Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival logo 2026

Join us to celebrate and explore the wonders of Exmoor after dark...

Friday 16th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.

Thanks to the thousands of people that participated in our 2025 festival, sponsored by BMW Vertu. Bridgwater. If you missed it you can get a little glimpse via this piece from BBC Breakfast.

Full details of our tenth Dark Skies Festival in 2026 to follow. Further information regarding advertising opportunities available here

  • Dark skies festival

    View All Events

    Online event listings with full details and booking links, displayed in date order to follow.
    2026 events to be added later ›

  • Festival Programme

    Download a PDF of the festival programme - hard copies available at local outlets also.
    2026 programme to follow ›

  • Children's Dark Skies Competition Winner

    Congratulations to Ellie W from Minehead who was the overall winner of our Dark Skies Protector Competition.
    Ellie created 'Felix' - a creature that lives in an old hollow tree on North Hill. He has big wings that enable him to fly around Exmoor and uses his highly sensitive nose to sense light and switch off all the streetlights.

Events are spread all over the National Park and are run by 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 2026 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 2025 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.

Astro party at Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

“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