Whitby Fish and Ships Festival 17th and 18th May 2025
We love the fact that Whitby hosts lots of local events throughout the year, and one our favourites is the Fish and Ships Festival!
This annual event takes place on 17th and 18th May in 2025.
And what’s more, it’s FREE to enter!
The event takes place along New Quay Road, Whitby, postcode YO21 1DH.
Fish and Ships Weekend
Whitby Fish and Ships Weekend includes fun activities, cookery demonstrations, live music, street entertainment and more.
Food demos will have a focus on local seafood.
There is the special Fish Craft Marquee, which is host to crab and lobster preparation and fish filleting.
Also, there is a chance to meet local fishermen and cooking demos from local chefs.
Local food and drink will be a ‘quay’ feature too during this foodie extravaganza!
Stalls will be dotted along Endeavour Wharf and the Fish Quay and the Lobster Hatchery is also worth a visit.
Keeping the Kids Entertained!
For the children, there will be craft workshops, pirate themed walkabouts and more.
Other features include trampolining, face painting, balloon making and interactive games.
Adding to the unique Whitby atmosphere will be street entertainment, including sea shanties, themed walkabouts and live theatre performances.
If you love music, then head to the Music Marquee, where local bands and singers will perform in celebration of Whitby’s maritime heritage.
Whitby’s Maritime Heritage
Whitby’s connections to the sea are numerous, from its links with Captain Cook to past industries such as whaling.
There are the town’s connections to famous Arctic explorers. and of course our local fishing families who bring in the catch.
The weekend also features tours around the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Captain Cook Museum, Whitby Harbour and Quayside Fish and Chips restaurant.
Other ways to enjoy the weekend include visiting Whitby’s famous fish and chip restaurants and cafes.
There’s nothing tastier!
Explore the host of local shops selling beautiful maritime-themed gifts, so you can take home a souvenir or two.
Whitby is very proud of its seafaring connections and its harbour is still a busy place today.
One of the many attractions of our lovely town is the swing bridge which allows larger vessels to enter the harbour.
A Walk Around Whitby
We love a walk along Whitby’s harbour pier which has a pincer-like shape to help protect ships within their walls.
Walks along the piers can be bracing and should only be attempted if it’s safe to do so.
You can explore one of the town’s towering lighthouses (selected times)
Other landmarks include Whitby Bandstand, the Whalebone Arch and of course the town is famous for its connection to Scrimshaw Art.
Whitby Abbey and the Whitby Heritage Sculpture Trail all of which can be reached on foot.
As Whitby residents, we’ve always had an interest in the town’s maritime past, and you can read our guide to Whitby shipwrecks and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution here:.
If you haven’t done so already, why not book one of our rooms here at the Riviera Guesthouse so you can enjoy this festival to the max?
Or if you decide to visit for the day, take a look at our guide to parking here.
