A Christmas market is set to be held in Ripley in December.

Real Markets, which also hosts markets in Grassington, Ilkley and Harrogate Farmers’ Market, will hold the free event in the castle courtyard at Ripley Castle.

It will include 40 independent and artisan traders, as well as festive carols from local school children and craft activities.

There will also be a visit from Father Christmas for children from 10am until 11.15am.

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, said: 

“We’re very excited to bring a specially curated local market to the magical setting of Ripley. It offers a fantastic day out for all ages, thanks to the historic, rural setting, where visitors can enjoy the village and castle grounds. 

“We hope it brings some real, traditional Christmas magic to visitors.”

The event will be held on Sunday, December 10, from 10am until 3pm.

Admission to the grounds is free and dogs on leads are also welcome.

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The original Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill could be set to make a comeback this year.

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser and founder of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, confirmed it had submitted an event management plan to North Yorkshire Council to stage the event from November 2 to 5.

The event was held annually from 2012 to 2019 until it was halted by covid.

Harrogate Borough Council then scuppered its prospects of returning by refusing to grant a licence and organising its own town centre Harrogate Christmas Fayre in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a specialist market company based in Greater Manchester.

But Harrogate Borough Council was abolished last weekend, with the new North Yorkshire Council taking its place.

The original Christmas market, which was organised by local people, had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend in 2021 when the rug was pulled from under its feet.

By contrast, last year’s town centre fayre only had about 50 stalls, and some people have said there were too many food outlets and not enough craft stalls.

The fayre was accompanied by a giant Ferris wheel near the war memorial, an ice rink in Crescent Gardens and the Candy Cane Express free road train, which were popular with many visitors.

Some people welcomed the decision to hold the event in town rather than on the muddy Stray. Others said the new event lacks charm compared to Montpellier Hill.

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Destination Harrogate, a tourism organisation within North Yorkshire Council, issued a press release yesterday saying this year’s fayre would be extended from 10 days to 18 and run from December 1 to 17.

Because the dates for the seasonal events do not clash, there is the possibility that both could take place this Christmas.

Mr Dunsby declined to comment beyond confirming Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd had submitted its event management plan for what he hoped would be a similar event on Montpellier Hill to those staged up to 2019.

Too many food stalls?

Yesterday’s news release by Destination Harrogate announcing this year’s market extension did not mention North Yorkshire Council.

The Stray Ferret asked Destination Harrogate who was in charge of the market now Harrogate Borough Council no longer existed, who authorised the fayre extension and what response it had to claims that last year’s event had too many food stalls.

It said in a statement:

“The Harrogate Christmas Fayre has always been an event owned and operated by Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate will continue to support them at a local level.

“The decision (to extend) was based on feedback from many of the town centre retailers, hoteliers and hospitality businesses, following the impact that the market made on their December trading. After taking on board the feedback from those sectors in particular, and following discussion with Market Place Europe, we’ve been able to agree the addition of the extra week and weekend.

“The market is open to any trader that wishes to apply to have a stall. We would actively encourage any local traders that would like to be part of the Christmas fayre to apply – as we have done since the new event was introduced in 2021. The variety and volume of stalls are dependent upon those traders that come forward and want to take the opportunity to be involved.”

Knaresborough was packed at the weekend for what is being hailed as the town’s busiest ever Christmas market.

A total of 68 stalls crammed into Market Place to greet customers from all over the country and beyond.

The attractions also included a Christmas tree festival at St John’s Church and a fireworks finale, provided by local firm Ferrensby Fireworks.

Hazel Haas, who chairs the Christmas market committee, estimated up to 10,000 people attended on Saturday and up to 6,000 people turned out yesterday. She said:

“It was amazing. I’ve never seen it so busy. Many people said it was the busiest ever. In fact some traders sold out of their entire weekend stock on the Saturday.”

Ms Haas attributed the success to the quality of stalls, which she said had gradually improved over the years, and to the fact that the event still offered a cheap weekend for people in tough times.

The Christmas tree festival, the fireworks and the park and ride were all free so visitors could soak up the atmosphere and explore the town without having to spend any money.

So many coaches attended that extra space was required to accommodate them and King James’s School agreed to help at late notice.

The Christmas market is a joint initiative between the Rotary Club of Knaresborough, the Lions Club of Knaresborough and Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

“We were thrilled with the support for the market again this year, as well as our fantastic local businesses. We had worked really hard to promote all the town has to offer in the lead up to the event and feedback so far has been great, with one business even reporting they’d had their best ever day.

“People travelled from far and wide and at one point we even had a queue of coaches waiting to drop off market visitors. I spoke to one couple who had travelled from Leicester having seen the town featured in the recent film ‘A Very Yorkshire Christmas’ and another man who was visiting from the Netherlands. The town felt so wonderfully festive and even the showers on Sunday did nothing to deter visitors.”

