Planet Parade Highlights North Yorkshire’s Dark Skies Festival Events
North Yorkshire’s Dark Skies Festival features a stunning planet parade and various events, making it a must-visit for stargazing enthusiasts.
North Yorkshire, Skipton, Hawes, Whitby, Yorkshire Dales, Dark Skies Festival, Stargazing
Skipton: The Dark Skies Festival is back, and it’s packed with fun! Running for 17 days, it kicks off on Valentine’s Day. You can enjoy a romantic dinner in the woods at Broughton Sanctuary, followed by some stargazing. How cool is that?
After that, there’s a four-day lineup of dark sky events. Kids can catch cosmic cinema screenings and join nature walks to learn why darkness is vital for wildlife and our well-being. It’s all about connecting with nature!
And guess what? This festival coincides with an amazing planetary display. Venus, Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune will all be lined up on the same side of the sun. Talk about a cosmic show!
The ‘planet parade’ will be happening all through February, making the festival’s astronomy events even more exciting. You’ll get to use powerful telescopes to see the wonders of the universe up close.
There are also night sky safaris planned. You can join a star party at Wensleydale Ice Cream Parlour or attend an evening with astronomer Richard Darn at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. Plus, there are AstroDog sessions in Dalby Forest!
In Whitby, the local astronomical society will host dark sky discoveries at Whitby YHA. New this year, electronic dance artists The Long Dead Stars will lead a walk from Boggle Hole YHA to the beach to celebrate their debut album launch. Sounds like a blast!
Over in Helmsley, you can join a guided walk through the stunning ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. It’s a seven-mile circular route that’s sure to be breathtaking.
In the Yorkshire Dales, you can enjoy dinner while stargazing at various venues. Places like The Middle House at Askrigg and Elsworth Mill at Skipton are on the list. It’s a perfect combo of good food and great views!
Families can also explore a new planet trail at Buckden, where kids can learn fun facts about the solar system on a 1.5-mile route. It’s a great way to get the little ones excited about space!
Stump Cross Caverns in Nidderdale is hosting daytime Cosmic Adventures for kids, where they can make their own constellations. The Dales Countryside Museum will also have a Super Scientists’ Club to dive into planetary science.
If you’re looking for something crafty, head to Guisborough Methodist Church for an astro crafts day. The money raised will help buy equipment for kids to enjoy stargazing nights.
To make astronomy accessible, there’s a family-friendly online event with Professor Carole Haswell, an astrophysics expert. Plus, there’s a repeat of last year’s successful accessible evening walk at Grimwith Reservoir.
Emily Watson, the regenerative tourism manager for the North York Moors National Park, shared how proud they are of the festival’s growth since it started in 2016. It’s all about helping people enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
Helen Dalton, the tourism officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, added that it’s inspiring to see new venues hosting dark skies events. The parks are becoming popular stargazing spots, especially after gaining International Dark Sky Reserve status.
With the Northern Lights making an appearance last year, more people are curious about the night sky. Younger folks are even choosing stargazing over traditional nights out, which bodes well for the future of the Dark Skies Festivals.
For more details on the program, including booking info, check out www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk.