A BUMPER programme of festivals and events has been revealed for the North Yorkshire coast this year.

Stand-out events for 2020 include a new festival in Whitby inspired by the great storytellers past and present who have fallen under the town’s spell.

In May Whitby will welcome the return of the seafaring celebration that is the Fish and Ships Festival which enjoyed a successful debut in 2019.

While fans of the dark side will be pleased that Whitby's famous Goth Festival returns at the end of October, following the first Whitby Literature Festival on October 10 to 11.

Further down the coastline, Scarborough will be hosting the national Armed Forces Day event for the first time on June 27 and the Open Air Theatre will welcome big names including Little Mix, Lionel Richie, and Westlife.

And the action starts on February 21 with the Scarborough Coastival; a town-takeover of live music and street art.

The Northern Echo:

Janet Deacon, of Scarborough Borough Council and area director for Welcome To Yorkshire, said: “The Yorkshire Coast is a place where Little Mix can comfortably rub shoulders with fishermen singing sea shanties, where fresh fish goes straight from ship to table, and where we proudly celebrate those who have been protecting our country for generations.

"And in 2020, we want to invite visitors from the four corners of the globe to join us for an eclectic array of events and festivals."

She added: "Most of our events are organised by people who breathe the sea air every single day, so they truly capture the essence of what the Yorkshire Coast is all about.”

Festivals attract thousands of people all year round to the North Yorkshire coast and there are planned events running right through to December.

The Northern Echo:

Scarborough Councillor Liz Colling said: “We are very fortunate here on the Yorkshire Coast as over 80 per cent of our businesses are small, rural and run by enterprising individuals, so even the largest festival in the region might have local roots, driven by our regional heroes, and full of unique character and heartfelt passion.

“It makes these festivals really special, giving visitors a truly memorable experience; and also means that these events are some of the friendliest you’ll ever find, designed to bring people together.”