Dark Skies Festival 2026, 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 13th February and 1st March 2026 and as usual there is LOADS going on!

The Dark Skies Festival 2026

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. Which means this year it’s the 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

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!

Posing with the Dark Skies Festival frame

What’s going on for kids during the 2026 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 in full flow during the winter

The Planet Trails

Date: Buckden - Hubberholme & Aysgarth and Dales Countryside Museum is from the 13th February until the 1st March 2026.

Locations: Aysgarth Visitor Centre, Dales Countryside Museum and Buckden to Hubberholme, the new path alongside the river.

Booking is not required. The trail is available from the Visitor Centres at Aysgarth Falls and Dales Countryside Museum. Head to the Buck Inn in Buckden for the trail and prize at the end.

This self guided tour is pushchair friendly and varies between 1-2 miles.

If you want to find out more about the Aysgarth walk itself, check out our Aysgarth Falls and Freeholder’s Wood walk description! Or you could do the Buckden trail as part of our Cray Gill Waterfalls walk.

Starry Night Felt Art

Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, Wensleydale

Dates: 18 February 2026 - 1pm-4pm at various times throughout the day.

Cost: Admission to the Dales Countryside Museum, £5 Adults, Kids go free. Call to book a place on one of the time slots.

The Dales Countryside Museum is hosting a hands on session, based on Van Gough’s Starry night.

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: Not yet announced for 2026.

Location: Stage 1 Cycles, Hawes, Wensleydale (next door to Dales Countryside Museum)

Cost:

Previously available for bike enthusiasts to enjoy the night sky. I will update if there is any hint that this is one this year!

Cosmic Adventures at Stump Cross Caverns

Date: Weekends in February ana 14 Feb - March 1 2026

Location: Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Yorkshire Dales

Cost: Pre-booking is required Starting at £6.50 each.

Explore the mysteries of space and constellations with hands on activities and get a beginners guide to spotting constellations.

You can find the booking information on the Stump Cross Caverns Website.

Dark Skies Activities suitable for families with Older Children

Canoe Under the Stars at Scar House Reservoir

Location: Scar House Reservoir Nidderdale

Date: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 20 January 2026 and March. 7-8.30pm

Cost: £39/ person, all equipment provided. Ages 10+ BOOKING ESSENTIAL

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.

In the event the weather does not play ball, an alternative activity will be provided.

Experience the Night Sky with Richard Darn

Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes

Date: 20 February 2026 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Cost: £20/ adult and £15/ child booking is essential. Ticket price includes food. OVER 6’s.

Bring a plastic bottle and create your own rocket for launching!

There will also be buy one get one free at 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!

The Science Playground

Location: Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Hall

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026 2-4pm

Cost: Free

This is new for 2026 and has been arranged as part of Kirkby Lonsdale’s Illuminate Festival. It’s all about getting kids interacting with science and with an Aurora VR hub, the night skies!

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!

Tap here to head to Dark Skies Crafts

Want to Find Out More About the Visit with Kids Guides?

Tap HERE to head to all of our Visit with Kids Guides

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