13-21 February 2026
A region-wide festival illuminating the importance
of our unique dark skies
We’ve got lots of exciting events and offers in lots of wonderful locations. See the listing below, which we'll be adding to as we add more to the programme.
Our observatories are leading the way with their programmes of events.
Kielder Observatory Events
From exploring exoplanets and aurorae to family-friendly events and practical ways to reduce light pollution, Dark Skies Festival events celebrate our night skies in all their wonder.
Battlesteads Observatory Events
Battlesteads offers a wide programme for everyone interested in the magic of dark skies. Join them for events including dark sky discovery, aurora hunting, universe mapping and moonwatch.
What’s Happening
The Astronomy Photograph of the Year 16 Exhibition
Date : Saturday 15th November 2025 - Sunday 15th March 2026
Location : The Sill, Northumberland, NE47 7AN
Step into the cosmos with a stunning exhibition produced by Royal Museums Greenwich, featuring 31 selected images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 16 competition in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine – the leading astrophotography contest in the world.
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Hiddle Hut
Date : Sunday 01st February 2026 - Saturday 28th February 2026
Location : Hiddle Hut, Bardon Mill, NE47 7ES
In honour of the launch of the Festival, Hiddle Hut is offering guests the opportunity to order a hot 'Star-grazing' picnic to enjoy while admiring our pristine dark skies. The picnic will include home-made sausage rolls, tomato and basil soup, chocolate chip cookies and a flask of hot chocolate in our 'star-grazing hamper' along with our stargazing equipment!
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F&L Pub Quiz
Date : 12th February 2026
Location : The First & Last Brewery
Our monthly quiz night & game show with a special dark skies round to celebrate NE Dark Skies Festival 2026. Cash prizes & beer vouchers to be won!
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Northumberland Coast National Landscape Family Stargazing Evening
Date : 13th February 2026
Location : Creighton Memorial Hall, Embleton Dark Skies Discovery Site, Embleton Quarry Nature Reserve.
A beginner's guide to dark sky stargazing with Northumberland Coast National Landscape. Find out more about the night sky with astronomers from AstroVentures and Dark Sky UK for an introduction to stargazing and discovery of the night sky. Photo credit G Woodburn
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Dark Skies Specials at the Bailiffgate Hotel
Date : Friday 13th February 2026 - Saturday 21st February 2026
Location : Bailiffgate Hotel
Enjoy the Kielder Forest Gateau, Astro Nocturna and Blackberry Moon cocktails and Astronomy Juice for the little ones!
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Astronomy at Stonehaugh - Aurora
Date : 13th February 2026
Location : Stonehaugh Activity Centre
Stonehaugh Astronomy is located in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the largest expanse of protected gold tier dark sky in the whole of Europe. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see the aurora on the night, we can tell you what causes the ‘Northern and Southern Lights’. Join us as we examine the mysteries and science behind the aurora.
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Astronomy Events at Twice Brewed Inn
Date : Friday 13th February 2026 - Saturday 21st February 2026
Location : Twice Brewed Inn, NE47 7AN
Learn about the universe, relax in our planetarium and discover planets, constellations, and the Milky Way with Kielder Observatory astronomers at the Twice Brewed Inn, tucked within Northumberland's Dark Sky Park
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Sunset to 'Starrise' walk across the Pilgrim's Way to Holy Island
Date : 13th February 2026
Location : Holy Island Causeway, Northumberland Coast
Journey in the footsteps of saints to the magical island of Holy Island, safely guided over the tidal sands with expert knowledge and history along the way, to experience the true spirit of Lindisfarne.
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Dark Sky Discovery at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 13th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll experience the night sky at its very best, with no Moon to wash out the view, truly dark skies reveal distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and faint cosmic wonders usually hidden from sight.
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Northumberland Wildlife Trust Immersive Stargazing Experience by NASTRO
Date : 14th February 2026
Location : Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre
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Dusk Guided Walk & Beer Tasting
Date : 14th February 2026
Location : The First & Last Brewery
A guided dusk walk, led by Curius Compass followed by a beer talk & beer tasting at The First & Last Brewery. Booking required.
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Enjoy Festival Week at Granary Cottage or Linn Cottage, Bellingham
Date : 14th February 2026
Location : Demesne Farm Campsite & Granary Cottage
Enjoy Festival Week at Granary Cottage or Linn Cottage, Bellingham. Contact them to unlock their special offer...
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Cosmology For Beginners at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 14th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll explore how the universe began, uncover the secrets of galaxies and stars, and experience the wonders of the cosmos like never before.
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Stargazing for Kids at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 15th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
Previously sold out event, so we added another. Young explorers will spot stars and planets, learn how to navigate the night sky, and discover the wonders of space through fun, hands-on astronomy.
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Dark Sky Discovery at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 16th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll experience the night sky at its very best, with no Moon to wash out the view, truly dark skies reveal distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and faint cosmic wonders usually hidden from sight.
