Thousands of visitors are expected to gather at the Marina Front Car Park as the three-day Whitby Christmas Festival brings live music, new wooden market chalets, and a spectacular fireworks display to the town.
Festive celebrations will transform the Marina Front Car Park this weekend as the annual Whitby Christmas Festival returns for three days of entertainment.
A brand new layout featuring weatherproof wooden sheds will greet shoppers looking for gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats. Construction students from Middlesbrough College helped build the new chalets and supported the electrical team on site to prepare the grounds for the event.
The free-admission festival, organised by Whitby Town Council, officially opens at 5pm on Friday with a packed itinerary of live performances taking place on the This is the Coast Radio Stage.
Town Mayor, Councillor Sandra Turner, said:
"I think it's all going to be wonderful. We've got new sheds out there, so it's a new layout. We've got lots and lots of stalls. The entertainment is fantastic, and of course we're going to have the Christmas lights switch on at 5:00 to 8:00 on Friday night. As we speak, the final touches are going on putting the final sheds together now. They're weatherproof, so the gazebos, although they're excellent, they're not as good as a wooden shed, are they? So it's going to be absolutely wonderful, the lighting will fix to them and everything. It's going to create a magical scene for everyone."
Friday evening's live music includes performances from the Stakesby School Choir, The Yabbas, and a Cher and Jane McDonald tribute act by Marigold Addams. The official Christmas lights switch-on will follow at 7.55pm to mark the official start of the town's festive season.
Councillor Sandra Turner added:
"They're all in place waiting for that big switch on. Looking forward to that and we'll have our local celebrity who will do that as well. I believe we're having the little school pupil that's done the the mayor's Christmas card. We always get one to design the Christmas card and they'll be on stage with us too, hopefully. So, we've got lots of people coming into town and the the great thing about this it's not just the festival. People will come to the Whitby Christmas Festival but then we've got the lovely rest of the town to have a walk around and see what else is on offer. It's an excellent festival and when it's set with the backdrop of Whitby Harbor, what could be better?"
Saturday promises a full day of entertainment running from 10am until 8pm. Local acts taking to the stage include the Swinton Excelsior Band, Whitby Community Choir, Rip Tide, and Colebrooke Studio. The afternoon will see performances from the Windmill Girls, Dodgy Jammers, and the Whitby Area Concert Band. Younger visitors can also enjoy Paddy and Nickie's Kids Christmas Disco, before evening sets from The Low Tiders, Mackie, and Skandals.
A spectacular fireworks display will light up the skies above Whitby Harbour at 7.50pm on Saturday evening to cap off the second day of festivities.
The weekend concludes on Sunday with the market open from 10am to 4pm. The final day of live entertainment will feature the Fylingdales Folk Choir, Ajana, Mattie James, and two performances by the ever-popular Swinging Santas.
Visitors are encouraged to explore independent shops, cafes, and restaurants along Langbourne Road and throughout the wider town while soaking in the festive atmosphere.
| Time | Event / Act | Stage / Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 13th November 2026 | ||
| 17:00 | Official Opening by Town Mayor Cllr Sandra Turner | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 17:15 | Stakesby School Choir | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 18:00 | The Yabbas | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 19:00 | Marigold Addams (Cher & Jane McDonald Tribute) | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 19:45 | Mayor & Celebrities Stage Appearance | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 19:55 | Christmas Lights Switch-On | Main Stage Area |
| 20:00 | Evening Close | - |
| Saturday, 14th November 2026 | ||
| 10:00 | The Swinton Excelsior Band | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 11:00 | Whitby Community Choir | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 11:45 | Rip Tide | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 12:30 | Colebrooke Studio | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 13:00 | Windmill Girls | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 13:45 | Dodgy Jammers | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 14:30 | Whitby Area Concert Band | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 15:20 | Paddy & Nickie's Kids Christmas Disco | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 16:00 | The Low Tiders | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 17:00 | Mackie | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 18:30 | Skandals | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 19:50 | Spectacular Fireworks Display | Main Event Site |
| 20:00 | Evening Close | - |
| Sunday, 15th November 2026 | ||
| 10:00 | Fylingdales Folk Choir | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 11:00 | Swinging Santas | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 12:00 | Ajana | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 13:00 | Swinging Santas | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 14:00 | Mattie James | This is the Coast Radio Stage |
| 16:00 | Festival Close | - |
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