Christmas Events in the Yorkshire Dales 2025
CHRISTMAS 2025!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year….
Christmas is coming and we are here to take the stress out of finding something to do with the family, with our BUMPER roundup of all the Christmas Events taking place in and around the Yorkshire Dales this year!
So, whether you’re wanting to see the man himself, head to a festive market, a light switch on or whether you just fancy an evening filled with Christmas sparkle, read on!
(October 2025 update: I’m working through the list and will keep updating up until December!)
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I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).
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Where to See Father Christmas this year…
Here, you’ll find all the Christmas Events taking place in and around the Yorkshire Dales where you can go and see the big man, Santa Claus himself!
To help even more, I have assigned a traffic light system to let you know how much availability there is:
🧡 Amber: Some availability remains, but dates/ times are limited.
💚 Good availability.
Last updated October 2025 (work in progress!)
Bolton Abbey Event from 2024 (The first year of its re-imagining)
Father Christmas and the Wild Winter Wonderland at Bolton Abbey
📍 Near Skipton, Yorkshire Dales
📆 NOVEMBER DATE: 22 & 23, 29 & 30. DECEMBER: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 2025
ALL WEEKENDS SOLD OUT except 22 & 23 November 2025 (EXTREMELY limited availability).
🧒 All ages!
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 £40 per child £12 per Adult £10 for an older sibling (Parking for the event is complimentary)
Father Christmas is returning to Bolton Abbey this Christmas!
The event takes place in the festive village which has been moved to the actual Bolton Abbey village this year. All children who participate will get the chance to take part in bushcraft activities including fire-lighting (in previous years, nature candles were made, as well as hot chocolate from scratch).
Each child receives a personalised memento and a gift from Santa.
Find the booking details on the Bolton Abbey Website.
Christmas at Mother Shipton’s Cave
📍 Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
📆 29th November 2025 - 24th December 2025.
🧡 Weekends and immediate run up to Christmas have extremely limited availability and some days are now sold out or restricted to late entry times. (November 2025)
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-booked tickets only.
💰 Santa Experience tickets £15 per child who wishes to see Santa. You must also purchase a car park admission ticket, which is £39 allowing up to 5 people to enter. Additional passengers at £15/ person.
Father Christmas is back at Mother Shipton’s for a magical Christmas experience! (2021 event pictured)
You will get the chance to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift, expect all kinds of Christmassy activities too!
Find out all the booking information for Mother Shipton’s Christmas here!
Stockeld Park Santa’s Grotto and Enchanted Forest
📍 Stockeld Park, near Wetherby, North Yorkshire
📆 22/11/2025- 24/12/2025 (Father Christmas - weekends only until 18th December) 22/11/2025 - 5/1/2025 (Winter Illuminations) 22/11/2025 - 5/1/2025 (Ice Skating)
🧡 Amber/ Book NOW: Peak times have limited availability, although tickets are still available. (November 2025)
🎟 Pre-booking required.
💰 Packages range from £13 (ice skate only) up to £41 per child (Gold Package including Santa’s Grotto) There are multiple options for add on’s and extras such as the Playhive and ice skating. For ease, here is the link to that payment information on Stockeld Park Website but this is by far one of the priciest of the Christmas events.
🧒 All ages! Babies under 6 months are free.
What does a Christmas at Stockeld Park have in store?
The enchanted forest will be given its annual festive makeover and become a twinkling wonderland, packed with light installations alongside the usual playpark fun.
But not only that, you can see Santa in his Grotto (book with Gold/ Silver tickets only), see a festive show, go ice skating, experience the snowflake maze and head to the Playhive!
Find out more about is on the Stockeld Park Website (Link above)
Pictured above, the 2024 Stockeld Event
Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave
📍 Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
📆 Weekend dates throughout December, then Tuesday 23rd December 2025.
🧡 Amber - some times sold out but still some availability. November 2025 update.
🧒 All ages!
