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A celebration of our artistic landscape
We're delighted to be hosting a Spring series of events as part of the Beacon for the Arts partnership.
During May we'll be highlighting the diverse range of arts and cultural activity taking place across the National Park and beyond. From exhibitions and performances to workshops, talks, heritage and community events, we want to showcase it all.
What's on?
Two Sisters Four Seasons exhibition at The Pannett Gallery, Whitby
Throughout May, 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Sunday
The four seasons are beautifully illustrated in the artwork of Eileen Soper, with Eva Soper's ceramic birds enhancing this display. Admission Free.
Malton Sculpture Trail - Dalby Forest
Every day throughout May
Malton Sculpture Trail comes to Dalby Forest in an installation immersed in nature. This self-led trail starts from Nissen Hut car park and follows the Adderstone Rigg Trail and features 8 sculptures from the Malton Sculpture Trail. Selected from an open call by a panel of respected local artists, the trail promoted emerging and practicing artists in Ryedale and Yorkshire. No booking required.
North Yorkshire Printmakers Exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole
Daily (except for Fridays). Open now until Sunday 10 May. Free entry.
Printmakers Circle is a group of professional artists based across North Yorkshire, embracing traditional and contemporary printmaking methods and techniques. In this group exhibition, 11 artists present their unique styles and talents, making a varied and visually interesting show. The exhibiting artists are – Anna Matyus, Bridget Tempest, Caroline Machray, Helen Peyton, Hester Cox, Ian Scott Massie, John Jones, Laney Birkhead, Pam Grimmond, Philippa Troutman and Sarah Venus.
White Room Revisited - an exhibition of paintings by Sally Gatie at Loftus Studios
Open now until 23 May with meet the artist on 2 May 1pm to 4pm
Loftus Studios, Former URC Building, West Road, TS13 4PU. Free parking on Westfield Terrace.
May Day at the Museum at Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole
Monday 4 May
Marking the arrival of summer, May Day has traditionally been an important day in the folk calendar. With origins in the ancient Roman festival of Flora – Floralis – and the Beltane Celtic fire festival, it is a time to for revelling in the abundance of the natural world. Celebrate May Day with the Cod Beck Ceilidh Band and enjoy maypole dancing at 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm. Take part in performances – or just watch the fun – throughout the day.
Museum volunteer, Jim Wood, will be showing visitors the craft of bee skep making. Bee skeps are baskets woven from straw and used to keep bees in, before modern hives. This traditional craft is endangered and very few people across the U.K. can make skeps. Demonstrations will take place between 10.30am and 3.00pm.
Art of transformation through repair - an exploration into different methods across a variety of different mediums at the Helmsley Arts Centre
10 sessions on Tuesday evenings, 6-8pm on 5, 12 May | 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 June| 14, 21, 28 July
We will be mixing mediums and repairing the everyday objects in unconventional ways. We will explore ceramics, textiles, paper and clothing...and anything else that might need repairing! Find out more on Helmsley Arts Centre website. 18yrs+
£10 per week, all materials included. Booking in advance is essential. Book or enquire by emailing Hannah directly: hannahturlingtonart@gmail.com
Simon Palmer - Back to Home Territory exhibition at the Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
Opening celebration Saturday 9 May 2pm to 4pm, no booking required all welcome
Although landscape artist Simon Palmer has lived and worked in North Yorkshire for over 40 years, he has predominantly exhibited in London Galleries. From 9th May, this will change and lovers of Yorkshire’s unique countryside will have the opportunity to enjoy his work on home soil here at Zillah Bell Gallery, where the artist will be showing more than 20 of his immediately recognisable original paintings in this major exhibition. His love of his local countryside combines with his unfettered imagination to create a world of his own, yet one which is still intrinsically ours. Simon Palmer’s paintings have been regularly selected for the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition where, in 2007, he won the Turner/Winsor and Newton Watercolour Award.
Terra Incognita: On this land | In this land | Of this land - Dalby Forest Courtyard
Every day, 7 March - 28 June 10am to 4pm
Photography Exhibition by Rachel Rimell. Terra Incognita: a contemplative exploration 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. No booking required.
