Welcome to National Parks Dark Skies Festivals

National Parks remain some of the darkest places in Great Britain and we celebrate our star-studded skies at Festivals throughout autumn and winter.

Our Dark Skies festivals are all about discovering, learning and enjoying the dark and the stars you can see as a result. This could mean getting out for an activity such as cycling, walking, running or caving at night, attending a stargazing party, or taking part in a daytime event, learning more about star constellations or making a rocket.

There are events for families, first-time stargazers and those wishing to expand their knowledge or astrophotography skills further. We work with local astronomy clubs and other star loving organisations to help you discover the wonder of the night skies above your National Parks.

Dark Skies Festivals 2022

Exmoor (14 - 30 October)

Join the celebrations of Exmoor’s dark skies at our annual festival, with stargazing events all over the National Park. The programme is likely to include:

• Ranger Guided Night Walk
• Stargazing Guides
• Outdoor Adventures in the Dark
• Well-being Retreats under the Stars
• Dark Skies Adventure by Boat
• Stargazing Suppers
• Dusk Safaris
• Expert Astronomy Talks
• Star & Nature Evenings

North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Fringe Festival (21 - 30 October)

One festival isn't enough! We know you want to #SeeMoorStars so we added another fixture to the stargazing calendar. Expect more starry delights across the with the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales during half-term week.

From stargazing and night walks to family activities and astro-photography, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge or start your stargazing journey.

Get involved in the Festival fun and see the full line up of events later in the year.

Dark Skies Festivals 2023

North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival (10 - 26 February)

Since 2016's inaugural event, the North Yorkshire collaboration has become an unmissable fixture in the calendar, with the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities celebrating the jewels of the night sky.

We're delighted to be celebrating our eighth Dark Skies Festival in 2023. Every year it's a pleasure to showcase just how special our dark skies are and welcome back annual favourites.

Discover activities at night to heighten the senses such as night runs, zip wires, kayaking and biking, astrophotography workshops, stargazing safaris, children's trails and mindful experiences.

South Downs (February tbc)

A two week celebration to explore the dark skies of the South Downs and the nocturnal wildlife that lives there. In 2022, our Dark Skies Festival offered a wonderful mix of inspiring online content and in-person outdoor events.

Details of next year's Festival will be available closer to the time. Please head to our website for more information.

Cumbria Dark Skies Festival (February tbc)

Light up February with a spectacular array of in-person events celebrating the wonders of our night sky. Explore our dark skies, from rock pooling in the dark, where starry-eyed adventurers can discover the weird and wonderful marine-life that sparkle after dark, to night-time woodland walks and canoeing. Dark Skies themed art workshops feature too as well astrophotography workshops and forest bathing in Grizedale Forest, and online Planetarium events by LUniverse at Lancaster University. Check out the line-up, we think it's out of this world!

Northumberland Dark Skies Festival (February tbc)

As England’s first and largest International Dark Sky Park, Northumberland is now home to its very own Dark Skies Festival.

The festival is hosted on the Northumberland National Park website with events from all five observatories in Northumberland: Battlesteads, Kielder, Stonehaugh, Twice Brewed and Allenheads. The line-up included a wide variety of things to see and do – from beginner events for families, to more specialised astrophotography workshops on how to photograph the Aurora.

Where to go stargazing

You don't have to wait for a Festival to admire the night sky in all its stellar glory. Find out where the best places are to go stargazing in our National Parks throughout the year.