From Christmas Fayres and artisan markets to Father Christmas experiences and festive events, North Yorkshire is the perfect place to start your Christmas celebrations.
Be mesmerised by glittering events, meet Father Christmas and his helpers at visitor attractions and marvel at incredible light displays and switch ons that illuminate the county.
When it’s time to unwind, indulge in delicious meals and festive drinks at the many restaurants, bars and pubs across North Yorkshire. Treat yourself to special gift experiences and enjoy luxury accommodation perfect to welcome in the New Year in style.
PLAN YOUR FESTIVE BREAK AT visitnorthyorkshire.com/christmas #ChristmasInNorthYorkshire @visitnorthyork @visitnorthyorkshire_
Immerse yourself in a magical woodland landscape. Be transported to an ethereal illuminated experience depicting the magic of the natural world through a light installation around the mile-long trail. Luminescence is a captivating experience for all the family this Christmas.
Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair at Tennants Garden Room
4 January 2026 (excl: 24-26 December | 12.30pm to 4pm)
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea served in the elegant drawing room beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. Relax with indulgent food, a glass of something sparkling and take in the views across the deer park.
SWINTON, NEAR MASHAM
Friday 28 November - Saturday
29 November | 10am to 4pm
Enter the Winter Wonderland of this year’s Christmas Fair at the Tennants Garden Room in Leyburn, where you will find independent designers and artisans. Browse the different stalls selling cashmere, jewellery, homeware and children’s toys and games.
Enjoy a day of festive fun with live music and entertainment, artisan stalls selling Christmas gifts, food and drink and The Great Skipton Santa Fun Run before the lights switch-on turns the town twinkly.
SKIPTON
Discover the charm of the Yorkshire Dales at Christmas, where quaint towns and charming villages nestle among breathtaking scenery
Settle Christmas Lights Switch-on
Saturday 29 November
Join the festive celebrations as Settle switch on their Christmas lights.
SETTLE
Hawes Christmas Lights Festival
Saturday 6 December
Enjoy the festive lights display and look out for Father Christmas too.
HAWES
The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas at Skipton Town Hall
A magical Christmas adventure for all the family as Father Christmas narrates the story of how a special, red-nosed reindeer saved Christmas from a naughty Jack Frost.
SKIPTON
Saturday 6th
Sunday 7th
Saturday 13th
Sunday 14th
Saturday 20th
Sunday 21st
Monday 22nd
Tuesday 23rd
November – December CHRISTMAS
What’s On...
Christmas highlight
Christmas at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Music
at the Abbey
Weekends from Saturday 29 November
- Sunday 28 December
Listen to live music ring through the ruins as the rainbow colours sparkle in the early winter twilight.
Carols around the Christmas Tree .......................................................
Sunday 7 & Sunday 14 December
Sing along to some festive favourites around the glittering Christmas Tree in the courtyard.
Carols by Candlelight .......................................................
Sunday 7 & Sunday 14 December
Traditional carols in the candlelit surroundings of St Mary’s Church. Tickets must be pre-booked via the website Toymaker’s Trail
Get crafty at the toymaker's workshop. Create a special gift to take home with you. Tickets must be pre-booked via the website
Christmas highlight
Christmas at Stockeld Park
The Christmas Adventure .......................................................
Saturday 22 November – Monday
5 January
Follow the Christmas light trail through the Enchanted Forest, filled with illuminations, light projections and sculptures, find your way through the Snowflake Maze before you head out on the ice rink.
How Jack Frost Stole Christmas – Live Theatre Show
Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December | various times
Panto fun for all the family with Talegate Theatre. Join in the festive fun with sing-along songs, magic tricks and lots of audience participation!
SPOFFORTH, NEAR HARROGATE
CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART
At the heart of the county, you’ll find family attractions and stunning heritage sites ready to bring festive cheer, dotted between welcoming towns and villages
Festive activities in the Market Square including fairground rides and a climbing wall. See Father Christmas and his reindeer and listen to live music.
