A celebration of Whitby's fishing heritage.
Taking place on Saturday, May 17th, and Sunday, May 18th. Visit Whitby for cooking and fish craft demonstrations by local chefs, toe-tapping live music from local bands and sea balladeers, and family activities galore. Here is further information about what's on at the Whitby Fish and Ships Festival 2025.
What's on at Whitby Fish and Ships Festival 2025
Marina Front Car Park, Whitby
Saturday, May 17th: 10 am – 4 pm, Music Marquee open till 11 pm
Sunday, May 18th: 10 am – 4 pm Marina Front Car Park
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New for 2025 – The Fisherman's Olympics!
New for this year is the Fisherman's Olympics. This will see local fishermen compete against each other in their regular tasks to determine who is the superior fisherman.
Tasks will include splicing rope, stacking pots, navigation, long lining, net mending, and a race to get into survival suits. It will end with a fantastic game of tug-of-war.
Giant fish display, learn more about the fish caught off the North Yorkshire Coast
Head down to the Fish Craft Marquee and check out the giant fish display showcasing fish caught off our coast.
Find out what these fish and shellfish look like before they are processed, and chat with experts from the industry who will answer any of your fishy questions.
Cooking demonstrations and competitions
Throughout the day, skilled filleters from Lockers Fish, Sandgate Seafoods, and others showcase their filleting and preparation skills, with chef competitions thrown into the mix.
L&W Shellfish will show you how to prepare and pick crab and lobster, while Paul Gildroy, Head Chef of The Magpie Café, will show you just how easy it is to cook different species of fish and shellfish, with tasty samples available to try.
Also appearing will be Maggie Lubaszewska, head chef at Trenchers, and Andrew Nightingale of The Hare and Hounds, Hawsker.
Andrew Barker, a freelance fishmonger, will showcase his skills and share tips and advice.
Also on the lineup are Ben Laws from the Java Café and Ashley Mullinger, who will share his story of the sea, My Fishing Life, at a stall in the marquee.
Local chef Rob Green will also be joining the lineup. He has specialised in seafood for over 35 years and is an ambassador for SeaFish, the authority on seafood in the UK. His passion for local seafood and the East Coast has been a driving force in his award-winning career.
See Rob during the festival to get a free copy of his new recipe book, Sustainable Seafood, and discuss all things fishy! Rob will be appearing with popular local chef Skills with Lils.
Music Marquee
Made in Whitby and Whitby Brewery are giving a stage to incredible local musicians in the Music Marquee, with performances until 11 pm on Saturday, so that you can dance the night away.
Bop along to the likes of the Jake Leg Jug Band, the Jack Tars and Tug O War before the Skandals take to the stage. Sunday's lineup includes the Men of Staithes, Old Time Sailors and Blanty, with a couple of slots still to be announced.
Craft sessions, storytelling and fun at the museums and art galleries in Whitby
In the craft marquee, drop-in craft sessions will help kids unleash their inner artists with the help of Whitby's library, museums, and art galleries.
A storytelling corner will be set up, and Whitby Library will provide a programme of maritime-themed story sessions throughout the weekend.
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum will bring its knowledge of all things nautical, along with pens and paper, to help kids design and create their 2d sailing vessels. Colour and create our specially designed origami fortune teller. Once completed, you can use this device to guide you to fantastic local attractions.
The Pannett Art Gallery team will be on hand to inspire young creatives with their designs. Will your boat be carrying a pirate on the high seas, a fisherman, or an adventurer like Captain Cook?
Whitby Museum will be bringing their beach finds and sand trays. Will you uncover fossils or seaglass? How well do you know your beach finds?
Animated Objects Theatre Company
As well as these activities, Animated Objects Theatre Company will be returning with their walkabout act, Galleons Ahoy!
Keep a lookout for the hapless pirate captain and fearless Admiral aboard their land-based galleons – give them a wave, stop for a selfie and prepare for some hearty banter and tall tales.
We're sure there'll be a few pirates and swashbucklers making an appearance too.
Bidi Iredale
Fisher Lassie Bidi Iredale will be entertaining festivalgoers with fishing songs from long ago. She will also tell tales about the fisher lassies that used to work along the East Coast.
Whitby Abbey: Free entry for YO21 and YO22 residents
If you fancy a closer look at the iconic Abbey, residents in the YO21 and YO22 postcodes can visit for free over the weekend. Bring along proof of address to get free entry for the day.
RNLI Shop and Museum on Pier Road
The lifeboat station will be closed to the general public for the weekend. The RNLI shop and museum on Pier Road will be open both days and are well worth a visit.
Pre-booked ticket holders can tour the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, D class inshore lifeboat, and the kit room over the Fish and Ships Festival weekend. Book tickets via the RNLI Whitby Facebook Page.
Whitby Lobster Hatchery
Whitby Lobster Hatchery will be hosting a bucket load of activities. Find them next to the Fish Craft Marquee for hands-on activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Browse the stalls and pick up artisanal spirits, sweet treats, and local goods, and visit the various local exhibitor stands. If that wasn't enough, there'll be swingboats, face painting and trampolines to add to the fun! We hope you are as excited to attend as we are.
For further information, visit: Visit North Yorkshire | Whitby Fish & Ships Festival.
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