Whitby Prepares for Biggest Ever Christmas Festival Weekend

Whitby is set to host a spectacular weekend of festive celebration as the annual Christmas festival returns from Friday 14th November to Sunday 16th November.

The event is free to attend and located at the Marina Front Car Park on Langbourne Road, and promises to be the largest market held since the festival began.

The festival itinerary is packed with activities, including the much-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on ceremony on Friday evening and a spectacular fireworks display scheduled for Saturday night.

Record-Breaking Market and Town Focus

Organisers have confirmed that the Christmas market features over 50 stalls and food concessions, offering crafts, gift items, and seasonal treats. The event will also host a fairground featuring both new and retro rides and games.

Deputy Town Clerk Phil Trumper expressed excitement about the size and atmosphere of the upcoming event, stating:

"We've got some great bands for the stage. We've got Back in the Habit. We've got the Stakesby School Choir starting us off, that's always really popular, they're always really excited to be involved.

We've got three great people turning the Christmas lights on this year; Amy, William, and Nile all involved in the terrible fires that took place on Langdale Moor.

We've got Santa's Grotto. We've got loads of stores. I figure it's the biggest market we've had since we've been doing it. Over 50 stalls and food concessions.

So, yeah, we've got the Arthur Franklin's Fairground rides. So yeah, should be a good weekend."

Mr Trumper further emphasised that the festival aims to increase footfall and involve the wider community:

"It' be nice and cozy, It'll be nice and lit up. We're going to light the market up even better when we do the light switch on. There'll be more lights around the market. And we've got some some pyrotechnics coming on the stage that will come on and when we do the light switch on. So yeah, it's going to it look very it looks spectacular.

It increases the footfall. People can come down to the market where they can pop into town. We're right next to the town centre, you know. It's it's great. You know, every everybody we want to involve everybody in the festival."

Friday: Honoured Heroes Switch on the Lights

The festival kicks off on Friday, 14th November, with the Stakesby School Choir performing at 17:15, followed by music from Back in The Habbit. The highly anticipated Christmas light switch-on ceremony is scheduled for 19:55.

This year, three exceptional members of the community—Amy Cockrem, William Butterfield, and Niall Fagan—will switch on the lights alongside the Town Mayor. These individuals are being honoured for their involvement in the response to the terrible fires that affected Langdale Moor. William Butterfield’s swift action prevented the fires from consuming his family’s caravan park. Amy Cockrem raised tens of thousands of pounds to support the farmers who assisted the fire service. Niall Fagan, a firefighter, worked tirelessly with colleagues from around the country to bring the blaze under control.

Pyrotechnics will accompany the switch-on ceremony on the This is the Coast Radio Stage.

Saturday: Bands and Spectacular Fireworks

Saturday, 15th November, is highlighted by a spectacular fireworks display at 19:45. The pyrotechnics will set off from the Abbey car park, located opposite the festival site. The stage area, known as the Yuletide Yard, is cited as a great location for viewing the display.

The This is the Coast Radio Stage will host a full day of music and entertainment. Deputy Town Clerk Phil Trumper detailed the music programme:

"Saturday again we've got some fantastic bands on the stage. 

Wwe've got the Yabbas on at 6:00 and then we've got the firework display setting off from the Abbey car park opposite the site.

Again, great bands. We've got some great music on cuz we've got a grass band in the morning doing some Christmas carols. We've got we have the community choir Christmas carolling.

And then Sunday again we've got some great bands a full day on Sunday with music all day from 10 till 10 till finish till 4:00."

Performers scheduled for Saturday include The Swinton Excelsior Band, Whitby Community Choir, Mattie James, and Quayside Spinners, culminating with The Yabbas performing at 18:00 before the fireworks begin.

Sunday: Full Day of Music Concludes the Festival

The final day of the festival, Sunday 16th of November, offers a full programme of live music and shopping before the event closes in the afternoon.

The Christmas Market opens at 10:00, providing attendees a last chance to visit the market stalls and food concessions. Santa Claus has also confirmed he will be in his grotto on Sunday to meet believers and receive their letters.

The entertainment schedule on the final day includes the Whitby Area Concert Band performing at 11:00, followed by The Windmill Girls at 12:30, and then Eli and the Blues Prophets at 13:45.

The Whitby Christmas Festival concludes for the year at 16:00.

Full Festival Itinerary (Friday to Sunday)

All times are approximate and attendees are advised to check the board on the day or the ‘Whitby Christmas Festival’ Facebook page for any weather-related alterations.

Friday 14th of November 2025 (On the This is the Coast Radio Stage)

Saturday 15th of November (On the This is the Coast Radio Stage)

Sunday 16th of November (On the This is the Coast Radio Stage)

Among the stalls, beach huts will house returning businesses alongside a new venture, Bay Vineyard, which grows grapes in Robin Hoods Bay.

Santa Claus has also confirmed he will be visiting his grotto on Saturday and Sunday to receive letters from believers.

Visitors are encouraged to explore other simultaneous town celebrations. Deputy Town Clerk Phil Trumper noted that parallel events are taking place:

"It's great that people are coming in  for the festival for the market, but I know we've got a lot other things going on in the town as well.

We've got the chocolate festival that's on the going on as well. So, people coming for the whip Christmas festival, they can also participate in the chocolate festival.

We've got the mini Christmas festival in on Brunswick Street in 1891. So, people can pop up there as well.

Pop into town and visit all the great shops we've got in town. We've got some fantastic shops where people can do and go and do the Christmas shopping."