creative celebration of the beauty and mystery of the night is coming to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors later this month as the Dark Skies Fringe Festival returns from 24 October to 2 November.
The annual event celebrates the region’s internationally recognised dark skies, taking place across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, as well as the Howardian Hills and Nidderdale National Landscapes.
This year’s programme combines science, art and adventure — from stargazing and guided night walks to creative projects inspired by the nocturnal world.
Visitors to the Sutton Bank or Danby Lodge National Park Centres can pick up a free limited-edition chapbook created by Claire Hind of York St John University. The illustrated pamphlet features artists’ reflections on walking in nature after dark and encourages readers to use all their senses to experience the night.
Meanwhile, nature writer and Dark Sky Defender Dani Robertson will visit The Pickering Book Tree on 24 October to discuss her new book, Creatures of Darkness, which explores the secret lives of wildlife that depend on the night to thrive.
Among the many highlights are:
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Stargazing events at Bolton Abbey, Malham Tarn, Settle, Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest and Whitby — perfectly timed to coincide with the Orionid Meteor Shower, as the Earth passes through debris from Halley’s Comet.
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A Great Northern Eclipse talk and dinner with astronomer Martin Lunn at Elsworth at the Mill, near Skipton.
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Guided night walks at iconic spots including Janet’s Foss, Mallyan Spout, Roseberry Topping, and Rievaulx Abbey.
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Night canoeing at Scar House Reservoir, the Mad Alice Ghost Train through the North York Moors, and night photography workshops in Whitby and Settle.
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Family-friendly activities, from the Cosmic Adventures Workshop at Stump Cross Caverns to dark skies-themed crafts at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes and a Planet Trail at Aysgarth Falls.
Emily Watson, Regenerative Tourism Manager for the North York Moors National Park, said: “It’s fantastic to have new creative work featured in this year’s festival. It adds another dimension to how people can experience and be inspired by the wonders of the night, while reminding us why protecting our dark skies is so important.”
Helen Dalton, Tourism Officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, added: “October’s Dark Skies Fringe Festival is a wonderful way to welcome in the longer nights and celebrate the beauty of the star-filled skies over our most cherished landscapes.”
Full programme details and booking information are available at www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk.
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