Things to see, do and shoot in summer/autumn 2026!
Here are some (relatively) local events with things to photograph from 1940s weekends to kite festivals, country fairs, airshows, steam trains, vintage cars, photography exhibitions, horse racing, and more. If you know of anything else to add, please just let us know! Do double-check event dates & times in case of error or cancellation.
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| When? | What? | Where? |
| Ongoing… | ||
| Ongoing | Top spots for autumn in the North East (Forestry England) | Hamsterley Forest, County Durham Holystone Wood, Northumberland Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Chopwell Wood, Gateshead |
| 9 May-19 July 2026 | Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition Arguably the most prestigious wildlife photography exhibition | Sewerby Hall, Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1EA |
| 24 June, 4 July, 23 September 2026 | Deer Park Safaris Guided by a knowledgeable ranger who will assist you in finding the best spots for photography. Watch out for the rut in September. | Raby Castle, Staindrop, Co. Durham DL2 3AH |
| 30 June-1 August 2026 | Photographic Exhibition of Scarborough Focusing entirely on coastal landscapes & community life, the surrounding architecture, & sea views | Woodend Gallery & Studios |
| Now until October | Ripon Races Not just horses but jockeys, vets and fancy racegoers. | |
| March-Sept 2026 (best May-early July) | Bempton Cliffs seabird season ‘Seabird City’ – one of Britain’s largest seabird colonies. | Bridlington YO15 1JF |
| Now until October | Living History events Multiple living history weekends (costumes, re-enactments etc) | Bolton Castle, near Nr Leyburn DL8 4ET |
| Specific dates… | ||
| 4-30 June 2026 | British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition See the winning images from this year’s awards. | Nunnington Hall, near York |
| 6-7 June 2026 | Redcar Kite Festival Spectacular kite displays plus lots of other attractions | Majuba Beach, Redcar TS10 5BJ |
| 7 June 2026 | Thunder Day Static running of the Kitten, SE5, Devon, Jet Provost & Victor, with BBMF Dakota fly-past. | Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU |
| 11-14 June 2026 | Annual Diesel Gala | Various stations, North Yorkshire Moors Railway |
| 13 June 2026 | Knaresborough Bed Race | Knaresborough |
| 14 June 2026 | Yorkshire Modified Car Show From the cool to the certifiably insane | Scampston Hall, Malton |
| 20 June 2026 | Buckden Gala Traditional village gala with fell race, dog show, races, egg-throwing, music, crafts… | Buckden Gala Field, Buckden, near Skipton |
| 21 June 2026 | Cold War Wheels Cars, bikes and buses from the 1960s-80s, against a backdrop of Cold War jets. | Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU |
| 27-28 June | 14th-Century Castle Life See the medieval fortress in full period dress and historic garrison life. | Skipton Castle |
| 28 June 2026 | Classic Car Show 500 vintage and classic cars + deer park + walled garden | Raby Castle, Staindrop, Darlington DL2 3AH |
| 28 June 2026 | Northallerton 1940s Extravaganza & Classic Cars The town centre fills with vintage military vehicles, classic cars and costumed reenactors. | Around Northallerton Town Hall & High St |
| 3-5 July 2026 | Ingleton 1940s Weekend Nostalgic entertainment, stalls, live music | Ingleborough Community Centre, Main Street, Ingleton |
| 4 July 2026 | National Meadows Day Swaledale’s traditional hay meadows will be at their colourful midsummer peak. The self-guided trail is open all day – explore at your own pace. Booking essential. | Hazel Brow Farm, Low Row, Richmond DL11 6NE |
| 4-5 July 2026 | Richard III Festival Step back into the Wars of the Roses: historical reenactors with authentic tents, equipment, and demonstrations. | Middleham Castle |
| 4-5 July 2026 | Duncombe Park Steam & Vintage Rally Steam engines, vintage lorries, motorbikes, fairground. | Duncomb Park, Helmsley |
| 7-13 July 2026 | Photographic Wanderings Around Scarborough Scarborough throughout the seasons, from seafrets to sunrises and snowy winterscapes. | 49 Newborough, Scarborough |
| 8-12 July 2026 | ‘A Nice Day For It’ Candid street photographs by Emma Warley, from day trippers to quiet moments; the humour, rituals and small details that the seaside | The Shakespeare Gallery, Scarborough |
| 12 July 2026 | York Dragon Boat Challenge | River Ouse, York |