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 Adults: £18.34 Child: £21.48 (inc gift) Infants: 0-18 months: £5.24 (inc gift) Senior Citizen: £15.72
We LOVE A CAVE!
And a cave with Santa in it? Well, what could be better?!
Quite frankly, the caves are stunning here. Be prepared to walk, as access to the Grotto and Cave is via the Estate Nature Trail (cost of entry is included in the ticket price) although for very young or elderly visitors, they have put on a mini-bus. Check out our Gaping Gill walk to find out more about what’s involved in the walk bit, you could even replicate the walk we did to make a full day of it!
Booking information for Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave is here!
Mother Christmas at The Dales Countryside Museum
📍 Hawes, Yorkshire Dales
📆 6/12/25 10.30 - 3.30pm
💚 Green -Tickets are available from the Yorkshire Dales National Park website. (November 2024)
🧒 All ages!
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 £8/ child entry to the museum is included in the price.
This year you will have the chance to meet MOTHER CHRISTMAS at the Dales Countryside Museum. Included is a gift, the chance to write a letter to Father Christmas and to do some Christmas crafts with a hot chocolate!
Find out more by heading to the Yorkshire Dales website here!
Embsay and Bolton Abbey, Wensleydale Railways & Steam Train: The Polar Express
📍 Bolton Abbey Station, Yorkshire Dales & Wensleydale Railway, near Leeming Bar (Bedale)
📆 14/11/2025 - 23/12/2025 - On Selected Dates.
🧡 Limited availability. November 2024 update.
🧒 All ages!
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 £35.95 - £57.95. This is the official Polar Express train ride experience.
The Polar Express returns to Wensleydale and Embsay and Bolton Abbey railways.
You can expect a fully immersive experience with live actors recreating key scenes of the story, with a visit from Santa too! Premium ticket holders also get a goodie bag.
Check out the full details on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway website.
Photo from Polar Express ride at Wensleydale Railway 2022.
Thornton Hall Country Park Christmas Adventure
📍 Near Skipton
📆 Weekends from 23 November and 24 December 2025
🧡 Some availability still. Some dates sold out. November 2025 update.
🧒 All ages!
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 These depend on the date you are booking. Range is from £12.95 (for under 1’s) to £35.95/ person (Prices from 2025)
The event will take you on a journey to the Yuletide village meeting Mother Christmas, the elves, deer and then Father Christmas itself.
Pictured Thornton Hall Farm Event 2016. The event has transformed entirely since this picture was taken and has since won multiple awards! How time flies!
Santa’s Grotto at the Forbidden Corner
📍 Near Leyburn, Yorkshire Dales
📆 Every Weekend in December until the 23nd 2025.
🧒 All ages.
💚 Green - Christmas has only just been announced. November 2024 update.
🎟 Pre-Booking required, select Santa’s Grotto when making the booking.
💰 £10/ child on top of the usual admission prices. £12 to see Santa only. (Adult £17.60, Child £15.60) (2024 prices - 2025 not been announced - unsurprisingly, Halloween is a big deal at the Forbidden Corner I presume they’re still recovering!)
Santa’s Grotto is headed to the Forbidden Corner again! Amongst the usual crazy Forbidden Corner chaos you will find Father Christmas himself too!
Stump Cross Caverns Father Christmas
📍 Greenhow HIll near Grassington/ Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales
📆 29 November 2025 - 24 December selected dates then
💚 Green Availability - good availability still (November update 2025).
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 Tickets range from £40 - to family packages of £100 (for 2 adults and 3 children plus a film). The tickets include cave entry.
There are two packages available this year, one being the interactive Santa experience, with cave entry, reindeer food making, meeting Santa and his elf followed by a classic Christmas film.
Or the Christmas and Cave option, including meeting Santa and his Elf, with reindeer food making and a trip around the caverns.
Pictured Stump Cross Caverns.
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm Mother and Father Christmas
📍 Near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale
📆 From the 29 November 2024 - 23 December selected dates.
🧡 Amber - some dates still available some sold out.
