Make your child’s Christmas even more magical, by getting them a letter from Santa.
1. Royal MailEvery year, the Royal Mail offers a free Letter From Santa Service – a direct line to the big man himself. Children are asked to write to Santa and include their full name and address on their letter, so that he can write back.
Letters should be posted to:
Santa/Father Christmas,
Santa’s Grotto,
Reindeerland,
XM4 5HQ
It’s really important to write Santa’s address carefully on a stamped envelope. Include your child’s full name and address in your letter, so Santa can write back!
Letters must be received by Wednesday 13th December 2023, so Santa has time to reply.
More details can be found on the Royal Mail website
The NSPCC run their annual letter from Santa service to help bring the magic home to children this Christmas.
Choose from 8 enchanting stories and new illustrations.
Every letter can be personalised with a child’s name, age and lots more!
A suggested £5 donation for every letter helps us cover the cost and means the NSPCC can be there to keep more children safe.
For more information visit the NSPCC Website
Freshly cut Christmas trees will be available from Wednesday 29th November 2023!
Santa will be there on weekends (10am – 4pm) and Wednesdays (1pm- 3pm) from 25th November 2023. This year we will be implementing a booking process for weekends. Book your visit by calling us on 01947 605212. Our booking line will be open 12pm-4pm everyday
Tickets are £10 per child and £1 per adult, this is payable when booking. Tickets include a short walk around Santa’s winter wonderland, before visiting Santa and his magic fire place where each child receives a quality age appropriate gift
Sneaton, Whitby
Enjoy lunch in the Café – to book telephone 01751 475614
Cedarbarn, Pickering. YO18 7JX
Before we know it, winter will be here and Castle Howard is all set to help make magical memories this Christmas. The entire Estate will be transformed into a winter wonderland as Tinkerbell sprinkles fairy dust over the Castle and Grounds, creating a Christmas day out like no other. The main House will be transformed into a Peter Pan-themed odyssey, with beautiful decorations, installations, and projections.
Take the second star to the right, and straight on to Castle Howard! This Christmas, get lost on a magical adventure in Neverland as we invite you to a Christmas experience like no other.
Father Christmas in the Castle – House Show
Make magical memories, and meet Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and jolly WonderPhil at Castle Howard this Christmas. Watch a joyful performance bursting with jingle bells and Christmas spirit, sing Christmas songs together, and enjoy a special, individual moment with Father Christmas himself.
Santa’s Grotto – in the Courtyard
Share a laugh and photograph with Santa in our Courtyard Grotto this Christmas. Enjoy a short show bursting with puppetry, energy, and Christmas joy, before that all-important meeting with the man himself.
Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
Yorkshire-grown Christmas trees, good for the environment and beautiful for your home
Open 25th November to 24th December 2023 – Monday – Sunday
Stockeld Park is one of England’s largest and oldest growers of real Christmas trees.
Our award-winning trees are sustainably grown right here on the Stockeld Park Estate. We offer beautiful non-needle drop Nordmann Firs ranging from 3 to 12 ft, as well as wreaths, stands and a superb range of lights and decorations.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN
Come and choose your own tree at one of our three locations, all with free and accessible parking:
ONLINE ORDER AND HOME DELIVERY
Or if you’d prefer to order your tree from the comfort of your home, choose our exclusive home delivery service! https://www.christmas-tree-delivery.co.uk/
CHRISTMAS TREES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Our Christmas trees are a fully regenerative crop, meaning more Christmas trees are planted than are cut down. Every year, we plant 60,000 new Christmas trees. Our plantations are an invaluable habitat for wildlife, and every year our trees are absorbing some 600 tonnes of CO2, whilst producing enough daily oxygen to support 4,000 people.
Because a Stockeld Christmas tree is for life, not just for Christmas!
Or you can order your tree online and have it delivered to your home – available to order now! For more information visit the website HERE
Saturday 25 November to Saturday 18 December (inclusive) 2023
Wrap up warm, pull on your boots and let the fresh winter air fill you full of festive cheer – it’s time to choose your Christmas tree!
