Major Events in Scarborough in 2026
2026 concerts include Michael Bublé, Scissor Sisters, Holly Johnson, Bowling For Soup, Frank Turner, Anastasia, James Taylor and many more!
The famous Scarborough Spa is home to the Grand Hall, Spa Theatre, Suncourt, Ocean Room and more and plays host to hundreds of events throughout the year. See what's coming up here:
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- 11/12 April – The Bob Smith Spring Cup
- 2/3 May 2026 – May Hillclimb
- 20/21 June 2026 – The Barry Sheene Festival
- 18/19 July 2026 – The Cock o’ The North
- 15/16 August 2026 – August Hillclimb
- 22/23 August 2026 – British SuperMoto Championship
- 4/5/6 September 2026 – 80th Anniversary Gold Cup
2026 marks the 400th anniversary since the discovery of Spa water by Mrs Farrer and the start of Scarborough being Britain's first seaside resort. See the special exhibition explaining the past 400 years of the Spa and town at Scarborough Maritime & Heritage Centre on Eastborough. On all year.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
The SJT is a beautifully-restored 1930s Odeon cinema, home to the famous theatre-in-the-round which was the first of its kind in the world. The Round provides a truly unique experience as the audience is seated all around the stage. Not only does the audience see the performance from every angle, it also brings the actor into the same space as the audience.
On 17th February, Aberdeen Walk in Scarborough Town Centre will once again host the Pancake Races with North Yorkshire Council and radio station This Is The Coast. Start time 12:00pm. This is followed by an afternoon of skipping on Foreshore Road in South Bay, a tradition which goes back many, many years!
This vibrant festival offers a mouth-watering selection of tempting foods and delicious drinks to please every taste. From gourmet delicacies to refreshing beverages, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, with a variety of thrilling fairground rides, it's the ideal family outing for children of all ages. Come along to Scarboroughs Open Air Theatre for a fun-filled festival that perfectly blends culinary delights with family-friendly entertainment.
This much-loved event brings together an exciting mix of talks, exhibitions, performances, concerts, and hands-on activities — with most events completely free to enjoy. You’ll discover local artists and performers alongside inspiring national and international speakers, all sharing ideas that spark conversation and encourage positive environmental change. A standout highlight is The Scarborough Big Dig, a community archaeology project where visitors can roll up their sleeves and take part in uncovering the town’s fascinating past.
Books By The Beach returns to Scarborough between the 5th and 7th of June 2026 and will feature some of the world's top authors. More details soon...
Scarborough Cricket Club will once again play host to Yorkshire Cricket Club fixtures at the famous North Marine Road ground in Scarborough.
202617th - 19th June 2026 - Staxtonbury Festival is all about creating a welcoming, safe, and joyful atmosphere where everyone can relax, dance, and celebrate the spirit of summer. From chart-topping tribute bands and local talent to family-friendly activities and delicious local food and drink, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Our carefully curated line-up spans a range of musical genres, ensuring that every visitor discovers something they love.
202627th June 2026 - Once again, Scarborough will play host to one of the biggest Armed Forces Day events in the country with parades, air displays and much more.
End of June until end of August - War breaks out on the lake in the middle of the park when the 20-foot replica boats recreate some serious tensions during the Peasholm Park Naval Battle. The “Battle of Peasholm” lasts for 30 minutes and is produced three times per week on MONDAYS, THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS at 3:00pm with music starting from 2:30pm.
25th - 27th September - Current confirmed acts:
Rory Ingham's Trombone Assembly
Levitation Orchestra
Shirley Smart Sextet
Benet Mclean Quintet
Alina Bzhezhinska - HipHarpCollective featuring Tony Kofi
Lady Nade Sings Nina Simone
3D Jazz Trio
Dark Side Of The Big Band: Pink Floyd ReWorked
The Scarborough Goldwing Light Parade will return in September 2026. We will have details soon about this huge fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance!
