Plan Your Week in Scarborough: Puffins, Goth Fest & Sci-Fi Takeovers

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Hey Scarborough! The seabirds are back, the goths are gathering, and the Spa is about to be full of Daleks - it must be one of the most exciting weeks of the year! From spotting puffins at Flamborough Head to dancing under the disco ball at the Vampire Victorium Ball, there's something a little magical in the air.

If you're craving a coastal adventure, we've got the perfect day trip guide for puffin season. Just an hour south, Flamborough's chalk cliffs are teeming with life, and the views are worth the drive alone.

In town and across to Whitby, the event lineup is packed: Sci-Fi Scarborough, Whitby Goth Weekend, a tribute to Women in Rock, and even a Goth at the Brewery party. Plus, craft fairs, quizzes, music, markets, and rollerskating - you name it, it's happening.

Check out all the listings below and make the most of this jam-packed week of fun, feathers and fabulous style. 🎸🖤🐦

💷 Scarborough residents invited to help steer £20m neighbourhood fund
Volunteers are wanted to help decide how government funding should be used to benefit the town. More

🦇 Whitby Goth Fest returns with markets, music and masquerade
Dark souls and 80s classics collide in a packed four-day schedule running April 24-28 across Whitby venues. More

🛸 Sci-Fi Scarborough lands for 11th year with stars, sets and cosplay
From Daleks to Doctor Who alumni, the fan-run convention takes over the Spa on April 26-27. More

⚽ Whitby Town seal safety with gritty Easter Monday win
A single goal from ex-Spartan Mitch Curry clinched a fourth straight win and secured Whitby's place in the NPL Premier. More

🏛️ Town councils coming to Scarborough and Harrogate in May
For the first time, voters in Scarborough will elect councillors to a new town-level body with local powers. More

📣 Petition mounts pressure on council over Scarborough Athletic pitch
With over 2,400 signatures, fans are demanding urgent action to fix the club’s home turf before next season. More

🚂 Diesel delight returns to the Moors this June
Get ready to hear the roar of legends like Alycidon and Rodney at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Diesel Gala, June 12-15. More

💛 Yorkshire Air Ambulance pays tribute to Scarborough’s million-pound fundraiser.
Jean Dixon, who raised nearly £1 million for the charity, is remembered for her tireless support over two decades. More

🥫 Rainbow Centre food bank stretched thin amid rising need
As costs soar and donations drop, the Scarborough centre now spends £2,000 a month to keep shelves stocked. More

Spot Yorkshire's Most Charming Seabirds - Just Down the Coast! 🐧

If you're looking for a day out that's both breathtaking and a bit different, now's the perfect time to visit Flamborough Head - puffin season is in full swing! These little seabirds, with their colourful bills and clumsy landings, are nesting on the cliffs right now, and they're an absolute joy to watch.

The best part? It's all just under an hour's drive from Scarborough. Head south on the A165 towards Bridlington, then follow signs for Flamborough. Both RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Flamborough Cliffs Reserve are clearly marked, with parking on site. You can even make it a full circular day trip via Filey for a scenic return.

We've put together a proper local's guide to puffin spotting - covering where to go, when to visit, how to get close (without a boat!), and what to pack. There's even a sneak peek at this summer's Yorkshire Puffin Festival.

Whether you're a nature lover, family on a wildlife hunt, or just fancy a wander with a view, this one's for you.

👉 [Read the full guide to Flamborough's puffins here]

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Below is a full list of events. If you need more information or a direct link to the event/venue, visit our events page

Fri, 25th Apr

All Day 🦇 Whitby Goth Weekend - Various Venues, Whitby
Annual goth and alternative culture festival (25-27 Apr).

08:00 🎸 Revenant - Royal Hotel, Whitby
Alternative music event during Whitby Goth Weekend.

09:00 🚭 Smokefree 2025? - The Rainbow Centre, Scarborough
Free stop smoking support and advice.

10:00 🐣 Easter Adventure Quest - Whitby Abbey, Whitby
Family quest with clues and chocolate rewards. Daily until April 27.

