Scarborough Lights
14 November – 21 December 2025
Scarborough Lights
ABOUT SCARBOROUGH LIGHTS
Get ready to be dazzled this winter with a range of free and affordable light displays in Scarborough from Friday 14 November to Sunday 21 December.
Admire the sparkling town centre illuminations including Westborough’s LED light tunnel, the Dino-bouts on Vernon Road and Aquarium Top roundabouts, and take in the shimmering harbour lights with Ships Ahoy!
Don’t miss the drone display at Scarborough Castle from 19 – 23 November, plus Scarborough Histories and Mysteries which are three beautiful installations at St Mary’s Church from Fridays – Sundays, 14 November – 7 December (not 15 November).
Keep an eye out for more details about what’s happening.
© The Scarborough Fair / John Westgarth
Drone Display at Scarborough Castle
19 – 23 November
Enjoy a brand new drone display at Scarborough Castle! Take a journey round Scarborough with Thomasin Farrer and some local schoolchildren as we approach the town’s 400th anniversary as the UK’s first seaside resort. It is also a unique chance to see the Scarborough Castle illuminations up close. There will be fire, light and music performances before the show, plus food and drink stalls to enjoy.
Sprites
29 – 30 November
Something strange is happening at Scarborough Spa and the caretaker just doesn’t know what to do. Water is springing up everywhere – can you help us solve this mystery? From the producers of much loved family show, Grue, SPRiTES is a playful and beautiful immersive experience for families. Featuring a performer and an enchanting new world to explore, families will discover magic in Scarborough’s spa waters this Christmas.
Manhattan Voices & 5 Star Brass
15 November
From classical pieces and soulful ballads to musical theatre, popular songs and uplifting gospel music, the female vocal ensemble’s concerts take audiences on an interactive journey through a diverse range of musical genres.
FREE INSTALLATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS
Peasholm Island Illumination
14 November – 21 December
Enjoy the vibrant illuminations on Peasholm Island for Scarborough Lights.
Quackers Mini-Mini Gold Pop-Up Exhibition
21 December
Join us for a FREE putt around a psychedelic-fantastic UV mini (mini) table-top golf course. This pop-up exhibit features a miniature 9-hole crazy golf course, each hole having a different theme.
Dino-bouts
14 November – 21 December
Watch as the dinosaurs on Vernon Road and Aquarium Top Roundabouts come alive as part of Scarborough Lights.
Charity Christmas Tractor Run in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance
5 December
All sizes of tractors, decorated with festive lights and adornments will travel from Moor Farm at Cloughton to Burniston, New, and Peasholm.
Community String Lights Workshops
15 November – 6 December
Drop-in workshops, aimed at all ages, with a different technique to learn each week. You will also have the opportunity to make small decorations to take home and learn the techniques to make more.
Scarborough Lights LED Light Tunnel
14 November – 21 December
Outside Poundland, you will find a 9m x 5m LED Light Tunnel, completely free for you to enjoy this festive season.
Ships Ahoy!
14 November – 21 December
Come and enjoy the sight of the glittering, gleaming vessels in Scarborough Harbour to brighten up your festive season! A well-loved annual community activity created by the owners of boats of all sizes: fishing vessels, yachts, cruisers and speed boats. Don’t miss the illumination of the Lighthouse as well!
St Mary’s Church Exterior Illumination
14 November – 21 December
Admire the historic church which will be illuminated for Scarborough Lights.
Towering Illumination
14 November – 21 December
Watch the iconic Stephen Joseph Theatre Tower light up with 1400 LEDs. Witness the movement and patterns of hundreds of LEDs light up the 14m window of the iconic 1936 cinema tower. Connect a smartphone to listen to music along with the display.
Scarborough Castle Keep Exterior Illumination
14 November – 21 December
Scarborough Castle’s keep will be illuminated specially for Scarborough Lights 2025. Viewable from across the town every evening of the festival.
Scarborough Histories & Mysteries
14 November – 14 December
Combining drawing, photography, and digital technology, the cinematic projections celebrate both Scarborough’s heritage and the architecture of this much-loved landmark.
Creating a Coastal Town
12 November
A fun activity where participants will create and decorate a wooden cottage or boat from suitable material, which will then make up part of the Scarborough Lights installation at Gallery Thirty Three celebrating Scarborough Heritage.
Take a look back at Lights 2024…
REFLECTIONS
Scarborough Lights 2024 began with Reflections, a stunning collection of light installations set in the historic St Mary’s Church. Featuring works by Adrian Riley, Animated Objects, and Astro Dog, this mesmerising display combined glowing dedications, meditative art inspired by medieval traditions, and a cosmic journey through astrophotography and projection. Each piece offered a unique perspective on light, history, and the stars, creating an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
FREE INSTALLATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS
SCARBOROUGH LIVE ADVENT CALENDAR
From 1 – 24 December windows across streets and neighbourhoods in Scarborough were illuminated with festive creations. In true advent style fashion, a different street will be “opened” each evening at 4pm.
ST MARY’S CHURCH ILLUMINATION
Throughout Scarborough Lights, St Mary’s historic church exterior was illuminated. The church is situated at the top of Castle Road and has an amazing view of Scarborough South Bay.
AQUARIUM OF LIGHT INSTALLATION
Between 5 – 14 December, The Aquarium of Light transformed the bandstand at the beautiful Sun Court at the Scarborough Spa into a community light installation with themes from the sea.