Scarborough Sparkle will return to the Open Air Theatre at the end of November 2026! We will have details soon...
Visit Scarborough in 2026!
Welcome to Scarborough on the stunning Yorkshire Coast. Award winning sandy beaches, breath-taking coastline, wonderful family attractions and some of the best events in the country.
Latest Scarborough News...
Beyond the sandy beaches and bustling amusement arcades, Scarborough holds a treasure trove of little-known history. As the UK's first seaside resort, it boasts the world's oldest theatre-in-the-round, a Grand Hotel designed around the calendar, and a prehistoric past deeper than many realise. Discover the secret stories behind the resort. Here are some of the most fascinating rare facts about Scarborough: 1. The "Stonehenge" of the North Did you know the oldest house in Britain was found just outside Scarborough? Excavations at Star Carr near Seamer discovered a house dated back to 8,500 BC. This incredible Mesolithic site is considered as significant to archaeological history as Stonehenge is to the Neolithic period. 2. A Hotel Built by the Calendar When the Grand Hotel was completed in 1867, it was the largest in Europe. Its design is a masterpiece of hidden symbolism representing time: 4 Towers: Representing the four seasons.12 Floors: Representing the months.52 Chimneys: Representing the weeks of the year.365 Bedrooms: Originally, one for every day. 3. Birthplace of "Web Search" Technology The technology behind modern search engines has roots in Scarborough. Jonathon Fletcher, who created JumpStation—generally regarded as the world's first true web-crawling search engine—comes from the town. 4. A Record-Breaking Tuna Fishery In 1933, a massive tunny (tuna) weighing \(851 \text{lbs}\) (\(386 \text{kg}\)) was caught off the Scarborough coast, breaking the British record. This cemented the town's reputation in the early 20th century as a premier destination for big-game fishing. 5. The World's First Seaside Resort Long before it was a family seaside favourite, Scarborough was a health destination. The discovery of mineral springs in 1626 led to the creation of the Scarborough Spa, making it one of the earliest, if not the first, seaside resorts in the world. 6. Anne Brontë's Final Resting Place The celebrated novelist Anne Brontë passed away in Scarborough on May 28, 1849, while visiting for her health. She was only 29 years old. She is buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church, which overlooks the South Bay and the castle. 7. The Original "Theatre in the Round" Scarborough is home to the first-ever Stephen Joseph Theatre in the round in the UK, established in 1955. This venue is famous for being the venue where many of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's plays premiered. 8. The Dinosaur Coast The Scarborough coastline is a vital location for paleontologists. So many fossils have been found there that it is nicknamed the "Dinosaur Coast". The Rotunda Museum is dedicated to this rich geological history. 9. Hidden Viking Heritage The town was founded around 966 AD by a Viking raider named Thorgils Skarthi. The name "Scarborough" actually stems from this Viking heritage, meaning "Skarthi’s fort". 10. The First WWI Bombardment Scarborough suffered significantly during World War I. On December 16, 1914, the town was bombarded by German warships, causing the first civilian deaths on British soil during the conflict
Scarborough Food and Drink Festival: Taking place at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre on 11–12 April 2026 (Sat: 10am–5pm, Sun: 10am–4pm). Highlights: Features over 60 international food stalls, including bao buns, wood-fired pizza, and artisan gins. Family Fun: Includes fairground rides from O'Briens Funfair and a dedicated craft room with local makers. Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair-friendly and dog-friendly (on leads). Spring Daze at Peasholm Park: A dedicated nature-themed family fun day on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 from 10am to 4pm. Activities: Hands-on bushcraft, fire-lighting, leaf rubbing, and sunflower potting. Entertainment: Live music from the bandstand, birds of prey displays, and performances by children's entertainer Kathy Seabrook in the tipi. Scarborough Record Fair: Located at the Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults on Sunday, 12 April 2026 from 10am to 4pm. What to Expect: Roughly 25 tables of vinyl and CD traders. Extras: Live local DJs spinning tracks from various