The festive season is fast approaching, so we’ve collated a list of all the Christmas markets taking place across the Harrogate district.
If you know of one that we have missed, please email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we can add it.
Harrogate
Harrogate Christmas Fayre
The 17-day Christmas market will return to Cambridge Street this year.
There will be a variety of traders, selling festive foods and gifts, as well as live music and entertainment.
It will run from December 1 to December 17 and will be open daily.
The market will take place from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.
Harrogate Ice Rink at Crescent Gardens
The fairground and ice rink will return to Crescent Gardens this year.
There will be a carousel and a collection of small rides for children to enjoy, as well as some market stalls.
It will run from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
The ice rink and attractions will open from 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays and 11am to 8.45pm on weekends.
Harrogate Festive Artisan Market
The Valley Gardens will also host a Christmas market again this December.
Little Bird Market has arranged for vendors to sell a range of food and drinks, as well as Christmas gifts.
Market days are Saturday (10am – 5pm) and Sunday (10am – 4pm) between December 2 – 17.
Christmas Market at Harrogate Horticultural Nursery
The Harrogate Horticultural Nursery will run a two-day Christmas market in November.
On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, there will be a range of Christmas plants, gifts and Christmas trees on offer.
It will be open 9.30am – 3.30pm and entry is free.
St Wilfrid’s Church Christmas Fair
St Wilfrid’s Church, on Duchy Road, will host a Christmas fair.
Gifts, art, clothing and food and drink will be on offer.
There will also be a free film screening for families from 4pm, with a welcome drink and snack for children.
It will run on Sunday, December 10 from 11am – 4pm.
Entry is free.
Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the film screening.
St Wilfrid’s Church – Christingle-making
St Wilfrid’s Church is also hosting a christingle-making session.
The event will be held in the Parish Hall and will be followed by a crib service at 5pm.
It will begin at 4pm on Sunday, December 24.
Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the christingle-making session.
North Bar Christmas Market
North Bar is hosting a “keep it local” Christmas Market.
Stalls will be inside the bar with 20 traders selling a range of art, knitted and crocheted good, jewellery and more.
There will also be charity stalls to raise money for Harrogate Cat Rescue.
The event will include a table ran by Artventurers of Harrogate and Knaresborough for children to enjoy.
Mulled wine and food will be served accompanied by live music.
The event is free and will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 6pm.
Country Living Christmas Fair Harrogate
Country Living is holding a Christmas Fair at Harrogate Convention Centre.
The fair will include gift stalls which will include artisan designers, independent producers and small businesses.
There will also be workshops and a food hall.
The event will be held from November 30 to December 3.
Ripley Christmas Market
A Christmas market run by Real Markets will be held in the grounds of Ripley Castle.
The event will take place on Sunday, December 10, from 10am until 3pm.
It will include 40 independent and artisan traders, as well as festive carols from local school children and craft activities.
The market is free to attend.
Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity — Outdoor Pop up Christmas Market at Harrogate Railway AFC
The Christmas market will offer a range of stalls offering arts, crafts and handmade jewellery, as well as food and drink vendors.
There will be live music, donkeys and even a Father Christmas grotto to enjoy.
The event will be held on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm at Harrogate Railway AFC.
All proceeds will go towards supporting staff, patients and families at Harrogate District Hospital.
Tickets are available now for a donation of £5 per adult and £2 for children over three — U3’s go free.
Tickets include a drink and a mince pie on arrival.
Starbeck Christmas Fair
Starbeck Christmas Fair, which will be held at St Andrew’s Church, will offer more than 30 stalls selling festive goods.
St Andrew’s Choir will be singing, followed by a performance from the Summerbell Dance Academy.
The Starbeck Christmas lights will be switched on just before 6pm, where mince pies will be handed out.
Harrogate Theatre Choir will then lead a festive sing-along.
It will take place on Saturday, November 25 from 2pm – 6pm.
St John’s & St Luke’s Churches Christmas Fair
St Luke’s Church, in Franklin Square is hosting a Christmas fair this December.
There will be a range of stalls selling jams, plants, jewellery, books, gifts and more.
Light refreshments will also be on offer.
The fair will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 10:30am – 1pm.
Admission is £3 and includes coffee and cake. Accompanied children go free.
Bilton Area Methodist Church Christmas Fayre
The church will host 16 craft stalls for its Christmas fayre.
Coffee, cake, festive sandwiches and soup will all be on offer.
There will also be a Christmas hamper raffle and a lucky dip for children.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 25, from 10am – 3pm.
West Park & St Paul’s Churches Community Carol Service
A community carol service will take place at the West Park United Reform Church, on Victoria Avenue, in December.
There will be plenty of carols to sing followed by coffee and mince pies.
Anyone is welcome.
The service will be held on Friday, December 22 at 5pm.
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food and Gift Fair
The cathedral will host more than 100 stalls during its Christmas fair.
