What’s on: Anniversaries
As we begin 2025, Educate is showcasing UK events that are celebrating special anniversaries throughout the year – perfect for the whole family to enjoy! From stepping into the school room of literary legend, Jane Austen, on the anniversary of her 250th birthday to celebrating the ground-breaking history of our railways, or gazing up at the stars during the Dark Skies Festival – this year has something for everyone!
Dark Skies Festival
Where: North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales
When: 13 February – 2 March
Night navigation, stargazing safaris, children’s daytime trails, art workshops… it can only be the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival! Launching on 13 February, the festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary, which annually showcases how special dark skies are.
The festival aims to help people discover activities at night to heighten the senses, whether that be through night runs, canoeing, astrophotography workshops and even mindful experiences! There will be plenty of things for all the family to try out, and it could also be a great day/night out for bonding! Reach for the stars and rejoice for 10 years of this incredible festival.
There are also other Dark Skies Festivals taking place in different locations throughout the year, including Wales, Cumbria, Exmoor and South Downs.
www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/home
Jane Austen’s school room
Where: Reading
When: April – October 2025
Jane Austen left a lasting influence on British literature and culture, with her novels still read and celebrated today by people all over the world. Born in 1775, the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth is this year, and her former school room in Reading’s Abbey Quarter is opening its doors for a series of special events and tours.
Guided visits to Jane Austen’s school room will take place every Saturday from April to October 2025 as part of Reading Museum’s Abbey Quarter tours, perfect for lovers of literature and also those interested in history. Group tours are also available on other days by arrangement. There will be a series of special events every Wednesday in May and June 2025. Jane Austen Wednesdays are a series of talks, tours and workshops organised by Reading Museum celebrating Jane Austen and her time in the town.
www.visit-reading.com/whats-on/jane-austen-in-reading/visit-jane-austens-schoolroom
Railway 200
Where: Various locations
Railway 200 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. On September 27, 1825, the Stockton & Darlington Railway opened, connecting places, people, communities and ideas and ultimately transforming the world. A wide variety of activities and events are being planned from this month to celebrate the history of rail, its role today, and its importance in building a sustainable future.
Darlington, Durham, Stockton-on-Tees and Tees Valley Combined Authority councils have joined forces with a range of local, national, and international partners to deliver a nine-month festival of international projects throughout the bicentenary year. Overall, it aims to excite interest from the next generation by inviting young people of all backgrounds to consider a career in rail.
There will be plenty of activities to partake in around various locations, including an invention challenge where children will use their creativity to invent a new vision for the future of rail, while the WOW Festival at Durham Gala will be packed with unmissable talks and performances.
Programme: www.sdr200.co.uk/programme
JMW Turner In Light and Shade exhibition
Where: The Whitworth, Manchester
When: 7 February 2025 – 2 November 2025
JMW Turner is renowned for the vitality of his landscape paintings and the Liber Studiorum is a compelling visual manifesto in print. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to see the Liber Studiorum in its entirety for the first time in over 100 years!
Marking the 250th anniversary of his birth, the JMW Turner In Light and Shade exhibition at The Whitworth will explore the work and technique of the legendary British landscape artist. Perfect for art lovers, the exhibition will pair Turner’s Liber prints with a series of Turner’s watercolours from the Whitworth’s collection.
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/turnerinthelightandshade

Where: Bradford
The National Science and Media Museum has reopened its doors this year after a year and a half of being closed. The museum’s galleries and exhibition spaces celebrate photography, film, television, animation, videogames and sound technologies perfect for all ages in the family! With an exciting public programme and newly renovated foyer space, the museum is back and better than ever!
The early 2025 programme will see the return of the museum’s annual Yorkshire Games Festival, taking place from 10–23 February, including half-term activities for all the family. Meanwhile, a new interactive and immersive installation will open in April 2025, taking visitors on ride through time and space.
www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
Image credits
Railway 200 and Community Rail Lancashire
Great West Way and Reading Museum