The Dark Skies Festival is an annual event, which offers a range of activities for all ages under the dark skies of the North York Moors. Events range from stargazing and walks to arts and crafts for adults, children and families. The event is in its tenth year and it will be running from 14th February to 2nd March 2025. The North York Moors is one of only 21 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies so is well worth visiting!
Plus don’t miss the ice events happening in York during the cold months of early 2025. With the fantastic (and free) York Ice Trail and the exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum where you can discover what human life was like 11,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the last Ice Age.
This time of year is perfect for visiting York and all its winter events and attractions, and extending your visit to go stargazing any night in the North York Moors but here’s a small selection of some of the brilliant events happening in York and North York Moors in February to give you some inspiration.
Astro Dog offer exciting, interactive, stargazing sessions in the enchanting setting of Dalby Forest. Enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, learning about all the wonders of night sky. Use telescopes and binoculars to view the planets, Moon and stunning deep space objects such as star clusters, galaxies and nebulae.
📅 1st Feb 2025 at 7:30 pm, 8th Feb at 7:30 pm, 13th Feb at 7:30 pm, 17th Feb at 7:30 pm, 18th Feb at 7:30 pm, 20th Feb at 7:30 pm, 21st Feb at 7pm & 10pm, 22nd Feb at 7pm & 10pm, 24th Feb at 7.30pm, 25th Feb at 7.30pm, 28th Feb at 7pm
📍Dalby stargazing hub is located at the courtyard in Dalby Forest
ℹ️ Find out more information here
The theme for York Ice Trail 2025 narrates tales of “Origins” and promises to captivate visitors of all ages. Wander through York’s ancient streets and uncover icy creations, inspired by stories untold or those rumoured to be true. From mythical creatures and heritage inspired designs, each sculpture will tell a unique story.
📅 Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd of February 2025
📍York City Centre
ℹ️ Find out more information here
Begin the Dark Skies Festival’s Anniversary celebrations with a very special occasion at Sneaton Castle, Whitby on 13 February 2025.
Space scientist and broadcaster Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE is holding a special talk ‘Reaching for the Stars – an exploration of the night sky’. The event will begin with a look back at the 10 years since the Dark Skies Festival began, and will end with a chance for you to ask your questions to Dame Dr Maggie.
📅 Thursday 13th Feb 2025 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
📍Sneaton Castle, Whitby YO21 3QN
ℹ️ Find out more information here
Enjoy an out-of-this-world children’s crafting workshop during our 10th Dark Skies Festival at Sutton Bank National Park Centre during February Half Term.
Using pure wool, kids will learn the art of felting while discovering fascinating facts about the planets in our solar system.
Craft all (or some) of the planets in our solar system. Master the magical technique of felting with hands-on guidance.
Recommended for ages 6+. Drop-in, no booking required, £3 per child.
📅 15th Feb 2025 11:00 am – 28th Feb 2025 2:00 pm
📍Sutton Bank National Park Centre
ℹ️ Find out more information here
Visit this exciting and interactive exhibition Star Carr: Life after the ice which brings together wonderful artefacts from one the most famous Mesolithic sites in the world.
Step back in time to the settlement at Star Carr in North Yorkshire and delve into how people settled, created, cooked and worshipped during the Mesolithic period (Middle Stone Age).
Explore the landscape they lived in through an interactive mural and soundscape and take a look at the incredible objects from the Yorkshire Museum Collection; including iconic antler headdresses, a unique, decorated stone pendant, the world’s oldest complete hunting bow and the earliest evidence of carpentry from Europe.
📅 Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
📍 Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR
ℹ️ Find out more information here
If you want to spend a little more time in the North York Moors and have a family break that isn’t too far from home, check out Leeds Mumbler’s recent trip to Thornton Le Dale over on our Instagram and her fabulous star-gazing photos below!
Now is the time to look up and marvel at the sparkling night sky in the exciting Dark Skies Festival 2025. The event is in its tenth year and it will be running from 14th February to 2nd March 2025
⭐️ Dark Skies Festival website
However, if you miss out, even though the Dark Skies Festival ends on 2nd March, you can marvel at the starry skies of the North York Moors all year round!
⭐️ Star Gazing and Dark Skies year round
This is an Advertorial Feature from Visit York.