Grubs Up! exhibition preview evening - Danby Lodge National Park Centre
Thursday 14 May 5pm - 7pm
Join us in the Inspired by... gallery for the launch of the 'Grubs Up!' exhibition which celebrates spring and all things wild. In this exhibition, artists have responded to the wildflower meadows, wetlands and hedgerows that the North York Moors National Park’s ‘Grubs Up’ project has been restoring with the help of local people. Book your free ticket for the Grubs Up! preview evening.
Simon Palmer - Yorkshire Landscapes exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole
Saturday 16 May to Sunday 5 July. Open daily (except Fridays). Free entry.
Simon Palmer’s exhibition celebrates the beauty of Yorkshire’s landscapes where he has lived and worked for over 40 years. Considered one of Britain’s leading watercolour artists, Palmer’s distinctive style elegantly captures sunlight and shadow on ancient trees, hedges, lanes, gateways and drystone walls that feature in his scenes. Yorkshire Landscapes features a series of limited edition prints of the original watercolours, which will be available to purchase during the exhibition, on an unframed basis, in an edition of 100. Free to visit (not within the paid area of the Museum).
Festival of Big Ideas by the Sea, St Martin's Church - St Martin on the Hill, Scarborough
Saturday 16 May at 3.30pm
The North York Moors Chamber Music Festival Ensemble have been invited to take part in Scarborough's Big Ideas by the Sea, this May, with a performance of Schubert's String Quintet. Find out more and book tickets.
Exhibition: Grubs Up! - Danby Lodge National Park Centre
Saturday 16 May to Sunday 14 June during National Park Centre opening hours
Watch wildflowers flourish and invertebrates thrive in this art exhibition that challenges the convention of the neatly mown lawn. Questioning how we perceive beauty in nature, this display celebrates the long, lustrous grass verges and unmown meadows you are seeing more of in and around the National Park.
Discover work by artists who are shining a light on these often-underestimated green spaces and find out why people are joining the National Park’s Grubs Up! movement to support pollinators and biodiversity.
3-Minute Arts Mini Arts Festival
23-31 May - various locations
This year’s festival includes… A vibrant fringe festival week (23–29 MAY) Family-friendly hands-on workshops across the North York Moors, Coast & Cleveland, a lively festival weekend in Glaisdale (30–31 MAY) plus performances, exhibitions, music and more. Most events are free (donations welcome) or low cost.
Early booking recommended — workshop spaces are limited.
Apocalypse Remix community celebration day and workshop at Redcar Palace
23 May 2026 12pm to 3pm
Redcar Palace presents Apocalypse Remix. A new community exhibition co-created by artist Edek Thompson and the communities of Redcar & Cleveland. Working with local artists and community groups Apocalypse Remix is a showcase of local talent, a visual manifesto for the future, and a demonstration of the positive impact of creativity on wellbeing.
The day will be the culmination of ‘doodlechat’ workshops run throughout Edek’s exhibition ‘Apocalypse Remix’ and will be an opportunity for the community involved with the project to see their works installed in the gallery alongside Edek’s.
This event is open to all and does not require booking.
Professor Toadstool & The Missing Red Squirrel at Danby Lodge National Park Centre
Monday 25 May 1pm and 2.30pm
A fun packed immersive and interactive storytelling nature trail where you’ll help Professor Toadstool search for clues to find Rosie, one of the last surviving tiny red squirrels who is lost somewhere in Crow Wood! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more and book tickets for Professor Toadstool.
Green Fingers workshop at The Pannett Gallery, Whitby
Wednesday 27 May, 11am - 3pm
A family focussed drop in workshop in the gallery. Have a look at the fabulous nature artwork of Eileen Soper in The Pannett Gallery's Two Sisters, Four Seasons display. Then create and decorate a biodegradable pot, add compost, and plant the seeds. You can take your pot home and watch the seeds grow. Free event, just turn up and have a go.
Outdoor and indoor painting/drawing with Karin Littlewood at Studio Glaisdale
Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm
£60 for a half day session and £110 for a full day session (with lunch provided). Everyone welcome. Visit the 3 Minute Arts website for more details and to book.
Make your own illustrated story with renowned author and illustrator Karin Littlewood at Studio Glaisdale
Sunday 31 May 10am-11.30am and 1pm-2.30pm
Book to secure your place or just turn up. Everybody welcome. Visit the 3 Minute Arts website for more details and to book.