The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Harrogate
- Claire
- Oct 29
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
UPDATED FOR CHRISTMAS 2025! Believe me there are so many activities to do in the Harrogate area this Christmas, but these are our top recommendations for things to do this Christmas in Harrogate. With a mixture of paid and free Christmas activities in Harrogate there’s something for every budget.
RHS Harlow Carr Glow
19th November – 23rd December 2025
All the family will enjoy a magical evening at RHS Garden Harlow Carr for their spectacular light show ‘Glow’. Grab a hot chocolate from Bettys and see the garden in breath-taking beauty as amazing illuminations light your way around the Glow trail.
Glow at RHS Harlow Carr is Wednesday to Saturday, 21st November to 28th December 2024.
Members: adult £10.00 & child (5-16) £5.25, under 5’s FREE
Non-members: adult £17.25 & child £9.25, under 5’s FREE.
Make sure to check out my guide to all the Festive Light Trails in the area this Christmas.
Light Up A Life Service at Ripon Cathedral
7th December 3.30pm
Light up a Life is a very special remembrance service at Ripon Cathedral. “You will experience music, readings and time for reflection and see our community’s lights illuminated as we come together to remember those we love. We welcome families to join us, and will have special opportunities for young people to be a part of Light up a Life”
There is also a service at St Michael’s Hospice on the 14th December.
As a family we have attended this service for over 10 years now. It has truly become a seasonal tradition. I know that these services may not be for everyone but I really love it, so it had to be included.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Harrogate Theatre
26th Nov 2025 to 18th Jan 2026
Is it even Christmas in Harrogate without a trip to the panto?
Harrogate, get ready for the GIANT pantomime you’ve all BEAN waiting for!
Times are hard for Dame Trott. She has no money, and her daydreaming daughter Jack isn’t much help either. When Jack is sent to market to sell the family cow, she comes home with nothing but a handful of beans – and that’s when the magic really begins!
Join Jack on an epic adventure as she climbs up the beanstalk to an enchanted land where she must rescue her friends from the ‘Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum’ of a very hungry giant!
Packed with sparkle and jokes galore, Harrogate Theatre’s magical pantomime is a festive family favourite and we can’t wait to see you there!
Tickets range from £22.00pp to £200 for a box.
Christmas at Mother Shipton’s
Sat 29th November – Wed 24th December 2025
Step into a world of magic and wonder as you enter Mother Shipton’s magical Christmas experience. Get ready, for Santa is flying through the starry skies to meet you!
From the moment you step into this enchanted land, Santa’s cheerful elves will welcome you with open arms. Every child with a Santa Experience Ticket will receive a pack of festive activities, a magical pass to unlocking the wonders that await.
2025 tickets are not yet release but 2024's prices were:
Car admission (up to 5 people) £36-£42. Santa experience tickets (in addition to entry prices) Children 0-12yrs £13-£16.
Harrogate Christmas Fayre
5th to 14th December 2025
Bring on the mulled wine! The Harrogate Christmas market is back with 9 days of festive shopping with both local and European traders. For more details see the Visit Harrogate site.
Santa’s Christmas Funland
Yorkshire Events Centre 13th -24th December
3 hours of unlimited indoor FESTIVE fun handpicked by Santa himself and created bespoke by his cheeky elves!
A real magical experience for all of the family to enjoy hosted by Santa himself, meeting and greeting all of his visitors and making sure Mr Grinch stays on his best behaviour…
Real GIANT ice rink, Santa’s funfair rides, Candy lane sweet treats, hook a penguin or catch a snowball skilled games, The GRINCH, Segway elves, Santa’s elf panto shows, Elf craft shops and SO MUCH MORE!
Tickets now available at the Crow Leisure group website!
Session 1 – 10am – 1pm, Session 2 – 2-5pm, Session 3 – 6-9pm
Admission: from £22.99, Under 3s £5.99.
Knaresborough Christmas Market
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th, 10am-5.00pm December 2025
Whilst the market itself is centred around Knaresborough’s historic Market Place, there are festive events, independent shops and eateries throughout the town … so leave yourself some time to explore.
A wide variety of local artists will be performing in the Knaresborough Christmas Market during the weekend, including local morris dancers, brass bands and choirs.
Fountains Abbey, The Season of Music & Lights
From 2pm every weekend between 29th November and 28th December
It’s time to see the abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow. Lights are switched on at 2pm, bands and choirs will play in the cellarium from 2-3pm.
There’s plenty more going on at Fountains Abbey this Christmas. make sure to check out their website for details of Carols by candlelight, the Boxing day pilgrimage, ‘On the Hoof’ at Studley deer park, group storytelling sessions and so much more.
St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 6th to Sunday 21st December 2025
Every year more than 70 Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses, are displayed in the beautiful St. Johns Church in the heart of Knaresborough. 2025 is their 11th year.
Admission to the festival is free, but there will be the opportunity to donate to the church and the event’s chosen charity for this year. Read the latest news on their Facebook page.
Codebreakers Christmas
Our favourite Santa experience ever is back!! but this time in it's new home at Allerton Castle.
You probably know by now that I love to find activities that suit the awkward pre-teen ages and last year we found a Santa experience that absolutely smashed it out of the park!
Codebreakers Christmas is aimed at children aged 7+ and offers an escape room style interactive show with the fabulous Tinsel the Elf. I don’t want to tell you too much as I don’t want to spoil it but my highlight was all the kids laughing at their grown ups during the 12 days of Christmas song.
All 4 of us (2 adults and two 12yr olds) had the best time last year and we will 100% be getting tickets again for this Christmas. I have a feeling its going to sell out FAST!
Enchantica’s who run the Codebreaker Christmas also offer an ‘Elf-Training Workshop’ which is suitable for all ages and a Quiet Elf Show for children with sensory conditions or additional needs.
Christmas at the Caverns
Selected dates from 29th November 2025
Visit Stump Cross Caverns this festive season for a Christmas experience like no other!
Interactive Christmas Experience (Including Cave entry and Christmas Film at 4PM)
Experience the magic of Christmas with our Interactive Christmas Experience! Meet Santa and his jolly Elf in a fun and festive setting, where children can share their Christmas wishes, receive a present and enjoy creating special reindeer food to take home for Santa’s reindeer.
After your visit with Santa, explore our stunning caves at your own pace with a self-guided cave tour, included with your ticket. To top off your festive day, enjoy a cosy screening of a classic Christmas film, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
This enchanting experience is ideal for families looking to create lasting holiday memories in a unique and magical environment. Don’t miss out on this festive adventure!
From £25.00 per person.
Harewood’s 'A Glittering Invitation'
Harewood House 8th November 2025 to 4th January 2026
This year, the magnificent State Floor will once again shimmer with Christmas splendour as they open their doors to celebrate the most magical season of all. We’re delighted to present this year’s theme: A Glittering Invitation.
This year, interior designer Siobhan Murphy (TV’s Interior Design Masters and Interior Curve) transforms Harewood with her signature maximalism, bold patterns and joyous colour. A reimagining of Regency splendour for 2025, it’s Christmas with a sense of theatre and wonder. A season to ignite the imagination and delight every generation
As well as exuberant décor, Siobhan is working with nine miniaturist specialists, to recreate a mini version of Christmas at Harewood with pieces featured throughout the House. Each intricately designed piece will be part of a free trail for children to follow, encouraging them to spot and tick off every miniature they discover. This whimsical adventure invites families to slow down, observe the details, and immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas.
Pricing: Adults from £27.95, Children £12.95 (free for members). And beware, non members are now being charged for car parking too!
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