Find out about the latest events happening across the North York Moors
Whatever time of year you visit the North York Moors, there's always something going on. With a wide variety of local events taking place throughout the year, you won’t have to look hard to find something you won't want to miss. Bookmark this page and come back throughout the year, as we'll be adding more events over what promises to be a fantastic 2024.
We also organise our own jam-packed calendar of events throughout the year, including kid's activities, guided walks, family festivals, exhibitions and more, all can be found on our events page.
Outdoor adventures
Not all outdoor challenge events are included above, head to cycling and mountain biking, and fell and road running events to find challenge events and more. Do 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.
Country shows
Traditional Yorkshire country shows are an integral part of summer, one of the finest being the Ryedale Show, near 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.
75th Anniversary of National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act
2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, an act which secured access for everyone to open countryside whilst preserving and enhancing natural beauty; founded on the understanding that connection with nature is essential to the health of people, society and the planet. We'll have special events, family activities, exhibitions and more as we showcase the very best of our National Park.
Look for the * symbol below to see those event specific to this celebration.
July
- 1 - 14 This Diverse Landscape, Inspired by... gallery*
- 1 - 14 Connections with Nature, Inspired by... gallery*
- 1 - 17 November Believe it or not?, exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum
- 2 Farmland Biodiversity Walking Tour - Pasture, Castle Howard
- 4 Farmland Biodiversity Walking Tour - Arable, Castle Howard
- 6 - 7 Duncombe Park Steam Rally, Helmsley
- 5 - 7 Staxtonbury Music Festival, Manor Farm, Staxton, family friendly festival
- 12 - 14 Great North Folk Festival, Botton
- 12 - 28 Ryedale Festival: concerts and arts events in spectacular and historic venues
- 20 - 8 September Birds on the Edge, Inspired by... gallery*
- 20 - 1 September Lights, Camera, Traction Film Trail, all stations along North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby)
- 21 Malton Museum Roman Festival
- 21 - 30 August Family Summer Activities at our National Park Centres
- 22 - 15 August The Adventure Club, East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre, near Whitby
- 27 MeadowFest, Malton
- 28 Treasure Hunt on the Cleveland Way, Hayburn Wyke*
August
- 1 - 30 Family Summer Activities at our National Park Centres
- 1 - 15 The Adventure Club, East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre, near Whitby
- 1 - 1 September Lights, Camera, Traction Film Trail, all stations along North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby)
- 1 - 8 September Birds on the Edge, Inspired by... gallery*
- 1 - 17 November Believe it or not?, exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum
- 3 - 11 Scarborough Theatre Company - Treasure Island (Yorkshire Tour), various locations including Danby Lodge (8 August)
- 9 - 11 Saltburn Folk Festival, Saltburn
- 17 - 19 Whitby Regatta, Whitby
- 11 - 24 North York Moors Chamber Music Festival Renowned classical musicians from around the world gather in some of the North York Moors' most remote and beautiful historical buildings
- 16 - 18 Staithes RNLI Lifeboat Weekend
- 17 - 18 Middlesbrough Mela, Middlesbrough
- 17 - 19 Whitby Regatta, Whitby
- 17 – 23 Whitby Folk Week, traditional music and dance with workshops and street entertainment
- 27 Treasure Hunt on the Cleveland Way, Ravenscar*
- 31 - 1 September Yorkshire Traction Engine Rally, Scampston Hall
September
- 1 - 8 Birds on the Edge, Inspired by... gallery*
- 1 - 30 Mindful Month* - feel invigorated in nature with a number of events and activities across the National Park
- 1 - 17 November Believe it or not?, exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum
- 6 - 15 Heritage Open Days
- 7 Mindful on the Moor Festival, Danby Lodge*
- 8 Annual Autumn Plant Fair, Scampston Hall
- 13 - 15 Neolithic Salt Conference 2024, Street House, Loftus (Royal Archaeological Institute and Tees Heritage Trust)
- 14 - 15 Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage
- 14 - 10 November The Four Seasons, Inspired by... gallery
- 14 - 10 November Colours in the Landscape (in association with York Textile Artists), Inspired by... gallery
- 20 Late Summer Bat Walk, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Castle Howard
- 26 - 29 Annual Steam Gala, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 27 – 28 Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, Cropton and Dalby forests NB: walk and cycle trails in Dalby are closed for the day
- 28 Scarborough Pride
- 29 Minds and Miles Cycle ride
October
- 1 - 10 November The Four Seasons, Inspired by... gallery
- 1 - 10 November Colours in the Landscape (in association with York Textile Artists), Inspired by... gallery
- 1 - 17 November Believe it or not?, exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum
- 3 Fungi Foray, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Castle Howard
- 5 - 6 Malton Harvest Festival, Malton
- 12 - 13 Back to the 1940's, Eden Camp, Malton
- 13 MoorsRun, North York Moors National Park in partnership with Hardmoors Race Series present the Turnpike Trot 10k and the Rabbit Run 5k
- 13 Battle of Byland anniversary event, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 18 - 21 February 2025 Earth Photo 2024, Dalby Forest
November
- 1 – 3 Whitby Goth Weekend, Whitby
- 1 - 10 The Four Seasons, Inspired by... gallery
- 1 - 10 Colours in the Landscape (in association with York Textile Artists), Inspired by... gallery, Danby
- 1 - 17 Believe it or not?, exhibition at Ryedale Folk Museum
- 1 - 21 February 2025 Earth Photo 2024, Dalby Forest
- 2 – 3 Winter Open Studios, North Yorkshire Open Studios
- 8 North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, The Oculi Ensemble at Inspired by... gallery, Danby
- 15 - 5 January 2025 Alice's Christmas Wonderland at Castle Howard
- 16 - 12 January 2025 Christmas at the Inspired by... gallery
- 23 Malton St Clement's Festival, Malton
- 30 Santa Specials, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 30 A Night of Adrenaline and Inspiration: Brit Rock Films 2024 hosted by Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, Kirk Theatre, Pickering
December
- 1 - 12 January 2025 Christmas at the Inspired by... gallery
- 1, 7, 8, 15, 15, 21-24 Santa Specials, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 1 - 21 February 2025 Earth Photo 2024, Dalby Forest
- 1 - 5 January 2025 Alice's Christmas Wonderland at Castle Howard
- 3 - 23 A Christmas Carol, an immersive theatre experience in the streets and buildings of Malton
- 7 – 8 Robin Hood's Bay Victorian Weekend, Robin Hood's Bay (30th anniversary)
- 7 – 8 Malton Christmas Festival, Malton
- Date tbc Christmas Lights Switch-on event, Thornton le Dale
- 26 Boxing Day Dip - Whitby Lions, Whitby