10:00 🛍️ Spring Goth Festival - Rifle Club, Whitby
Free entry alternative market with gothic and indie traders.

14:00 🗣️ Residents' Meeting: Campervan Ban - Scarborough Town Hall
Public meeting on overnight camping ETRO impacts.

18:00 🤠 Line Dancing - Alexandra Centre, Scarborough
Beginner-friendly class. £6 per session.

18:30 🛼 Social Skate - Scarborough YMCA
Ages 14+. £6.50 entry. BYO skates.

19:00 🎳 Bob's Juniors - Alexandra Centre, Scarborough
Bowls coaching for ages 7-12. Bar open for caregivers.

19:30 🎭 Love Joan - Village Hall, High Street, Scarborough
New play by Shari Gledhill.

19:30 🌍 Solidarity Special - Railway Mens Club, Scarborough
Wonderful World, Wonderful People night.

19:30 🎤 Women in Rock - Spa Theatre, Scarborough
Tribute to iconic female rock stars.

20:00 🕶️ Jay Sinful's Shadow Factory - Crafty Cove, Whitby
Live music night at The Cove.

20:00 💃 Northern Soul Night - 5 Pickering Road, West Ayton
Classic Northern Soul session.

20:30 🎙️ Open Mic Night - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
All talents welcome. Hosted by Mally Jackson.

21:00 🍀 Kings O’Blarney - McGinty’s Irish Pub, Scarborough
Energetic live Irish music night.

Sat, 26th Apr

10:00 📸 Calling All Goths - YHA Whitby
Free gothic photoshoot with Guisborough Photo Group.

10:00 ✂️ Appliqué Workshop - 32 St Nicholas Street, Scarborough
Learn appliqué techniques to upcycle old clothes.

10:00 🧶 Wet Felting Workshop - 83 Stonegate, Hunmanby
Hands-on felting session at Feather Felts.

10:00 🛍️ Made in Filey Craft Fair - Evron Centre, Filey
Local artisan market featuring handmade goods.

10:15 🥾 GYBO Walk: Filey to Scarborough - Filey Station
10-mile linear walk along the Cleveland Way.

10:30 📚 Genealogy Workshop - Pannett Park, Whitby
Explore local history and Whitby’s suffragists.

10:30 🥬 Kimchi Workshop - Whitby Healing & Spiritual Retreat
Make your own kimchi. £20 entry. Proceeds to charity.

11:00 👾 Sci-Fi Scarborough - Scarborough Spa
Weekend event with cosplay, gaming, panels, and more.

11:00 🎶 Market Concert - Market Hall, Scarborough
Staxton Singers perform live in the Market Hall.

11:00 🛸 Sci-Fi Convention - Scarborough Spa
Cosplay, guests, panels, games, and more.

11:30 🧘 Yogalates - Alexandra Centre, Scarborough
Fusion of yoga and Pilates for body and mind.

12:00 🍕 Embers by the Sea - North Bay Adventure Golf, Scarborough
Wood-fired pizza with beachside atmosphere.

12:30 📷 Natural Light Portraits - Whitby Harbour
Halloween-themed outdoor photo session.

14:00 🍻 Goth at the Brewery - Whitby Brewery
Live performances from Rhombus and Senex IV.

14:30 🃏 Magic Chaos Draft - Roll It, Scarborough
MTG chaos draft. £22 entry. Limited to 12 players.

15:00 🦇 Baby Bats Ball - Whitby Pavilion
Goth and darkwave DJ event for ages 13+.

17:30 🤓 Geek Pub Quiz - Farrer's Bar, Scarborough
Four rounds of trivia with prizes at Sci-Fi Scarborough.

18:00 🎲 Lost Caverns Draft - Spike's Hideout, Scarborough
Throwback MTG draft. £21 entry. Max 8 players.

18:00 🧛 Ward XVI Live - Royal Hotel, Whitby
Live gothic performance for Whitby Goth Weekend.

19:30 🦇 Dark Souls Club Night - Whitby Rowing Club
Goth/punk/EBM DJ fundraiser for the S.O.P.H.I.E. Foundation.

