Post a letter to Father Christmas

The North Pole Post Office Harrogate branch is open for business until midday Tuesday 24 December.

Post your letter at the North Pole Post Office box, situated in front of the Harrogate International Festivals offices on 32 Cheltenham Parade.

It has had a magical North Pole makeover by the elves, and you can share your pictures on social media, tagging Harrogate International Festivals' social media channels.

Please note: due to the high volume of letters received, a personalised reply is not possible. However, you can download a letter from Father Christmas from HIF’s website using the QR code located by the North Pole Post Office box.

Take part in a free festive trail or workshop

Nidderdale Museum is hosting a free Christmas trail in Pateley Bridge on Friday.

Taking place across some of the museum’s most popular rooms, there will be 10 Christmas items to find and a prize to be won.

The event is part of Pateley’s Bridge’s Late Night Opening Xmas Festival where people can do their Christmas shopping, see the festive lights and even take part in on-the-night workshops at the museum. 

To view more dates for late night Christmas shopping across the district, click here.

Both events are free but donations are welcome, the trail is on from 5-8pm, the workshops are on from 6-8pm, December 6, Nidderdale Museum, Pateley Bridge, HG3 5LE.

Browse the stalls at Ripley's Christmas market

Real Markets hosts its markets across Yorkshire, and are known for their local and speciality produce, carefully curated products, and skilled, friendly and knowledgeable stallholders.

Always free to attend, this Sunday it is hosting a Ripley Castle Christmas Special market with festive food, drink and gifts on offer.

As well as enjoying all the festivities from local businesses, attendees can also enjoy free access to Ripley Castle’s estate grounds and gardens (this is in fact the case for all market days).

To find out more about other festive activities taking place in December visit this link, and for a full list of Christmas markets visit this link.

Free, 10am-3pm, December 8, Ripley Castle, Harrogate, HG3 3AY.

Do you enjoy getting out and about in the local area? Don't forget that as a Stray Ferret subscriber, you have access to exclusive local discounts and offers. Also check out more things to do.

Attend a show for a good cause

If you’ve yet to go to a burlesque or cabaret show, why not head to Knaresborough for an evening of entertainment?

Students from Foxie Gingerella’s dance classes will be taking to the stage to wow you with their performances, including solos, group acts and guest performers while raising money for IDAS, a vital charity that supports people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.

£15 per ticket, 7.30-11pm, December 7, Park Place Social Club, Knaresborough, HG5 0ER.

Go from Bach to Boogie at this concert

Listen to the brass-playing friends the Prince Bishops Brass Ensemble from Durham play a wonderfully varied programme, from 17th century classics to West Side Story. The concert will also begin with two gifted horn players from Ripon.

Since starting 10 years ago, the band have become known for their arrangements by eminent composers such as Ewald, Gershwin, Bernstein and of course Bach, but this time they are putting more modern songs into the latter part of the concert.

Under 18s and people in full time education are free, if you are bringing a young person under 18 then both parents are also free, otherwise adults are £25, 3pm, December 8, Holy Trinity Church, Kirby Road, Ripon, HG4 2EY.

Also check out...

The Great Knaresborough St John’s Christmas Tree Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and there will be a bumper display of more than 80 trees, as well as a centrepiece display on the theme of the well-known carol Good King Wenceslas.

The preview evening will take place on December 6 and will be formally opened by the Right Reverend Bishop of Ripon. Seasonal music will be provided by St John’s renowned choir, conducted by none other than the Knaresborough Town Crier.

There will be live entertainment from local choirs and music groups on all three Saturdays of the festival, not forgetting the ever popular Christmas Tree Festival Concert on December 8 by St John’s Choir.

£5 for the preview evening, from 7pm on December 6.

The rest of the festival from December 7 to 22 is free but donations are welcome. Open from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays; 12 noon until 4pm on Sundays; and 12 noon until 5pm on weekdays.

For local news fans, The Stray Ferret offers an annual gift subscription.