A Winter Fayre and Christmas window competition is being held in Knaresborough in December as part of continuing efforts to boost the town.

The event, which is being organised by Knaresborough Business Collective, follows on from the success of the Spring Fayre in April.

Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, and Natalie Horner, from Sid Horner and Son, founders of the business group, said the event would feature a host of exciting attractions.

They will include children’s rides, a Father Christmas grotto,  live entertainment and music, food and drink stalls and craft workshops, as well as a local artisan market.

The fayre will take place on December 10 from 10am until 4pm on Knaresborough Market Place.

To accompany the event, the group is also hosting a Christmas window competition, which will see businesses in the town create displays with a festive theme before December 9. Prizes will be awarded to the top three best dressed windows.

Ms Wilkinson-Gill said:

“We are so excited to see all your fantastic efforts for Christmas. Knaresborough’s window displays are becoming a tourist attraction for visitors. They are so fantastic, and of course everybody wants to get their hands on one our prestigious trophies!”

The Winter Fayre will take place the week after the Knaresborough Christmas Market weekend on December 3 and 4.

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The countdown to the festive season has started in Knaresborough, with just four weeks to go until the town holds its Christmas Market Weekend. 

Centred on the huge Christmas tree in Market Place, the two-day shopping event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, will feature almost 60 stalls, selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and the best of locally sourced produce.  

Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by a wide variety of local dancers, brass bands and choirs promise to add to the festive atmosphere.  

The centre of Knaresborough will be largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park and ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square.  

Market chair Hazel Haas said:

“Last year’s market was a huge success and we were thrilled with the feedback from traders and visitors alike. There was such a buzz in the town. I think people were just so pleased to see the return of largescale town events after a difficult 18 months.  

“The 2022 market promises to be even bigger and there has been a high demand from traders, with stalls selling out way ahead of time.” 

Committee member Charlotte Gale said: 

“We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street.  

“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. The businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.” 

The market weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s railway viaduct and the Nidd Gorge.

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Ms Haas added:

“We are also keen that this year’s market benefits the town as a whole. Members of our volunteer committee have been liaising with other local organisations and businesses to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend.  

“We are also supporting Rotary, Lions, St Michael’s Hospice, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Air Cadets, Girl Guides Association and Knaresborough Cricket Club, who are our charitable partners for this year.”  

Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be “bigger and better” than last year’s, organisers said today.

Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, today revealed further details of the fayre, which will run from December 2 to 11.

Last year’s activities marked a major departure from the town’s previous seasonal offering, with the longstanding, locally-run Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill replaced by a town centre offering by the council in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a company that specialises in organising markets.

This year’s festivities will include:

• An outdoor ice skating rink, with an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments and a giant 32m Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.
• A carousel, plus other children’s fairground rides, in Crescent Gardens, provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s parks and environmental services team.
• Town centre stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.
• The return of the Candy Cane Express, a road train transporting people around Harrogate town centre while the market is on. The train is co-funded by Harrogate BID.
• An artisan market run by Little Bird Made in Valley Gardens on the first two weekends in December.

The Candy Cane Express will return.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:

“We’re building on the success of last year and through working in collaboration with our partners, including Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID, we can look forward to delivering something really special this Christmas.”

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Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Once again, Christmas will be coming to Harrogate town centre and I for one can’t wait. Last year’s offer was a great success but I know this year’s will be even bigger and better.”

Cllr Cooper added the ice skating rink “not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment”.

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:

“Harrogate is a beautiful and unique destination and the perfect place to enjoy our fantastic Christmas market. We’re really excited to be returning this year with an even bigger Harrogate Christmas Fayre.”

An ice rink and a big wheel are set to come to Harrogate as part of this year’s Christmas festivities in the town.

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe and John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, told Harrogate BID members last night about how Christmas will look in the town this year.

A “winter wonderland” will be created in Crescent Gardens, which will include the ice rink, apres ski, carousel and children’s rides.

Mr Rhodes said an expanded Christmas market will run from December 2 to December 11 with stalls on Cambridge Street, as well as “probably” Oxford Street and Cambridge Crescent.

Last year was the first event run together by the two organisations. Mr McGivern acknowledged there were some “teething problems” but said staff were working hard to make it bigger and better this year.

He said 90% of stallholders from last year have said they would like to return.

Mr McGivern said there was some feedback from last year about a lack of atmosphere but that covid hampered what they were able to offer.

He said this year will have more of a Christmas feel with the addition of carol singers, among other plans.

The popular Candy Cane Express road train will be back, but there will be two trains this year instead of one due to high demand.

The location is yet to be confirmed, but a 32m big wheel is likely to be placed at Harrogate’s war memorial where the helter skelter was last year.

The big wheel, ice rink, carousel and rides will be in place until January 8.

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Christmas is coming to the Harrogate district. The Stray Ferret has compiled a list of events from across the district so you don’t have to miss out on any festive fun.

