Twistleton Scar - photographer Cr. Danny Lawson

Dark Skies Fringe Festival 25 October - 03 November 2024

Dark Skies Festival 14 February - 02 March 2025


View the Yorkshire Dales in a different light.

We are officially an International Dark Sky Reserve as awarded by DarkSky International (formally the International Dark-Sky Association) and we’re delighted to bring you our fabulously dark and starry skies.

With an array of Festival events hosted by local businesses and Dark Sky Friendly places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find lots of opportunities to linger, look up and marvel at the beauty of our amazing night skies.

February 2025 will see the 10th Anniversary of our main Dark Skies Festival and will be a celebration not to be missed!

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Thursday, 05.12.24

[15] Broughton by Night 2024/2025

Join us for lights out and appreciate our magnificent night skies After a sell-out series of guided star gazing evenings last year, astronomer Chris Higgins returns to Broughton Sanctuary from […]

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Friday, 13.12.24

DARK SKIES NIGHT HIKES – Kettlewell, Wharefdale

Gaze in awe at the Milky Way, marvel at millions of stars and soak up the unique atmosphere of an evening hike on one of our Dark Skies Night Hikes […]

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Saturday, 28.12.24

[15] Broughton by Night 2024/2025

Join us for lights out and appreciate our magnificent night skies After a sell-out series of guided star gazing evenings last year, astronomer Chris Higgins returns to Broughton Sanctuary from […]

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Friday, 17.01.25

[15] Broughton by Night 2024/2025

Join us for lights out and appreciate our magnificent night skies After a sell-out series of guided star gazing evenings last year, astronomer Chris Higgins returns to Broughton Sanctuary from […]

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Saturday, 18.01.25

QUID GAMES: The Dark Edition 18.01.25

QUID GAMES: The Dark Edition – Can you master the dark? Are you ready to break free from the ordinary? From the team that brought you Podium 5K and in partnership with British […]

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Friday, 07.02.25

[15] Broughton by Night 2024/2025

Join us for lights out and appreciate our magnificent night skies After a sell-out series of guided star gazing evenings last year, astronomer Chris Higgins returns to Broughton Sanctuary from […]

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Saturday, 08.02.25

A Night on The Moon at Stump Cross Caverns

  Join us for a fabulous family stargazing event to spy our nearest neighbour through powerful telescopes. Expect to see lofty mountains, deep craters and vast seas of lava! We […]

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Wednesday, 12.02.25

[25] Introduction to the Wonders of the Night Sky

Yorkshire Dales environmental campaigning charity, Friends of the Dales with Keighley Astronomical Society brings you an introduction to the wonders of the night sky. The part theoretical, part practical event […]

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Friday, 14.02.25 to Sunday, 02.03.25

10 Year Anniversary of the Dark Skies Festival

🌌 Join us in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Park to celebrate the beauty of the night skies and our monumental 10th Anniversary of the Dark Skies […]

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Friday, 14.02.25 to Wednesday, 19.02.25

[1] Dark Skies Safari at Broughton Sanctuary

COMING SOON and more details to follow: Dark Skies Festival 2025 Broughton Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that it will host the opening celebration for the 10th Anniversary celebration event […]

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Saturday, 15.02.25

[27] Malham Cove Magical Full Moon Experience

Steeped in mystery and myth, Malham promises to provide an adventure like no other… A traverse down to Janet’s Foss in the dark exudes atmosphere on big shiny, full moons […]

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Saturday, 15.02.25

[21] Stargazing/Night Time Landscapes Photo Walk

Join Yorkshire Photo Walks tutor Tom Marsh for an enchanting evening of night-time photography in the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales. Discover the secrets of capturing stunning after-dark images as Tom guides […]

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Saturday, 15.02.25

[26] Dark Skies Festival – Star Party! at the Wensleydale Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop

Join us for a night under the stars at the Wensleydale Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop. Imagine being on a tour of the night sky, looking at the Plough, […]

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Tuesday, 18.02.25

[10] Dark Skies Festival – Experience the Night Sky with Richard Darn

A dark skies presentation and celestial experience of a guide to the night sky with Richard Darn. We’ll go in search of wonders in the night sky as the winter […]

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Wednesday, 19.02.25

[35] Pizza Planet Beginners Bike Activity

Start your afternoon with a planet pizza making session in our Firebox Cafe. Whilst your pizza is cooking work up an appetite following a trail of stars and seek out […]

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Wednesday, 19.02.25

[3] Dark Skies at the Hostel at Hawes

  Join us for a night under the stars at our lovely hostel. Get ready to witness the beauty of the night sky like never before. Our experienced guide, Astronomer […]

