Events on the Yorkshire Coast This May

May is the perfect time to visit the Yorkshire Coast in 2024, with some of the biggest local festivals and events taking place this month across Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington.

Here's just a few of the top things not to miss this May, whether you are staying early or late in the month.

Yorkshire Game & Country Fair | 18th & 19th May

Based at the beautiful Scampston Hall, Yorkshire Game and Country Fair is a huge annual event perfect for visitors to experience all the best things the Yorkshire countryside has to offer. From sports to food to animal displays, the line-up for 2024’s fair is brimming with things to do.

There’s plenty of opportunities to dive into countryside activities such as axe throwing, archery and tractor pulling, and lots of shows and displays to watch including a Vulture Show and Classic Car Display. Visit the Scampston Hall website to book tickets.

Horses at the Fair

Whitby Fish & Ships Festival | 18th & 19th May

The annual Whitby Fish & Ships Festival is a fun celebration of the town’s rich fishing heritage. The 2024 festival will have plenty of activities and things to see and do for all visitors to the town, such as street performances, live music from local artists and bands, cooking demonstrations and much more.

Many of Whitby’s local businesses will be offering their own services as part of the festival, with Whitby Brewery hosting live music, and local museums including the Captain Cook Museum and Whitby Museum offering a craft workshop in the festival’s ‘Museum Marquee’. The Fish & Ships Festival promises a lively and fun day out for all the family.

Fish & Ships Festival

Race the Waves | 11th & 12th May

Watch vintage motorbikes and cars race along Bridlington’s sandy beach in this popular motoring event. Race the Waves is growing in popularly each year and this year is expected to have hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles taking part. Watch the sandy drag races along the 200 yard course on the South Beach throughout the weekend. Admission is free for all spectators.

Race the Waves at Bridlington

Bridlington Kite Festival | 18th & 19th May

The 2024 Kite Fesitval takes place over Sewerby Fields with aerial displays of colourful kites of all types expected. Some of the world’s biggest inflatable kites will be on show – from huge snakes to brightly-coloured dragons and exotic animals.

The Bridlington Kite Festival takes place every year and is always a popular family event, with fairground rides for the kids and plenty of food and drink stalls available. Entry to the event is free for all – simply turn up and enjoy the displays.

Kites at Bridlington Kite Festival

Malton Food Lovers Festival | 25th - 27th May

The ‘Food Fest of the North’ will be back over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the end of May, taking place in Malton, known as the Food Capital of Yorkshire. Visit the town’s market square over the weekend to experience this nationally renowned food festival, with street food, talks, celebrity chefs, bars and live music among much more.

The festival is a celebration of all things Yorkshire-made and produced, with some of the finest locally sourced food and drink available to try and buy.

Malton Food Lovers Festival

Big Ideas by the Sea | 17th - 31st May

Big Ideas by the Sea started in 2021 as a new festival for Scarborough, and this year it will run for two weeks in May. Perfect for families with kids up to 11 years old, the festival is a free event with lots of opportunities to get involved.

Big Ideas brings lots of leading speakers, thinkers and creatives from all fields including arts and science to the sea to talk about ideas that concern us all. Stop by their ‘Big Stories Tent’ in the Filey Library or Scarborough Castle to listen to lots of fun children’s storytellers.

Big Ideas by the Sea in Scarborough

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