Boxing Day Pilgrimage – Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey ......................................................
Friday 26 December | 10.15am to 12.45pm
Join this annual yuletide celebration from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey followed by a short service in the Abbey cellarium.
Celebrate the New Year in Ripon Market Square. Watch the Hornblowing ceremony followed by live entertainment as the minutes countdown to midnight. Say hello to 2026 with a spectacular fireworks display.
Wednesday 12 November – Sunday 21 December | 10am to 4pm
Find unique Christmas gifts and decorations in the Bath House in the centre of the gardens all lovingly made by local craft makers.
Selected dates between Wednesday 19 November - Tuesday 23 December | 4.30pm to 8.30pm
Discover a magical wonderland of colourful twinkling light trails and illuminated displays. Wrap up warm as you walk around the garden before enjoying some warming refreshments and Christmas shopping. Tickets must be booked in advance and early booking is advised
HARROGATE
Christmas at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Glow at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
What’s On...
Events in Knaresborough
Knaresborough Bright Friday
Friday 28 November
Enjoy a festive evening as the Christmas tree in the Market Place and the town’s lights are switched on.
St John’s Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 6 December - Sunday 21 December | Monday – Friday 12pm to 5pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 12pm to 4pm
A spectacular display of seventy decorated Christmas trees.
Christmas Eve Nativity
Wednesday 24 December | 6pm
Community outdoor nativity held in the Market Place. Start your Christmas celebrations at this unique event as you listen to brass bands and join in the carol singing.
KNARESBOROUGH
Late night shopping in Boroughbridge
Wednesday 3 December
Find some great Christmas gifts as you browse the independent shops in Boroughbridge.
BOROUGHBRIDGE
Christmas highlight
Christmas at Harrogate Theatre
Jack and the Beanstalk at Harrogate Theatre
Wednesday 26 November - Sunday 18 January 2026 | various times
Join in the magical festive fun and follow the adventures of Jack, Dame Trott and Buttercup the Cow as their magic beans send Jack climbing up the beanstalk and listen out for the ‘Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum’.
Pantomime Tour at Harrogate Theatre
Monday 29 December | 11am
See behind the scenes of this year’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Fayre
What’s On...
Christmas at Castle Howard –The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Thursday 13 November – Sunday
4 January 2026 | various times
Follow in Dorothy’s footsteps as you immerse yourself in the magical world of Oz as the house is transformed through installations, soundscapes and projections.
Find lots of last-minute Christmas presents from talented local crafters and makers. There are also tastings, refreshments and music to get you in the festive mood.
DANBY, NEAR WHITBY
CHRISTMAS IN
A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, the North York Moors are blanketed with heather moorlands, abbey ruins, and timeless villages making for a picture-perfect festive destination
Christmas at Sutton Bank National Park Centre
The Snowman Trail ......................................................
Saturday 16 November - Sunday 12 January 2026
Visitors can pick up a festive booklet from the National Park Centre and set out ready to find all the festive clues. Can you solve them all?
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 November & Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 December
Enjoy a relaxed shopping afternoon with tastings, seasonal refreshments and festive music.
SUTTON BANK, NEAR THIRSK
Pickering Christmas Lights Switch-On
Saturday 22 November | 2pm to 6pm
Join in the festive fun in the Market Place with stalls, entertainment and fairground rides. See Father Christmas arrive and watch the lights switch-on in the early evening.
PICKERING
Helmsley Christmas Lights Switch-On
Friday 28 November | Event starts: 4.30pm, Lights Switch-on: 5.30pm
Enjoy the town’s Christmas lights switchon with live musical entertainment and see Father Christmas in his sleigh.
HELMSLEY
What’s On... CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST
Christmas highlight
Scarborough Lights
Friday 14 November – Sunday 21
December
Get ready to be dazzled this Christmas with a range of free and affordable lights displays in Scarborough. Admire the sparkling town centre and shimmering harbour lit up with illuminations, plus a mesmerising drone display.
