Scarborough Streets Festival Expands Horizons with Autumn Pilot This Weekend

Scarborough is setting the stage for a new era of year-round tourism as the Scarborough Streets festival launches its first autumn edition this weekend (October 11 and 12).

The event marks a significant step in the efforts to establish the seaside resort as a year-round destination, moving beyond its traditional summertime appeal.

Organised as a pilot scheme, the expansion aims to draw crowds during a period that is typically quieter. The festival is part of The Scarborough Fair, a year-round programme of inclusive arts, heritage, and sporting events established in 2023 and funded in part by the Government’s Towns Fund programme.

The Scarborough Streets Autumn Edition will feature approximately 30 different events across four different stages situated around the town. Audiences can expect a diverse programme including dance, circus, magic, music, sports, and theatre. The free performances and activities are designed to inspire, celebrate, and showcase local creativity. The action will unfold across Westborough, North Street, Aberdeen Walk, and Alma Square.

Julian Caddy, the festival director, highlighted the intention behind holding the event during this specific time of year:

"This weekend we've got Scarborough Streets, the autumn edition.

We've got about 30 different events across four different stages around around the town with dance, circus, magic, music, sports stuff, there's theatre. There's also going to be a parade on the Sunday afternoon with various different artists and and also with kids from the sea cadets walking down the high street.

And really the idea behind Scarborough Streets is we want to bring people into town at a weekend which is usually quite quiet. It's not halft term yet, we're not entering the festive period. We've got over a very busy summer and it's just that bit quieter.

And so the idea behind it is we want to help local businesses".

Focus on Footfall and Business Support

A core objective of the autumn festival is to stimulate the local economy. Organisers have noted that while Scaborough Fair is already embedded within the creative and sporting communities, the focus must also be on the high street businesses, which are the "bread and butter" of the town.

Julian Caddy elaborated on the role of the festival as an economic driver, stating that the intention is to create a "buzz in the high street that actually can equate to bottom lines for the businesses involved".

"So the idea behind it is we want to help local businesses. We've got special offers at dozens of different places all over town from the big chains all the way to the local businesses as well.

And the idea behind that is really we want to bring people not just into town to see the events and see the performances which are great and it's all free, every thing's free, but also to get people into the businesses too because it needs to be something that helps create some a buzz in the high street that actually can equate to bottom lines for the businesses involved.

We've already got Scarborough fair embedded within the creative community, I suppose we could say safely, and the sporting community. It's the businesses on the high street that are the bread and butter of of what makes Scaborough as well".

As part of this effort, attendees can take advantage of a host of special offers provided by high street businesses across the weekend.

A Pilot for Future Expansion

Julian says that the current two-day event is viewed as a test for future iterations, with plans to potentially expand the festival beyond the springtime and adds that visotrs this weekend will see a mixture of performances from some Scarborough Street staples and some new acts.

"We've definitely got a few people who've done Scarborough Streets before, but also we wanted to bring in some new folk as well that haven't done it yet and give them a chance.

It's two days, so it's a pilot. So, we're going to bed it in and hopefully it's going to be a regular thing that we do a Scarborough Streets festival that's not just in the springtime, but also in the in the autumn and then other times as well.

So, we'd like to do more street festivals that can accompany some of the other Scarborough fair festivals, too".

He added that these events are a "brilliant showcase of creative work from across Scarborough and around the UK at a time when it might not normally be quite so busy". The Council and partners are "thinking beyond Spring and Summer to make the most of what the area has to offer".

Support from Partners

The Scarborough Streets Autumn Edition is being delivered by North Yorkshire Council in partnership with the public and private sectors, and specifically with the Stephen Joseph Theatre. The festival is supported by David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, affirmed his commitment, saying:

"High streets are constantly changing, but they have, and always will be, hubs for our communities. That's why I'm backing community led projects across York and North Yorkshire".

Mr. Skaith is backing these plans through his Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, noting that residents and businesses "understand most what is needed in their communities".

Caroline Routh, executive director and joint chief executive of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, called the programme a "real team effort". She stated:

“We’re committed to celebrating Scarborough as a year-round destination and are delighted to be partnering with The Scarborough Fair, with funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, to deliver an action-packed weekend of events for Scarborough Streets".

Caroline noted that "Incredible street performers will bring our town centre to life, from one-man bands to circus skills workshops, there’s something for everyone".

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, stressed the importance of these initiatives, adding:

“It is important that our tourist destinations are not just seen as places to spend summer holidays. They have so much more to offer, and The Scarborough Fair is a fine example of this".

The Scarborough Streets Autumn Edition kicks off an array of upcoming events, including Scarborough Art: Autumn/Winter Edition, Scarborough Lights, and Scarborough Fringe Winter Edition.

There are more details about Scarborough Streets at https://scarboroughfair.uk/streets/