Twice a year, in late April and around Halloween, the Whitby Goth Weekend turns the harbour town into a parade of velvet capes, top hats, fake fangs, and Victorian mourning dress. The festival started in 1994 around the Dracula connection and has since grown to dominate the spring and autumn shoulder season.
There are paying concerts, alternative markets, and a steampunk fringe, but plenty of locals simply turn out to wander the streets with the visitors. Wherever you eat or drink during the weekend, expect a queue — and book accommodation months in advance.