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 From £24.95/ child £12.50/ adult
Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room, to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets. Then you will be transported by Buddy the Elf on a magic sleigh ride to see Santa in his woodland grotto! There’s biscuit decorating and also the opportunity to make reindeer food. The indoor play areas are open and you will be able to see the animals too.
Head to the Birchfield Ice Cream farm website to book.
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm Mother and Father Christmas
📍 Near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale
📆 From the 29 November 2024 - 23 December selected dates.
🧡 Amber - some dates still available some sold out.
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 From £24.95/ child £12.50/ adult
Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room, to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets. Then you will be transported by Buddy the Elf on a magic sleigh ride to see Santa in his woodland grotto! There’s biscuit decorating and also the opportunity to make reindeer food. The indoor play areas are open and you will be able to see the animals too.
Head to the Birchfield Ice Cream farm website to book.
Children’s Jolly Jamboree at the Craiglands Hotel
📍 Ilkley, West Yorkshire
📆 December 14th & 21st December 2025
💚 Good availability
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 £19.95/ adult £15.95/ child under 12.
This is a kids Christmas party, with DJ and 2 course meal included.
Santa’s Grotto at Otley Garden Centre
📍 Otley, West Yorkshire
📆 November Selected dates at the end of November and until the 24th December 2025
💚 Good availability
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 from £21.95/ for child and up to two adults. Under 1 is £15.95
Admission includes a gift.
Illuminated Winter Wonderland
📍 Ripon Spa Gardens
📆 December 19 - 21 December 2025
💚 Good availability
🧒 All ages.
🎟 No booking.
💰 Free event (donations welcome)
This free event is taking place in Ripon Spa Gardens and features Santa Claus amongst the winter illuminations!
Cedar Court A Very Santa Sunday
📍 Harrogate
📆 Sunday 14th December 2025.
💚 Good availability
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 Children £14.50 Adults £29 Under 3’s free
Meet Santa and have a super Christmas lunch!
Head to the Elf Village for some Elf Training this Christmas, with live entertainment, shows, sing alongs and the opportunity to meet Father Christmas himself. Find out the full details on the Enchantica website.
Elf School - Grassington Devonshire Institute
📍 Grassington
📆 Saturday 2 December 2025
💚 Good availability
🧒 Up to year 8
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 Children £10
Christmas Illuminations and Light Trails
Fancy something a bit different from your standard meet and greet with Santa?
Here you’ll find a list of all the Christmas Illuminations and trails taking place in and around the Yorkshire Dales.
To help even more, I have assigned a traffic light system to let you know how much availability there is:
🧡 Amber: Some availability remains, but it is limited.
💚 Good availability.
Last updated November 2025
RHS Harlow Carr: Glow 2025
📍 Harrogate
📆 Selected dates throughout from 19 November to 23 December
💚 Good availability. Still plenty of dates and times are available for booking. November 2025 update.
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking required.
💰 Members: Peak Days £10 for Adults £5.25 for Children. Non Members: Peak Days £19 for adults and £10.20 for children. Under 5’s free.
Bring all the family for a magical evening at RHS Harlow Carr. the Garden will be lit in breath-taking beauty as illuminations light the way on the Glow trail.
Check out the booking details on the RHS Harlow Carr website.
(pictured Harlow Carr 2024)
Bolton Abbey 12 Days of Christmas Trail
📍 Near Skipton, Yorkshire Dales
📆 29th November 2025 - 4th January 2026
💚 This will stay green! The trail is included in the admission price to Bolton Abbey.
🧒 All ages.
🎟 Pre-Booking not required but does secure a discount.
💰 £12.50/ car booked in advance. £15 if booked on the day.
You don’t have to go and see Father Christmas at Bolton Abbey, you can just head to the 12 Days of Christmas Trail that runs through Strid Wood. The trail is included in the price of the parking, and leads through the wood. There is usually a trail sheet to complete with clues found along the way, and the opportunity to enter a prize draw.