Let our specialist tree teams help you pick the perfect Grown in Britain Christmas tree for your home and support Dalby Forest this Christmas. Spruce and Fir trees will be available with a variety of sizes to choose from. Our very own elves will help you decide which tree is right for your home and the money raised from your Christmas tree helps us maintain the forests for wildlife, for you and for future generations.
Available 10am – 3.30pm each day from the Dalby visitor centre.
What makes our Christmas trees so special?
At Dalby enjoy beautiful wintery walks and bike rides, experience a full day out with your loved ones. There is something for everyone in the forest this year.
With over 8,000 acres of forest to explore, Dalby Forest is the perfect place to spend some quality family time in the great outdoors. The team at Dalby have put together some fun-filled activities to keep the whole family entertained.
So, pack up your picnic and enjoy a low-cost day in nature!
With themed trails, adventure play areas, natural play, safe off-road cycling and lots of space to create your own woodland palace, your local woods and forests are the perfect place for a family day out, fit for a king!
Please note that barbeques and fires are not currently allowed anywhere in the forest.
Dalby Forest, YO18 7LT
Merry Mouse Christmas Trail – Saturday 11 November 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024
Join us for our annual Merry Mouse Children’s Christmas Trail. The creatures of the wood are feeling sleepy as it is time for them to hibernate through the winter. Help Merry Mouse discover the story that will put the woodland to sleep.
No booking required, please check visitor centre opening hours.
Children to be accompanied by an adult.
Sorry no dogs, wheelchair accessible.
£5 per child
Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB
01439 772737
Emerald the Elf returns to the Milton Rooms (Malton)!
Join us on 10th & 11th December for the latest family Christmas show from Magical Quests North.
Shows are at 10.30am/12pm/2pm/3.30pm on Saturday 10th December
And 10.30am/12pm/2pm on Sunday 11th December
Tickets are £5 per person and available HERE
Emerald the Elf works for Santa, but never quite gets things right!
Can you help her get everything ready in time for Christmas?
Tickets include a 20 minute show seated at your own family table, plus a visit to our Santa’s Grotto and a gift for each child.
Back for its third year, popular immersive installation, Grue by Wintercroft, returns! Produced by ARCADE, with funding from Arts Council England, Yorkshire Coast Bid and North Yorkshire Council, Grue is a fantastical world, made entirely from recycled and repurposed cardboard.
Grue invites audiences to step into a fantastical world and explore a series of enchanting landscapes. Now a well- established seasonal tradition, this year the magical wintery experience has a new home for 2023. This year Grue is accessed by a secret magical door on the top floor of Scarborough Library and also features live actors as storytelling guides.
Grue is designed by Scarborough artist, Steve Wintercroft – designer, visual artist and the founder of Wintercroft, an environmentally conscious design company specialising in helping people explore creativity through making.
Grue runs from 2nd to 23rd December 2023, Thursdays to Sundays. With tickets at £4 and Pay What You Decide options also available, this is an affordable and magical wintry treat for all the family. For more information and booking details please visit the website here.
The highly-anticipated Harrogate Ice Rink returns to Crescent Gardens for the second year in a row; running alongside the Harrogate Christmas Fayre from 1st December and remaining open until 7th January 2024.
This festive favourite will be bigger and better than ever before, hosting not only a bigger ice rink, but an outdoor bar, a cosy sheltered tipi, funfair rides including a carousel and bungee trampolines, and a Yorkshire Wrap food stall – vegetarian and vegan options available.
Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas with this family-friendly and affordable attraction coming to the centre of Harrogate from December to January.
Harrogate Ice Rink is open from 11am every day until 19:30 on weekdays and 20:45 on weekends. You can book a one-hour session for a reduced price of £10 per ticket (plus booking fee) this year, and each ticket purchased will also grant 50% off any hot drink at the bar on site; including mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Adults and children aged 4+ are welcome at Harrogate Ice Rink. Free skate hire is available on site and there are skate aids available on a first come first served basis, these are available for £5 per user.