decades and food available from Deli Delicious and the Market Tavern Bar. Giant Deckchair Trail: Part of the "Scarborough 400" anniversary celebrations. The Experience: Grab a map and hunt for oversized, artist-designed deckchairs hidden in scenic spots across town—ideal for family photos. Easter Clay Workshops at Scarborough Library: A creative session on 2 April 2026 at Scarborough Library. Activity: Children can design and make their own clay egg cups. The library also hosts an ongoing Easter Trail and Lego sessions during the holidays. The Easter "Wild Ones" Biodiversity Arts & Crafts Workshop: A free, hands-on event taking place on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, in Cayton. Organised by Cayton Parish Council, the workshop is designed to help children connect with nature through creativity. Beeforth’s Hive Activities: Located in the South Cliff Gardens, this community hub offers free drop-in nature and craft activities for families throughout the school holidays. Marine Drive Sea Watching Hub: A newly opened visitor attraction for 2026 in a repurposed Victorian-style shelter on Marine Drive. Equipment: Features free-to-use high-powered telescopes positioned specifically for spotting bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise, and minke whales. Art: Features a mosaic installation by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller to help identify local species. Peregrine Falcon Watching: The cliffs below Scarborough Castle are a prime nesting spot for these birds, the fastest in the world. Best Spot: Enthusiasts recommend sitting near lamp post 54 on Marine Drive and looking up at the high ledges, especially active during the April–July breeding season. Rockpooling at North Bay: A classic, cost-free activity. Details: At low tide, the rocky areas of North Bay reveal a miniature marine world of crabs, anemones, and small fish. Make sure you know the tide times to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide!
For visitors to the Yorkshire coast in 2026, arriving by vintage rail offers a majestic alternative to the modern commute. Whether you seek the rhythmic chuff of a steam engine or the sleek power of a heritage diesel, several high-profile excursions are scheduled to bring you directly to the heart of the "First Seaside Resort." Mainline Steam Excursions The Coast to Coast Express Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026 Operator: The Railway Touring Company Experience: This ambitious day trip links the Irish Sea to the North Sea, crossing the dramatic Pennines. It features a steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool for the outward journey and is often diesel-hauled for portions of the return. Approximate Timetable: Liverpool Lime Street: Departs 06:20 | Returns 21:40 Manchester Victoria: Departs ~07:15 Sheffield: Departs 09:50 York: Arrives 11:50 | Departs 16:50 Scarborough: Arrives 13:10 | Departs 15:50 The Scarborough Spa Express Dates: To be announced (typically June – September) Operator: West Coast Railways Experience: The quintessential Scarborough steam experience. These trains usually run on Thursdays (North Route via Leeds) and Wednesdays (South Route via Wakefield). 2026 bookings are expected to open in late 2025. Luxury Diesel Charters Yorkshire Coast Pullman Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026 Operator: Midland Pullman Experience: Travel in a restored Class 43 HST luxury set. This tour includes fine dining options as you traverse the heart of England. Approximate Timetable: Paignton: Departs 06:20 | Returns 22:50 Bristol Temple Meads: Departs 08:20 | Returns 20:40 Scarborough: Arrives ~13:00 | Departs 16:00 Yorkshire Coast Pullman (East Anglia) Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026 Operator: Midland Pullman Boarding Locations: Manningtree (06:30), Ipswich (06:45), Stowmarket (07:00), and Bury St Edmunds (07:20). Multi-Day Rail Holidays York and Railways of Yorkshire Dates: Saturday, 18 July – Saturday, 25 July 2026 Operator: The Railway Touring Company Experience: An 8-day comprehensive tour of the county’s rail heritage, featuring a dedicated visit to Scarborough and the nearby North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Scarborough has a huge variety of Accommodation. We have hotels, guest houses, cottages, apartments, holiday parks and much more.
Scarborough has world-class attractions including Scarborough Castle, Alpamare Waterpark, Sealife Scarborough, North Yorkshire Waterpark and many more...
