two women gazing at the night sky

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Embrace the Dark Side

Discover our Dark Skies Festival free events to learn more about our night skies.

We kicked off our 2024-25 Dark Skies Festival on Thursday 10th October in Southrepps. This festival will feature a series of free events running throughout the winter and early spring, giving you the perfect chance to experience Norfolk’s amazing Dark Skies while learning more about why they are so important.

Our Norfolk Coast is one of the UK’s top destinations for stargazing, home to four official Dark Sky Reserves. These specially protected areas are free from light pollution, offering clear views of distant planets and constellations from light years away.

Not only are our Dark Skies incredibly special for stargazers and astrologers, but they are also vital to the health of our nocturnal wildlife. You can learn more at our ‘Wildlife of the North Norfolk Coast: A Journey Through Dark Skies and Changing Seasons’ event led by local author and naturalist, David North, on Monday 27 January.

As well as brushing up on your local wildlife knowledge, our Dark Skies Festival gives you the opportunity to learn more about the wonders of astronomy and stars with enchanting, guided tours of the night sky. On Friday 22 November, astronomer Mark Thompson will explain the workings of the sky, the nature of stars, and point out constellations and other celestial objects of interest at Blakeney Village Hall, sign up for tickets while they are still available.

To see more Dark Skies Festival events, check out our Eventbrite page. Invite your family and friends and get to know our Norfolk Coast night skies better than ever before!