There will be hot turkey sandwiches, mulled wine and Christmas gifts on offer.
The event will take place on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and U16s go free.
There is also a free park and ride available.
Little Bird Christmas Artisan Market
Little Bird will offer a variety of stalls in the Market Square.
There will be homewares, personalised gifts, toys and food and drinks on offer.
It will take place on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm.
Ripon Community Christmas Craft Fair
A Christmas market will be on offer at Ripon Community House.
There will be handmade gifts, local produce and arts and crafts.
There will also be a visit from Father Christmas for young ones to enjoy.
All proceeds from the tombola and refreshment area will go towards the Community House.
Entry is 50p and the event will take place from 10am – 3pm on Sunday, November 19.
Late night Christmas shopping
There will also be a late night shopping event around Ripon.
Traders will stay open until 8pm.
It will take place on Thursday, November 30.
Festive Winter Warmer Cruises & Local Makers Market at Canal Basin
The Pride of Ripon will be running festive cruises on the canal this Christmas.
The boat ride, which will be 30 minutes in total, will also include mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles – including brownies and mince pies from The Secret Garden.
Local traders will also have stalls running alongside the boat rides.
It will take place on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17 from 11am — 3pm.
Tickets start at £8.95.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough Christmas Market and fireworks
Knaresborough Christmas Markets will take place around the town’s Market Place.
There will be almost 60 stalls, including festive food, clothing and Christmas gifts.
Live music and entertainment will also be on offer, with performances from a Ukrainian Dance Group, Knaresborough Choral Society and Harrogate Spa St John’s Church Choir.
There will also be a free park and ride for the weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square. Buses will run from 8am to 5.30pm throughout the weekend.
A firework display at the Castle grounds will bring the market weekend to a close.
The markets will run on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.
Nidderdale
Pateley Bridge Late Night Shopping
Pateley Bridge will hold a late-night shopping evening on Friday, December 8.
Local shops will be involved and hand out samples, while children can enjoy the santa’s grotto.
It will begin at 6pm.
St Nicholas Fair at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge
A Christmas fair will be held in Pateley Bridge on Sunday December 2.
There will be a range of stalls selling jewellery, cakes and gifts, as well as a festive tombola and a raffle.
The Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Prize Band will also be performing from noon until 1.30pm.
Admission is £3 and includes a hot drink and a mince pie.
Soup and a roll will be available from noon.
The event starts at 10.30am.
Christmas Big Sing at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge
To continue the festivities, a “big sing” will be held at the church later in the evening on December 2.
Tickets cost £5 on the door and there will also be a raffle.
Tables of 4 or more can be booked in advance by emailing me.mitch@btinternet.com
The bar opens from 6.30pm and the event will run from 7pm – 9pm.
Masham
Masham Christmas Fayre
A traditional Christmas fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.
There will be a variety of gifts available to buy.
The event will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 10am .
SYD Christmas Craft, Vintage and Collectables Fayre
An eclectic Christmas Fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.
There will be two floors of handmade craft, vintage and collectables stalls.
It will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 10am.
Boroughbridge
Late night Christmas shopping
A late-night Christmas shopping event will be held across Boroughbridge.
Shops will stay open late and will compete in a window display competition.
There will also be festive street stalls, a hog roast, choir performances and children’s rides.
Children can also expect a visit from Father Christmas.
The event, which will take place on Wednesday December 6, will be kicked off by the official light switch-on at 5.30pm.
Christmas Fayre — Minskip Village Hall
A Christmas Gift Fayre will be held in Minskip, near Boroughbridge, this month.
The event, which will be held in Minskip Village Hall, will run from 1pm – 4pm.
It will feature a wide range of local traders selling festive gifts, food and homeware, as well as a tombola and refreshments.
All proceeds will go to the local church.
The fayre will be held on Saturday, December 9.
Entry is free.
Villages
Lovingly Made in the Dales — Hampsthwaite
An artisan Christmas market will be held in Hampsthwaite village hall.
There will be more than 20 vendors selling locally-crafted gifts.
Tickets cost £10, which includes a glass of wine and a raffle ticket, and money raised will go towards the Roddy Scott Foundation.
It will take place on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm – 9pm.
Artisan Christmas Market — The Inn at South Stainley
The Inn at South Stainley will host three-days of Christmas markets in November and December.
It will host a range of local sellers.
There will be mulled wine and bratwurst on offer while shopping.
The event is free to attend and will take place on Wednesday, November 29 from 4pm, and December 6 and 13 from 8pm.
The Christmas Kitchen — The Washburn Heritage Centre
The Washburn Heritage Centre will be hosting a Christmas market in December.
There will be a range of stalls selling homemade seasonal goods, including jams, alcohol and sweet treats, baked by the centre’s volunteers.
The Tea Room will also be serving a seasonal menu with hot soup, turkey rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake to enjoy.
