Hundreds of goths gather in Whitby for 32nd annual festival
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 10:51 · Archive
Whitby's biannual Goth Weekend celebrates its 32nd anniversary this weekend, drawing hundreds of participants.
Whitby's Goth Weekend is celebrating its 32nd anniversary this weekend, drawing hundreds of participants from across the world to the North Yorkshire seaside town. The biannual event began in 1994 when Jo Hampshire placed an advert in NME magazine inviting goths to meet in Whitby around Halloween. It has since grown into one of the world's most famous gothic events.
Whitby holds particular significance for gothic culture because author Bram Stoker visited the town in 1890 and drew inspiration from its dramatic landscape for his 1897 novel 'Dracula'. Stoker stayed at 6 Royal Crescent and was inspired by the town's ruined monasteries and graveyards. In the novel, Stoker's vampire character appears as a black dog and runs up the 199 Whitby steps towards the Abbey's ruins.
The festival runs from 30 October to 1 November and attracts thousands of people to the historic streets, where attendees display gothic costumes and celebrate the culture.
How it is being reported
- Halloween photo bonanza as spooky fans flock to Whitby Goth weekend 2026Work clothes off - ghostly attire on!TeessideLive · 31 Oct, 10:17
- Hundreds of goths expected in North Yorkshire town this weekendHundreds of Goths are expected to flock to Whitby as the town's Goth weekend celebrates its 32nd anniversary this weekend.Darlington & Stockton Times · 29 Oct, 13:36
In this story: Whitby · Jo Hampshire · Bram Stoker · North Yorkshire
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