| 14-17 July 2026 | Great Yorkshire Show | Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate HG2 8NZ |
| 18-19 July 2026 | Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally | Masham |
| 24-26 July | Whitby Steampunk Weekend A vibrant free festival with a massive retail emporium, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. | Mostly Whitby Pavilion |
| 25-26 July 2026 | Buckingham’s Retinue Showcasing late medieval life: archery contests, combat displays, sword school & medieval dancing. | Skipton Castle |
| 26 July 2026 | Golden Era Motorcycles | Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU |
| 28 July 2026 | Ryedale Show Popular show with a traditional atmosphere + excellent vintage tractors. | Duncomb Park, Helmsley |
| 1-2 August 2026 | Trayned Bandes See a Civil War regiment prepare for battle. | Skipton Castle |
| 8-9 August 2026 | Driffield Steam Fair Vintage agricultural engines, tractors, and steam-powered machinery. | Driffield Showground |
| 8-9 August 2026 | Blackpool Airshow This free event runs from about1pm to 4:30pm, with aerobatics, military jets and stunt planes. The programme is the same both days. | |
| 8-9 August 2026 | Yorkshire Wartime The North’s largest military show, in over 30 acres. See life in WWI; meet our WWII Allied and Axis forces; see them re-enact live battles. | Willows Farm, Kirkhouse Green, Doncaster DN7 5TA |
| 8-16 August 2026 | Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival Hundreds of wacky and wonderful scarecrows, great scenery, tea & cakes. | Kettlewell |
| 14-23 August 2026 | feva festival Knaresborough’s festival of visual arts & entertainment – streets full of performers. | Knaresborough |
| 22-23 August 2026 | Flores De Chevalerie A 13th-century medieval tournament – real competitive combat with historical authenticity. | Skipton Castle |
| 29 August 2026 | Wensleydale Show Malham Show | Leyburn and Skipton, respectively |
| 30 August 2026 | Military Vehicle Show Military hardware, vehicles, displays and demos. | Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU |
| 1 September 2026 | Kilnsey Show Livestock, horse & sheepdog trials, crafts, the famous crag race, harness racing, sheep-shearing, angling, birds of prey, and more. | Between Grassington and Kettlewell |
| 20 September 2026 | Nidderdale Show | Pateley Bridge |
| 24-27 September 2026 | Annual Steam Gala | Various stations, North Yorkshire Moors Railway |
| 10-12 October 2026 | Pickering 1940s Weekend Steam trains, re-enactors and period costume. | Pickering |
| 23 Oct-1 Nov 2026 | Dark Skies Festivals Explore 2 International Dark Sky Reserves in peak stargazing season (the North York Moors is one of only 26 locations in the world to be recognised for pristine, dark skies). | The North York Moors one The Yorkshire Dales one |
| 29 October 2026, 6-8pm | Family Stargazing at High Force Waterfall Interactive stargazing with experienced guides – spot constellations, planets, shooting stars, and deep-sky objects. | High Force |
| 26-27 September 2026 | Masham Sheep Fair | Masham |
| 27 September 2026 | Emergency Services Day An annual display of vehicles, equipment and personnel from across the emergency services. | Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU |
| 28 November and 5 December 2026 | Grassington Christmas Market The village turns into a Victorian setting with period costumes, stalls, street performers, brass bands & Christmas lights switch-on. | Grassington |
| 4-13 December 2026 (TBC) | Harrogate Christmas Fayre Town centre festive market with 40 beautifully decorated chalets + the lights | Harrogate, HG1 1RH |
| 5-6 December (TBC) | Victorian Christmas Market Kelham Island is Sheffield’s cool quarter – it’ll be home to 80 market stalls, fairground rides, brass bands, hog roasts and more. | Kelham Island Museum, Alma St, Sheffield S3 8RY |
| 6 December 2026 | Knaresborough Christmas Market Also a Christmas tree festival at St John’s Church, with over 70 decorated trees | Knaresborough |
| February 2027 (TBC) | York Ice Trail Follow the trail to discover dazzling ice sculptures and possibly also ice-carving demos or masterclasses. | Across York |
| February 2027 | Jorvik Viking Festival Living history encampments, workshops, tours and dramatic combat performances. | Across York, including marches through on the streets |
| 5-7 March 2027 | Photo North Festival While rooted in documentary practice, there’s also creativity, culture and pop culture. | The Carriageworks, Leeds |