Please note the events and installations, including the planned drone displays may be cancelled at short notice and may be affected by adverse weather conditions.
A magical Christmas wonderland at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Wander around the stalls and enjoy festive food and drink, including mulled wine and toasted marshmallows in the festively adorned Tipi. Have fun on the fairground rides and enjoy a lantern parade in Peasholm Park.
SCARBOROUGH
Discover Christmas on the Yorkshire coast, where stunning landscapes meet charming seaside towns and coastal villages
Christmas at the North Yorkshire Water Park
Weekends from Saturday 29 November
– Sunday 21 December
Join in with lots of festive events at the North Yorkshire Water Park. Enjoy breakfast and lunch with Father Christmas.
WYKEHAM,
NEAR SCARBOROUGH
Filey Fishtive Tree ......................................................
Saturday 6 December
See the unique and fun Filey Fishtive Tree made from crab and lobster pots representing the fishing heritage of the town and the Yorkshire coast. The tree is topped with a leaping salmon and decorated with lights.
FILEY
Robin Hood’s Bay Victorian Weekend
Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 December
Immerse yourself in a truly Victorian Christmas as this coastal village steps back in time with decorations around the town. Find Christmas gifts in the many independent shops while listening to carols. The festive window displays add to the atmosphere, and children will enjoy visiting Santa’s grotto and taking part in the duck race.
ROBIN HOOD’S BAY
Beauty and the Beast at Scarborough Spa
Saturday 6 December – Thursday 1 January 2026 | various times
Enjoy a magical production of this classic tale with beautiful sets, costumes and songs.
SCARBOROUGH
Whitby Krampus Run
Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 December
See the mythical Krampus parade through the streets of Whitby with St Nicholas and other festive characters. This unusual and unique event mixes European Christmas traditions with local folklore, making it an event not to be missed!
WHITBY
Eat, Drink and be Merry
The festive season is a time to indulge in delicious food and drink with family and friends or as a solo treat after a morning or afternoon of Christmas shopping.
North Yorkshire has some great food and drink options, especially during the festive season. You can choose a delicious Sunday lunch in a cosy country pub or celebrate in a fine dining restaurant. Afternoon tea is quintessentially British and during the festive season you can enjoy one with a seasonal twist of festive savoury and sweet treats whilst sat in beautifully decorated surroundings.
Food and drink also make great Christmas gifts, and North Yorkshire has some wonderful artisan producers selling top-quality food such as cheese, meats, chutneys and jams as well as locally produced beers, gins and wine.
Christmas in Richmond
Christmas Lights (don't miss the Parrot...)
Traditional Christmas Fair in the Market Place
Fairy Tale Cinderella at the Georgian Theatre Royal Santa at the Green Howards Museum
Carol Concerts and Christmas Markets
Independent Shops for that Unique Present
all the fun of Christmas in the perfect setting!
What’s On...
Whitby Christmas Market & Festival ......................................................
North Yorkshire is the ideal Christmas shopping destination, with artisan markets and Christmas Fayres complementing boutique shops and independent retailers in our charming market towns
Made in Whitby Krampus Winter Festival ......................................................
Friday 14 - Sunday 16 November, Saturday 20 December | 10am to 3pm
Thirsk:
Sunday 16 November, 21
December | 10am to 3pm
Ripon:
Friday 21 - Sunday 23 November | Friday, Saturday 2pm to 8pm
Sunday 10am to 3pm
Fountains Abbey:
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November | 10am to 3pm
Harrogate Valley Gardens:
Saturday, Sunday 6, 7, 13, 14
December | 10am to 3pm
Easingwold:
Saturday 8 November, 13
December | 9am to 2pm
Northallerton:
Saturday 13 December | 12pm to 6pm
Where to find Father Christmas
We’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of where you can pay Father Christmas a visit and create some special, festive memories to cherish.
