Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be "bigger and better" than last year's, organisers said today.

Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, today revealed further details of the fayre, which will run from December 2 to 11.

Last year's activities marked a major departure from the town's previous seasonal offering, with the longstanding, locally-run Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill replaced by a town centre offering by the council in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a company that specialises in organising markets.

This year's festivities will include:

• An outdoor ice skating rink, with an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments and a giant 32m Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.


• A carousel, plus other children’s fairground rides, in Crescent Gardens, provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s parks and environmental services team.


• Town centre stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.


• The return of the Candy Cane Express, a road train transporting people around Harrogate town centre while the market is on. The train is co-funded by Harrogate BID.


• An artisan market run by Little Bird Made in Valley Gardens on the first two weekends in December.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:

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Cllr Cooper added the ice skating rink "not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment".



Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said: