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Dec 2021

Last Updated: 17/12/2021

All of the lights: Where you can see some of the district's best Christmas displays

by Nina Meads Lifestyle Editor

| 18 Dec, 2021

At this time of year, we don't always want to splash the cash when it comes to enjoying some festive fun. Here's a rough guide on where you can take the kids to see some fabulous lights across the Harrogate district - for free!

Roz was "so pleased" to win the Christmas lights competition.

At this time of year, we don't always want to splash the cash when it comes to enjoying some festive fun.

And thanks to the creativity and hard work of the district's residents, we certainly don't need to.

One night this week after the school run, we hopped in the car, stuck on some Wham! and Shakey and took our two boys, aged three and eight, for a Christmas lights tour.

We all had a total blast and apart from fuel costs, it didn't cost a penny.

So here's a rough guide on where you can take the kids to see some fabulous lights across the Harrogate district - for free!

Crossways Drive (near Morrison's), Harrogate

The residents on Crossways Drive understood the assignment and have created some amazing light displays. There is a moving Santa and sleigh and more coloured lights than you can shake a jingle bell at.

This was the boys' favourite street, as most of the houses were lit up.

Sutton Grange Close, Lindrick Way and Norwich Drive, Jennyfields, Harrogate

Residents in Jennyfields are known for going all out at Christmas and it has long been a popular part of Harrogate to view the impressive displays. And this year it did not disappoint.

The boys loved the inflatable Christmas characters and found it hilarious (probably more than it should have been) that one of the Santas had fallen over. He had clearly had one too many sherries.

Norwich Drive is also the street where you can see an incredible Christmas display unlike any other in the district for charity.

Dale Hughes, is hoping to raise spirits and £1,000 for Martin House Hospice.

He has painstakingly installed and individually programmed 24,000 low-energy LEDs.

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From 5pm until 7.30pm his house will light up and will play a loop of around 20 songs over an hour.

Watch the amazing video of one of his displays here.

Mayfield Terrace, Harrogate

Harrogate man Paul Ivison's latest quirky garden creation has a festive theme and includes 13 Christmas trees, more than1,000 lights and hundreds of toys.

Mr Ivison has lived in his house on Mayfield Terrace for 15 years and each year decorates his garden with different themes. When the Stray Ferret visited in the summer, he had created a loud and proud mental health-themed garden, which raised £137 for Mind.

And in winter, he changed the theme again to "Toytropolis", after bargain hunting on Facebook marketplace to buy more than 200 toys to make children and their parents smile. He is now selling the toys to raise money for a Visa for his husband, who lives in the Philippines.

Mr Ivison said:

"It has been a terrific reaction and I've had a lot of people saying it makes them smile. I've had people coming late at night to see it and parents bringing little kids in to show them toys they used to have when they were younger.

"I've made about £150 so far and everyone who buys a toy gets a freebie as well.

"You get a lot of people driving past, as I also have a big flag on the roof, which says 'Happy Christmas', and people stop and get out to have a look."

Mr Ivison is already planning his spring garden, which will have a "pride and celebrity" theme, featuring 300 photographs of celebrities he has met over the years as a result of his time at the helm of an LGBTQ+ magazine.

You can visit "Christmas at Toytropolis" on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Mayfield Terrace, with the trees remaining on display until January 9 and the garden opening from 10am until 6pm.

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Finden Gardens, Hampsthwaite

The residents of Finden Gardens decorate their bungalows each year, much to the delight of the school children who walk past each day.

The boys absolutely loved the carol singers and tobogganers in one of the gardens, which is also decked out in fake snow, Christmas trees and lots of lights.

Minskip, near Boroughbridge

This is such a pretty village anyway, and it's even more beautiful at Christmas thanks to the creative displays that line either side of the high street. If you look closely you may even spot the Grinch!

One of the houses has even generously put out sweets for local children next to some lollipop and toadstool decorations, which went down a treat!

We tied this trip in with a festive visit to Yolk Farm, a family favourite, which is lovely at this time of year.

Where is your favourite place to see the Christmas lights in the Harrogate district? Are there any houses that stand out in particular? Email nina@thestrayferret.co.uk