Whether you want to meet Santa himself, visit a Christmas market or enjoy an evening of late-night shopping in Boroughbridge this list will tell you where to go.

The list runs in date order. We’ll be updating and re-posting it every day. If you want us to add an event get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Harrogate Father Christmas Experience

Where: The Crown Hotel, Harrogate

When: Between November 20 and December 24 (check for dates and times)

Tickets: Adults £9.50 and children (under 18) £12, plus a £1.75 booking fee

Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival

Where: St John’s Church Knaresborough

When: Saturday, December 4 until December 23 

Church opening times: 12-5pm weekdays, 10-5pm Saturday and 1.30-5pm Sunday

Tickets: Free. No tickets are required but weekends are likely to be very busy and numbers in church will be limited. A one way system will be in operation and visitors may be required to queue outside the building

Washburn Heritage Centre Christmas Stall- RESCHEDULED

The Christmas market was initially planned for December 27 but was cancelled due to the bad weather. A Christmas Market stall has now been set up in the Tea Room.

Where: Washburn Heritage Centre

When: 11am to 4pm every Sunday from December 5

Tickets: Free to enter

Mackenzies Late Night Shopping

Where: Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café

When: 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, December 16

Tickets: Free to enter

Knaresborough’s Christmas Carol Pub Sing

Where: Half Moon Inn, Knaresborough

When: 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, December 19

Tickets: Free to enter

Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert

Where: Royal Hall, Harrogate

When: 6pm on Thursday, December 23

Tickets: Free to enter but must be booked in advance via this link

The tightening of rules for public gatherings, mean that Santa won’t be seen in Ripon’s cabmen’s shelter on Sunday – but the Christmas market, with free fairground rides for children will still go ahead.

Changes affecting both indoor and outdoor venues and events, were announced this week by the government, as part of its Plan B designed to tackle the Omicron variant of covid.

Ripon City Council announced on its Facebook page:

“Unfortunately, the new COVID rules mean that Father Christmas will not be able to return to the cabmen’s shelter this week.”

The rare and historic listed building (pictured below) was transformed into a temporary grotto to coincide with the switch on of the city’s festive lights on 20 November.

Santa, who arrived on that day with two reindeer, attracted a large queue of families, whose children went to see him.

Though  the grotto is now closed, families and other visitors, will still be welcome on Market Square between 10am and 3pm on Sunday.

Free fairground rides for children will be in place next to the latest in the series of Little Bird Artisan Markets.

The following advice has been provided by the council for those planning to attend:

• People going to events are strongly advised to take a lateral flow test at home before attending
• Anyone with a positive test result must stay at home, and household members should follow national guidance for close contacts
• Face coverings should be worn indoors and in crowded spaces
• Keep a respectful social distance between yourselves and people who are not in your group
• Do not travel to the event if you are feeling unwell. If you start to feel unwell whilst at an event, you should leave the site immediately
• Follow all covid-19 measures in place at events, including regular hand hygiene

The Harrogate district is preparing for a bumper weekend of festive events with numerous Christmas markets and fayres over the next few says.

We’ve pulled together a handy guide to the festive markets and events from Harrogate to Masham.

Yesterday, Harrogate’s Christmas market kicked off with people arriving from 10am to walk around the stalls and enjoy a mulled wine or two.

Here’s some information on the events this weekend:

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Around 50 local stalls will be in place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent until December 12.

It is open 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

There is also a carousel and ferris wheel at Crescent Garden and a helter skelter at the war memorial to add to the festive offering. All rides cost £3 for a ticket.

Harrogate Christmas Artisan Market

This is the first for the town, a market for 60 local, small traders based in Valley Gardens.

Organised by Little Bird Made, the market will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.

The festive road train will also pass by the entrance and stops on nearby Crescent Road.

Knaresborough Christmas Market 

Based on the town’s Market Square across weekend, Knaresborough Christmas Market is making its comeback.

There will be almost 50 stalls selling Christmas decorations, gifts and locally sourced produce. There will also be live entertainment from local dancers, choirs and brass bands.

Although a lot of the stalls accept cards, market organisers have urged visitors to bring cash with them in case the town’s two remaining cash machines run out.

It will come to a close with a fireworks display over Knaresborough’s iconic viaduct at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 5.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts this weekend: here’s the lowdown
• Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district

Masham Christmas Market

Similar to the one held last month, this weekend the town’s Market Place will host numerous stalls plus a visit from Santa himself.

Many of the usual monthly stallholders will be in attendance, plus others, so visitors can expect hand bell ringing and folk music as well as a wide variety of craft and food and drink stalls.

There is also a craft fayre in the town hall, both are open on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Ripon Christmas Market

This year the festivities are back.. On Sunday, artisan markets will be held on the square and free children’s fairground rides will be in operation on those dates.

There will be a selection of stalls from local traders, arts, crafts, food, an outdoor bar and live music.