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.
‘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, 1pm - 4:30pm
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, 1pm - 4:30pm
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.
Lino Printing Workshop, 5 July 2026, 9am or 1:30pm
Create your own lino print inspired by the swifts and house martins who call Ampleforth home. This workshop will be led by lino-printing expert Sally Zaranko from Ashford Cottage Design, followed by a delicious lunch in our oak-panelled Tea Room. Tickets: £45 per person, including lunch and all materials. Book your place by visiting Ampleforth Abbey's website.
Appetite for Art at The Crescent Hotel, Scarborough, 17 July, 7pm
A Mediterranean -inspired evening of food, art and conversation including a 3-course dining experience and conversation with Aphra O’Connor and Numi Solomons. Further details and tickets for Appetite for Art.
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.
Mindful on the Moor Art & Wellbeing Festival, 5 September
Danby Lodge National Park Centre
Join us at Danby Lodge National Park Centre for a day of creativity, connection and calm. Taster workshops will run throughout the day , these include Sigil Making, Illustration, Didgeridoo, Yoga and Pottery. There will also be drop -in crafts for children and the Two Tin Cans Telephone Box installation which contains a fully operational printmaking studio.
For more information visit the Events page.
Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage 2026, 12 - 13 September 2026, Preview Evening 11 September, 6pm - 9:30pm
Often called the friendliest festival on the coast, Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage on the Yorkshire Coast returns for a weekend of art, music and heritage in one of Yorkshire’s most picturesque fishing villages.
For one weekend, cottages and public spaces across Staithes open as temporary galleries, showcasing work by artists, sculptors, makers and creatives. Visitors can meet the artists, explore venues across the village, and discover original work in a unique coastal setting.
Expect live music, heritage activities, talks, walks and plenty to enjoy around the cobbled streets.
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.
Lockton Artists Art Weekend, 18-20 September
Lockton Artists are hosting exhibitions and open studios throughout Lockton for their art weekend.
For more information visit the Lockton Artists website.
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.