Christmas Events in the Yorkshire Dales 2023

Christmas at Mother Shipton’s Cave

📍 Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

📆 25/11/2023 - 24/12/2023

🧡 Peak Times have limited availability and some weekend/ peak dates are sold out. (Mid November 2023)

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-booked tickets only.

💰 Admission is paid per car and allows up to 5 people into the attraction. Pedestrian only tickets are available to those who do not wish to see Father Christmas and these range between £33 and £39 dependant on the date of your visit. To see Santa, you MUST also purchase an additional ticket of which is £10-£13 per child.

Father Christmas is back at Mother Shipton’s for a magical Christmas experience! (2021 event pictured above and on the Father Christmas picture)

For an additional £10-£13/ child, you will get the full festive experience, which includes a festive pack, the opportunity to meet the big SC, story time with the elves, see Santa’s sleigh, make reindeer food, drink hot chocolate, write your letter to Father Christmas, make a Christmas wish as well as all the other usual Mother Shipton’s fun at the cave and petrifying well. The adventure playground is NOT open during the event.

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

📆 18/11/2022- 24/12/2023 (Father Christmas) 18/11/2022 - 8/1/2023 (Winter Illuminations) 18/11/2022 - 8/1/2023 (Ice Skating)

🧡 Amber: Peak times have limited availability, although tickets are still available. (Mid November 2023)

🎟 Pre-booking required.

💰 Packages range from £12 (ice skate only) up to £42.50 per child (Gold Package) Adults range from £12 - £32.50. There are multiple options for add ons 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. We went last year to the illuminations and LOVED it!

But not only that, you can see Santa in his Grotto, see a festive pantomime, go ice skating, go Nordic Skiing, experience the snowflake maze and head to the Playhive!

There are a number of options available for tickets. Bear in mind that the Santa’s Grotto, Playhive and Pantomime all are added extras incurring an additional cost. Tickets can include ice skating or not, or you can just get ice skating tickets alone.

Find out more about is on the Stockeld Park Website (Link above)

Pictured above, the 2021 Stockeld Event

Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave

📍 Clapham, Yorkshire Dales

📆 Weekend dates throughout December, then Friday and Saturday 22 & 23rd December 2023.

💚 Green - good availability Mid November update 2023.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Adults: £13 Child: £17.50 (inc gift) Infants: 0-18 months: £5 (inc gift) Senior Citizen: £11.50 (prices are as of 2022 - check back for updates when details announced)

We LOVE A CAVE!

And a cave with Santa in it? Well, what could be better?! New for 2023, a brand new Santa’s post office at the start of the trail where children can write and post their letter to Santa.

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

📆 25/11/2023 10.30 to 12.30pm & 1.30 - 3.30pm

💚 Green November 2023

🧒 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. 2022 Included is a gift, and the chance to write a letter to Father Christmas, but 2023 details are yet to be confirmed.

Find out more by heading to the Yorkshire Dales website here!

Father Christmas at Bolton Abbey

📍 Near Skipton, Yorkshire Dales

📆 25&26 November, 2&3 December, 11&12 December and 16-22 December 2022

🧡 Amber. December weekend are sold out, limited availability for the week running up to Christmas. Mid November update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £25 - £32 per child £12 per Adult (Parking for the event is complimentary)

Father Christmas is returning to Bolton Abbey this Christmas!

The event takes place in the festive village in the Strid Woods. All children who participate will get the chance to take part in two festive crafts, and a singing activity before meeting Father Christmas himself.

Each child receives a personalised memento and a gift from Santa.

Find the booking details on the Bolton Abbey Website.

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Train The Polar Express

📍 Bolton Abbey Station, Yorkshire Dales

📆 18/11/2023 - 23/12/2023 (Weekends in Nov, Fri - Sunday in Dec, week running to Christmas from Tuesday to closing day)

🧡 Amber, some dates are sold out, but still some limited weekend and midweek availability left. Mid November update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £33.95 - £46.95. This is the official Polar Express train ride experience.

HUGE changes afoot at Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway this year with them hosting the Polar Express Official Train Ride for the first time!

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.

Thornton Hall Country Park Christmas Adventure

📍 Near Skipton

📆 From 26 November to 24 December 2023

🧡 Some availability still. Some dates sold out. November 2023 update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 These depend on the experience you are booking. Range is from £9.95 (for under 1’s) to £39.95/ person (Prices from 2022)

The Christmas Adventure this year offers different events for both preschoolers and older children tailored to their ages. This year promises a person visit with Father Christmas, access to the soft play and diner.

Pictured Thornton Hall Farm Event 2016

Santa’s Grotto at the Forbidden Corner

📍 Near Leyburn, Yorkshire Dales

📆 Every Weekend between the 2nd and 17th December 2023.

🧒 All ages.

💚 Green - still decent availability although some time slots are booked up. November Update 2023.

🎟 Pre-Booking required, select Santa’s Grotto when making the booking.

💰 £9/ child on top of the usual admission prices (Or £12 if you are just there for Santa)

Santa’s Grotto is headed to the Forbidden Corner again! Amongst the usual crazy Forbidden Corner chaos you will find Father Christmas himself too!

Birchfield Ice Cream Farm Mother and Father Christmas

📍 Near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale

📆 Every Weekend from the 25th November and additional selected weekday dates up to 22 December 2022.

🧡 Amber - most weekends now booked up, some limited mid week availability. November 2023 update.

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 From £21.95/ child £10/ 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.

Stump Cross Caverns Father Christmas

📍 Greenhow HIll near Grassington/ Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales

📆

🧡Amber Availability - some days are sold out but there is still plenty of availability. Book now to avoid disappointment. November 2023 update.

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Tickets range from £15 - to family packages of £80.

This year, your festive day at Stump Cross Caverns will include a morning cave admission, a meet and greet with Santa, make your own reindeer food, a UV cave experience after 3pm and a screening of Elf at 4pm with a free drink voucher! (full day package)

Packages including just Santa’s Grotto, the film and Cave are available too.

Pictured Stump Cross Caverns Event 2020

Thorp Perrow Santa’s Grotto

📍 Bedale, Yorkshire Dales

📆 25th November - 24th December 2023 (weekends and some selected weekdays)

💚 Good availability although some weekend days have sold out.

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £10/ child including a gift. Arboretum entry is separate.

Take a wintry walk through the Arboretum towards Santa’s cabin nestled in the woods. You will be greeted by elves, get to explore a winter wonderland then have a chat with Santa inside his cosy living room. A gift is included.

Christmas at The Burgoyne - Meet Santa and his Reindeer

📍 Reeth, Swaledale Yorkshire Dales

📆 December 16th 2023

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £15/ child £10/ adult. You can also add a festive lunch for £35/ adult and £25/ child.

You can meet Santa and his reindeer at the Burgoyne hotel in Reeth, Swaledale. The price includes a gift for each child. You can book through the Burgoyne website.

Supper with Santa at the Craiglands Hotel

📍 Ilkley, West Yorkshire

📆 December 16th 2023

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £19.95/ adult £9.95/ child under 12.

A two course meal with Santa! The children will be entertained with magic and Christmas games. They will also receive a gift from Santa.

Letters to Santa at Otley Garden Centre

📍 Otley, West Yorkshire

📆 November 25/26 - 23 December.

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 from £20.95/ child.

Under new ownership, the former Stephen H Smith’s Garden Centre is offering a Santa experience with the opportunity to meet Santa, an interactive story and more.

Father Christmas at Ripley Castle

📍 Ripley Castle near Knaresborough

📆 16th and 17th December

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Children £30 (Deluxe Child £40) Adult £15

This experience includes cookie decorating live entertainment and magic shows, a Christmas panto with Santa himself a well as a meet and greet with photo opportunities. It also includes a small gift and access to the gardens and grounds of Ripley Castle where you may be able to spot some deer. Find out more on the Santa Experience Booking page.

Cedar Court Christmas Experience

📍 Harrogate

📆 Weekends in December and the 21 - 24th December (10 December is a designated Quiet Session) CODEBREAKER ROOM ESCAPE: 21/22 December.

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Children £18.50 Adults £12.50 (babies free)

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.

Also at Cedar Court is Father Christmas’ Escape Room style Codebreaker show. On at 6pm on the 21 and 22nd December.