Last chance to see this year’s colourful Yarn Trail

Fancy doing something a little different this weekend? Head out on this year’s Yarn Trail, now in its fifth year and continuing to grow in popularity.

The initiative brings together 14 independent yarn shops across the county, giving knitters, crocheters and craft fans a great excuse for a weekend out.

Pick up a map and special yarn passport from one of the participating shops, then follow the trail, collecting stamps as you go and visiting as many stores as you can.

Whether you’re a keen crafter or simply fancy discovering some of the county’s independent businesses, it’s a colourful and creative way to explore North Yorkshire.

Runs until September 27, shops across North Yorkshire; see the website for details.

A Yorkshire twist on Oktoberfest

Taking place at Rooster’s Brewing Taproom in Harrogate, Oktoberfest brings a Yorkshire twist to the traditional Bavarian celebration, with brewery beers, German lagers, festival food and a lively band.

Visitors can expect traditional games, prizes for the best-dressed revellers and even a limited-edition collaboration beer brewed with California’s Green Cheek Beer Co. With festival hats and tankards included with tickets, it’s an afternoon of beer, music, food and Bavarian-inspired fun.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and children aged 10 and over can attend with a responsible adult. The price of the ticket includes a souvenir Oktoberfest tankard and hat.

£14.95, 2-8pm, September 26, Rooster’s Brewing Taproom, Unit H5, Fifth Avenue, Hornbeam Park Ave, Harrogate, HG2 8QT.

Sheep, tradition and family fun return to Masham

Masham Sheep Fair returns this weekend, bringing the market town to life with two days of sheep, rural traditions and family entertainment.

Visitors can enjoy sheep showing and racing, sheepdog demonstrations, wool and craft stalls, Morris dancers, live music, a children’s fair and the colourful Bishop Blaize procession, with activities taking place around the Market Place and surrounding venues. 

The volunteer-run fair also raises money for charities including Yorkshire Air Ambulance and local community organisations. Entry is free, making it a great opportunity to enjoy a traditional Yorkshire weekend and soak up the atmosphere of one of the region’s best-loved rural events. 

Free, September 26 and 27, Market Place, Masham, Ripon, HG4 4DZ.

Listen to world-class music, arts and performances 

The Ripon International Festival is a wonderful celebration of music and the arts, bringing a diverse programme of world-class performances to the city and the surrounding area. 

The festival features everything from orchestral and chamber music to folk, jazz, literature and poetry, with performances taking place in beautiful historic and local churches. 

This week, the festival continues with The Carnival Band at North Stainley Village Hall on Friday, 25 September, followed by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band at Holy Trinity Church, Ripon on Saturday, September 26 and harpist Lucinda Taylor at St Peter’s Brafferton on Sunday, September 27.

Halloween festivities begin

Spilman's Pumpkin Festival starts this weekend.

Visitors can expect to choose from 175,000 pumpkins in a range of colours and types, including orange, green, yellow, blue, textured and striped pumpkins.

Tickets include event entry, access to the new Wizfords Academy: The Great Fortune Flop show, a Halloween fancy dress disco, and a £5 voucher to spend on pumpkins.

There will also be a giant slide, costumed characters, and a hay bale mountain offering views of the pumpkin patch, as well as a spooky walk, tractor rides, a pumpkin slingshot, and more.

Tickets are from £9.74 and include a £5 pumpkin voucher. Various dates from September 27; check the website for details. Spilman's, Church Farm, Sessay, Thirsk, YO7 3NB.