A series of events is being planned to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Scarborough becoming a spa town which has seen the seaside resort become one of the nation’s favourite destinations over the centuries.
Celebrations are being organised throughout this year with a programme of events including exhibitions, cultural and arts showcases, family entertainment and community trails.
An artist will also be commissioned to create a sculpture which will become a permanent feature near to Scarborough Spa.
The programme of events which is being coordinated by ourselves and local organisations aims to honour the town’s rich past while shining a spotlight on Scarborough as a must-visit destination now and into the future.
Executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “There is a varied programme of events that is being planned which will mark this significant milestone in Scarborough’s history.
“Our communities along the coast will be able to take part and enjoy all that is on offer at what has become one of Britain’s most cherished seaside resorts over the past four centuries.”
Tourism in Scarborough generates nearly £580 million each year and contributes to North Yorkshire’s visitor economy which is worth more than £4 billion annually. Businesses in Scarborough and along the coast are being encouraged to host their own events as part of the year’s celebrations.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include the visitor economy, said: “This is a moment to celebrate Scarborough’s long and rich history, and we would encourage businesses to get involved to help us mark the anniversary.
“This is a chance for communities to celebrate the town and mark such an important moment, as well as encouraging visitors to come and see what makes Scarborough such a special place.”
Among the highlights that are planned will be the new sculpture which is due to be installed close to Scarborough Spa. Details of the artist who will be commissioned to create the work are due to be announced in the coming weeks, and the sculpture is due to be unveiled in the middle of July.
Scarborough Art Gallery will be staging an exhibition, called Dive In, from September 26 to celebrate the town’s evolution over the past 400 years. It will chart the town’s history over the past four centuries since the discovery of Scarborough’s spa waters while exploring the town’s long relationship with healing, leisure and the sea.
Visit North Yorkshire, our destination management and marketing organisation, is planning to host a giant deckchair trail across Scarborough during the summer school holidays.
A Scarborough-based arts organisation, Animated Objects, which specialises in performances using giant artworks, illuminations and puppets, is organising a year-long series of events working with the council and supported by Arts Council England.
Among the events is an illuminated art installation in Peasholm Park in November which will focus on key figures throughout the history of Scarborough. These include Thomasin Farrer who discovered mineral springs beneath the cliffs in the South Bay in 1626 that was the catalyst for it emerging as a prominent spa town.
A community lantern parade will also be staged in November with a theme to look forward to the next 400 years.
The artistic director of Animated Objects, Lee Threadgold, has worked in theatre and performance with young people and community groups for the past 25 years across the UK, Europe and South America.
Lee said: “It is a privilege to be involved in the celebrations, especially to be given the chance to work alongside local communities to celebrate the history of Scarborough while looking to the town’s future too.
“We will be drawing on our experience in theatre and performance to make sure that we create a series of memorable events to mark this landmark occasion for Scarborough.”
The town’s annual Seafest weekend will be held between July 17 and 19 and this year will be staged at Scarborough Spa rather than its usual venue of the West Pier.
The Scarborough Fair, which has seen festivals including Scarborough Lights, Scarborough Art, Scarborough Fringe, Scarborough Streets and Scarborough Extreme staged since its launch in 2023, will incorporate events into the anniversary programme.
Alongside the celebrations to mark Scarborough’s 400th anniversary, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the town’s usual attractions and events.
These include the Scarborough Food and Drink festival whichwill feature more than 60 stalls selling cuisine on 11 and 12 April at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre. The Open Air Theatre’s programme of concerts for this year features leading musical artists including Paul Weller, The Kooks, Tom Jones, Scissor Sisters and The Streets.
Scarborough’s annual Armed Forces Day, which is one of the biggest events of its kind nationally, will be held on 27 June. The popular Moonlight on the Lake event will be staged in Peasholm Park on 23 and 24 October.
The chair of the council’s Scarborough and Whitby area committee, Cllr Liz Colling, said: “Scarborough has developed over the past 400 years into a very special place for so many people who have visited and taken holidays in the town. But Scarborough is equally loved by the people who actually live here, and this year is an opportunity to celebrate all that makes the town such a great place to live, work and visit.”
People are being urged to keep a check on the Visit North Yorkshire website, where event details are due to be published.
Businesses wishing to take part in Scarborough 400 celebrations can find more details online.