During your visit to Crescent Gardens, be sure to visit the Harrogate Christmas Fayre, ride on the Candy Cane Express road train, or experience the open top bus, which stops at the Ice Rink too!
More details about session times, bar opening hours, and terms and conditions can be found online
Our Christmas trees will be on sale from this Saturday the 25th of November
Plus they have Christmas Hampers available to pre order for December
Berry Christmas jam and Christmas Chutney from Bracken hill fine foods
A Bread Dipper from Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil
Chocolates from Sterchi’s in Filey
A luxury Christmas pudding and butter sultana biscuits from Bramble Foods
A packet of mini festive shortbread from Walkers
And a gourmet hot chocolate spoon from Bon Bons of York!
Scarborough Lights will see the whole town sparkle and shine from 15 November through to 23 December 2023, with many free light displays to enjoy.
A brand-new winter lights trail will see Peasholm Park illuminated like never before. Book your tickets and enjoy this enchanting trail through the park. Running from 4pm – 10pm daily, 15 November through to 22 December.
The Fading Light of Ruins will see St Mary’s Church transformed into a spectacle of light between 16-30 November
Scarborough Sparkle and Lantern Parade returns for 2023, a magical and enchanting Christmas wonderland at Scarborough Open Air Theatre between 24 – 26 November. It’s the perfect event to experience the warm and fuzzy festive feeling, sample great food and drink, and get a head start on Christmas gift shopping. Entertainment include the Ferris, wheel, teacups, hook a duck, MEGA fun house or take a ride on the illuminated land train!
Ships Ahoy! at Scarborough Harbour will see the fishing vessels and yachts all lit up at sea; a beautiful sight as you look out across the South Bay in Scarborough. This runs the duration of the festival and is free.
Signs of the Times is a town centre trail of illuminated text artworks celebrating some of Scarborough’s uncelebrated or forgotten places.
Drift-Lit at Scarborough Train Station will run from 2 – 9 December between 6pm-7pm.
Grue by ARCADE at Scarborough Library The fantastical world has been created from positive energy and discarded paper; a wandering cardboard labyrinth of rooms to explore and wonders to discover. When you visit, we invite you to collaborate with each other, seeing the impact we can have on the environment we live in – both in and outside of Grue.
Photo credits: Herman Mertens, Koros Design, Vendel & de Wolf Installations
Saturday 25 November 10am – 4pm
Woodend Gallery and Studios
A chance to buy Christmas gifts and goodies from local makers and crafters, join Santa for storytelling and rummage in the Vintage Clothes Swap and Sale.
Find out more HERE
FREE
Magical Woodland Crafts
Saturday 25 November 10am – 4pm
Woodend Gallery and Studios
Calling all tree, animal, and star crafters!
Fox is sad. There’s only one tree left in the forest and all his animal friends have left. Come and help make a magical woodland, so all his friends come back home for Christmas.
Suitable for all ages
Free, no need to book just drop in.
Part of Christmas on the Crescent: Find out more HERE
Monday 4 December, 10am – 12noon
Woodend Gallery and Studios
Santa’s elves are very busy and need lots of help getting ready for Christmas. Join us for a magical morning of festive making and fun and be prepared to get sticky and sparkly!
Suitable for under 5s and their grown ups
Free, no need to book just drop in.
Scarborough Art Gallery and Rotunda Museum
Friday 1 – Saturday 23 December
During opening hours
Oh no… Mouse has lost Christmas! Look high and low for 24 festive clues to complete the trail and help Mouse get his sparkle, and Christmas, back.
Suitable for all ages.
Free*, no need to book.
All the activities are free, but adults require an Annual Pass to enter. A £3 Adult Annual Pass allows entry to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum. Entry to both venues is free for under-18s.
For more information on the holiday events at Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum, please call 01723 384500 or visit the website HERE
Opens on Saturday October 7th 2023
The Christmas Barn – Brimming over with so many beautiful and carefully selected gifts, decorations, lighting and homeware the Christmas barn at Sledmere is the place to be to find all you need to create that cosy festive feel to your home. There are all sorts of unique items so you can bring that special touch to your Christmas dinner table, with festive crockery, table runners, napkins to match, designer Christmas crackers along with all the accessories you need to give your Christmas tree the wow factor this year. For more gifts, homeware and garden essentials pop into the Woodyard just next door.
