Whitby in seasonal mood as Christmas Festival 2025 gets under way
Shoppers will be getting into the festive mood once more with Whitby’s Christmas Festival just around the corner.
The free event runs from tomorrow (Friday, November 14) to Sunday, November 16 at the Marina Front car park on Langborne Road, and will see a festive weekend full of market stalls selling crafts, gift items and seasonal treats.
Organisers say there will be more than 50 stalls and food concessions in the biggest market the event has ever had.
Enjoy live music and choir performances throughout the weekend, as well as children’s entertainment and family-friendly activities and a Christmas lights switch-on tomorrow (Friday, November 14) and a fireworks display on the Saturday night, at 7.45pm, where they will be set off from the Whitby Abbey car park.
Entertainment gets under way on the Friday, from 5pm, when the market is officially opened by Whitby Town Mayor, Coun Sandra Turner.
Stakesby Primary Academy Choir and Back in the Habbit will perform on stage before the Christmas lights switch-on at 7.55pm.
The markets open at 10am on the Saturday where stalls will provide a mix of local hand-made goods, while festive entertainment continues on the stage.
Santa has confirmed that he will be attending this year’s festival he will be in his grotto on November 15 and 16 and will have his Santa post box ready for those important letters.
Parking restrictions at council car parks have now been lifted in Whitby until March 1.
This year’s Christmas lights will be switched on by three "exceptional members" of the community – Amy Cockrem, William Butterfield and Niall Fagan.
Amy, William and Niall were all involved in the response against the terrible fires that affected Langdale Moor.
William’s quick action stopped the fires consuming his family’s caravan park.
Amy raised tens of thousands of pounds to provide support for the farmers who spent weeks helping the fire service to bring the blaze under control.
Niall worked tirelessly as a firefighter with his colleagues from North Yorkshire and all the other firefighters from around the country.
Visit the festival’s Facebook page for more information.