If you're looking for main character energy, look no further than the night sky. The Exmoor Dark Skies Festival is officially back from 16 October to 1 November, and it’s hitting its 10th anniversary in 2026. Taking place across the villages surrounding Exmoor National Park, this festival is lowkey the ultimate vibe for anyone who wants to ditch the city lights and actually see some stars.
What’s the hype about?
Exmoor was officially named a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Astronomical Union back in 2011. The whole point of this status is to cut down on light pollution so we can actually enjoy the night sky as it was meant to be seen. Festival organiser Julie Colman notes that the park is so dark, you can see constellations that are usually invisible, saying, “It enables the dark to be really dark with none of the pollution impacting.”
There are about 80 different events happening, including moonlit swimming, planetarium shows, and even bioluminescence walks. Real talk: it’s not just about space nerds; it’s about that wellness, nature-connection lifestyle too.
A win for local business
The festival started back in 2017 with a pretty smart strategy: help out local businesses when the main tourism season dies down. It’s absolutely working. Antony Brunt, manager of the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, said the event has become so popular that they have regulars booking trips twice a year just for the stargazing. Many events have already sold out, so it’s clearly a W for the region’s economy.
Why it matters
In a world where we’re constantly glued to our screens, the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival reminds us that nature is the ultimate escape. By fighting light pollution and creating space for us to look up, it’s proving that protecting our environment is a total game-changer for our well-being.