Christmas trees – The Woodyard Gift, Home and Garden Shop at Sledmere will be selling Yorkshire-grown, premium, non-drop Nordman Christmas trees – both cut and potted, alongside it’s wonderful Christmas Barn. All trees will be in stock from Friday 24th November 2023!
Opening hours – Tuesday to Sunday – 10.00 am to 5 pm
Sledmere, Driffield. YO25 3XG
Sledmere’s Magical Santa Experience 2023: The Great Reindeer Mystery – festive fun for all the family!
Weekend Tickets – pre booked time slots – open from 9.50am – 5.30pm: 25th & 26th November, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd December.
Weekday Tickets – pre-booked time slots – open from 1.30pm – 8.30pm: 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd December.
It’s a busy time of year and all hands are on deck – Santa is programming the Santa Sat Nav whilst putting some last minute touches to the sleigh, Holly Berry is finishing off some present wrapping and the reindeer are getting ready for the biggest night of their life! But all is not as it seems in the reindeer stables…Dancer has lost their sparkle, Blitzen their fire and Comet their speed!
Join lovable Rudolpho, the newest of Santa’s reindeer friends, in an exciting quest to solve the mystery and bring back the magic to Christmas – all in time for Christmas Day!
Take part in fun interactive activities with charming Christmas characters and enjoy spotting the clues to solve the mystery before having the chance to meet Santa himself!
Don’t forget to visit the toyshop before hopping on a tractor ride to see Sledmere’s herd of red deer in person. With plenty of festive cheer and excitement within the Christmas Village at the Sledmere Barns too – there’s fun for all the family!
There will be two ‘Relaxed sessions’ on Saturday 2nd and Saturday 9th of December at 9.50am, with reduced capacity to help make the experience a little calmer.
Time slots are for The Great Reindeer Mystery, which then leads on to meeting Santa. Please ensure you arrive 5 minutes before your time slot at the sign-posted. The Christmas Village area can be accessed throughout the day.
Sledmere House, Driffield, YO25 3XG. 01377 236637.
Beauty and the Beast
Sponsored by Boyes
1st – 30th December 2023
Age 6+
This Christmas, the team behind Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk and The Snow Queen are back and up to their old tricks again. Expect songs, silliness, thrills, spills and more festive cheer than you can shake a sausage on a stick at!
Thor’s Great Big Adventure
12th – 23rd December 2023
Ages 0-6. Children under 18 months go free, but will still need a ticket – please book these via the Box Office (01723 370 541)
Our annual Christmas show for under 6s. Full of songs, silliness and festive fun.
Thor the Walrus is off on his holidays. He’s booked a few nights down South, then a short stop in Scarborough for New Year before he heads home to the ice and snow of the North Pole.
But for now, he’s looking for a good spot on the shore for a quick snooze, a nice seaside snack to fill his big belly, and he’s hoping he’ll make some new friends along the way…
This Christmas, join Thor on his great big adventure, sing a silly song about seagulls and throw him some fish* for his tea!
*All fish are provided.
Westborough , Scarborough
18th November 2023- 8th January 2024
Stockeld Park’s Christmas Adventure is back this Winter, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before! ☃️
Experience the magic this festive season and see the park transform into a magical Christmas wonderland – the perfect day out for the whole family over the Winter months! ✨
Make magical memories with their incredible festive attractions, including:
✨ Winter Illuminations in the Enchanted Forest
🎅 Santa’s Grotto
⛸ Ice Skating Rink
🎭 Grinchilocks & the three elves show at the Stockeld Theatre
❄️ Illuminated Snowflake Maze
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN.
Come and visit the fantastic Christmas experience at The Whole Hogg Farm, activities for the kids and a visit to Santa too.
