When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing better than indulging in a winter treat – whether that’s a steaming mug of hot chocolate or a cosy pub lunch after a bracing walk. So, the announcement of Whitby’s first-ever Hot Chocolate Festival this year has certainly caught our attention.
Even sweeter, the event is being held in aid of the Whitby Defibrillator Project’s Battery Campaign, raising vital funds for the maintenance of the town’s 40 defibrillators.
The festival launches alongside the Whitby Christmas Market and promises a chocolate-lover’s dream of activities. Expect everything from a chocolate-themed shopping trail and tastings to immersive cacao therapies, fun family games, and even film screenings of all your favourite Wonka classics.
Highlights include games such as “Roast the Cocoa Bean”, chocolate painting and moulding, hoopla, tombolas, and even chocolate chess. Local businesses will also be competing for a series of awards, including Whitby’s Best Hot Chocolate, Best Chocolate Dessert, Best Chocolate Cocktail, and Best Chocolate Stout.
Visitors can use the map on the festival website to plan their own chocolate trail around participating independent businesses. Look out for the festival stickers in shop windows as you wander Whitby on your chocolatey adventure.
Entry to the festival is free, but donations to the battery campaign are encouraged. In addition, there will be free CPR and defibrillator training sessions at a number of events – offering visitors the chance to gain life-saving skills.
The festival runs from Friday, 14th November until 28th November and includes the following events:
The Scarborough News, reports that The Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival features a packed programme of events. It begins on Friday, November 14th with a screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) at Whitby Pavilion, followed by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) on Saturday, November 15th, and Wonka (2023) on Sunday, November 16th. That same afternoon, visitors can also enjoy chocolate therapies at Whitby YHA Café Bar from 2pm to 5pm.
On Tuesday, November 18th, Pot and Pineapple will host an indulgent chocolate tasting with a master chocolatier at 7pm, and on Saturday, November 22nd, the festival wraps up with a family fun afternoon at Eighteen91 (formerly Chapel on the Hill), featuring games, chocolate moulding, and plenty more from 2pm to 5pm.
Find out more via the website here.
Read More: Exploring The Best Things To Do In Whitby With Kids
Feature Image Credit: Unsplash
