Christmas and New Year
Christmas and New Year – Christmas Events in Harrogate 2026 – Discover the Festive Magic. Planning a Christmas day out? Harrogate is set to sparkle in 2026. Take to the ice at Valley Gardens, visit Santa’s Grotto, hunt for spectacular ice sculptures and browse the Christmas market. Add twinkling lights, festive shopping, cosy cafés, Harlow Carr GLOW and Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime – and you’ve got plenty of reasons to explore Harrogate this Christmas.
In Harrogate, make Valley Gardens part of your festive plans. The Harrogate Ice Pavilion runs from 17 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, while Sleeping Beauty at Harrogate Theatre has two New Year’s Eve performances. For an evening celebration, Rudding Park has announced dining, spa experiences and a Hootenanny with midnight fireworks. visitnorthyorkshire.com
Knaresborough’s Christmas Market fills the town with stalls and entertainment on 5 and 6 December. Follow a browse around the Market Place with a walk to the castle for views of the viaduct; fireworks close the market weekend on Sunday. For New Year’s Eve, The General Tarleton in nearby Ferrensby is offering a five-course dinner, while The Knaresborough Inn is included in a two-night break with dinner and entertainment. On 1 January, Goldsborough Hall offers a slower start with New Year’s Day lunch. knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk
In Ripon, the cathedral’s Christmas music and carol services bring the season into the heart of the city. Come back on 31 December for Ripon City Council’s planned Market Square New Year’s Eve celebration, with Aftersun and Jenny Jae lined up to perform. The council has yet to publish the start time or confirm fireworks for 2026. For a ticketed evening near Ripon, Grantley Hall’s Gala Ball includes dinner, live music and private fireworks
Listed below is the main entertainment for Christmas and New Year 2026 in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon
Christmas in Harrogate: skate, shop and stay after dark
The new Harrogate Ice Pavilion brings covered skating to Valley Gardens from 17 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day. Make a day of it: skate, walk into town for lunch and explore the shops around Montpellier and the centre.
For a family treasure hunt, follow the Harrogate Ice Trail on Saturday 12 December, when five ice sculptures are due to appear around the town centre. The festive programme also includes a giant snow globe, interactive curling, Santa’s Grotto on selected dates and the North Pole Post Office. Check the organisers’ updates for individual opening times and locations.
Shopping for something made locally? The Little Bird Made Christmas Market comes to Valley Gardens on 5–6 December. The Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair runs 26–29 November at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, outside the town centre. Allow for the journey between venues if you plan to combine it with a Harrogate visit.
After dark, choose RHS Glow at Harlow Carr for an illuminated garden walk, or book Harrogate Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty for a traditional pantomime night. Dinner before the show turns a shopping trip into a festive evening.
Christmas in Knaresborough: market stalls and riverside views
The Knaresborough Christmas Market takes place in Market Place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 10am–5pm. Browse the stalls, then follow Castlegate towards Green Dragon Yard, explore the independent shops and walk down to Waterside for a view of the viaduct.
The market weekend pairs naturally with the Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church, where more than 70 decorated trees are expected. If you visit on Sunday 6 December, stay for the 4.30pm firework finale. The market organisers also list visitor travel information, including a park and ride, on their visitor page.
For a separate family outing, Mother Shipton’s Magical Christmas Experience offers a woodland Christmas Village and an optional visit to Santa. Check the ticket types carefully: admission and Santa Experience tickets are sold separately.
Christmas in Ripon: cathedral gifts and candlelit music
Begin with the Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food & Gift Fair on 20–21 November. More than 100 stalls bring gifts, food and drink into the cathedral. Adult tickets are listed at £5, while under-16s enter free. Afterwards, stroll into Ripon’s centre to browse its independent shops or stop for lunch.
The cathedral also makes an atmospheric setting for an evening out. Rat Pack – A Swingin’ Christmas by Candlelight is listed for Friday 4 December, followed by G4 Christmas on Saturday 5 December. Book ahead if a concert is the centrepiece of your visit.
Make more of your visit
Give yourself time beyond the headline event. Buy a present from a shop you have never visited, choose a café on a side street, or stay long enough to see the towns lit up for the evening. Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon each reward a slower Christmas wander.
Before you travel: Check the linked organisers for current times, ticket availability, accessibility and any changes to the programme.
Christmas Events for Families & Children 2026
Dates are included in each event name. Where an organiser has not published a phone number, the listing says so.
