Every year goths from all over the world gather in Whitby to celebrate gothic culture, music and fashion at Whitby Goth Weekend. Here you can learn more about it and how you can attend in 2023.
Whitby Goth Weekend is an alternative music event founded in 1994 by Jo Hampshire. Top Mum Productions is the company responsible for organising the event and is staffed by friends and family.
When is Whitby Goth Weekend 2023?
28th – 30th April 2023 & 27th – 29th October 2023
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What is Whitby Goth Weekend?
The original event resulted from around forty pen pals meeting at the Elsinore Pub in Whitby. The Little Angel is still a central meeting point during the Whitby Goth Weekend. Since then, Whitby Goth Weekend has become the world’s premier goth festival, attracting thousands to the town each spring and autumn.
Famous bands such as The Damned and artists including Toyah have graced the festival’s stages over the years. Fields of Nephilim and The Sisters of Mercy have become more recent favourites. It’s estimated that the event brings north of a million pounds into the town each year, filling more than 10,000 beds-nights. Learn more about why Goths love Whitby.
When is Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival 2023?
28th – 30th April 2023 & 27th – 29th October 2023
What is Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival?
In 2018 there was a breakdown in the relationship between Whitby Goth Weekend and the Whitby Pavilion operators. This meant that the Whitby Goth Weekend could no longer book the Spa venue for the October festival.
A new promotor was found, and with it came a whole new event, causing much confusion for both locals and the goth community who travel to Whitby. Absinthe Promotions were appointed to run the live music events at the Whitby Pavilion venue, and the new festival, Tomorrow’s Ghosts, was born.
Bizarre Bazaar alternative market
The Bizarre Bazaar is one of the highlights of the Whitby Goth Weekend. It is one of the UK’s most well-established and longest-running alternative markets and has long supported the Whitby Goth Weekend.
Expect to find many unusual trinkets, gifts and rarities from makers and suppliers from the world of alternative merch. In addition, there are gothic hats, dark art and a sea of curiosities just waiting to be explored. Make a trip to the Bizarre Bazaar on your visit to Whitby Goth Weekend. The Bizarre Bazaar extends to more than 100 stalls and is hosted across six venues.
Fringe events around Whitby Goth Weekend
Whitby Goth Weekend hosts many fabulous fringe events during the long weekend of celebrations. Beyond the main stages are club nights, group meet-ups and a host of unofficial goth events at venues across the town.
Let us know if you enjoy visiting Whitby Goth Weekend! Feel free to comment or share your photo’s with us on our Facebook page.
Main image credit: Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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The Whitby Goth Weekend is no longer held in the Spa. The management company Sheffield International Venues have refused to honour their contract with Topmum Promotions and another has been given a contract, it is however NOT WGW.
Hi there.
We are an alternative VooDoo Rock and Roll band called Mystery Action.
How do we get considered to play at WGW ?
We feel that we would fit the bill perfectly.
Our videos both live and studio produced are available to watch on Facebook, YouTube and our own website.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Kindest Regards.
Frankee AKA
“The Memphis Creep”
Hi Andy. You can contact the organisers of WGW directly. You will find a link in the article above. They will be able to point you in the right direction.