Whitby Gothic Weekend is held twice a year – in April and October – and attracts visitors from around the globe to what has become since its inception in 1994 the foremost convention of Goths in the calendar.
Whitby is the ideal spot for this event – it’s got long associations with Dracula and its inhabitants are tolerant of people with different tastes in clothing from the mainstream. It’s also a great tourist resort with lots of things to see and do for both Goths and non-Goths.
WGW was started primarily to enable the founder, Jo Hampshire, to meet up with like-minded pen-pals and so put faces to names. The first weekend, centred on the Elsinore public house, was a huge success and the event rapidly expanded into a range of activities – live music, a “Bizarre Bazaar”, picnics, photoshoots, a football match – and much more.
This October a number of bands have already been confirmed including Wayne Hussey (from The Mission), Manuskript (with special guests), The Stripper Project (featuring Neil Ash & Kyle Whipp from Children on Stun), and The Last Cry, with more to come.
Most of the major events will be held in the Spa Pavilion, but there are many smaller happenings and fringe events held in pubs, clubs and restaurants throughout Whitby. The Elsinore, where it all started in 1994, will again be very much involved.
Tickets are £39.50 for the weekend and can be purchased through the WGW website.
If you haven’t already booked accommodation in Whitby for this event then get in quick! Accommodation gets booked up well in advance. Check out the superb selection of Whitby hotels here on Hello Yorkshire. There are also holiday cottages in Whitby for anyone looking to stay a little longer, as well as some great guest houses and inns offering bed and breakfast in Whitby centre.