What's On
What's on in the North York Moors
By Jon Cosson · Updated 26 October 2026
From steam galas and classic-car auctions to clifftop regattas, agricultural shows and some of England's darkest skies, there's always something happening across the Moors and coast. Here's what's coming up, dates are correct at the time of writing, but always check with the organiser before you travel.
Checked against organisers' own listings. Last checked 26 October 2026.
Re-enactors beside the police box in Pickering.
The village and classic-car sister sites linked here are also written by the author of this guide.
This is a living calendar: I update it as organisers confirm their plans. Dates and tickets should always be confirmed with the organiser before you travel, and the 2027 dates for annual events are indicative until they're formally announced.
Christmas 2026
October 2026
18 and 25 October and 1 November
Mad Alice's Ghost Train, NYMR
An hour long theatrical ghost train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, hosted by Mad Alice, the York ghost, with sessions at 6.15pm and 8pm each evening. Ages 14 and over only, and seats are allocated, so book with the railway. More in our Halloween on the railway Spotlight.
23 October to 1 November 2026
Dark Skies Fringe Festival
Stargazing, night walks and family events across the Moors and coast over half term; see the Fringe Festival events by place.
30 October to 1 November
Whitby Goth Weekend
The famous twice-yearly alternative-music festival, with live bands and the Bizarre Bazaar market filling the town. Full details in our Whitby Goth Weekend 2026 guide. See also the Whitby Halloween Spotlight.
November 2026
6 to 8 November
Whitby Ska & Mod Weekend
A weekend of live ska and mod bands.
13 to 15 November
Cropton Beer Festival, near Pickering
Its 30th event in 2026, a CAMRA favourite with more than 80 real ales, live music and homemade food. Confirm tickets with the organiser.
13 to 15 November
Whitby Christmas Festival
Local vendors, gifts, traditional food, live music and a fireworks display at the Marina Front Car Park, Langbourne Road. Full details in our Whitby at Christmas guide.
28 & 29 November
Santa Express begins
Festive steam trips from Pickering with Santa, his elves and a gift for every child.
November
NYMR Autumn Diesel Gala
Heritage diesel locomotives in action on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (check dates).
December 2026
The NYMR Santa Special brings Father Christmas and festive steam to Pickering station.
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 & 24 December
Santa Express, NYMR
Festive steam journeys on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (booking essential).
Throughout December
Christmas across the villages
Christmas markets, carol services and festive steam across the villages.
2027 highlights
These are annual fixtures, the dates firm up nearer the time.
February 2027
Dark Skies Festival
The flagship two-week stargazing celebration across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, dates to be confirmed by the organisers: talks, guided night walks, astrophotography and family events.
Spring 2027
NYMR spring season
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway spring season, Day Out with Thomas and the Diesel Gala return.
spring 2027, dates to be confirmed
Whitby Goth Weekend (spring edition)
The spring half of Whitby's best-known festival; the 2026 spring dates were 1 to 3 May, see our Goth Weekend guide.
May 2027
Whitby Fish & Ships Festival
Plus food events around Malton, "Yorkshire's food town".
Last Tuesday of July 2027
Ryedale Show
A classic Yorkshire country show near Kirkbymoorside.
August 2027
Regatta, folk week and country shows
Whitby Regatta and Whitby Folk Week; village agricultural shows at Egton and Danby; Mathewsons Live returns; and Starfest, the astronomers' star camp at Dalby Forest.
September 2027
NYMR Annual Steam Gala
The autumn steam gala returns to the railway.
October to November 2027
Dark Skies Fringe & Goth Weekend
The Dark Skies Fringe Festival and the autumn Whitby Goth Weekend.
December 2027
Santa Express and festive events
The Santa Express and festive events return.
Year-round & regular
For the May to September show season, see our calendar of classic car shows in Yorkshire.
Roughly monthly
Mathewsons classic-car auctions
Mathewsons viewing weeks: the public can view the cars for six days before each Pickering sale. Every date is onour Thornton-le-Dale site.
October to March
Stargazing at Dalby Forest
The Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society run public stargazing evenings in Dalby on the first Friday of most months.
Spring to autumn
Steam through the season
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs from spring to autumn, plus festive specials.
All year
Markets and food festivals
Farmers' markets and food & drink festivals run across Ryedale and the Moors all year.
Not sure when to come? Our guide to the best time to visit the North York Moors sets out the seasons: mid-to-late august into september for the main heather display, October for woodland colour and autumn and winter for longer dark evenings, and the North York Moors in autumn covers the colour, wildlife and dark-sky season in detail, and the North York Moors at Christmas has the Santa Express dates, prices and festive specials. Staying nearby lets you build a trip around whatever's on, see where to stay.
Book around the calendar
Gala weekends, auction weeks and dark-sky nights all fill up fast, so book accommodation well ahead.
Browse places to staySeasonal sources checked October 2026: National Park Authority August nature calendar; National Park Authority autumn guide; National Park Authority October nature calendar; National Park Authority Dark Skies Station; National Park Authority wildlife watching; National Park Authority Bempton Cliffs guide; Government heather and grass burning guidance.