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You are here > Home > Inspire Me > Short Break Ideas > Dark Skies > Events

Events

The North Pennines and Durham Dales has some of the darkest skies in the country, making the area ideal for stargazing. Throughout the year, especially during the darker autumn and winter seasons you'll find a stellar line-up of stargazing events and activities to enjoy. 

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  1. A group of people doing the dark skies run.  Photo by Molly Jones

    Add Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Newbiggin

    ​​​​​​Discover the freedom of trail running at night, in the company of experienced runners, as we follow the route of the High Force and Bowlees Geotrail.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  2. North American Nebula, photograph by Andy Gray

    Add Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

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    Stargazing Events

    Carlisle

    ​​​​​​Come along for an exciting dark skies event in Croglin Village Hall, on the western edge of the North Pennines on Cumbria’s eastern fellside, Thursday 30 October, 7pm to 10pm.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  3. Paper lanterns decorated with Autumn leaves

    Add Lantern making and night-time mine trip - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Lantern making and night-time mine trip - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Nenthead

    Celebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines and join us for a free mine trip like no other at Nenthead Mines, near Alston.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025Open 16:00 - 20:00
    More info for Lantern making and night-time mine trip - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  4. A child looking through the telescope at Grassholme Observatory

    Add Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, the team at Grassholme Observatory have laid on this exclusive family event to educate on all things spacey.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 19:30
    More info for Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  5. A woman and boy sitting at a table eating pie, chips and peas

    Add Pies and Skies - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Pies and Skies - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Nenthead

    ​​​​​​Join Richard Darn at the Hive for this mash-up event on Saturday 1 November, 7pm to 10pm, combining a pie and peas supper and a fascinating talk on dark skies in the North Pennines – and why you should love them.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Pies and Skies - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  6. Close up of Jupiter

    Add Jupiter The Giant Planet - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Jupiter The Giant Planet - Grassholme Observatory

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    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    On these dark starry nights, we are treated to a planetary delight as this celestial heavyweight lines up for our telescopes.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    23 Jan 2026to24 Jan 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Jupiter The Giant Planet - Grassholme Observatory
  7. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    A festive evening of magical stargazing and delicious three course meal.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025to13 Dec 2025Open 20:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025Open 20:30 -
    More info for Festive Stargazing Suppers at High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  8. Aurora Borealis over Grassholme

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Jan 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    4 Feb 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    22 Feb 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
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