Pumpkin spotting fun in Ripon 

Go on a seasonal adventure with Ripon's Pumpkin Trail.

Launching this Saturday, the trail encourages children and their families to wander through Ripon’s historic streets, spotting hidden pumpkins in the windows of participating local businesses.

Organised by Ripon BID, the initiative supports local shops, brings the community together, and offers families a free, memorable half-term experience in the heart of the town. 

Free, trail sheets can be picked up in town from participating businesses, the event starts from October 25, Ripon Market Square and beyond.

Spot the stars at the Dark Skies Fringe Festival

See the Yorkshire Dales in a different light with the Dark Skies Fringe Festival that’s running from October 24 until November 2.

There are lots of different initiatives taking place from stargazing stays to supper evenings, night walks to a family-friendly astronomy show running nightly at Lime Tree Observatory in Ripon until October 30.

These are just some of the many events happening at the festival where you can marvel at the night sky.

Free, October 24 to November 2, various times and locations in the Yorkshire Dales.

Harrogate Halloween Trail

Harrogate town centre is set to transform into a hub of spooky, family-friendly fun as Harrogate BID launches its Trick, Treat and Trail Halloween experience.

Running from Saturday, October 25 to Saturday, November 1, the Halloween trail invites families to hunt for letters hidden in shop windows across the town, uncovering a secret phrase in exchange for a prize. 

The activity begins and ends at a Halloween-themed pop-up at The Crown Hotel, complete with pumpkins, hay bales, themed snacks and drinks, photo opportunities and craft activities for all ages. 

Free, October 25 to November 1, The Crown Hotel, Crown Place, Harrogate, HG1 2RZ.

An illuminating way to celebrate autumn

As the nights draw in, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal come alive in a whole new light with the return of Fountains by Floodlight, a magical after-dark experience.

From October 25 to November 1, visitors can wrap up warm, grab their torches, and explore the haunting beauty of the abbey ruins bathed in ethereal floodlight. 

This atmospheric evening offers more than just a stroll through history – live choral performances echo through the cellarium, shadows dance beneath vaulted ceilings, and guided tours reveal the stories etched into the stones. 

Whether you're a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a magical night out, Fountains by Floodlight offers a memorable way to celebrate autumn.

Free for under 5s, £6 for children aged five to 17 years old, £12 for adults. Free for National Trust & English Heritage members but they must still book a ticket. From 25 October to 1 November, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Ripon, HG4 3DY.

Spend Sunday morning with crime writer Mark Billingham

Join award-winning crime writer Mark Billingham for an engaging Sunday event full of stories, conversation and delicious food at this Book and Brunch event on Sunday.

With 25 bestselling novels to his name and a career spanning decades, Mark will discuss his latest Tom Thorne thriller What the Night Brings, offering behind-the-scenes insights into his writing process and characters. 

Organised by Harrogate International Festivals, guests can enjoy a relaxed, intimate setting, a tasty brunch, and the chance to ask questions at this rare event with one of the UK’s most acclaimed crime authors.

£18, 10am, October 26, Cedar Court Hotel, Park Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5AH.