Milky Way over Ravenscar by Steve Bell

Dark Skies Fringe Festival 23 October - 1 November 2026

Join us and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to celebrate the wonders of our skies and explore two incredible International Dark Sky Reserves in the peak of our stargazing season. Some events for the Fringe Festival are ready to book on below. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when all of the events are live.

The North York Moors is one of only 27 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies. We're an International Dark Sky Reserve, awarded by DarkSky (formerly International Dark-Sky Association).

Get prepared for your star-studded visit to the North York Moors and book a stay with one of our dark skies friendly accommodation providers. Not only will you get to experience this International Dark Sky reserve for longer, you will have the opportunity to meet the fantastic businesses that help us keep our skies dark.

We hope you can join us to celebrate!

Oct 17, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:45 PM

Winter Owl Evening at National Centre for Birds of Prey

Wrap up warm and join the National Centre for Birds of Prey for a magical evening event with the world’s most famous nocturnal birds! Winter Owl Evenings are a great...

Read More

Oct 17, 2026 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Stargazing with Richard Darn at Sutton Bank

Shooting stars and distant galaxies

For the annual Dark Sky Fringe Festival, Richard Darn, in collaboration with Go Stargazing, are breaking out the telescopes to celebrate. This evening will be a...

Read More

Oct 23, 2026 - Oct 29, 2026

Under the Dark Skies - Overnight Package at Saltmoore

Escape to the coast and experience the magic of the North York Moors beneath some of the darkest skies in the country.

Settle into Saltmoore House before heading out for an...

Read More

Oct 23, 2026 4:30 PM

Walking & Night Navigation Using The Stars - Goathland (Heartbeat Country)

For when the winter sun goes down and the darkness is upon us we feel compelled to retreat within the safety of our homes; closing out the nocturnal countryside instead...

Read More

Oct 23, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 23, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Dark Skies Experience with Cosmic Wonders

Join Cosmic Wonders at Danby Lodge’s Dark Skies Station for a magical evening beneath the stars. Discover how to protect our precious dark skies, explore the Moon and celestial wonders...

Read More

Oct 23, 2026 10:15 PM - Oct 24, 2026 12:15 AM

Late Night Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog late night stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of...

Read More

Oct 24, 2026 3:00 PM

Dark Skies Gravel Bike Ride at Sutton Bank

Take part in a fun, long-distance 65km gravel bike ride on a marked route through the North York Moors National Park. Following bridleways and paths, you'll ride from light to...

Read More

Oct 24, 2026 4:30 PM - 7:45 PM

UV Fungi Walk at Danby Lodge National Park Centre

A Night time Exploration of Biofluorescence in Nature!

Come and join Lucy from Wild Roots Foraging for a spectacular evening exploring biofluorescence in nature! We will begin our evening with a...

Read More

Oct 24, 2026 6:45 PM - 9:45 PM

Whitby Night Photography Workshop

Do you fancy trying your hand at photographing something different? If so, then why not join local landscape photographer Richard Burdon and learn how to shoot stunning images of the...

Read More

Oct 24, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:45 PM

Winter Owl Evening at National Centre for Birds of Prey

Wrap up warm and join the National Centre for Birds of Prey for a magical evening event with the world’s most famous nocturnal birds! Winter Owl Evenings are a great...

Read More

Oct 25, 2026 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM

Mad Alice's Ghost Train

Come and join Mad Alice, if you dare. Step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after dark for an immersive Halloween experience like no other.

Named after York's most infamous ghost,...

Read More

Oct 25, 2026 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Mad Alice's Ghost Train

Come and join Mad Alice, if you dare. Step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after dark for an immersive Halloween experience like no other.

Named after York's most infamous ghost,...

Read More

Oct 26, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 27, 2026 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Spellbound Studios Art Workshops at Helmsley Arts Centre

This October half term, join local artist Nicola Hutchinson for an art-filled adventure at Helmsley Arts Centre, where imagination takes centre stage and every child becomes a creative magician.

Using a...

Read More

Oct 27, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 28, 2026 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Spellbound Studios Art Workshops at Helmsley Arts Centre

This October half term, join local artist Nicola Hutchinson for an art-filled adventure at Helmsley Arts Centre, where imagination takes centre stage and every child becomes a creative magician.

Using a...

Read More

Oct 28, 2026 4:30 PM

Walking & Night Navigation Using The Stars - Helmsley & Rievaulx Abbey

For when the winter sun goes down and the darkness is upon us we feel compelled to retreat within the safety of our homes; closing out the nocturnal countryside instead...

Read More

Oct 28, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Evening Social Walk in York (Clifton) with Yorkie Talkies Outdoors

This evening walk is designed to keep you active, meet new people and encourage you to get outside in the darker months.

The Clifton walk is around 8km and will take...

Read More

Oct 29, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Halloween in Outer Space

Join Cosmic Wonders for a spooky, space-filled family adventure at Guisborough Methodist Church!

Explore the strange and spooky side of the Universe, head into the planetarium on a hunt for aliens,...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 4:30 PM

Walking & Night Navigation Using The Stars - Robin Hood's Bay

For when the winter sun goes down and the darkness is upon us we feel compelled to retreat within the safety of our homes; closing out the nocturnal countryside instead...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Stargazing at Ampleforth Abbey

Come stargazing at Ampleforth Abbey with expert astronomer Neill Sanders, who will guide you through the wonders visible in the night sky.

Telescopes will be provided, but please bring binoculars if...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Stargazing with Richard Darn at Sutton Bank

Autumn constellations dominate the sky

If you have never seen the rings of Saturn then this is the perfect opportunity. Tonight it stands at a little under 800 million miles from...

Read More

Oct 30, 2026 10:15 PM - Oct 31, 2026 12:15 AM

Late Night Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog late night stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of...

Read More

Oct 31, 2026 4:30 PM

Walking & Night Navigation Using The Stars - Sutton Bank, White Horse Circuit

For when the winter sun goes down and the darkness is upon us we feel compelled to retreat within the safety of our homes; closing out the nocturnal countryside instead...

Read More

Oct 31, 2026 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Halloween Special Walk with Yorkie Talkies Outdoors - Helmsley & Ash Dale woods

Join us for an evening of Halloween fun, a night walk under a dark sky with ghost stories, hot chocolate and brownies. The walk is 7 miles.

*Dressing up is optional...

Read More

Oct 31, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of the night...

Read More

Oct 31, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:45 PM

Winter Owl Evening at National Centre for Birds of Prey

Wrap up warm and join the National Centre for Birds of Prey for a magical evening event with the world’s most famous nocturnal birds! Winter Owl Evenings are a great...

Read More

Oct 31, 2026 10:15 PM - Nov 1, 2026 12:15 AM

Late Night Stargazing at Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station

Attend an Astro Dog late night stargazing event at the Danby Lodge Dark Skies Station and experience the magic of stargazing under truly dark skies! Enjoy a guided tour of...

Read More

Nov 1, 2026 4:30 PM

Walking & Night Navigation Using The Stars - Hole of Horcum

For when the winter sun goes down and the darkness is upon us we feel compelled to retreat within the safety of our homes; closing out the nocturnal countryside instead...

Read More

Nov 1, 2026 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM

Mad Alice's Ghost Train

Come and join Mad Alice, if you dare. Step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after dark for an immersive Halloween experience like no other.

Named after York's most infamous ghost,...

Read More

Nov 1, 2026 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Mad Alice's Ghost Train

Come and join Mad Alice, if you dare. Step aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway after dark for an immersive Halloween experience like no other.

Named after York's most infamous ghost,...

Read More