The Fewston Musick singers will be performing at the event.
It will take place on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 4pm.
Copt Hewick Christmas Fair
A festive market will be held in Copt Hewick village church and hall on Saturday, December 2.
There will be craft stalls, a tombola and raffle, food and drinks, and even a visit from Father Christmas on a horse-drawn sleigh.
The event will run from 11am – 3pm.
Admission is free.
Read more:
- Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife
- Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: It is our ‘honour’ to be part of the journey, says Vida Healthcare
Knaresborough set for Christmas Market Weekend
Knaresborough will begin two days of festive fun when its Christmas Market Weekend gets underway tomorrow.
The Christmas market, which takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, is the centrepiece of a host of activities around the town.
The market will feature about 65 stalls, food and free entertainment, including Morris dancers, music and singing.
Many Knaresborough traders are staying open until 7pm for late night shopping on Saturday.
Elsewhere, more than 70 decorated Christmas trees will be on display in St John’s Church for the annual Great Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival. The festival, which is free to enter, begins tomorrow and runs until December 23.
The Christmas tree festival
Holy Trinity Church on Briggate is running a Christmas fair tomorrow and Sunday.
The weekend will close with a 10-minute firework finale, set against the backdrop of Knaresborough viaduct and the Nidd Gorge, at 4.30pm on Sunday.
Event co-sponsor 1858 Bar & Restaurant will hold an after-party following the firework finale.
Parking in Knaresborough is limited. A free park and ride service will operate from the GSPK car park on Manse Lane (postcode HG5 8LF) to the town centre from 8am to 5.30pm both days.
The new banking hub on Kirkgate will open for counter services between 9am to 5pm both days, which will enable people to withdraw cash.
Read more:
- Annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to Knaresborough
- Knaresborough Heritage Centre to open next year
Masterchef star Owen Diaram to have stall at Harrogate Christmas Fayre
Owen Diaram, a quarter-finalist on BBC MasterChef UK 2023, has won a competition to have a stall at this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre.
He was named as the winner of a competition organised by the market operators to give free trading opportunities at the town centre festive market, which begins on December 1.
The winners of Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate’s Jolly Big Business Boost competition also receive business mentoring and PR opportunities.
Mr Diaram, who was yesterday named as this year’s winner, uses his South African Indian heritage to create traditional spice packs that only need to be mixed with two ingredients to produce tasty bhajis.
Mr Diaram said he was “blown away” by being selected, adding::
‘’Harrogate has now been my home for the past eight years and I am so excited to trade at what is a truly fantastic event that will allow me to achieve my goal of bringing South African Indian cuisine to mass audiences.’’
Market manager Nick Rhodes said:
‘’The Jolly Big Business Boost is a fantastic way for local, ambitious entrepreneurs to get their foot in the door and has proven to be very successful.’’
The fayre’s opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 11:00am to 430pm.
Read more:
Business Breakfast: New outdoor shop opens in Ripon
Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?
The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.
Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.
A Trespass and Nevisport store is the latest addition to Ripon‘s high street.
The outdoor clothing, footwear and accessories specialist, which sells brands including The North Face, Rab and Berghaus, opened its doors on Saturday morning in a prime retail location at Market Place East.
The premises were previously occupied for many years by Barclays Bank, whose Ripon branch closed in August 2022.
The Trespass brand was created in 1984 by long-established Glasgow firm Jacobs & Turner Ltd, which still owns it. The first Trespass store in mainland Europe opened in the Netherlands in 2014 and others have since opened in Poland, France, Germany and Austria.
Nevisport was founded near Ben Nevis in Scotland in 1970 and was acquired by Jacobs & Turner Ltd in 2007.
New Christmas market at Ripley
Real Markets, which runs markets across Yorkshire, has announced a new Christmas market at Ripley Castle.
Real Markets at Ripley Castle on Sunday, December 10 will feature a “special visitor from the North Pole” and carols from local schoolchildren. Visitors will also have free access to Ripley Castle’s grounds and gardens on market day.
Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, said:
“We hope our special Christmas market brings a little magic in this fairytale setting. We’re thrilled that our specially curated local market will continue to be in the castle grounds once a month, every month next year too. It offers free access to Ripley castle’s grounds and gardens, so a fantastic day out for all ages.”
The monthly market at Ripley Castle. Photo: Real Markets.
Real Markets runs a number of long-standing Yorkshire markets, including monthly markets and farmers’ markets in Ilkley, Grassington, Otley and Harrogate, as well as at Ripley Castle on the last Sunday of each month excluding January. Its ethos is to support local, small, specialist and independent businesses to benefit the local community and help local producers thrive.
The Real Markets Christmas market at Ripley Castle will take place from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 10 December. Admission is free.
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Estate agent’s award win puts firm in top 3%
- Business Breakfast: LNER orders cleaner new trains
- Business Breakfast: Growth Hub hires Harrogate district business advisers