17/10/2026
Think Whitby closes down for winter? Think again! 🎄👻❄️
The town is set for a packed winter of festivals, Christmas markets and spectacular events! From illuminated Abbey ruins and Gothic celebrations to Christmas markets, steam trains, quirky festivals and winter traditions, there’s plenty happening in Whitby over the coming months!
The town’s winter calendar is looking particularly busy, with something for almost everyone between October and February.
👻 October – Halloween takes over Whitby!
October brings some of Whitby’s biggest events, including Musicport Festival (23–25 October), the spectacular Illuminated Whitby Abbey (23–31 October) and the world-famous Whitby Goth Weekend (30 October–1 November).
Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival also returns to Whitby Pavilion for a weekend of Gothic music and entertainment.
🎄 November – Christmas comes early!
The festive season gets underway with Whitby’s Christmas Festival and Market (13–15 November), alongside the Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival.
There’s also Whitby Rocks & Blues Festival (6–8 November), Whitby Lit Fest (19–22 November) and the return of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s magical Santa Express from 28 November.
🎅 December – Festive fun and unusual traditions!
December begins with one of Whitby’s most unusual spectacles, the famous Krampus Weekend (4–6 December), when incredible costumes and folklore-inspired characters take over the town.
The Made in Whitby Christmas Festival arrives at Whitby Brewery on 12–13 December, with independent makers, festive shopping and live music.
The month also includes festive entertainment, the traditional Whitby Lions Boxing Day Dip on 26 December and New Year’s Eve celebrations around town.
❄️ January – A new festival for Whitby!
The Whitby Fire & Ice Festival is advertised for Saturday 23 January, bringing a new winter event to Baxtergate and the harbourside.
⚙️ February – Steampunk and dark skies!
February rounds off the winter season with the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival (5–21 February), offering opportunities to experience some of Yorkshire’s spectacular night skies.
Whitby Steampunk Weekend also returns from 12–14 February, bringing imaginative costumes, Victorian-inspired fashion and plenty of colourful characters to town.
There’s so much more to Whitby than summer!
With its atmospheric cobbled streets, cosy pubs, independent shops, dramatic coastline and spectacular Abbey, Whitby has a special charm during the quieter winter months.
Whether it’s a Halloween getaway, festive weekend or a peaceful winter escape, there are plenty of reasons to visit.