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Check out the telescopes at Forest Bar & Kitchen during Dark Skies Festival week
Date : Tuesday 17th February 2026 - Tuesday 17th February 2026
Location : Kielder Waterside
Look at Kielder's famous dark skies through special festival telescopes daily 11-3.30pm and 4.30-9pm.
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Experience the Universe with North East Astronomers at NUCASTLE
Date : 17th February 2026
Location : NUCASTLE
Join us at NUCASTLE for an exciting evening of stargazing and discovery! In partnership with Dark Skies UK and Kielder Observatory, this interactive session invites young people to explore the wonders of the night sky, with hands-on with professional telescopes, learn about planets, stars and galaxies, and hear from expert astronomers who bring space to life.
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Dark Sky Discovery at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 17th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll experience the night sky at its very best, with no Moon to wash out the view, truly dark skies reveal distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and faint cosmic wonders usually hidden from sight.
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Nocturnal Ouseburn: Women’s New Moon Wander
Date : 17th February 2026
Location : Ouseburn Farm
A guided, women’s walk through Ouseburn Woods and City Stadium, in search of tranquil darkness, to gaze upon the stars.
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Kielder Waterside Dark Skies Week Family Movie Event
Date : 18th February 2026
Location : Kielder Waterside
Meet at Reception at 3.30pm for a guided walk to the log-fired cabin, drink hot chocolate and enjoy the movie!
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Nocturnal Ouseburn: Wild Spaces Safari
Date : 18th February 2026
Location : The Cycle Hub, NE6 1BU
A guided nocturnal safari of Ouseburn, to explore how our urban landscape looks, sounds and feels at night. Meet outside the Cycle Hub.
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Dark Sky Tales with Border Readers
Date : 18th February 2026
Location : The First & Last Brewery
Get yourself a drink at the bar and listen to two evocative stories set in the dead of night.
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Dark Sky Discovery at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 18th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll experience the night sky at its very best, with no Moon to wash out the view, truly dark skies reveal distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and faint cosmic wonders usually hidden from sight.
Find out more
Dark Sky Discovery at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 19th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll experience the night sky at its very best, with no Moon to wash out the view, truly dark skies reveal distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and faint cosmic wonders usually hidden from sight.
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Why Dark Skies Matter: Talk + Stargazing with Duncan Wise
Date : 19th February 2026
Location : Ouseburn Farm
An enchanting and fascinating evening discovering our starscape.
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Yogalates & Star Gazing Meditation with Three By One
Date : 19th February 2026
Location : Beadnell Bay Beach, NE67 5EE
Gently move your body & free your mind under the dark Northumberland sky, with the rhythm of the North Sea to guide you. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary. Adjustments will be offered if needed.
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Rewild the Night
Date : 20th February 2026
Location : Hepple Estate
Bring your headtorches for a nature-focused tour of our wilding project - in the dark! A guided walk and stargazing with hot chocolate and Hepple Spirits cocktails.
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Stargazing For Kids at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 20th February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
Young explorers will spot stars and planets, learn how to navigate the night sky, and discover the wonders of space through fun, hands-on astronomy.
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Astronomy at Stonehaugh - Life cycle of a star
Date : 20th February 2026
Location : Stonehaugh Activity Centre
Around seventy septillion stars in the observable universe, but what are they? Are they all the same? Do they live for ever? This evening is intended as a gentle introduction to all things astronomical. An opportunity to ask those big far reaching questions that have always puzzled you. You’ll enjoy a specialist talk all about the life cycle of stars. If the skies are clear we will observe using our wide aperture telescopes, such things as the planets, nebula, star clusters and more.
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Dark Skies & Creatures of the Night
Date : 20th February 2026
Location : Walltown Country Park
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Lord Crewe Arms Stargazing Evenings
Date : 21st February 2026
Location : Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland, DH8 9SR
Lord Crewe Arms - with stargazing evenings unfolding in the Crewe Gardens and blankets, telescopes, and hearty feasts waiting by the Gatehouse, there’s truly no better place to celebrate the Dark Skies Festival than beneath the spellbinding night canopy over beautiful Blanchland and the Lord Crewe Arms.
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Team Cycles/Kielder Bike Hire Evening Forest Ride
Date : 21st February 2026
Location : Kielder Forest
Team Cycles/Kielder Bike Hire evening forest ride in Kielder on Saturday 21st February 2026.
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Late Night Dark Skies at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 21st February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
Stargazing under truly dark skies, gaze in wonder at the Milky Way & the universe beyond.
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The Dark Cosmos at Battlesteads Observatory
Date : 21st February 2026
Location : Battlesteads Observatory
You’ll explore how the universe began, uncover the secrets of galaxies and stars, and experience the wonders of the cosmos like never before.
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