Harrogate
Harrogate Ice Pavilion — 17 December 2026–3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day
Valley Gardens, Valley Drive, Harrogate HG2 0JH
Phone: Not published
Website: Harrogate Ice Pavilion Visit North Yorkshire
Harrogate Ice Trail — 12 December 2026
Harrogate town centre, various locations
Phone: 01423 582030 (Harrogate BID)
Website: Harrogate Christmas programme harrogatebid.co.uk
Little Bird Made Christmas Market — 5–6 December 2026
Valley Gardens, Valley Drive, Harrogate HG2 0JH
Phone: Not published
Website: Little Bird Made market dates harrogatebid.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty Family Pantomime — from 25 November 2026
Harrogate Theatre, Oxford Street, Harrogate HG1 1QF
Phone: 01423 502116
Website: Harrogate Theatre tickets tickets.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
RHS Glow at Harlow Carr — selected dates, 26 November–30 December 2026
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB
Phone: 01423 565418
Website: RHS Glow gardentickets.rhs.org.uk
Knaresborough
Knaresborough Christmas Market — 5–6 December 2026
Market Place, Knaresborough HG5 8AG
Phone: 07364 192411
Website: Knaresborough Christmas Market knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk
St John’s Christmas Tree Festival — Christmas market weekend and published opening days
St John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Knaresborough HG5 9AE
Phone: 01423 869209 (parish office)
Website: Christmas Tree Festival Knaresborough Christmas Market
Knaresborough Firework Finale — 6 December 2026, 4.30pm
Knaresborough town centre; see organiser’s viewing guidance
Phone: 07364 192411
Website: Firework Finale knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk
Mother Shipton’s Magical Christmas Experience — selected dates in November and December 2026
Mother Shipton’s Cave, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD
Phone: 01423 864600
Website: Magical Christmas Experience www.mothershipton.co.uk
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food & Gift Fair — 20–21 November 2026
Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT
Phone: 01765 603462
Website: Christmas Food & Gift Fair riponcathedral.org.uk
Fountains Abbey Christmas Trail — Christmas 2026; check the organiser for available dates
Fountains Abbey, Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
Phone: 01765 608888
Website: Fountains Abbey Christmas Trail National Trust
Music at the Abbey — selected dates from 28 November 2026
Fountains Abbey, Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
Phone: 01765 608888
Website: Music at the Abbey National Trust
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Carol Concert — 20 December 2026
Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT
Phone: 01765 603462
Website: Christmas Carol Concert Ripon Cathedral
Journey to Bethlehem — 24 December 2026
Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT
Phone: 01765 603462
Website: Ripon Cathedral events riponcathedral.org.uk
Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire 2026
These are published 2026 dates. Each listing gives the event location, a contact number where available, and a live website. Harrogate Christmas Fayre is not scheduled for 2026; the Valley Gardens artisan market is listed below instead. Visit North Yorkshire
Harrogate, Knaresborough & Ripon
Little Bird Made Christmas Market — 5–6 December 2026
Valley Gardens, Valley Drive, Harrogate HG2 0JH
Phone: Not published
Website: Little Bird Made market dates Harrogate BID
Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair — 26–29 November 2026
Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate HG2 8NZ
Phone: 07766 376410
Website: Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair greatyorkshireeventscentre.co.uk
Knaresborough Christmas Market — 5–6 December 2026
Market Place, Knaresborough HG5 8AG
Phone: 07364 192411
Website: Knaresborough Christmas Market knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food & Gift Fair — 20–21 November 2026
Ripon Cathedral, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QT
Phone: 01765 603462
Website: Christmas Food & Gift Fair riponcathedral.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales & Richmondshire
Grassington Christmas Markets — 28 November & 5 December 2026
Village Square and Grassington Town Hall, Grassington BD23 5AQ
Phone: 01756 752222 (Grassington visitor information)
Website: Discover Grassington discovergrassington.co.uk
Crafts in the Pen — 21–22 November 2026
Skipton Auction Mart, Skipton BD23 1UD
Phone: Not published
Website: Crafts in the Pen Skipton
Skipton Yuletide Festival and Market — 6 December 2026
Skipton High Street, Skipton BD23 1DT
Phone: 01756 700553 (Skipton Town Council)
Website: Skipton Town Council events trybooking.com
Richmond Christmas Twilight Market — 28 November 2026
Market Place, Richmond DL10 4QL
Phone: 01748 826468 (Richmond information centre)
Website: Here Comes Christmas richmond.org
Richmond Christmas Fair — 29 November 2026
Market Place, Richmond DL10 4QL
Phone: 01748 826468 (Richmond information centre)
Website: Here Comes Christmas richmond.org
Coast, Moors & Ryedale
Whitby Christmas Market and Festival — 13–15 November 2026
Marina Front Car Park, Langbourne Road, Whitby YO21 1YN
Phone: 01947 820227 (Whitby Town Council)
Website: Whitby Christmas Festival Whitby Town Council
Scarborough Sparkle — 27–29 November 2026
Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Burniston Road, Scarborough YO12 6PF
Phone: Not published on the event listing
Website: Scarborough Sparkle Visit North Yorkshire
Ampleforth Abbey Christmas Craft Market — 28–29 November 2026
Alban Roe House, Ampleforth Abbey, Ampleforth YO62 4EN
Phone: 01439 766099 (abbey reception)
Website: Ampleforth Abbey events Upcoming Events — Visit Malton
Malton Artisan Market — 19 December 2026
Market Place, Malton YO17 7LX
Phone: Not published
Website: Visit Malton market dates Visit Malton
Thirsk Christmas Artisan Market — 13–15 November & 20 December 2026
Thirsk town centre, Thirsk YO7
Phone: Not published
Website: Little Bird Made Thirsk markets littlebirdmade.com
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email info@harrogateuk.co.uk and we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Click here to see Christmas Events
What’s On for New Year 2026 in Harrogate, Knaresborough & Ripon
Planning Thursday 31 December 2026 and Friday 1 January 2027? Here are more confirmed ways to celebrate, from live music and special dinners to pantomime, skating and a New Year’s Day outing.