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Wednesday, 19.02.25

[22] Malham Cove – Stargazing/Night Time Landscapes Photo Walk

Join Yorkshire Photo Walks tutor Tom Marsh for an enchanting evening of night-time photography in the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales. Discover the secrets of capturing stunning after-dark images as Tom guides […]

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Thursday, 20.02.25

[20] Dark Skies Tetrapak Workshop with Hester Cox

In this afternoon workshop, for adults, printmaker Hester Cox will demonstrate to make unique and exciting printed images using recycled materials. Taking the night sky and the nocturnal creatures of […]

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Friday, 21.02.25

[36] Rocket Lab and Launch

Our Rocket lab is a drop in session where you will make a rocket and launch it outside. Please bring your own plastic 1l bottle if where possible. Spares will […]

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Friday, 21.02.25

[5] Astronomy Supper at Elsworth at the Mill

Astronomy Supper, in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Dark Skies Festival. Date: Friday 21st February 2025 Time: 6.30/7.00pm – 11pm. Tickets: £29.50 This exciting, cosy, and […]

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Saturday, 22.02.25

[34] Ride, Shine and Dine

As part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Dark Skies Festival we are hosting a night ride. You will have the opportunity to use a fantastic Exposure MTB light and […]

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Saturday, 22.02.25

[11] Exciting Stargazing Night with Eden Valley and Penrith Astronomy Group

Join us for an exciting evening of stargazing and talks with our expert astronomers in the NW corner of Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNP). Our stunning dark sky is free […]

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Saturday, 22.02.25

[7] Stargazing and Night Photography at Ashes Farm

Come join us at Ashes Farm for a night under the stars. Learn some basic constellations, view the night sky, have the chance to take some photos, then enjoy a […]

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Saturday, 22.02.25

[16] High Trenhouse – Dark Skies at HIGH TRENHOUSE

  Saturday 22nd February 2025 – 7pm A stargazing event not to be missed Step into the wonder of the night sky as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the […]

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Saturday, 22.02.25

[23] West Burton – Waterfalls After Dark Photo Walk

Join Yorkshire Photo Walks’ Tom Marsh at the enchanting Cauldron Force, where you’ll learn to capture breathtaking night photography of one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most iconic waterfalls. Discover expert […]

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Sunday, 23.02.25

[18] DARK SKIES NIGHT HIKES – Hawes, Wensleydale

  Gaze in awe at the Milky Way, marvel at millions of stars and soak up the unique atmosphere of an evening hike on one of our Dark Skies Night […]

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Friday, 28.02.25

[19] Dark Skies Monotype Workshop with Hester Cox

Join artist Hester Cox in celebrating the night and all things nocturnal on this fun and productive monotype workshop. Monoprinting is a direct and spontaneous way of making images and […]

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Friday, 28.02.25 to Sunday, 02.03.25

[14] Dark Sky Stargazing Exclusive Experience at Ashes Farm, Celebrating the 10th Anniversary Night Sky.

Join us for a magical experience under the stars at Ashes Farm as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Yorkshire Dark Skies Festival! This special event is perfect for beginners […]

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Friday, 28.02.25

[13] Access the Dales – Dark Skies Walk, Join Us Under the Stars!

  Dark Skies Walk Friday 28th February – Join Us Under the Stars! Following the amazing success of last February’s Dark Skies event, we’re thrilled to invite you to our […]

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Saturday, 01.03.25

[15] Broughton by Night 2024/2025

Join us for lights out and appreciate our magnificent night skies After a sell-out series of guided star gazing evenings last year, astronomer Chris Higgins returns to Broughton Sanctuary from […]

Read More

Saturday, 01.03.25

[28] Malham Cove Magical Full Moon Experience

Steeped in mystery and myth, Malham promises to provide an adventure like no other… A traverse down to Janet’s Foss in the dark exudes atmosphere on big shiny, full moons […]

Read More

Saturday, 01.03.25

[24] Winskill Stones – Stargazing/Night Time Landscapes Photo Walk

Join Yorkshire Photo Walks tutor Tom Marsh for an enchanting evening of night-time photography in the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales. Discover the secrets of capturing stunning after-dark images as Tom guides […]

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Saturday, 18.10.25

Dark Skies stargazing & Night Photography Event At Ashes Farm

Come join us at Ashes Farm for a night under the stars. Learn some basic constellations, view the night sky, have the chance to take some photos, then enjoy a […]

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Wednesday, 29.10.25

Dark Skies Family Crafting

Join Jane for a Dark Skies Festival family crafting drop in session Included in museum admission

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