The event is in its ninth year and it will be running from 9th – 25th February 2024. Events are held across the North York Moors National Park in Dalby Forest, the National Park Centres and the National Centre for Birds of Prey.
The Dark Skies Festival events are very popular, especially with families so please note that they book up very quickly!
However, if you miss out, even though the Dark Skies Festival ends on 25 February, you can marvel at the starry skies of the North York Moors all year round! Keep your eyes open for more Dark Skies activities and events, especially at Dark Skies Discovery Sites, like the North York Moors National Park centres at Sutton Bank and Danby, or the observatory in Dalby Forest. You can find out more here.
We’ve listed a selection of events and experiences for this year’s Dark Skies Festival below and you can see the full programme of activities and events here.
Wrap up warm and join in this magical ‘must-do’ evening event with these stunning nocturnal birds at the National Centre for Birds of Prey. This very special evening starts with a drink before meeting the smaller Owls in an aviary lit by lanterns and fairy lights. Enjoy a 2-course meal, then head out into the forest to watch the large Owls fly freely around the woodland flying ground.
27th Jan 2024 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
National Centre for Birds of Prey, YO62 5EB
Adult/Child £45 per person
For more information or to book, please click here
Festival Stars under Dark Skies Preview
The North York Moors famous Dark Sky Festival begins on the 9 Feb, but Richard Darn is offering a sneak preview! With no moon in the sky you’ll see more stars, plus amazing objects like star clusters and nebula will look at their best.
This event is suitable for adults and children over six years old and is perfect for novices. Warm refreshments and biscuits are included in the ticket price.
2nd Feb 2024 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH
Adult £18, Children £14 (suitable for 6+ years)
For more information or to book, please click here
Guests can enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, learning about stars, asterisms, constellations, star-hopping and how to navigate the night sky. Use telescopes and binoculars to view the planets, the Moon and stunning deep space objects such as double stars, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae.
9th Feb 2024 – 25th Feb 2024
Dalby Forest Courtyard, YO18 7LT
Adults £25, Children £20
For more information or to book, please click here
Surrounded by high moors and interlaced with cascading streams and waterfalls, Heartbeat Country is a walker’s paradise. You will experience the Mallyan Spout Waterfall, which at over 60 feet, is the tallest waterfall on the North York Moors.
Situated on the popular North York Moors railway line with its magnificent steam engines Goathland station was also used by Warner Brothers as the setting for Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.
9th Feb 2024 5:30 pm
Goathland, Inn on the Moor, YO22 5LZ
Adults £30, Children £30 (open to everyone over 12 years old. The walk will include a section on how to navigate using the stars and most walks are 5-7 miles).
For more information or to book, please click here
Image credit: Stuart Atkinson
Join York Astro at Sutton Bank National Park Centre to see the night sky in all its glory! Enjoy an evening of illustrated talks and stargazing at Sutton Bank, now part of an international dark skies reserve. Talk begins at 7pm. Two talks will be delivered should the weather be unsuitable for stargazing.
Soup, a hot sandwich and tea/coffee/cold drink are included in the price from the Park Life café.
10th Feb 2024 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH
Adults £16, Children £12
For more information or to book, please click here
Takes your eyes to the skies at Sutton Bank National Park Centre with Large Outdoors’ range of telescopes and a stargazing guide!
Join Large Outdoors in the North York Moors National Park for an evening of celestial delights. Sutton Bank is a captivating location (home to one of the North York Moors National Park’s visitor centres) where visitors normally enjoy panoramic views out from the dramatic escarpment during the daylight hours. At night, however, Sutton Bank becomes a Dark Sky Discovery Site – a proper night-sky paradise and officially recognised for its low light pollution levels and clear horizons.
10th, 11th & 15th Feb 2024 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH
Adults £35, Children £35 (this event is suitable for anyone over to age of 12).
For more information or to book, please click here
Image credit: Martin Whipp
Visit the Danby Lodge National Park Centre for some family-friendly astro-crafting!
Learn all about the dark skies, whilst creating projects to take home. You could also follow the new constellation rubbing trail that is on the grounds whilst you’re there.
14th Feb 2024 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB
Children £5 each
For more information or to book, please click here
As part of the North York Moors Dark Sky Festival, you can spend a night on the moon! You will be amazed by how much you can see on the lunar surface using telescopes. And what is more you will learn how to take a stunning picture with your smartphone.
This event is suitable for adults and children over six years old and is perfect for novices. Warm refreshments and biscuits are included in the ticket price.
17th Feb 2024 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, YO7 2EH
Adults £18, Children £14 (suitable for 6+ years)
For more information or to book, please click here
The North York Moors is an International Dark Sky Reserve – one of only 20 locations in the world to be recognised for its pristine dark skies! So now is the time to look up and marvel at the sparkling night sky in the exciting Dark Skies Festival 2024.
However, if you miss out, even though the Dark Skies Festival ends on 25 February, you can marvel at the starry skies of the North York Moors all year round!
Star Gazing and Dark Skies year round
This is a sponsored post from Visit York.