Christmas highlight
Christmas at Stockeld Park
Santa’s Arrival Weekend at Stockeld Park
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 November | 1pm
Say a big hello to Santa and Mrs Claus as they arrive at Stockeld Park.
Santa’s Grotto at Stockeld Park
Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December | various times
Meet Santa in his cosy log cabin filled with festive cheer and receive a gift.
SPOFFORTH, NEAR HARROGATE
Christmas highlight
Christmas at Mother Shipton’s
Saturday 29 November – Wednesday 24 December | various times
Meet Father Christmas and take a photo in Santa’s sleigh before visiting the Snowy Owl Sorting Office.
KNARESBOROUGH
Christmas at Harewood
Saturday 29 November – Wednesday 24
December | 10.30am to 4.30pm
Join Father Christmas and his elves at The North Pole’s Royal Ball, join in with festive preparations and receive a gift.
HAREWOOD, NEAR LEEDS
North Yorkshire Moors
Railway Santa Specials Weekends Saturday 29 November –
Sunday 21 December + Monday 22 -
Wednesday 24 December | various times
Climb aboard the Santa Express where you will meet Father Christmas and his jolly elves.
PICKERING
Meet Mother Christmas at the Dales Countryside Museum
Saturday 6 December | 10.30am to 3.30pm
Meet Mother Christmas, write and post your letter to Santa and have fun doing some Christmas crafting.
HAWES
Christmas highlight
Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave
Weekends Saturday 6 – Sunday
21 December + Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December | 8.45am to 2.45pm (last entry time)
Let Santa’s elves lead you on a magical underground journey full of festive sparkle to meet Father Christmas.
NEAR CLAPHAM
Storytime with Father Christmas at Beningbrough
Weekends Saturday 6 – Sunday 21 December | various times
Father Christmas returns for festive storytelling in the hall.
BENINGBROUGH, NEAR YORK
Keep your eyes out for...
Father Christmas at Boyes in Scarborough from mid-November
The North Pole Post Office in Harrogate to post your letter to Santa
whizz around our ice rink & meet santa in his magical grotto Take a walk through our Enchanted Forest & discover nearly a mile of illuminations
every day 22nd November - 5th January (Excluding 25 & 26 December)
PLAN YOUR VISIT
North Yorkshire is a large and beautiful county combining rural, sprawling countryside and cosmopolitan areas with shops and markets. Plan your travel to ensure that your Christmas celebrations run as smoothly as possible.
There are 48 train stations served by Cross Country, LNER, Grand Central, TransPennine, Northern Rail and Hull Trains at North Yorkshire destinations such as Harrogate, Knaresborough, Northallerton, Malton, Selby, Thirsk, Settle, Skipton, Whitby and Scarborough. London Kings Cross is just two hours away from York, with other key destinations such as Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle just a short distance away via train.
us do the driving for you... plan your day out
BUS .........................................................
Most of North Yorkshire’s market towns, coastal resorts and natural attractions are easily accessible by bus, making travelling by bus an affordable and scenic option. Many parts of the county have good train and bus links with nearby cities, making it easy to travel into transport hubs and get around once you are here.
CAR
NO MORE THAN £3
EVERY 10 MINS HARROGA TE - LEED EVERY 30 MINS TO RIPON
RIDE
YORK | LEEDS EVERY 20 MINS with regular buses to Malton & Scarborough too get the app and plan your journey search Transdev Go
The A1(M) and A19 are the quickest routes to North Yorkshire, running through the middle of the county. Other main roads include the A171, which will take you along the coastal towns and villages; the scenic A64 travels between York and the coast; and the A170 skirts the southern end of the North York Moors National Park.
In the west, take the A61 between Harrogate and Thirsk; the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton; and the A65 runs along the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
For further details on travel around North Yorkshire go to northyorks.gov.uk or traveline.info