Harrogate and nearby
- Sleeping Beauty at Harrogate Theatre — A family pantomime with 10am and 2pm performances on New Year’s Eve. It returns on 2 January if you want to make a weekend of it. Tickets are listed from £23. Harrogate Theatre
- Harrogate Ice Pavilion, Valley Gardens — Go skating during the New Year holiday. The rink is advertised from 17 December to 3 January, with public and family sessions; choose a dated session when booking. Visit North Yorkshire
- Rudding Park New Year’s Eve Hootenanny — The big party choice: two live bands, DJ, saxophone, food and midnight fireworks. 8pm–2am; £155 per adult. ruddingpark.co.uk
- New Year’s Eve at FIFTY TWO — A ten-serving dinner at Rudding Park, followed by the fireworks. 7pm arrival; £300 per person. Guests can add entry to the Hootenanny for £50. Fifty Two at Rudding Park
- Rudding Park Supper and Spa — An earlier, quieter celebration with a two-course supper and two hours in the rooftop spa. From £107 per person. ruddingpark.co.uk
- The Squinting Cat, Lund House Green — A casual New Year’s Eve pub gathering with food, drinks and pub games. Its kitchen also advertises New Year’s Day dining; book a table for either date. The Squinting Cat, Lund House Green
- CLARO New Year’s Day MapRunPlus — Start 2027 outdoors: British Orienteering lists this local event for Lund House Green, Harrogate, on 1 January. Check the organiser’s listing nearer the day for start times and entry details. org.uk
Knaresborough and nearby
- The General Tarleton, Ferrensby — A five-course New Year’s Eve dinner for £90 per person, beginning with a glass of Pol Roger. The pub is just outside Knaresborough and also advertises a stay-over package. Harrogate & Knaresborough
- The Knaresborough Inn New Year Getaway — A two-night break including bed and breakfast, New Year’s Eve dinner and entertainment, plus another evening meal. The group lists The Knaresborough Inn among participating venues; prices vary by inn and room. The Inn Collection Group
- New Year’s Day Lunch at Goldsborough Hall — A leisurely lunch by the fires near Knaresborough, with reservations 30pm–4pm on 1 January. £75 per person. Goldsborough Hall
Ripon and nearby
- Ripon Market Square New Year’s Eve celebration — The city council has set 31 December for its public event and plans music from Aftersun and Jenny Jae, continuing until 12.30am. The start time and a 2026 fireworks display have not yet been confirmed; follow Ripon City Council for the final programme. riponcity.gov.uk
- Grantley Hall Gala Ball — An adults-only evening near Ripon with a five-course dinner, live band, piper and private fireworks. From 7pm; £305 per person. grantleyhall.co.uk
- The Ripon Inn New Year Getaway — Another local option for a two-night stay with New Year’s Eve dinner and entertainment. The Ripon Inn is on the participating-venues list. The Inn Collection Group
A countryside option between Harrogate and Ripon
The Inn South Stainley serves New Year’s Day breakfast from 9am–11am and lunch from noon–8pm. It also offers a two-night New Year break from 31 December to 2 January, including meals and a midnight toast. The Inn, South Stainley
Planning tip: Book the ticketed meals and parties early. For skating, family events and Ripon’s public celebration, check the linked organiser pages again nearer December for final session times and arrangements.
Dates, venues, addresses and opening times can change. Check with individual organisers before making a special journey.
Disclaimer – A friendly note: Listings are independently researched and provided for general information only. Inclusion does not mean we recommend or endorse a particular business, product or service. As details can change, please check prices, availability and other important information directly with the provider before booking or purchasing.
If you have a query, need help, or cannot find what you require, just email info@harrogateuk.co.uk and we will try to help you
