Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage

Staithes Festival has established itself as one of the friendliest festivals on the coast – a must-see event in the regional arts calendar.

This year it's 15-17 September 2023.

During the weekend the doors of cottages in the village are thrown open as pop-up art galleries in a unique selling exhibition. 

The heritage of Staithes is celebrated through a programme of walks, talks, historic photographs, film shows, and a demonstration of how to make a lobster pot!

North York Moors, Scarborough Borough Council and Welcome to Yorkshire
Music

Glenn Kilpatrick www.whitby-photography.com

Friday 

We present wonderful and (mostly) free music, so do ask you to be generous with donations for our bands and buskers.

Dancing in the Street with Dire Staithes

Staithes’ own rock band launch the ninth Arts and Heritage Festival. Expect a high-octane concert of classic rock and blues including the Beatles, Stones, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Peter Green.

6.30pm-7.30pm, outside Staithes Gallery, High Street   £donations

Saturday

Fylingdales Folk Choir

For the first time, this in-demand 30-strong choir are welcomed to the Festival. Their wide repertoire includes gospel, contemporary folk, self-penned and traditional songs from Britain and beyond, all in glorious 4-part harmony.

1.30pm-2pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Zak Parlby Quartet

A delightful Saturday afternoon concert of jazz from the talented Staithes-born Zak Parlby, and his fellow Leeds Conservatoire students. Henry Skinner on guitar, Dan Sanderson on bass and Rory Hubery on drums.

2.05pm-2.45pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Nick Rooke & Paul Blackburn

Rousing original music from Nick Rooke’s huge repertoire and traditional Irish folk. Expect a spirited performance.

2.50pm-3.35pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Fylingdales Folk Choir

3.40pm-4pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Nick Rooke & Paul Blackburn

Rousing original music from Nick Rooke’s huge repertoire and traditional Irish folk. Expect a spirited performance.

6pm-6.45pm, outside Staithes Gallery, High Street £donations. 

John Hegley’s Biscuit of Destiny Show  SOLD OUT

Hilarious comedy from the performance poet and musician, star of radio TV and school assemblies, bringing his latest show to Staithes featuring new verses, old favourites and a cardboard camel with a moving jaw.

‘Just because he is one of the funniest men alive does not underestimate his dedicated gentleness’ Adrian Mitchell, New Statesman

‘Awesomely mundane’ The Independent

7pm-9pm, Upstairs at St Peter’s, Tickets £16 

Sunday

Jessica Lawson & Phil Simpson

Americana, folk and country covers, big choruses and original tracks from this beautifully harmonious duo and their myriad instruments - autoharp, guitar, mandolin and melodeon

3pm-3.45pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Swing 42

Michael Nagasaka and gypsy jazz guitarist Lewis Kilvington perform popular blues and jazz classics, guaranteed feelgood foot-tapping and singing along.

3.55pm-4.40pm, RNLI station, £donations 

Men of Staithes Choir 

Closing our festival for 2023 are the ever-popular Men of Staithes Choir, singing traditional hymns and sea shanties steeped in history.

4.55pm-5.30pm, RNLI station, then a procession to the high street…in the old way  £donations


Buskers - get into the mood with our talented buskers at various locations and various times throughout the village, including a ten-piece ukulele band.