Top festive activities in and around Harrogate for 2024

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There are many festive things to do in and around Harrogate to get you in the mood for Christmas, seize the moment and make memories with family and friends at this special time of year. 

Check out these ideas for inspiration…

Buy a Christmas tree from...

Ripon Walled Garden

Christmas is a special time at Ripon Walled Garden. With its grounds transformed into a Christmas wonderland, enjoy the woody scent of pine as you pick your perfect locally-sourced Christmas tree.

And with many people’s household budgets at the forefront of their minds, did you know that it is keeping the cost of its Premium Trees at 2023 prices? They range from £42 for a 4ft tree to £120 for an over 8ft tree. And each tree you buy goes towards supporting local people with learning disabilities.

You can also make a day of getting your Christmas tree as the Ripon Walled Garden also sells handmade wreaths, gifts and decorations and has a Santa’s grotto (pre-booking needed), as well as a 12 Days of Christmas mini trail.

9am-4.30pm Monday to Sunday until December 22, 01765 609229, Ripon Walled Garden, Palace Road, Ripon, HG4 3HN. To find out more, visit this link.

...Horticap

Located at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, Otley Road in Harrogate, Horticap is an independent registered charity that provides a supportive working environment for students with learning disabilities. Run by qualified staff and a team of volunteers, this season it’s selling a wide range of Christmas trees.

There will be real trees from 4ft all the way up to 18ft, the latter are especially impressive and give the wow-factor in entranceways and hallways with large ceilings. Local delivery is also available for just £10. Potted trees from 3ft to 4ft are also available, as are wreaths. 

Pre- or post- getting your Christmas tree, buy decorations from the shop and have a festive drink in the café.

9am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday, 01423 522876, Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, Otley Road, Harrogate, HG3 1QL. To find out more, visit this link. 

Go Christmas shopping at Heal

Nestled in the heart of the Montpellier quarter, Heal offers unique gifts that are not only beautiful but also purposeful. Whether you're shopping for a loved one or treating yourself, Heal has something for everyone.

Looking for an exclusive, unisex fragrance? Heal is one of the only retailers in the UK, alongside Harrods and Selfridges, to stock D'Orsay, a 200-year-old fragrance house.

Its gift selection also includes whiskey that helps to support rhino conservation, chocolate that champions neurodiversity, and award-winning jewellery by Vurchoo, which donates to children's education both in the UK and globally.

While you shop, sip a cup of specialty coffee from Darkwoods, known for its high B Corp rating. And as a special treat for Stray Ferret readers, enjoy a free Darkwoods coffee with any purchase of £30 or more when you mention the phrase 'Festive Ferret' at the check out. 

Also check out... Heal offers an wide range of spa treatments, treat you or a loved and make a booking online.

6 Montpellier Gardens, Harrogate, HG1 2TF. Visit this link to find out more.

Feel the festive magic at Enchantica’s immersive theatre experience

The renowned Enchantica’s Christmas Shows are back at the Elf Village at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate this Christmas.

First, attendees will be met by the elves who are working for Father Christmas and be given some important Elf School jobs to do, then they’ll be invited through to the special Elf School with access to the Forest of Enchanted Wishes and the beautifully crafted Elf Village.

Here take a sneak peek at what’s inside the houses and shops before entering the Christmas tipi to sit down for an exciting show full of magic and surprise for the whole family to enjoy, and of course featuring Father Christmas himself.

Children then get to visit the workshop to select a toy and have a personal family meet and greet with Father Christmas before skipping off to have a photograph on Father Christmas’s sleigh.

Also check out… the Enchantica’s Codebreaker’s Christmas aimed at children over the ages of seven, where they can solve puzzles, crack codes and complete challenges.

Early bird tickets from £20.25, adults from £13.50, suitable for all ages, the experience lasts up to two hours, from November 30 to December 24, Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate, Park Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5AH. To book, visit this link.

Shop at a 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 November and December it is hosting Christmas Special markets with festive food, drink and gifts on offer.

The Ripley Castle Special Market will be held on December 8 in the Castle Courtyard, and 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).

Meanwhile the Harrogate Christmas Farmer’s Market will be taking place on December 18. Situated in the heart of the town, as well as offering festive food such as local fresh produce for the Christmas table and Christmas dinner, there will also be local makers’ goods including art, jewellery, gifts and blankets to purchase.

All Real Markets offer a mixture of regular and guest stalls each month.

Also check out… there are other Real Markets in Otley, Ilkley, Grassington and Saltaire.

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

Free, 9am-4pm, The Harrogate Christmas Farmer’s Market, December 18, Cambridge Street, Harrogate, HG1 1RW.

To find out more, visit this link.

See Santa at Otley Garden Centre 

Otley Garden Centre is a feast for the eyes at Christmas – think pretty musical animated village scenes, decorations and festive shopping galore.

And you can make a day of it there as not only is there plenty to see, but it also has lots of activities on too. 

Little ones can go to the Reindeer Academy where they begin their adventure in the Woodland Wonderland with playful reindeer games. They then they zoom off to the Arctic Training Ground for exciting flying lessons, before entering the magical Science Lab, where potions and surprises await. 

It’s then on to the grotto to meet Father Christmas and choose a toy from his toy shop.

Its entertaining elves capture the magic of Christmas with an engaging story where children are invited to sing along, wish and believe.

This interactive Santa experience last approximately 20 to 30 minutes, is a group tour with up to eight children per group and a maximum of two adults per child. 

But be quick - most weekends are sold out but there's still weekday availability.

Also check out... pre- or post-visit, have a bite to eat and enjoy the festive menus and afternoon tea.

Under 12 months £15.95 per person, child ticket £21.95, see the website for more details. Otley Garden Centre, Pool Road, Otley, LS21 1DY. To book, visit this link.

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