19:30 💃 Boogie Nights - Scarborough Market Hall
70s disco tribute show with food, drinks, and DJ.

19:30 🧛 Vampire Victorium Ball - Whitby Pavilion
Gothic masquerade with Inkubus Sukkubus and DJs.

20:00 🛸 SFS Afterparty Mk II - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
Sci-Fi Scarborough’s official space disco afterparty.

20:00 🎉 Sam's 50th Birthday - The Belle Vue, Filey
Birthday bash for Sam - open invite.

21:00 🎧 DJ Matty Blinkstar - Scarborough Flyer
Saturday night party with high-energy DJ set.

21:00 🎶 Live 80s Hits - The Albert, Scarborough
Classic 80s music all night long.Sun, 27th Apr

Sun, 27th Apr

09:00 🏋️ Together We Lift - Compass Health and Fitness, Scarborough
Non-competitive strength event supporting Scarborough Survivors.

10:00 🐴 Spring Dressage Series - Brigg View Farm
Dressage classes with rosettes to 6th place. £9.50 per class.

10:30 🌳 Tree of Life Journey - Goathland, Yorkshire
Embodied movement and shamanic practice workshop.

11:00 👾 Sci-Fi Scarborough - Scarborough Spa
Day 2 of the weekend celebration of sci-fi, cosplay, gaming, and more.

12:00 🔔 Shamanic Sound Bath - Scarborough Market Vaults
Healing sound journey using sacred instruments and spirit song.

13:00 ⚽ Pickles Celebrity Football - Scarborough Sports Village
Charity match with TV personalities supporting Ickle Pickles.

15:00 🎺 Hammonds Brass Band - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Afternoon concert by one of the UK’s top brass ensembles.

19:00 🧠 Let’s Get Quizzical - The Turks Head, Scarborough
Weekly pub quiz with prizes and supper. £2 entry.

19:00 🎲 Quiz, Bingo & Chase the Ace - 3 Eastborough, Scarborough
New Sunday night quiz with bingo and Chase the Ace. Free supper included.

20:00 🎸 Cover of Dark - Crafty Cove, Whitby
Live goth rock gig for Whitby weekend.

21:00 🕶️ Chaos Bleak - The Whitby Way, Whitby
Free entry finale to Goth Weekend with dark alternative music.

21:00 🎤 NikNaks Karaoke - 2 Castle Road, Scarborough
Weekend karaoke session hosted by DJ Nik. All welcome.

Future Events

Below is a SELECTION of future events. A more detailed list can be found on our events page

Fri, 25th Apr, 19:30 🎸 Women In Rock 📍 Scarborough Spa Theatre, Scarborough
Live tribute to rock’s greatest female icons. More

Thu, 15th May, 19:00 😂 Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny 📍 Bridlington Spa Centre, Bridlington
Sharp stand-up from the comedy legend. More

Fri, 6th Jun - Sun, 8th Jun 📚 Books by the Beach 2025 📍 Various venues, Scarborough
Talks and events with bestselling authors by the sea. More

Sat, 7th Jun, 17:00 🚂 Race the Train 📍 North Bay Railway, Scarborough
Volunteers are needed for this event, which benefits children with cancer. The organisers are seeking event day helpers, as well as craftsmen/women to help with event prep. More

Fri, 18th Jul - Sun, 20th Jul 🎵 Staxtonbury Music Festival 📍 Staxton
Family-friendly festival with live bands, camping, and activities. More

Sat, 2nd Aug, 12:00 🎪 Burniston Rocks 📍 Burniston & Cloughton Village Hall, Burniston
Family festival with music, food, and fun. More

Sun, 24th Aug, 18:00 🎬 Will Smith 📍 Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough
Live stage show from the global star. More

Fri, 26th Sep, All Day 🎷 Scarborough Jazz Festival 📍 Scarborough Spa, Scarborough
Weekend of jazz performances at the Scarborough Spa. More

Readers' Choice: Most Visited Links from the Last Issue

1. Day Out in Scarborough

2. Scarborough Athletic thrown into crisis as pitch collapse threatens club's future

3. 200+ Yorkshire artists open their studios to the public this summer

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