The Gothic Gathering

27/05/2026

This report has been produced as an independent review of the public feedback gathered across the two spring Gothic weekends in Whitby.

It isn’t about choosing sides or comparing organisers. The aim was simply to look at the responses honestly, understand what visitors valued, where challenges emerged, and what people would like to see going forward.

One of the clearest findings was that the weekends bring significant visitors into the town, with many people spending much of their time supporting cafés, pubs, restaurants, shops and accommodation. The report highlights an opportunity for stronger collaboration between organisers, traders, local businesses and the wider community to help support the long-term future of Whitby’s Gothic visitor economy.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ISPbAsnBE5gn-5-V-j1sUChS3cZE7wp/view?usp=sharing

22/05/2026

We are so proud of the community we’re building and can’t wait to celebrate everything Gothic with you again! Happy World Goth Day! 🦇🖤

Head over to our website www.thegothicgathering.com to grab your First Bite Full Weekend ticket - access to every single event of ours in Whitby April 2027, all for a limited steal of £55! Three days, one ticket, and more events than ever to celebrate all things Gothic 🖤

The Gothic Gathering Spring 2027

08/05/2026

This will give some interesting insights into what you, the people, want from Whitby and it's Goth/Gothic Gatherings going forwards - please take a moment to complete it - we look forward to seeing the results!

The response to our recent post discussing the split festival weekends has been completely overwhelming in the absolute best way possible! 🖤

We genuinely love reading all your different perspectives on how the two dates impacted your experience in town. To help us gather all of this incredible feedback properly we have put together a quick and easy survey. 📝

Whether you are a local business owner a dedicated festival veteran or a first time visitor your voice is incredibly important to the conversation. If you have a few spare minutes today please click the link below and share your honest thoughts with us. 👇

https://forms.gle/D2qgHi66yZCN22SX7

03/05/2026

Oh dear Whitby what's with all this rain?

Never fear though though Witchmarkets is here at Whitby Pavilion.

2 floors of Alternative, Gothic and Witchy traders in a fabulous location overlooking the sea, right on the cliff edge.

There's a cafė onsite to get hot food, drinks and snacks.

Spend a few hours, meeting the lovely traders, artists and authors, enjoy a Tarot reading, massage or join in some drumming.

It's all free, and dog-friendly too.

Plus The Gothic Gathering 's very own studio photographer The Artistic Lens - Photography by Paul Armstrong has his studio set up to take your stunning portraits.

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02/05/2026

Whitby!

If you missed us last weekend, don't worry we still have our Alternative Market as part of the Witchmarkets
2 floors of Witchy, Alternative and Gothic traders at Whitby Pavilion all weekend.

Our Studio photographer is also on hand to capture your attire! 😍
The Artistic Lens - Photography by Paul Armstrong

29/04/2026

If you missed out on The Gothic Gathering at Whitby Pavilion Spring 2026 and are coming to Whitby this weekend - join us in the Downstairs Exhibition Hall for the Alternative Market - Friday to Sunday and the Witchmarkets in the upstairs hall Saturday and Sunday

Featuring many of our usual traders including
Rocknroll Su***de
Moonsea Divination
Scarlet in Chains
Melanies Cakes
Forever in Black
Art of Nix
Goth Up Shop
All Seeing Arts & Crafts
Rumtoyou
and more

Plus bring and buy from Silvers
Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary

50+ traders over 2 floors!

28/04/2026

Here's a clue for the Whitby Gathering Town Trail - we are extending the closing date to Sunday 3rd May!

Go and find the rest!

27/04/2026

Here is your official invitation to
SAVE THE DATE!

Just a reminder - some people do come to Whitby to wear costumes and 'dress up', others prefer to use the term outfit as it may be an extension of their day-to-day Goth, and for many it's just their normal clothes.

The Gothic Gathering is for anyone who loves the gothic aesthetic - not just for Goths, so let's just live and let live, and enjoy the events, wherever you are on the Gothometer!

26/04/2026

Well Whitby that's it! We did it!
We won't pretend it's been easy - but we made the best of a complicated situation.
Thank you to everyone who trusted us with their Whitby Gothic fix this spring.

The incredibly talented bunch of creatives in The Alternative Market - thank you so much, you mean the world to us. (Or as Jem said ychcitcicrvjybiuvuv 😅 )

To the staff at Whitby Pavilion you are a bunch of superstars and we love you!

The awesome light and sound techs from Esk (.live) who always bring the very best show to ths fanrastic stage.

The bands Luxury Stranger and The Nosferatu and DJs Ghost and Kev - epic both nights 🖤🖤

Anne Sudworth for an inspiring talk - the book 'the Ghosts who sit on imaginary thrones' is absolutely beautiful.

Paul S. Rowlston and Rosie Fiore for the talks and workshops.

To Boo for telling us all about Byrons raging bones (autocorrected, but will leave it to your imagination!)

Those who bought art at our auction, those who supported The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, those who came and gamed.

And then you lot, our guests who brought your finery, from the subtleties of experimental eyeliner, to full on gothic glamour - we see you, we appreciate you, and we are so very grateful.

Our photographer The Artistic Lens - Photography by Paul Armstrong who captured your aesthetic, our best dressed judges Twilight Couture and Vlad Dracul III - Dracula.

It has been epic, we are exhausted but happy.

There's still time to take part in our Town Trail - watch this space for the fantastic treasure trove of goodies you could win!

And for those who will be in Whitby next weekend - many of our traders will be part of Witchmarkets at Whitby Pavilion.

Congratulations to our winners from last night! With their stunning Twilight Couture crowns!