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You are here > Home > What's On > North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025

North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025

Various Locations
County Durham

Tel: +44 01388 528801

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outer space galaxy
  • outer space galaxy
  • starry sky reflecting in Raby Castle lake during the night
  • Dark skies event at Killhope
  • Grassholme Observatory with milky way in the night sky above
  • people enjoying outdoor activities at star camp
  • Bowlees Visitor Centre at night time with illuminated windows and starry night sky

About

The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2025 – running for a week between Friday 24 October and Sunday 2 November.

Events are being organised by the North Pennines National Landscape Team and a variety of other organisations and businesses.

The North Pennines is the darkest mainland National Landscape and is one of the darkest areas in the country. The festival has been running since 2017 to make it easy for people to celebrate the area’s dark night skies and to discover the area’s nocturnal wildlife.

Please visit the North Pennines Stargazing Festival website for more information.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Booking required for some events.

TripAdvisor

Opening Times

2025 (22 Oct 2025 - 2 Nov 2025)

Map & Directions

Map Link

Highlights...

Saturday, 25th October 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

The Moon © Graham RelfMoon Trail at Bowlees Visitor Centre - North Pennines Stargazing Festival​​​​​​Our self-guided trail this half term holiday is a Moon-themed treasure trail, all part of the North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025.
more info

Wednesday, 29th October 2025 - Thursday, 30th October 2025

A starry sky over High Force Waterfall.  Photo by Gary LinternFamily Stargazing at High Force - North Pennines Stargazing FestivalDiscover the Magic of the Night Sky — Together.
more info

Saturday, 1st November 2025 - Saturday, 1st November 2025

A child looking through the telescope at Grassholme ObservatoryFamily Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory - North Pennines Stargazing FestivalDue to popular demand, the team at Grassholme Observatory have laid on this exclusive family event to educate on all things spacey.
more info

Wednesday, 29th October 2025 - Wednesday, 29th October 2025

Friday, 31st October 2025 - Friday, 31st October 2025

Saturday, 1st November 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

 Star trails at Grassholme Observatory.Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing FestivalHave you ever looked up at the night-time sky and wondered why you can’t see anything other than stars? There are four chances to book onto this event during the North Pennines Stargazing Festival: Wednesday 29 and Friday 31 October; and Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November – all 8pm to 11pm.
more info

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Thursday, 30th October 2025

North American Nebula, photograph by Andy GrayWhy Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Stargazing Festival​​​​​​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.
more info

Saturday, 1st November 2025 - Saturday, 1st November 2025

A woman and boy sitting at a table eating pie, chips and peasPies and Skies - North Pennines Stargazing Festival​​​​​​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.
more info

Thursday, 30th October 2025 - Thursday, 30th October 2025

Paper lanterns decorated with Autumn leavesLantern making and night-time mine trip - North Pennines Stargazing FestivalCelebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines and join us for a free mine trip like no other at Nenthead Mines, near Alston.
more info

Wednesday, 29th October 2025 - Wednesday, 29th October 2025

Friday, 31st October 2025 - Friday, 31st October 2025

Saturday, 1st November 2025 - Sunday, 2nd November 2025

Wednesday, 5th November 2025 - Wednesday, 5th November 2025

Friday, 7th November 2025 - Sunday, 9th November 2025

Friday, 28th November 2025 - Sunday, 30th November 2025

Friday, 5th December 2025 - Sunday, 7th December 2025

The Milky Way GalaxyAstronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory​​​​​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.
more info

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