In the news again!
Pam's been out and about having a great chat with Duncan Atkins of the Whitby Gazette - his lovely article sums us up nicely. Tap the title to read it.
Latest & Local
Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival is part of a marvellous programme of events in Whitby in winter 2026. It starts with switching on the Christmas lights on 13th November to kick off the festive shopping season, and takes us right up to a plunge into the North Sea on Boxing Day.
Keep an eye on this page and follow us all on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all that's happening at the Hot Chocolate Festival and around town.
Swipe the gallery to see new Hot Chocolate Festival businesses as they come aboard.
Hot Chocolate Festival Blog
The Big Whitby Quiz - in BSL
The Big Whitby Quiz at WHISH on Tuesday 10th November at 7pm is being held in both spoken English and British Sign Language, thanks to BSL Level 3 practitioner Millie. Check out WHISH on the quiz page for more details. (You'll be helping raise funds for WHISH as well - everyone's a winner tonight!)
A Wonderful Whitby Winter
It was great to meet Jaclyn from Psst! Marketing to learn about how people are working together to make winter in Whitby a fantastic experience for residents, businesses and visitors. It's giving the whole town a real boost - and not just for Christmas.
Everything's Coming Up Chocolate
The wonderful Corra Lynn Guest House has a little something extra for the festival: a pop-up café on Saturday 14th November, with hot chocolate, luscious chocolate cakes and brownies (as well as tea and bacon sandwiches). Alongside delicious treats you'll be helping raise funds for a school trip to Ecuador - come and be part of it.
From Bean to Benefit: The Power of Cacao
Discover the benefits of cacao at Whitby’s first Hot Chocolate Festival - click on the title to read the full article.
Winter 2026 Events in Whitby
13TH - 15TH NOVEMBER 2026
Whitby Christmas Festival
It's 13th November and the Christmas lights are on! Kick off your festive season with independent shops, live music, fringe events, fireworks, fun and the famous Whitby Christmas Market.
19TH – 22ND NOVEMBER 2026
Whitby Literature Festival
An absolutely top-class programme of authors, playwrights and poets celebrating the written word in all its forms. You'll feel part of something special as you immerse yourself in days and nights of tiny, intimate literary get-togethers and hall-filling events across the whole town.
19TH & 26th NOV / 3RD & 10TH DEC
Baxtergate Late Night Shopping
Enjoy Whitby after dark! There's more than 40 businesses on Baxtergate and they're invited to stay open until 7pm on four Thursdays leading up to Christmas. Enjoy ticking off your shopping list in town under the Christmas lights, and stay for festive food, drink and entertainment.
5TH & 6TH DECEMBER 2026
Whitby Krampus Run
Who's been naughty and who's been nice this year? Find out at the UK's only Krampus parade - marauding in streets near you and bringing folklore, fire, music, drums, stalls, activities and a fundraising Krampus Ball.
12TH - 13TH DECEMBER 2026
Made in Whitby
Warming and cheering winter festival at Whitby Brewery, in its iconic location next to the Abbey. Stay for a while and soak up the mix of live music, Whitby’s wonderful manufacturers, delicious food & drink and exceptional hospitality.
26th DECEMBER 2026
Boxing Day Dip
Whitby Lions invite you to their 50th year of rounding off your Christmas celebrations by running into the North Sea in fancy dress - all for a good cause!
Competition Winners 2025
We're here to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to all the amazing Whitby businesses who took part in our Festival Competitions in 2025.
It was such a privilege to judge. We were welcomed so warmly everywhere we went, and we’re incredibly grateful for the time, skill, creativity and passion that was shared with us.
We learned so much along the way about the craft of creating hot chocolate, desserts, cocktails, and stouts/porters from people who are real experts and truly care about what they create. We encourage everyone to go and visit our Festival businesses - not just because it’s great to shop local (which it is), but because they are run by people who are genuinely excellent at what they do.
Ok, drum roll..... the winners were.....
