Snow Blast Set to Slam Scarborough

Hey Scarborough! Here's what's happening this week 👋

Before we get into this week’s headlines, a quick Christmas note. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a chance to slow down, switch off, and enjoy a few good moments with family and friends.

There will be no edition next Thursday, but we’ll be back in your inbox on Sunday with all the usual local news, events, and things worth knowing about around Scarborough.

In the meantime, we will post some news updates to Facebook. If you haven’t followed our page yet, you can do so here.

OK, here we go.

If it feels like winter has suddenly decided to make a point, you are not imagining it. Forecasts this week are pointing to snow pushing down from the north, putting the Yorkshire coast firmly in the firing line. It is the kind of weather that turns every errand into a discussion and every parking decision into a gamble.

Speaking of parking, the overnight campervan ban continues to cause ripples. Instead of solving the problem, it has simply moved it. Vans are now turning up on residential streets, and complaints are piling up. Councillors are openly admitting the policy has had unintended consequences, which is polite language for "this has not gone as planned".

Money is also very much on the agenda. Scarborough Town Council has been warned it could soon be responsible for a £53,000 annual bill just to keep the Christmas lights switched on. Officially, it is a council cost, but everyone knows how this works in the end. Festive cheer, it turns out, comes with a serious price tag.

There is some big ambition in the mix, too. Scarborough is lining up a bid for UK Town of Culture status, with a £3.5 million prize and a summer of events potentially up for grabs. It is a bold move and one that could shape the town for years.

There is plenty more happening as well, from live music to family events and festive outings. Scroll on and check out the full lineup below.

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📅 Plan Ahead - Book Now

Sat May 16 | 19:30 | Nigel Kennedy| Scarborough Spa

Sun May 24 | 19:00 | The Drifters| Scarborough Spa

Thu Jun 18 | 18:00 | The Kooks| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sat Jun 20 | 18:00 | Skunk Anansie & Garbage| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sun Jun 21 | 18:00 | Anastacia w. Heather Small| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

📰 Scarborough Life

🥶 North Yorkshire firmly in the firing line. Forecasts show snow spreading from the Scottish Highlands to the Yorkshire coast, with North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire all listed among the areas likely to be hit as the cold snap digs in.

🅿️ Ban backfires as vans flood side streets. Thousands of complaints later, councillors admit the overnight campervan ban has had "unintended consequences." Instead of Marine Drive, vans moved outside homes, bringing noise, waste worries, and fresh tension across quieter neighbourhoods.

🎄 £53,000 bill looms for Scarborough Christmas lights. Scarborough Town Council has been told it may soon be footing a £53,000 annual bill for festive lights after North Yorkshire Council signalled it will stop paying from next year.

🎭 Scarborough eyes Town of Culture status and £3.5m prize. Scarborough is lining up a serious cultural pitch with expert help, aiming to land a new UK Town of Culture title that would unlock millions for arts, events, and a summer-long cultural programme.

⚠️ Strike criticised as flu pressures mount. The MP says she supports medical staff but calls the timing of the doctors’ strike irresponsible, as hospitals face heavy winter demand and seasonal illness puts extra strain on already stretched services.

🚂 Scarborough land train idea gathers steam. Councillors have thrown enthusiastic support behind plans for a land train linking the town centre, seafront, and both bays, pitching it as a fun, practical way to move people around during busy tourist seasons.

💎 The Splurge: Worth Every Penny? With prices over £800 a night, is this luxury local escape for you? Grantley Hall boasts lavish interiors and the renowned Three Graces Spa. Find out more here.

🏥 75-bed care home planned for Scarborough. A major new care home could replace the former Scarborough RUFC site, with 75 bedrooms planned - including 24 dementia rooms - plus lifts, gardens, and community spaces designed around accessibility and long-term care needs.

🌊 From New York skyline to North Yorkshire sidelines. Ben Foden says the pull of coaching, family life, and a clear pathway in English rugby convinced him to leave America, where progress felt limited, for a fresh start building something meaningful in Scarborough.

