Experience the magic of the spring Flower Show

This year’s Harrogate Spring Flower Show, held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, from April 24 to 27, marks the beginning of a brand-new gardening season.

As well as the show-stopping gardens that will give you inspiration aplenty, the colourful plant nursery displays, and the insightful live talks and demonstrations, there will also be floral art installations.

The stand-out piece is by Harrogate florist Helen James and has been inspired by one of this year’s Floral Art exhibitions, Swords & Sorcery: Fantasy Heroes. It features a sorceress figure wearing an elaborate headdress woven from fresh spring blooms who takes centre stage beside her bubbling cauldron – overflowing not with potion, but with a spectacular display of fresh spring flowers.

Free for children under 16, £28 for adults, 9.30am-5pm, April 24-27, The Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.

Walk 5km at this free event

Many people know Parkrun for the 5km event that takes place across the country every Saturday morning (most start at 9am), which you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate at, or there's also the 2km Harrogate Junior Parkrun held at 9am on Sunday mornings for four- to 14-year-olds.

This Saturday though, Parkrun is aiming to celebrate those who wish to walk the 5km route with the biggest walking weekend event, thanks to the relaunch of Parkwalk. 

There’s no need to book or sign up; simply turn up on Saturday morning, as it’s the same route as the usual Harrogate Parkrun.

Free, 9am, April 26, The Stray, Harrogate, HG1 5AH.

Watch a blockbuster

If you've not seen The Critic that was released in September 2024, this Saturday evening is the perfect opportunity.

The mystery and thriller film is about a powerful London theatre critic who lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences. 

Showing at The Memorial Hall in Pateley Bridge, it stars Sir Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Lesley Manville and Alfred Enoch.

Doors open at 7pm with the film starting at 7.30pm, April 26, The Memorial Hall, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5JS.

Visit Saint Michael’s Hospice's garden in spring

This Sunday Saint Michael’s Hospice is holding a mini taster of its much-loved Open Garden event that takes place in August.

Visitors can see the hospice garden in spring, which you can enjoy while having a cup of tea. Its volunteer gardeners will also be on hand to showcase their work and share handy hints and tips that you can recreate at home.

Entry is free with donations for refreshments welcome, only assistance dogs are permitted, 10am-12noon, April 27, Saint Michael’s Hospice, Harrogate, HG2 8NA.

See the sights of Ripon

It's the last weekend to go on Ripon's Sky Wheel that's on in the Market Square until Sunday.

Gather friends and family to experience the panoramic views from the 35-metre-high observation wheel, where you can see the historic sights of Ripon like you’ve never seen them before. And there’s no need to book – simply turn up on the day.

The initiative by Ripon BID and North Yorkshire Council is to encourage locals and visitors to spend more time in the city centre. Read more here.

£5 for those under 1.4m and £7 for those over, open daily, 11am-7pm, until April 27, Ripon Market Square, Market Place, Ripon, HG4 1BW.