, as well as ceilidhs and dances every evening in the spacious Whitby Pavilion.
Robin Hood's Bay Folk Weekend - late August - details tbc
Enjoy a weekend of folk music, dance, concerts and singarounds in Robin Hood's Bay (home to Waterson Carthys, the first family of folk). Find out more on the Robin Hood's Bay Folk Weekend website.
Musicport, Whitby Pavilion 23 - 25 October 2026
Musicport is a nationally acclaimed festival, known for its eclectic mix of world-class artists, immersive cultural experiences, and a commitment to bringing people together through music.