🐟 Staithes Beck flows freely again. A former ford blocking fish migration has been removed and replaced with a stone multi-arched crossing, allowing sea trout and brown trout to move upstream while keeping safe access for vehicles and caravan park guests.

🚒 Scarborough Fire Station set for major rebuild. Scarborough Fire Station has been flagged as a top priority for redevelopment under a new fire service plan, as North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue looks to modernise ageing buildings and strengthen response along the busy coast.

🎬 North Bay Playhouse returns to the big screen. Scarborough’s cliff-top cinema has been reborn after years of near misses, bringing blockbuster films, classics, and indie favourites back to North Bay - plus live comedy, music, and one-off events in a much-loved historic space.

🍺 Councillors back exterior changes at Cask & Keg. Scarborough councillors have given their backing to planned exterior tweaks at the Cask & Keg on Cambridge Terrace, clearing the way for updates to a long-empty building in the town’s conservation area.

🍸 Whitby's Gin Story Uncorked Just for You. Visit this award-winning distillery to find out how gin is made, from local ingredients to perfection. Join a tour and tasting that reveals the care: Join a Tour and Tasting That Reveals the Care.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🏛️ Public access concerns raised ahead of Burniston gas rig decision. North Yorkshire Council asked to relocate the meeting so residents can attend.

💆 Escape to Helmsley’s Feversham Arms. Pure Yorkshire indulgence awaits you with top treatments, an outdoor pool, and a fireside bar. Discover Your Escape.

⛺ Wild camping rules under review in Scarborough & Whitby. This could lead to a Public Space Protection giving council powers to move people on and issue fines.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.

Mon, 22nd Dec

10:30 🎭 Wonky Donkey Children's Show - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
11:00 🎄 Christmas Community Day - Filey Evron Centre, Filey
13:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
13:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
13:30 🎭 Wonky Donkey Children's Show - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
18:00 🎄 Christmas Sing-a-Long - Rack n Roll Sports Bar, Scarborough
18:30 🧘 Kundalini Yoga - Unit 9 Manor Rd Bus. Park, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tue, 23rd Dec

11:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
11:00 🎅 Santa workshop - The Cask Inn, Scarborough
13:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
15:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
15:00 🎄 Christmas Special - Family Games Night - Scarborough Flyer
17:00 🎬 Christmas movie night - Poachers Barn, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Modern jive Lessons - Roscoe Rooms, Scarborough

Wed, 24th Dec

10:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
11:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
11:00 🚂 The Polar Express - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
13:30 🚂 The Polar Express - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
14:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
14:00 🎩 Magic Mike's Christmas Special - Scarborough Spa
15:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
17:00 🎶 Xmas Eve with Martin Stone - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
19:00 ❓ Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
20:00 🎷 Scarborough Jazz - The Spa Pub, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Craft Bar, Scarborough

Thu, 25th Dec

12:00 🍽️ Christmas Day Lunch - Grand Hotel, Scarborough
20:00 📱 Smartphone Quiz - Station Inn Whitby
20:00 🎶 Alastair James Live - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough

Fri, 26th Dec

13:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
13:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
15:00 🎄 Luminate - Boxing Day Bonanza! - The Cask & Keg, Scarborough
16:00 🎶 Rnb/Hip Hop Party - Brew + Bao, Scarborough
17:00 ❓ The Big Boxing Day Pub Quiz - Station Inn Whitby
18:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
18:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Sat, 27th Dec

12:30 🏃 Filey 5k Run - Filey Beach
13:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
13:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
13:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
18:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 👻 Tour: Dark Tales - To The Grand Hotel, Scarborough
21:00 🎧 Live DJ Set - Scarborough Flyer, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music - Charlie Swainston - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
21:00 🎸 Slam Punk Night: XMAS SPECIAL! - Bacchus, Scarborough

Sun, 28th Dec

13:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
13:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
15:00 🎭 Sleeping Beauty - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast - Scarborough Spa
19:00 🎶 Sunday Sessions - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Jack Robertson: Live - Rack n Roll Sports Bar, Scarborough

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