Looking Forward to the Dark Skies Festival in the North York Moors

We’ve been spending some time looking through the events planned for this year’s Dark Skies Festival in the North York Moors National Park, and it’s got us really excited for February nights under the stars.

The festival runs from 13th February to 1st March, and there’s something special about being in the Moors at this time of year. The days feel calm and unhurried, the nights are beautifully dark, and when the sky is clear the stars really put on a show. The programme offers a thoughtful mix of talks, guided stargazing, and gentle night walks, alongside plenty of opportunities to simply pause, look up, and enjoy the moment.

Whenever we visit, we make a point of spending time outside after dark — wrapping up warm, switching off the lights, and seeing what the night sky reveals. Each visit feels a little different, shaped by the season, the weather, and whatever the night sky chooses to reveal, whether it’s familiar constellations or something unexpected.

When we stay The Green, Lastingham. North York Moors., we love that it’s Dark Skies Friendly. We’ve gathered some stargazing equipment that we enjoy using during our visits, and we’re always happy to leave this out for our guests too — just let us know if you’d like to use it during your stay.

For us, the Dark Skies Festival adds another lovely layer to a winter visit — offering inspiring events to take part in, while also encouraging time to appreciate the night sky in quieter moments.

For more information on our own star spotting equipment please click here.