Exmoor Dark Skies Festival
Join us to celebrate and explore the wonders of Exmoor after dark...
Friday 16th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
We're back with in 2026 with our biggest ever programme as we celebrate the 10th edition of the popular Exmoor Dark Skies Festival.
Be sure to book early as many events sell out most years.
You can get a little glimpse of the festival in this news clip from the 2025 festival shown on BBC Breakfast
Join us to celebrate and explore the wonders of Exmoor after dark... Our 10th Dark Skies Festival features our biggest and broadest programme of events ever with 70+ to choose from. Just a few highlights include:
UV Rock pooling; Moonlit pool dips; E-bike night rides; Planetarium sessions; Nocturnal wildlife-themed crafting; Astronomy sessions; Bioluminescence walks; Opportunities to explore Exmoor’s heritage at night, and; The Wonders of our Universe - a multimedia production at the Regal Theatre, Minehead.
With adventures beneath some of the darkest skies in the country, the festival offers something for all ages and levels of experience all over the National Park and are run by both the Exmoor National Park Authority and many other businesses and organisations.
Book your accommodation ahead and stay with a Dark Sky Friendly Business.
Keep up to date with all things dark on Exmoor - sign up for our Exmoor Dark Skies e-news.
Potential partners wishing to host events as part of the 2027 festival should contact ruralenterpise@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
Interested in sponsoring one of Exmoor's best known events? Full details here.
Please check with each event organiser for their own terms. Changes or cancellations to ENPA events (including due to extremely bad weather) will be posted on this page and registered attendees will be emailed too. We will also list changes to other organisation's events if we are made aware, but do check with the event organiser too. Most events will go ahead even if the skies are not clear. Exmoor National Park Authority can offer refunds for their own events (please check listings) if a minimum of 48 hours notice is given - please email ruralenterprise@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
For general enquires about the 2026 festival and getting involved contact ruralenterprise@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.
For booking enquires relating to Exmoor National Park Authority hosted events (please see listings) contact our Exmoor National Park Centre at Lynmouth on 01598 752509 (open 10am-5pm, 7 days a week).
For press enquiries contact our media team.
“The Exmoor Dark Skies Festival is quickly becoming one of the UK's top astronomy events, which is not surprising considering Exmoor National Park was Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve.”
BBC Sky at Night