Kicking off on the 22nd of August, in what is certainly one of the biggest weekends of the calendar for the quaint seaside town of Whitby. A double header of the Whitby Regatta (22nd-24th) and the start of Whitby Folk Week (22nd – 28th) ensure that the whole town will be bustling with activity.
The Whitby Regatta has been running for nearly 170 years making it one of the oldest sea regattas in England. The Whitby Regatta is a celebration of all things aquatic with a host of yachting and rowing competitions over three days of exciting, fun packed days.
Over the course of the three days alongside the nautical competitions, there will be carnival fun, an Air Sea Rescue, a World War 2 Air Display featuring Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Dakota, the Red Arrows Display Team will perform, a 4km Fun Run, displays from each of the Armed Forces, a Classic Car Rally, a motorcycle gymkhana on the beach, the centenary of the Swing Bridge will be celebrated and the weekend will culminate with a spectacular firework display on Monday evening.
Running parallel to Whitby Regatta is the Whitby Folk Week. A seven day festival of the best traditional folk the UK has to offer, performed by some of the most talented musicians from around the country.
For more than forty years the Whitby Folk Week has brought song, dance and music to the North Yorkshire town. Now in its 44th year the festival has grown significantly from its early roots as a traditional dance-based festival. Featuring around 600 events throughout the week there will be plenty to see and do.
Folk is inspired by everything from the everyday to the mythological, nursery rhymes to work songs, poetry to verse. This variety is part of the heritage and tradition of folk, and what makes folk so diverse and vibrant, which is why you’ll see a wealth of improvised shows spring up around the town throughout the week.
With so many fantastic cultural and exciting activities and opportunities it will be hard to fit it all in to what is sure to be an action packed seven days. For more information on Whitby follow these links:
Whitby Accommodation
Whitby Restaurants
Things To Do In Whitby
