Whitby Fish & Ships Festival 2024

The Whitby Fish and Ships Festival returns on 18-19 May, celebrating the town’s rich maritime heritage.

Whitby and great quality seafood go hand in hand, and in the Seafood Kitchen marquee you will be treated to  mouth-watering cooking demonstrations by some of the best local chefs:

• Phil Akrill, Head Chef at The Talbot, Malton
• Paul Gildroy, Head Chef at The Magpie, Whitby
• Maggie Lubaszewska of Trenchers, Whitby
• Dan Hargreaves, Chef and Owner of Embers, Scarborough
• Andrew Nightingale, Head Chef of The Hare and Hounds, Hawsker, Whitby
• Jon Appleby, Head Chef, The Feversham Arms, Helmsley

Head down to the Fish Craft Marquee between 10am – 4pm and check out the giant fish display showcasing species of fish that are caught off our coast. Throughout the day, skilled filleters from Lockers Fish, Hodgsons Fish, Sandgate Seafoods and Whitby Seafish will demonstrate their filleting and preparation skills, while L&W Shellfish & Cod Roe will show you how to prepare and pick crab and lobsters.

Local fisherman will be demonstrating the true art of pot sewing and net mending, while Whitby’s Lobster Hatchery will have lots of hands-on activities to keep kids big and small entertained.

Paul Gildroy is head chef at the Magpie Cafe in Whitby, he says the cooking demonstrations will use a range of locally caught fish.

Browse the stalls along Endeavour Wharf and pick up some artisan goods and local produce including homemade jams, tempting tipples, artisan cheese and local spirits.

Dogwood Productions, official theatre partner for the RNLI, will be performing two brand new plays across the weekend:

“Storm In a Chip Shop”

As the chips shop customers queue, sheltering from the rain, local gossip turns to re-enacting the heroic 1881 endeavour, where the Whitby lifeboat was carried across the snow-covered moors to conduct a rescue at Robin Hood’s Bay under the command of the iconic Victorian hero, Henry Freeman.

“Life, Love, Chips”

Unrequited love, heartbreak, hardship and dreams all with chips and across the deep fat fryer.

Anthony Bellekom from Dogwood Productions says the two shows have very local themes.

Get creative in the Crafty Tent

In collaboration with Whitby Museum, Pannett Art Gallery and Whitby Library, kids can take part in crafty workshops where they'll create expressive art for a large sea backdrop, showcasing life above and beneath the waves, and even under the seabed.

The Cook Museum will introduce a variety of marine animals and sea creatures to make, plus there’ll be tabletop games and other sea-themed crafts.

Create your own prehistoric sea creatures with Whitby Museum to fill up the sea on the giant collage and test your eye for beach finds at the beach fossil hunting tray.

Helen Berry is curator at the Pannett Art Gallery, she says the town's museums are working together to create a new experience for visitors to the Fish & Ships festival.

Live Music

There will be free live music all weekend, including local bands like Old Time Sailors and Sunbeam at the Endeavour Wharf Music Tent, plus special performances from Whitby Krampus including The Whitby Wyrm and St Hild / Whitby Abbey.

Over at Whitby bandstand, tap along to live folk music and sea shanties from the likes of Men of Staithes and Fylingdales Folk Choir.

Richard Grainger is organising the weekend's music and says there is a varied programme.

Street Entertainment

Kids big and small will be in their element with walkabout entertainment and face painting. Animated Objects return to the festival this year with their new walkabout act, Galleons Ahoy!.

They’ll be on walkabout aboard their land-based galleons in Whitby across the festival weekend. Give them a wave, stop for a selfie and prepare yourself for some hearty banter and tall tales as the pirate code clashes swords with the pride of the King’s fleet! There may even be a shanty or two on the way...

Lee Threadgold from Animated Objects is promising an entertaining experience.

Fisher Lassie Bidi Iredale will be entertaining festivalgoers with fishing songs from long ago and tales about the fisher lassies that used to work along the East Coast, meanwhile Jack Sparrow and The Guard will be roaming the town on Saturday, with Hook and Smee dropping in on Sunday.

Whitby Krampus Run will be working alongside Made In Whitby to bring the Whitby Wyrm sea serpents to the festival together with St. Hilda, plus Krampus Run Merchandise will be on sale at their stall.

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey will be opening its doors for free to residents in YO21 and YO22 postcodes over the festival weekend. Simply bring along proof of address to get free entry for the day.

Join us for a fun-filled family weekend!

https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/discover/whats-on/fish-and-ships/