Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Dark Skies Fringe Festival 2025: A Unique Celebration of the Night Sky in the UK’s Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors Published on
October 10, 2025Known for their stunning natural beauty, the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors will provide an unforgettable experience this October. The annual Dark Skies Fringe Festival, which invites visitors to discover the mystery and beauty of the dark skies that make this region so special, will take place from October 24 to November 2, 2025. The Howardian Hills, Nidderdale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks will all be the sites of this eagerly awaited event. The festival offers a chance to take in the wonders of space in a calm, unspoiled setting, far from light pollution.A Journey into the StarsThe Dark Skies Fringe Festival offers a wide variety of activities designed to help visitors connect with the night sky. One of the key attractions of this festival is the opportunity to witness the Orionid Meteor Shower, which occurs as Earth passes through debris left by Halley’s Comet. The shower provides a stunning display of meteors, and stargazing events have been carefully timed to coincide with this cosmic spectacle. Venues such as Bolton Abbey, Malham Tarn, Settle, Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest, and Whitby will host special stargazing sessions, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to observe the night sky in all its glory.Advertisement The festival is held in areas recognised as International Dark Sky Reserves by DarkSky International, making them some of the best locations for stargazing in the UK. These dark sky designations mean that these areas have minimal light pollution, providing crystal-clear views of the stars, planets, and meteor showers.Events for EveryoneThe Dark Skies Fringe Festival is not just for avid astronomers; it is designed to appeal to people of all ages and interests. For those interested in the intersection of art and nature, there are special artistic projects inspired by the nocturnal world. Visitors can pick up a free limited-edition chapbook at the Sutton Bank or Danby Lodge National Park Centres. This illustrated pamphlet, created by Claire Hind of York St John University, reflects on the experience of walking in nature after dark, and encourages readers to use all their senses to connect with the environment at night. The chapbook offers a poetic and thought-provoking perspective on the night, adding a creative element to the stargazing experience.AdvertisementNature lovers will also enjoy a talk by Dani Rob …
