Scarborough Lights
This winter, head to Scarborough and experience a brand-new event, Scarborough Lights.
Scarborough Lights is the first event in The Scarborough Fair programme and will see the whole town sparkle and shine from 15 November through to 23 December, with many free light displays and incredible light art installations to enjoy.
A brand-new winter lights trail will see Peasholm Park illuminated like never before. Book your tickets for this enchanting trail through the park which leads you past unique and beautiful light artworks. Artists locally and from across the UK and Europe, including Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and Slovakia, have been involved in creating this incredible trail with many displaying their art in the UK for the very first time. The trail runs between 15 November to 22 December.
There are many other magical light displays to visit across Scarborough. Why not stay for the weekend and enjoy exploring the lights around town?
Ships Ahoy! at Scarborough Harbour will see the fishing vessels, yachts and lighthouse lit up; a beautiful sight as you look out across the South Bay in Scarborough.
In the town centre, admire the Christmas lights bringing some festive cheer to the darker nights, and don’t miss the dazzling LED light tunnel on Westborough – perfect for a family photo!
Through December, the Live Advent Calendar will run across the residential streets of Scarborough. Hundreds of residents will be involved in lighting up their streets day by day, creating a moving celebration of advent. A great event that will bring the communities of Scarborough together at Christmas, plus don’t miss your chance to win a festive hamper in our lantern competition!
Across Scarborough, illuminations will sparkle and light up some of Scarborough most loved places to visit. From 4pm through till 10pm each day between 15 November – 23 December, explore Scarborough and the beautiful illuminations at St Mary’s Church, Scarborough Town Hall, Rotunda Museum, Scarborough Spa and Scarborough Castle.
Drift-Lit at Scarborough Train Station has been extended from 13 – 23 December between 5pm-7pm. The exhibition by local artist Paul Elsam showcases sculptures made from Yorkshire driftwood that has been dried, cleaned and restored and dramatically lit to create beautiful light installations. You can also enjoy sketching sessions with artist Wendy Tate MA – details to follow.
Presented with support from Transpennine Express.
Grue by ARCADE at Scarborough Library is a fascinating part of Scarborough Lights. Built by Scarborough’s community and made entirely of recycled and repurposed materials, Grue is back for 2023! The fantastical world has been created from positive energy and discarded paper; a wandering cardboard labyrinth of rooms to explore and wonders to discover. However, much like our world, Grue became cluttered and clogged with rubbish. When you visit, we invite you to collaborate with each other, seeing the impact we can have on the environment we live in – both in and outside of Grue.
Running until Saturday 6 January 2024, Signs of the Times is a new and fascinating town centre trail of illuminated text artworks celebrating some of Scarborough’s uncelebrated or forgotten places, which is inspired by the stories of local people, and visually prompted by Scarborough’s heritage of illuminated signs.
The trail was commissioned by Scarborough Town Centre Team and funded by Yorkshire Coast BID. Arcade Arts, a Scarborough-based community producing company is delivering the event having engaged Adrian Riley, a local artist and designer, to create each sign and interpretation.
Glitzy signage styles, reminiscent of Scarborough’s seafront of the past, will form the trail – each artwork having a link to the personal stories of the town residents. The accompanying web pages, accessed via QR-tags, will provide more information about each sign, the stories that inspired it and what else can be found within a few short steps.