Get ready for a jolly good time as Rocket the Reindeer pays a special visit to The Whole Hogg!
From Saturday, November 25, 2023, Rocket arrives for a festive event like no other. Rocket, Santa’s most spirited reindeer, will be here to spread holiday cheer and bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
The Whole Hogg will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with farm style Christmas decorations, crafts and plenty of festive treats to enjoy in the tea room which will serve delicious seasonal snacks and warm beverages while immersing yourself in the joyous atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to kick-start the holiday season!
The event sold out on most days last year so be sure to book early as tickets are limited. Tickets are £15 for a child and £5 for an adult. BOOKING ESSENTIAL on the website HERE
Christmas wreaths and Christmas Trees available NOW. They will have a variety of sizes available and your chosen tree will be netted ready for you to take home.
They also have Christmas treats covered and gifts too. Christmas hampers – both personalised for customers and prepared, starting from £15. Christmas order book covering meat, vegetables, fruit, treats and much more is now open.
Howe Bridge Farm, Low Marishes, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 6RQ
Friday 17th November 2023 to Sunday 7th January 2024
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland will be returning to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York.
The Ice Factor – the North of England’s largest outdoor ice rink at 975 sq m – will have a 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree as its centrepiece, surrounded by illuminated trees, log cabins, the rink side cafe and a viewing platform.
This year the funfair will be bigger and better, with new modern rides including an exciting Twist and Waltzer. There will be 5 children’s rides and game stalls offering prizes every time.
Also new this year is a terrace overlooking the ice rink. Inside the alpine-themed café, tasty food and drinks will be available to purchase, and private parties can be arranged.
The Winter Garden with its heated covered picnic tables offers an alternative outdoor eating area, with The Dog Haus cabin selling a range of hot dogs and festive drinks.
Christmas would not be the same without a visit to Santa and his elves, and this year visitors can enjoy an extended snowy woodland walk to his cosy log cabin grotto where a warm welcome and a special gift for children awaits.
Festive workshops at ATY studios at Woodend, on Monday 4th December at 6pm, Saturday 9th December at 10am or Friday 15th December at 6pm.
The workshops will be for 2 hours and 30 minutes, include all materials, guidance and festive refreshments at cost £15 for Adults and £10 for Children.
Children need to be accompanied by at least one paying adult.
01723 384556
Traditional annual sporting events all in aid of the Fisherman and Firemen Charity fund. Each year crowds gather on Scarborough’s South Bay beach to witness the Fishermen versus the Firemen football match followed by the hilarious fancy dress ‘crazy’ raft race from the harbour quayside.
Football match kicks off 10.30am.
Raft Race about 12noon.
South Bay Beach, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1PD
Burton Agnes Christmas opening will run from Tuesday 14th November to 23rd December 2023, from 11am until 5pm daily.
The house will be decorated with original, handmade decorations, with many crafted from flowers and foliage cropped and dried from the walled garden.
Burton Agnes Hall, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 4NB
01262 490324
22nd, 23rd and 24th December 2023
The Secret Realm, 5-8 Newchase Court, Hopper Hill Road, Scarborough, YO11 3YS
01723 583788
Christmas events running every weekend during December 2023, including:
Events will need to be booked online to guarantee a place.
Flamingo Land, Malton YO17 6UX, 0800 40 888 40
From Beach Cove to Bugtopia, take the family on an adventure this Winter season.
Explore our BEACH COVE play experience, discover your wild side at BUGTOPIA or unleash your creative side and try your hand painting ceramics at THE POTTERIES – fun for all the family!
Tuck into delicious food and warm up with a coffee this winter at one of our excellent food and drink outlets.
Hornsea Freeport, Rolston Road, Hornsea, HU18 1UT. 01964 534211.
2nd & 3rd December 2023. Typically held the first weekend in December, the event gives all visitors and residents the opportunity to dress up in traditional Victorian costume. The village also benefits from a flurry of Christmas decorations from lights to window dressings, Christmas trees and festive wreaths.
Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby. YO22 4ST
Santa Express land train running from Bridlington Spa on the south promenade to the North Pole! There will be three journeys per day on weekends through December in the lead up to Christmas starting from 25th November to 24th December 2023. All children aged 2 to 12 will receive a present from Santa. Tickets are £10pp and can be booked on the Bridlington Spa website. For more information call the Coastal Services team, on 01262 678255
Coastal Services are proud to be supporting the RNLI with this event. We will be donating £1 from every ticket sold to this fantastic charity.
We are pleased to announce the Santa Specials are going ahead on the 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd & 24th December 2023
Fun for all the family – all aboard the magical Christmas Express, immerse yourself in festive wonder as this very special train takes you on a journey to Lapland Central.
Wrap up warm
Adult £14.95, Child £16.95, Infant (under 1) £9.95
North Bay Railway, Burniston Rd, Scarborough, YO12 6PF
You can find a list of all the workshops, camps and clubs running across the school holidays on the Holiday Clubs & Workshops page here.
The hugely popular Sewerby Winter Woodland is returning! An all new spectacular display of lights, sounds and special effects will bring the grounds to life for a great evening out this festive season.
8th – 22nd December 2023.
The mischievous elves accidentally dropped a sack of presents while flying over Sewerby Hall and Gardens and visitors’ assistance is urgently needed to locate and recover them. The Fairy atop the Christmas tree has bestowed her wondrous magic upon the woods, illuminating them with a captivating display of colours, glitters, and twinkles.
Sewerby Hall, Church Ln, Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1EA.
01262 673769
Family fun sessions & craft workshops at Beeforth’s Hive, a new community space in South Cliff Gardens.
All children must be accompanied by an adult who is very welcome to join in the festive fun! This is a free, drop in event, no booking required.
For more info call Gemma on 01723 232464
Whitby Lion’s Boxing Day is Back for 2023! Are you crazy or brave enough to run into the North Sea on Boxing Day for charity?
It has become somewhat of a tradition in our beautiful little seaside town to enjoy a rather refreshing dip in the North Sea on Boxing Day morning. It’s certainly a unique and memorable experience that will raise lots of money for local charities. Fancy dress is a must, for many dippers, with prizes available for the best! In previous years, we have had some fantastic costumes such as dinosaurs, Batman and Robin, Christmas trees and even a team of traffic cones and a fancy dress wedding proposal!
For more information see their website here.
If you require any further information please email whitby.lions.club@gmail.com or call Brian Harrison 01947 897249
Unfortunately due to funding constraints we will not be able to stage the ice rink in 2023. We hope to bring the event back next year.
Whitby Ice Rink situated on Endeavour Wharf. Prices start at £7.50 for a child and £10 for an adult. There are also prices for families and if you live locally you may qualify for a 20% discount! Each session will run for 1hr, from doors opening to skaters leaving the ice. You must purchase your ticket via the Whitby Ice Rink site to skate. It is not possible to purchase tickets on the door.
2nd-3rd December 2023. Get ready to embrace the dark side of festive cheer as the ancient folklore of Krampus comes to life in the heart of Whitby. Offering a unique and thrilling experience for participants and spectators alike. This event brings a touch of eerie excitement to the festive season, offering a delightful blend of folklore, creativity, and community spirit.
Activities will be taking part through the Saturday at the Chapel on the Hill, Brunswick Street as Krampus begin to appear from around 12.00pm. Parade starts at 3.30pm from the Bandstand and the finale is at the Whalebones finishing at 5.00pm. This is then followed by a performance at 5.30pm by the spectacular fire dancers and drummers Mister Fox at Dock End.
The parade is a fundraiser for Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
The Lesiure Complex and Splash Zone is open for guests outside the Holiday Village from 6th November 2023.
Flamingo Land Resort, Malton, YO17 6UX
0800 40 888 40
Saturday, 16th December 2023, 10am – 4pm.
Family Fun day at Wydale with refreshments, Christmas Crafts and a possible visit to Santa. There is no charge for this event and no need to book.
Wydale Hall, Wydale Lane, Scarborough, YO13 9DF
