Visit Harrogate have released date’s for this year’s Christmas Festivities in Harrogate and here they are:
The Christmas Adventure
1 Nov – 8 January, 10.30am-8.30-pm, Stockeld Park.
With free entry to the Woodland Cafe, Gift and Tree shop during the winter season, guests can choose to buy tickets to enter Stockeld Park’s exciting Adventure Zones, including the Real Ice Rink, Nordic Ski Trail and Illuminated Enchanted Forest.
Source: Stockeld Park
The Big Switch On: Harrogate
Thurs 16 Nov, 4pm-6pm, The Piazza, Victoria Shopping Centre, Harrogate.
The whole of the town centre is lit up every day with the glow of thousands of festive lights right through till the end of December; the Big Switch On offers entertainment and anticipation as the Christmas festivities officially start.
The Harrogate Christmas Market: free admission
16-19 Nov, 10am till 8pm (Sunday’s, ends 5pm); Montpellier Quarter.
Held on The Stray in the historic Montpellier Quarter of Harrogate town centre, this four-day festive market features up to 200 stalls with high quality Yorkshire and Harrogate products. From Yorkshire cheeses and chutneys to handmade gifts and Christmas decorations. Not forgetting Santa’s Grotto and real reindeer!
Featuring a Craft and Gift Marquee and a Food and Drink Marquee with café-style tables and chairs for visitors to relax and enjoy the Yorkshire produce on offer.
There will be Funfair Rides as well as musical entertainment by local buskers.
‘Glow’ Winter Illuminations
23 Nov-30 Dec, Thursdays-Saturdays, 3pm-8pm, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.
See Harlow Carr in a different light this winter as special lighting effects bring a touch of magic with an illuminated trail around the magnificent trees, shrubs and lake as dusk falls. Warm up with a treat from Bettys Café and Tea Rooms.
WIN tickets with Visit Harrogate
The festive spotlight is on the Harrogate District as Visit Harrogate’s official Christmas Guide has now launched. To celebrate the release of their Christmas Guide, Visit Harrogate has teamed up with RHS Garden Harlow Carr to offer the chance to win tickets to the exclusive preview evening of ‘Glow’ on 21 November. To have a chance of winning tickets to the exclusive launch of Glow at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, go to: www.visitharrogate.co.uk/information/competitions/glow-preview
Knaresborough Christmas Lights Switch On
24 Nov, from 6pm, the Market Place.
The children’s Light Parade will leave the war memorial on the castle grounds at 6pm, walk down Castlegate to the market place, to symbolically light the Christmas tree lights at 6.30pm.
Christmas Lights Switch On: Ripon
25 Nov, Ripon Market Place.
Before the big switch on in the market town, the Ripon Christmas Gift and Food Fair takes place from 9.30am till 4.30pm with over 100 stalls in the Nave of Ripon Cathedral and the Old Deanery, for unique gifts, hot turkey sandwiches, mulled wine and musical entertainment.
Artrageous at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens
2 – 17 December, Beningbrough Hall, weekends only, 1pm – 3pm.
Head to Beningbrough Hall with its baroque mansion and glorious gardens for the much loved Artrageous workshop for Christmas themed craft.
Christmas Floristry Workshops
4-6 Dec, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, 10am-12.30pm.
Create a white winter Nordic-style wreath with award winning florist Joanna, from Twisted Willow, providing expert tuition on how to make your own wreath at these workshops. Using estate foliage – allow your creativity to run wild!
Handel Messiah, Royal Hall
9 December, Royal Hall, Harrogate, 7.30pm.
For many The Messiah signals the true start of Christmas, and Handel’s masterpiece can be enjoyed in the atmospheric ‘glittering palace of gold’ – The magnificent Royal Hall in Harrogate.
Boroughbridge Christmas Tree Festival
9 & 10 December, St James Church.
Enjoy the individually designed Christmas trees decorated by local schools, businesses and community organisations.
Ripon Museums – Christmas at the Workhouse
13 Dec, 3.30pm-8pm.
Traditional games, carols and crafts and a chance to try the foods and flavours of the workhouse at Christmas. See how yuletide was celebrated at the turn of the 19th century.
Find out more about what to do in the Harrogate area www.VisitHarrogate.co.uk
