Go on a musical adventure

The Easter holidays are coming to an end, and what better way to round them off than with a trip to Harrogate Theatre this weekend.

Perfect for children aged three to eight, A Squash and a Squeeze is running from Friday to Sunday and bringing the much-loved story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to life in a joyful musical adaptation.

With colourful puppets, catchy songs and gentle humour, this charming musical adventure introduces little ones to the magic of theatre while celebrating friendship, problem-solving and seeing things from a new perspective.

From £18, 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, April 10-12, Harrogate Theatre, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF. 

Listen to an evening of intimate songs and piano pieces

Belinda O’Hooley brings a rare blend of talent and warmth to the stage at Grewelthorpe Village Hall. 

An accomplished pianist, singer, songwriter and composer, she is celebrated for her deeply emotional and uniquely sensitive musical style. 

Audiences can expect an intimate mix of instrumental pieces, solo songs and selections from her acclaimed O’Hooley & Tidow collaborations, performed across piano, accordion, guitar and unaccompanied. 

Beyond her artistry, Belinda’s genuine Yorkshire charm makes her a delight both on and off the stage, promising an unforgettable evening of music.

£16, from 7pm, April 11, Grewelthorpe Village Hall, Ripon, HG4 3BU.

A fun-filled Easter dog walk for charity

Join three charities – Woodfield Dog Rescue, Yorkshire Rose Dog Rescue, and Viktor’s Ark rescue – for a delightful Easter charity dog walk this Sunday.

The walk will take you and your four-legged friends through the beautiful Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods, on to Harlow Carr, and back. Dogs must be kept on a lead, and each pup will receive a special goody bag. 

It’s a good way to enjoy the outdoors, spend quality time with your dog, and help animals in need.

£13 per dog with all proceeds going to the above three charities, 10am, April 12, Valley Gardens, between Cornwall Road and Valley Drive, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ.

Elevate your seafood skills at Swinton Cookery School

Discover the art of preparing and cooking seafood with confidence in this full-day course at Swinton Cookery School in Ripon. 

Learn essential skills, from filleting fish to mastering techniques like curing, searing, roasting and dressing, while creating a variety of dishes such as fish tacos, seabass ceviche, saffron risotto and oysters. 

Designed to help you bring out the best in fresh fish and shellfish, this hands-on experience is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their culinary skills. 

Learn more via our spotlight on Yorkshire-based cookery schools.

£210 per person, 10am-3pm, April 12, Swinton Cookery School, Swinton Park, Ripon, HG4 4JH.

Visit more than 100 contemporary sculptures

The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Ripon, has reopened for its annual Sculptures in the Landscape Exhibition.

Spanning seven months across 45 acres of gardens and woodlands, the exhibition features more than 100 contemporary sculptures – from figurative to abstract – made from materials such as recycled polystyrene, forged steel, ceramics and glass. 

Highlights include nine monumental works by Michael Lyons, a founding member of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, alongside pieces from artists in Hong Kong, the USA, Armenia and Spain.

Known for its seamless blend of art and nature, the park continues to captivate visitors of all ages, offering award-winning landscapes and rare botanical treasures such as the Himalayan blue poppy.

Free for children aged four and under, £6 for children aged five- to 16-years-old, £16 for adults, 10am-4pm (last entry is 3pm). From April to June it's open from Tuesday to Sunday, from July to October it's open from Wednesday to Sunday. It's open all bank holidays.

The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, The Hutts, Hutts Lane, Grewelthorpe, Ripon, HG4 3DA.