15
Nov
Knaresborough's festive season to start with Bright Friday and the Christmas Market
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The festive season will get fully underway in Knaresborough this month, when Bright Friday returns to the town.
The annual event, which will be held on Friday, November 28, marks the official switch-on of Knaresborough’s Christmas tree lights and features an evening of entertainment.
A light parade that people can join with lanterns or torches will set off from the castle grounds at 6pm and make its way to the Market Place for the lights switch-on at 6.30pm.
A free lantern-making workshop will take place earlier in the day at Gracious Street Methodist Church from 4.30pm, where families can create their own lanterns before joining the procession.
The lantern parade arrives in the Market Place.
The evening will also feature performances from the Knaresborough Silver Band, Harrogate Spa Town Ukes Band and the Knaresborough Choral Society, alongside appearances from Father Christmas, carols, mulled wine and street food.
A spokesperson for Knaresborough Town Council, which organises the event, said:
The last Friday in November has become better known as ‘Black Friday’.
Bright Friday is Knaresborough’s antidote to this and marks the start of the town’s festive calendar of events.
It is a celebration of light, positivity and community to reflect the true meaning of Christmas in our town.
A week later, hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, dancers, brass bands and choirs will be just some of the things on offer over Knaresborough's Christmas Market weekend.
The market opens at 10am on Saturday, December 6, when there will be around 80 stalls selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and locally sourced produce, all centred around the Christmas tree in the Market Place.
Elsewhere in the town, visitors can visit the beautiful Christmas Tree festival at St John’s Parish Church or Mother Shipton’s Cave Christmas Experience (pre-booked tickets only), as well as the usual attractions of Knaresborough’s castle grounds, Tudor Courthouse museum (open 10am-3pm on the Saturday), and Knaresborough Heritage Centre.
Knaresborough Christmas Market. Photo: Charlotte Gale.
Committee member Charlotte Gale said:
We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafés 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.
Be sure to check out the Chrismouse advent display in the window of Buttercup Café on Butter Lane too.
Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival in St John's Parish Church. Photo: Peter Wilkinson.
The Christmas market weekend is organised by volunteers from the local Rotary and Lions Clubs and Chamber of Trade, and this year will benefit Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Knaresborough ATC, St John Ambulance, Claro Enterprises and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Market chair Hazel Haas said:
Last year’s market was a huge success in spite of the stormy weather and we were thrilled with the feedback from traders and visitors alike.
The 2025 market promises to be even bigger and there has been a high demand from traders. We are also keen that the 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.
The market weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 7 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s viaduct and the Nidd Gorge.
The centre of Knaresborough is largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park-and-ride service is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square. Buses will run from 8am to 5.30pm throughout the weekend.
For more information and entertainment timings, visit the event website at www.knaresboroughchristmasmarket.co.uk.
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