Fountains Abbey Christmas
📍 Outside Ripon, North Yorkshire
🧒 Suitable for all ages.
🎟 Some pre-booking required. Carol concerts are ticketed on a first come first serve basis on arrival.
💰 Standard Admissions apply: Adults: £19 (£20.90 inc. Gift Aid) Child: £9.50 (£10.50 inc. Gift Aid) Family: £47.50 (£52.30 inc Gift Aid) 1 adult 2 children £28.50 (£31.40 with Gift Aid) - Free for National Trust Members.
What’s going on at Fountains Abbey this year?
📆 Choir: 2pm every Saturday and Sunday between 29 November - 28 December 2025 The abbey will be lit up in rainbow lights. There is live music playing between 2-3pm - closes at 5pm.
📆 Toymakers Workshops - 20 - 23 December. Crafty workshops for budding toymakers. £10/ child.
📆 Toymakers Trail - 20 December - 4 January 2026 Free with normal admission.
Skipton’s Nutcracker Trail
📍 Skipton High Street
🧒 Suitable for all ages.
🎟 No pre-booking required.
💰 Free
📆 22 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Follow the nutcracker trail around Skipton Town Centre!
Luminescence a Winter Light Trail
📍 Swinton Hall Estate
🧒 Suitable for all ages.
🎟 Pre-booking required
💰 £12/ adult £7.50 per child.
📆 6 November 2025 - 22 February 2026
Brand new for 2025, this trail takes place in the Swinton Estate and takes you around the grounds.
Christmas Light Switch Ons 2025
Want a list of the Christmas Light Switch ons in and around the Yorkshire Dales? HERE IT IS!
Ripon Light Switch on 15th November 2025 from 1pm - 6pm lights on at 5pm
Ilkley Christmas Light Switch on a 22nd November 2025. Lantern parade from 4.15pm, lights on at 5pm The Grove
Knaresborough Light Switch on 28th November 2025 6pm-8pm.
Grassington Christmas Light Switch on 21st November 2025 at 4.30pm
Settle Christmas Light Switch on 29th November 2025 from 12pm Settle Market Place
Kirkby Stephen Light Switch on 22nd November 2025
Leyburn Light Switch on 29th November 2025
Skipton Christmas Light Switch on: 23rd November 2025, High Street between 10am and 5pm (the day kicks off with the Santa fun run)
Otley Christmas Light Switch on Monday November 24th 2025 from 5.30pm, Fireworks at 7pm Market Place Otley.
Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Light Switch on 5th December 2025.
Burley in Wharfedale Christmas Light Switch on 29th November 2025
Hawes Christmas Light Switch on 6th December 2025
Bedale Christmas Light Switch on 30th November 2025.
For all the details of events times, locations and exactly what’s on offer, head to our Christmas Light Switch On’s blog!
Christmas Fairs 2025
Fancy a festive fair with crafts, festive food and a whole lot of yuletide cheer!
Here’s a list of all the fairs taking place along with the dates they run for (in date order).
Hawes Christmas Craft Fair: 15-16 November 2025
Christmas in Ingleton: 15 November 2025
Christmas Makers Fair Ilkley Manor House: 22 & 23 November 2024
Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair: 5-7th December 2025
Harrogate Christmas Fair (pictured): 5 December -15 December 2025
Knaresborough Christmas Market: 6-7 December 2025
St Johns Christmas Tree festival: 6-21 December 2025, St John’s Church Knaresborough
Grassington Christmas Market: 7th and 14th December 2025
Otley Victorian Fair & Christmas Market: 7th December 2025
Bedale Christmas Street Market 29th November 2025
Richmond Town Christmas Market: 7 December 2025
Skipton Traditional Markets: 7th & 14th December 2025
For more information about these markets, head to our Christmas Market blog.
Like what you see?
Here at the Reluctant Explorers we are all things Outdoors in Yorkshire!
Head to our events page for more Yorkshire seasonal events, to our family friendly walks or to the blog for outdoors life and attractions in and around Yorkshire!
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