Scarborough Spa: So Much to See, and Just Down the Road!

There’s a tendency to think of Scarborough as somewhere you visit for the beach, particularly during the summer months.

But there is so much more happening here, and one of the best examples has to be Scarborough Spa.

Music, comedy, festivals, dancing, theatre and some very familiar names are all heading to the Spa over the next few months.

And for guests staying with us at Carlton House Guesthouse on South Cliff, this fantastic venue is just down the road!

So, if you’ve been looking for an excuse to come back to Scarborough, take a look at what’s coming up.......you might just find one!

More than 150 years of entertainment in Scarborough

Scarborough Spa is a very special part of the town.

Its history goes back generations and, remarkably, when the South Cliff Lift was originally developed in the 1870s, the Spa was described as the most popular music venue outside London.

That gives you some idea of the role it has played in Scarborough’s story.

Today, with the Grand Hall, Spa Theatre, Ocean Room and Sun Court all hosting events, it remains one of the town’s most important entertainment venues.

The Scarborough Spa Orchestra is part of that story too. Celebrating its 114th year in 2026, the Orchestra continues a seaside tradition dating back to 1912, with this year’s season running into early September.

And as summer draws to a close, the programme simply moves into something different.

September gets things started

Scarborough Pride returns on Saturday, September 12, followed by The Mersey Beatles on September 18 and Lipstick on Your Collar on September 20.

Then there’s one of the highlights of the Spa calendar, with Scarborough Jazz Festival returning from September 25-27 for its 23rd year.

A full weekend of jazz by the sea sounds pretty good to us.

And September is only the beginning.

Music, comedy, dancing - there really is something for everyone

October brings another very varied programme.

There’s comedy from Stewart Lee and Dom Joly, a three-day Northern Soul Weekender and The Wonder Stuff arriving on their 40th Anniversary Tour with Inspiral Carpets.

Paul Merton and Suki Webster bring their improv show to the Spa Theatre, while Swan Lake takes over the Grand Hall at the end of the month.

November carries on in much the same way.

BBC Radio 2’s Dance Sounds of the 90s Live Tour with Vernon Kay comes to the Grand Hall, alongside comedy from Paul Smith and Nish Kumar, plus music from The Manfreds, Killer Queen and plenty more.

And if you thought things might quieten down as Christmas approaches, think again.

December brings A Night at the Darts, Level 42, Christmas shows, party nights and New Year’s Eve celebrations, while Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, starring Lee Mead, runs at the Spa Theatre from 4 December into the New Year.

It’s a programme that shows exactly why Scarborough shouldn’t just be thought of as a summer destination.

Why drive home when you could make a break of it?

Sometimes you don’t need to plan a full holiday.

A show, concert or weekend event can be the perfect excuse to get away for a night or two.

Come to Scarborough earlier in the day, take a walk along the Esplanade, spend some time in the Italian Gardens, find somewhere for dinner and then head to the Spa for the evening.

The following morning, there’s no rush to get straight back on the road. Have breakfast nearby, enjoy a walk by the sea or head into town before setting off home.

A night out suddenly becomes a proper little break and, sometimes, those are the best kind.

Staying close to Scarborough Spa

If you’re looking for accommodation near Scarborough Spa, Carlton House Guesthouse is on Carlton Crescent, close to St Martin’s Square on South Cliff.

We’re an adult-only, room-only guesthouse, all of our rooms are en-suite and there is free Wi-Fi throughout.

We’re dog friendly too, with your first dog staying free.

It gives you a quieter base while still keeping the Spa, Esplanade, Italian Gardens, South Bay and town centre within easy reach.

There is, however, one change that’s useful to know about before you arrive.

The South Cliff Lift is currently closed

If you know this part of Scarborough, you may well have used the historic South Cliff Lift to travel between the Esplanade and Scarborough Spa.

North Yorkshire Council closed the lift in August following an independent engineering assessment which identified issues with its ageing infrastructure and critical components. Further updates are expected once the findings have been fully assessed.

It means getting between South Cliff and the Spa takes a little more planning for the time being.

Walking is still an option, but remember that what goes down also has to come back up!

If hills or mobility are a consideration, a taxi may be the more comfortable choice, particularly after an evening performance.

But the Central Tramway is still running

Scarborough does have another of its historic cliff railways still operating.

The Central Tramway runs between Foreshore Road on South Bay and St Nicholas Street, close to the town centre. 

It isn’t next to the Spa, so it doesn’t directly replace the South Cliff Lift, but it can be a handy option if you’re spending time on the seafront and want to avoid another climb back up into town.

It’s also another lovely little piece of Scarborough history - the Central Tramway has been carrying visitors up and down the cliff since 1881.

Opening days and times can vary through the year, so it’s always worth checking before you set off.

So, Scarborough doesn’t stop when summer ends

Scarborough will always have its beaches, sea views and everything we associate with a traditional British seaside break.

But places like Scarborough Spa show another side of the town.

Whether it’s a weekend of jazz, a favourite band, an evening of comedy, dancing or simply a show that catches your eye, why not make a little more of it?

Scarborough Spa is just down the road from Carlton House. So, choose your event, pack an overnight bag and enjoy a little break by the coast!

Ready to plan your stay?

If you’re heading to an event at Scarborough Spa and would like to stay nearby, check availability and book directly with Carlton House Guesthouse.

We’d love to welcome you.