Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
12
Nov
5 things to do in and around Harrogate this weekend November 14-16
Look for timeless treasures
The Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair returns to Harrogate this weekend, running from Friday to Sunday.
Taking place in the Wharfe and Aire Rooms, the fair brings together unique pieces for collectors, interior designers, home furnishers and anyone with an eye for one-of-a-kind décor.
Visitors can browse an inspiring mix of ceramics, fine paintings, period furniture, rugs, glass and mirrors, along with collectors' items such as classic and 20th-century jewellery, antiquarian maps and prints.
Tickets £5 in advance or £7.50 on the door, 11am-5pm Fri and Sat, 11am-4.30pm Sunday, November 14-16, Pavilions of Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.
Last year's lights switch-on in Ripon
Ripon gears up for festive fun
There’s nothing quite like a Christmas lights switch-on to signal the start of the festive season – and this weekend, Ripon will be getting into the spirit.
The celebrations take place in Ripon Market Square on Saturday, promising an afternoon packed with family entertainment. From 1pm, visitors can enjoy fairground rides, test their nerve on a climbing wall, and meet Santa and his reindeer.
Live entertainment will run from 3pm to 6pm, leading up to the highlight of the day – the Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm.
The event marks the beginning of the city’s festive celebrations, bringing the community together to kick off the season in style.
Free, November 15, Ripon Market Square, Ripon, HG4 1BW.
Dive into the world of comics
Comic fans won’t want to miss this weekend’s Thought Bubble Comic Convention at the Harrogate Convention Centre. Hailed as one of the UK’s largest celebrations of comic art, the event will feature more than 600 comic-creating exhibitors, along with leading publishers and retailers from across the industry.
During the weekend, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of panel shows, one-on-one interviews, live drawing sessions, and industry discussions, plus a range of free workshops, ranging from beginner drawing lessons to tips on publishing your own comic.
The fun doesn’t stop there, with guest signings, a cosplay parade, and a dedicated kids’ zone adding to the atmosphere.
Various prices, see website for details, 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday, November 15-16, Harrogate Convention Centre, King's Road, Harrogate, HG1 5LA.
Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society haunts the stage with The Weir
Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society returns to the stage this autumn with The Weir, Conor McPherson’s spellbinding modern classic that blends ghostly storytelling with profound human emotion.
Set in a remote Irish pub where locals trade eerie tales to impress a newcomer from Dublin, the play gradually unravels into something deeper and more unsettling, as mystery and memory intertwine. McPherson’s sharp, naturalistic dialogue and haunting themes promise an evening of suspenseful realism, brought to life with the society’s trademark energy and skill.
Tickets are £12, performances take place on Saturday November 15, and from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November at 7.30pm. Pateley Bridge Playhouse, Church Street, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5LB.
Get into the festive spirit at local Christmas markets
For some, it’s never too early to start preparing for Christmas – or to soak up some seasonal cheer. This weekend, two local festive markets are offering the perfect opportunity to do both.
On Saturday, head to Calcutt Village Hall in Knaresborough for its Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning, which will feature craft and book stalls, plus a tombola to try your luck on.
Then on Sunday, the celebrations continue at Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall, which hosts an artisan Christmas market packed with more than 20 small businesses selling local and handmade gifts. Visitors can also enjoy craft stalls, family activities, and even a festive pop-up mini photo shoot.
There’ll be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained too, with face painting, kids’ crafts, and raffle prizes up for grabs.
Free, 10am to 12 noon, November 15, Calcutt Village Hall, Knaresborough, HG5 8JF.
Free, 10am-3pm, November 16, Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall, Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite, Harrogate, HG3 2EJ.
0