Blue Light Weekend has been named among the finalists for a major tourism award after a record-breaking number of entries from across Hull and East Yorkshire.
The annual Withernsea event is in the running for Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year at the 2026 Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs).
It has been shortlisted alongside eight other events, including Freedom Festival, Humber Street Sesh, Pride in Hull and Beverley Pride.
Several other Holderness businesses and attractions have also reached the finals, including Spurn Discovery Centre and Nature Reserve, which is shortlisted for the Remarkable Regenerative Tourism Award.
Longbeach Leisure Park in Hornsea and Dacre Lakeside Park at Brandesburton are both finalists in the Remarkable Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category.
Meanwhile, the Stables Kitchen at Skirlaugh is in the running for the Remarkable Cuppa Award and the Egg Shed Farm Shop at Atwick has been shortlisted for the Remarkable Local Producer Award.
Organisers Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) reported the highest number of entries in the awards’ 16-year history, as well as record numbers of first-time entrants and new tourism businesses taking part.
A total of 70 finalists have been shortlisted across 15 categories, representing attractions, hotels, hospitality businesses, independent producers, events and experiences across the region.
The winners will be announced at the 16th annual REYTAs ceremony at Bridlington Spa on Wednesday, November 18.
Chris Blacksell, chairman of VHEY, said: “This has been a record-breaking year for the REYTAs and the response from businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire has been incredible.
“Not only have we received more entries than ever before, we’ve also seen a record number of businesses entering for the first time and more new tourism businesses getting involved.
“That is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the confidence, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across our visitor economy.
“We have a really strong shortlist which showcases the quality and diversity of what Hull and East Yorkshire has to offer. Getting to this point from such a strong field is a real achievement.”
Cllr Nick Coultish, East Riding Council’s portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism, congratulated all those who had reached the final.
He said: “To have a record number of entries this year, alongside more first-time entrants and new tourism businesses entering than ever before, is absolutely fantastic.
“Reaching this stage against such strong competition is something to celebrate in itself and I’m really looking forward to hearing more about our finalists and recognising the contribution they make to our region.”
The ceremony will be hosted by Bridlington-born television and radio presenter Jack Marriner-Brown, who appeared in the third series of BBC’s The Traitors and presents on Morning Live and BBC Radio Humberside.
Eligible winners will progress to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, giving them the opportunity to represent Hull and East Yorkshire nationally.
The 2026 REYTAs shortlist
Remarkable accessible and inclusive tourism award
- Freedom Festival Arts Trust, Hull
- Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
- Hull Truck Theatre
- Hull Adventure
Remarkable business events venue of the year
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hull
- C4DI, Hull
- The Manor Rooms, South Cave
Remarkable regenerative tourism award
- Wold Escapes, Driffield
- Dumble Farm, Arram
- Bridlington Animal Park
- Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
- Spurn Discovery Centre and Nature Reserve
Remarkable new tourism business of the year
- Blok & Vine, Beverley
- Beverley Bites
- Ocean Explorer Bridlington
- The New Clarence, Hull
- Middle Child Theatre, Hull
Remarkable camping, glamping and holiday park of the year
- Dacre Lakeside Park, Brandesburton
- Wold Escapes, Driffield
- Raywell Hall Country Lodge Park, Cottingham
- Butt Farm Caravan, Camping and Glamping Site, Beverley
- Longbeach Leisure Park, Hornsea
Remarkable large hotel of the year
- Cave Castle Hotel, South Cave
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hull
Remarkable self-catering accommodation of the year
- Bumblebee Escapes, Driffield
- Northfield Lodge, Huggate
- Cherry Tree Cottage, Flamborough
- Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington
Remarkable small serviced accommodation of the year
- Salt on the Harbour, Bridlington
- Tickton Grange
- The Briarcroft, Wayth Hotels, Goole
Remarkable cuppa award
- The Stables Kitchen, Skirlaugh
- Gemini Chocolate, Beverley
- Field House Coffee Barn, Tibthorpe
- Patisserie House, Hull
- Drewton’s Farm Shop, South Cave
Remarkable pub of the year
- The White Hart, Hull
- Jerome’s Pavilion Bar and Grill, Bridlington
- Garbutts, Hull
- Old English Gentleman, Hull
- Ferguson Fawsitt, Walkington
Remarkable taste of East Yorkshire award
- Drewton’s Farm Shop, South Cave
- Junk Bar, Beverley
- Roku Asia, Beverley
- Boathouse at North Landing, Flamborough
- Salt on the Harbour, Bridlington
Remarkable local producer award
- The Egg Shed Farm Shop, Atwick
- Nichols Pickles & Preserves, Howden
- Rowley Produce, Cottingham
- East Coast Shellfish, Flamborough
- Patisserie House, Hull
Remarkable experience of the year
- ‘What Was Here?’ app, Hull and East Yorkshire
- Walking and Tasting Tours, Beverley Bites
- Capybara Experience, Bridlington Animal Park
- Silver Stacking Rings, Tori Foster Jewellery, Pocklington
- Goat Yoga, Ings Park Alpacas, Brough
Remarkable visitor attraction of the year
- William’s Den, North Cave
- Bridlington Animal Park
- Woldies, Wintringham
- Little Astronauts, Hull
- Sledmere House and Gardens
Remarkable tourism event of the year
- Freedom Festival, Hull
- H2O Heroes at The Deep, Hull
- Paws in the Pasture at Tickton Farm
- Bridlington Ice Trail
- The Big Malarkey Festival, Hull Libraries
- Pride in Hull
- Beverley Pride
- Humber Street Sesh, Hull
- Blue Light Weekend, Withernsea