Whitby Fish & Ships Festival: When is it, what’s on and do I need to book tickets?
After a fabulous return in 2022 the Whitby Fish & Ships Festival is back on May 20 and 21 this year.
Celebrating all things Whitby, it shines a light on the food, music and heritage of this iconic corner of Yorkshire.
This year’s festival takes place on Dock End and Endeavour Wharf, and has marvellous must-see moments.
Live cooking
Visit the Seafood Kitchen Marquee over the weekend for mouth-watering inspiration from top chefs. This year’s line-up includes 2022 MasterChef winner Eddie Scott, who will be bringing some Eastern flavour, Simon Crannage from Yorkshire’s luxury hotel Grantley Hall, and firm local favourites including Paul Gildroy from The Magpie Café, Phil Akrill from Raithwaite Hall and Andrew Nightingale from Hawsker’s Hare & Hounds. There will be a special focus on seafood, making this foodie heaven on a plate.
Magical music
If you work at sea or live by the coast, then it can only mean one thing – sea shanties! Flash Jack, The Keelers and The Doomfolk are headlining the show, backed up by local groups, school choirs and musicians in the Endeavour Wharf Music Tent, the Whitby bandstand, The Endeavour Experience and at Whitby Library. The live music is on all day Saturday, 10am to 10pm and on Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm.
Learn from the masters
Talented craftspeople will be manning the Fish Craft Tent, where onlookers can learn about pot making, net mending and crab and lobster dressing. Andrew Hodgson, the master filleter, will be showcasing his skills, while chef Paul Gildroy will be cooking up a storm as he shows off his culinary skills.
This is your chance to learn about the fishing industry, the associated crafts, and the links with Whitby and the East Coast which go back for centuries.
First look at lobsters
Whitby’s lobster hatchery is offering guided tours around its new visitor centre on Pier Road. See first-hand how this vital industry works in Whitby and how it’s improving sustainability. Tours will be available both days.
Fun for all the family
There’s a real festival flavour throughout the town over the weekend. There will be plenty of stalls to let you take home some lovely local produce, children’s trampolines, face-painting and balloon-modelling, as well as roving acts ready to entertain you. Keep an eye out for Flotsam and Jetsam and those Fisher Lassies.
And while visitors are in town, they can take time to explore this picturesque fishing town to discover more of its culture, like the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, the Pannett Art Gallery, with its drop in creative workshops and enjoy the special photographic exhibition and treasure hunt around Whitby Museum.
More to explore
On the Saturday only, Parkol Marine, a Whitby ship builder, will be offering guided tours of the shipyard.
Pop along to the RNLI station where they will be having their own open day from 10am to 4pm on both days.
Through the town a trio of plays, ‘A Whitby Trilogy’, will be performed by Dogwood Productions, which looks at our relationship with the sea.
Down at the library on Saturday, kids will love the drawing workshops from Liz Million, poetry workshops, music, Lego and jigsaws! Find them next to the train station.
And on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th evenings there will be electronic music at Flowergate Hall, with Wavelengths on Thursday and Docking Station on Friday, brought to you by Flash Company Arts.
Whitby Abbey will be hosting live performances of ‘A Whitby Trilogy’, and are offering free entry to anyone living in the YO21 and YO22 postcodes (proof of address required).
Round off a marvellous visit with a meal at Quayside Fish & Chips, who will be supporting the Whitby RNLI through a variety of fundraising initiatives.
Need more inspiration?
Check out the 2021 virtual festival on YouTube, then make plans for your 2023 in person visit to Whitby.
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