Frequently Asked Questions
Useful to know when visiting Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival
How do I get to Whitby?
However you are travelling into Whitby, there's information and advice on Visit Whitby.
Where can I stay in Whitby?
There is a wealth of beautiful accommodation available to suit all tastes and needs when you visit Whitby and there are too many wonderful holiday agencies and independent businesses to recommend! A good starting point is the North Yorkshire Council website, but there are numerous others to enjoy browsing.
Where can I park?
Parking can be tricky but there are plenty of options - see a good list at Visit Whitby. The Park & Ride is a really affordable and convenient way to get into town.
What else is there to do in Whitby?
It's always the best time to visit Whitby! There are lots of things to do in Whitby all year round, so you can combine a visit to the Hot Chocolate Festival with all sorts of interests. The North Yorkshire Council page is a good starting point for finding out What's On in town and about great places to visit in the Whitby area.
The Whitby Christmas Festival, including the famous Whitby Christmas Market, is running during the first weekend of the Hot Chocolate Festival on the 14th, 15th and 16th November: a perfect opportunity for a festive day out in Whitby.
Will there be any changes ?
New businesses are joining all the time, so the map and events listings will be updated as they come aboard. Please keep checking to see if anything new has been added.
As with all events there may be last-minute changes or cancellations, so do check this website and our Facebook page before setting out. You can also contact venues directly using the details on the festival map and event listings.
What does it cost to attend the Festival?
Two of the events are completely free to attend (with a voluntary donation to Whitby Defibrillator Project): the Chocolate Therapies Showcase on Sunday 16th November and the Family Fun Chocolate Event on Saturday 22nd November. The cinema and all the other businesses involved will be charging their usual prices for their products and services - you can find contact details for each business on the Festival Map and Event Listings.
Are all the venues accessible?
Each venue has its own arrangements for accessibility - please see the Festival Map for details of each location. Scooters and wheelchairs may be hired from Whitby DAG.
I'm a business - how do I get involved?
There are two ways:
1) Donate £40 to Whitby Defibrillator Project and your details will help visitors create a shopping trail on the Festival Map
2) Offer an Event during Festival fortnight (14th - 28th November 2025)
We'd be delighted to hear from you via our Contact Page.
Who is responsible for the events and businesses?
The Festival website provides listings of Whitby businesses and their events but does not take responsibility for the products or services provided. Each business is solely responsible for its own accessibility arrangements, Health & Safety and insurance compliance and dietary provision, and Festival organisers have no responsibility for claims made on participating premises.
For queries regarding opening hours, events, menus, activities, or other details, please contact the individual businesses directly.
All information on this website, and on our Facebook and Instagram pages, has been supplied by the businesses themselves. All information is correct at the time of publication - keep an eye on the website and our Facebook page for any updates.
Can I help Whitby Defibrillator Project further?
If you would like to be involved with the Project, or would like to be a defibrillator Guardian, please contact Bob Bennett on wdpwhitby@gmail.com
How can I join in the CPR & defibrillator training?
Free CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) & defibrillator training is taking place at three event locations (Whitby Pavilion Cinema, Whitby YHA and Eighteen91 on the dates shown on the Event Listings). This lasts about 20 minutes and is suitable for all ages. If you can't make it to an event, you can try some online training with the British Heart Foundation and in just 15 minutes feel confident to deal with a cardiac arrest.
Got a question not covered here? Contact the Festival organisers using our Contact Form.