Dark Skies Festival 2024, Yorkshire Dales
Did you know that every February, The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the home of the Dark Skies Festival?
Being classed as an International, Dark Skies Reserve, it is officially one of the best places to be able to star gaze and see the night skies.
This year, the festival is being held between the 10 and 26th February and there is LOADS going on!
The Dark Skies Festival 2024
Have you ever been star gazing?
No, I don’t mean grabbing a fancy telescope and naming every constellation in sight, I mean just looking up, and marvelling at the absolute magic that is the universe?!
Bloomin’ love stars, I’m not an expert, but for as long as I can remember, I have always been in awe of the sheer number of them, like somebody has loaded a paintbrush with sparkling white paint, and sprayed it all over the velvet sky….
Listen to me, I’m getting all poetic!
Anyway, after that introduction, you’ll be unsurprised to know that we are big fans of the Dark Skies Festival and there is loads going on for the kids of all age ranges!
What on earth is the Dark Skies Festival?
Since 2016, The Yorkshire Dales, along with other national parks around the country, have hosted the Dark Skies Event. Some of the best places to go and stargaze are in our National Parks, with the impact from light pollution being at its bare minimum.
The Festival aims to encourage an interest in all things interstellar, celebrate the twinkle and educate about the negative effects of light pollution on nature.
To find out where the designation reserves are in the Yorkshire Dales, head to our Dark Skies page!
What’s going on for kids during the 2024 Dark Skies Festival?
There is always plenty going on for the budding astronomers, from the very young, all the way up to the teens!
From canoeing on star lit reservoirs to crafting your own rockets, from cycling a trail of stars to hunting down solar system clues in the woods, there really is something for all of the family.
We have focussed on the family friendly events, but if you want to find out the full line up, head to the Yorkshire Dales National Park website.
Dark Skies Events suitable for younger children
Aysgarth Falls Planet Trail
Date: February 9th - 25th 2024
Location: Aysgarth Visitor Centre, Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Booking is not required. The trail is available from the Visitor Centre at Aysgarth Falls Car Park.
This self guided tour takes you around Freeholders Woods, which are located right next to Aysgarth Falls. The trail is 1.5km and takes in the waterfalls as well. Trail sheets are available from the Yorkshire Dales Centre.
If you want to find out more about the walk itself, check out our Aysgarth Falls and Freeholder’s Wood walk description!
Dark Skies Crafting Fun
Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, Wensleydale
Dates: 13 and 16 February 1pm - 4pm
Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £4.80 Adults, Kids go free. No booking required.
The Dales Countryside Museum is hosing a drop in dark skies crafting event which is included in the admission price for the museum as well as a beginners guide to the night sky with rocket making sessions (see below)
Fancy making a day of it? Find out what else there is to do in Hawes with kids by checking out our visit Hawes with kids guide!
Bike Ride and Pizza Planet Party
Date: 15 February 3pm - 5pm
Location: Stage 1 Cycles, Hawes, Wensleydale (next door to Dales Countryside Museum)
Cost: £12. Booking to be made via Stage 1 Cycles. Bikes and Helmets are also available for hire.
Follow the trail of stars and find planets! And if you make it all the way, you will be treated to a pizza making session at the Firebox Cafe in the Dales Countryside Museum!
The trail is in a traffic free area, and is suitable for beginners upwards.
Find the booking information for this event on the Stage 1 Cycles website.
A Beginners Guide to the Night Sky and Rocket Making
Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
Date: 14 February 10am - 12pm Suitable for 6+
Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £4.80 Adults, Kids go free. Booking is required through the Dales Countryside Museum.
This event is a family friendly talk by expert astronomer Richard Darn. We attended in 2022 and the kids had a great time. Richard Darn was ace and really engaged with his audience!
You will also have the opportunity to make and launch your own rocket too. Just make sure you warm up your leg muscles first!
10% off the Dark Skies themed menu the Firebox Cafe.
Fancy making a day of it? Find out what else there is to do in Hawes with kids by checking out our visit Hawes with kids guide!
Family Dark Skies Experience at Stump Cross Caverns
Date: 16 February 3.30 - 5.30pm
Location: Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Yorkshire Dales
Cost: Adult: £25, Child £20 pre-booking is required
Join Sophie from Cosmic Wonders in an interactive learning experience, aimed at children. There will be the chance to make constellation models too.
You can find the booking information on the Stump Cross Caverns Website.
Children’s Star Gazing and Storytelling
Location: The Stripey Badger in Grassington
Date: 13 February 3-4.30pm
Cost: £10.50
An afternoon of magical storytelling, stargazing and star mnaking at the Stripey Badger Book Shop. Listen to a story, design your own constellation and enjoy hot chocolate too.
Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Check out the Stripey Badger website for more information.
Make a day of it and check out our Visit Grassington with Kids guide!
Craven Museum: Dark Skies Trail
Location: Skipton Town Hall
Date: All week. 12th February - 17th February.
Cost: Free
Skipton Museum are holding a Dark Skies Trail around the museum where you can explore the collection through the lens of a telescope.
Telescopes are available to borrow from the museum.
Make and Take at Skipton Museum
Location: Hutton Roof Village Hall
Date: 14 February 2024 10-11am and 1-2pm
Cost: Free
There is a space themed family craft session at Skipton Town Hall this half term. Drop in and make your telescopes and constellation wheels for free!
Dark Skies Activities suitable for families with Older Children
Canoe Under the Stars at Scar House Reservoir
Location: Scar House Reservoir Nidderdale
Date: January 20th - March 18th on Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: £42/ person, all equipment provided. Ages 10+
This was a very popular event last year, so early booking is advised and a lot of the dates are already sold out!
Organised by How Stean Gorge, this event will give you the opportunity to canoe under the stars on the stunning Scar House Reservoir. A ticket will also give you free entry to the gorge visitor attraction and the cave too, with the opportunity to grab a pizza at the How Stean Gorge Cafe beforehand (extra cost)
The How Stean Gorge visitor attraction is located in Middlesmoor, a short way away from Scar House.
Half Term Art Club: Dark Skies Theme
Location: Skipton Town Hall, Skipton
Date: 12 February 2024 10-12pm or 2-4pm
Cost: £7.50 ages 10-18 years old.
The art club will be focussing on dark skies art work, working with watercolours and looking at the Northern Lights.
Places are limited to booking is essential through the Craven Museum website.
A night on the Moon at Stump Cross Caverns
Date: 25 February 5.30pm - 9pm
Location: Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Yorkshire Dales
Cost: Adult: £25, Child £22.50 pre-booking is required Suitable for ages 6+
Head to Stump Cross Caverns for an evening with expert, Richard Darn. Yoyu will explore the moon through telescopes, there will be an indoor planetarium and the event includes a UV tour of the caves.
You can find the booking information on the Stump Cross Caverns Website.
Dark Skies Festival Crafts
Want to try your hand at some starry fun craft ideas to accompany the Dark Skies Festival?
Then why not check out our Dark Skies Festival Crafts!