Arrival of the Autumn Equinox
As summer’s glow fades, Yorkshire tilts gently into balance. The autumn equinox arrives on Monday, a turning point where day and night stand equal before the darker half of the year begins. It’s a time our ancestors marked with feasts and fires, and here in Yorkshire the season still shows itself in crisp mornings, ripe orchards, and golden light across the moors.
This week, we’ve gathered walks, fairs, and autumnal events to help you step into the new season, whether that’s apple picking under heritage trees, browsing a makers’ market, or simply spotting deer as the rut begins.
What's On This Week:
19th to 25th September
North Yorkshire
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, Newby Hall - Fri 19th -Sun 21st Sep - The UK’s premier autumn gardening show in the stately grounds of Newby Hall: show gardens, demos, and mountains of seasonal colour.
Filey Kite Festival, Filey Brigg Country Park - Sat 20th - Sun 21st Sep - Huge kites, coastal breezes, and family-friendly fun on the headland. Free and very photogenic.
Harrogate Makers Market - Sat 20th Sep - Browse a vibrant selection of handmade crafts, food, and gifts from Yorkshire’s independent makers.
Deer Walks at Studley Royal - Sat 20th Sep - Join a guided walk to spot the majestic fallow, red and sika deer that roam freely through this historic parkland.
Apple Picking at Ampleforth Abbey - Sat 20th Sep - Pick your own fruit in Ampleforth Abbey’s 200-year-old orchard, home to 1,500 apple trees and over 60 varieties. A rare seasonal treat in a stunning setting.
Yorkshire Coast 1779 Festival, Filey Seafront – Sat 20th –Sun 21st Sep (plus Tue 23rd) - Heritage pop-ups and seafront activity marking the Battle of Flamborough Head.
East Yorkshire
Rhythms & Reflections, Spurn Lighthouse - Sun 21st Sep - An evocative art installation filling the iconic lighthouse with sound and light inspired by the coastal landscape.
Waves After Work, Bridlington North Beach - Wed 24th Sep - Calling all brave-hearted dippers! Celebrate the end of the working day with a refreshing sea swim and community spirit.
South Yorkshire
Step into History Walks: Parkland Monuments, Wentworth Castle Gardens - Fri 19th Sep - Discover the hidden stories behind the statues and monuments scattered across this historic estate.
Volunteer Work Day: Hedge Laying, Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve - Sat 20th Sep - Get hands-on with traditional countryside skills while helping to care for this important wildlife reserve.
Folk Balladry Workshop, Sheffield - Sun 21st Sep - Join Jennifer Reid and the Sheffield Feminist Archive for a workshop celebrating folk song traditions at the autumn equinox.
Nether Edge Festival (final weekend), Sheffield – until Sun 21st Sep - Neighbourhood festival with walks, music, talks and more.
West Yorkshire
Otley Folk Festival – Fri 19th–Sun 21st Sep - A weekend of sessions and concerts across town, with artists including Seth Lakeman and more.
Paws at the Pit, National Coal Mining Museum - Sat 20th Sep - Bring your four-legged friends for a day celebrating dogs, with stalls, activities, and plenty of wagging tails in a unique museum setting.
Real Markets at The Piece Hall, Halifax - Sun 21st Sep - The courtyard fills with independent food producers, makers, and artisans — a lively day of shopping and local flavour.
Tea and Talk with the Curator: Fashionable Bumps, Lotherton Hall - Tue 23rd Sep - A fascinating curator-led talk exploring maternity dress and fashion history through the ages.
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A Yorkshire Harvest 🍎🍂
Yorkshire Autumn Harvest
September is peak time for the fruits of the hedgerow. The brambles are heavy with blackberries, and this year’s apple crop has been making the news across Yorkshire. Grab a basket, head out on a local walk, and pick a few for yourself. Whether it’s a handful of berries from the lane or apples gathered from a community orchard, it’s one of the simplest ways to taste the season, and to mark the autumn equinox with a little harvest of your own.
Final Brew
That’s all for this week. If you have an event or activity you’d like me to share, drop me an email or connect on Instagram or Bluesky.
Off on a Yorkshire adventure this weekend? Tag us in your photos using #YorkshireUnscrolled and let’s showcase the wonderful people, places, and quirks of this grand county!
Until next week, enjoy the weekend and keep Yorkshire Unscrolled!