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
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
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
Dick Whittington
20th to 27th January 2024
A wonderful family pantomime full of colour, lots of laughter, music and dancing performed by a superb set of talented principals and chorus. Plus of course fantastic dancers by courtesy of Kirkham Henry Performing Arts. Musical Direction Chris Hocking.
Milton Rooms, Market Place, Malton. YO17 7LX
High-energy bouncing, ball sports and battles have finally landed at Oxygen Activeplay, York. Bringing the latest in jump fun, ideal for the whole family.
Oxygen Activeplay is more than just trampolines. It’s a high-thrills universe where the experience comes first – whether you’re a parent or child. Come for the state-of-the art facilities and stay for the party vibes, featuring interactive sessions with our hero team.
Not only that, but we’re the place to be if you want to host the birthday party of a lifetime! With four different party options; Classic, Jumptastic, Ultimate and Toddler, there’s something for everyone.
A brand new facility with so much to offer, including:
Open Bounce Trampolines
Parkour Area
Inflatable Park
Interactive Sports Pitch with AirTrack
Airbag Jump & Trapeze
Baby and Toddler Soft Play
Climbing Features including cargo, ladder & totem poles
Strike Arena
Going to a standard Activeplay session can be a challenge for jumpers on the autism spectrum, or with sensory or learning disabilities. With this in mind, our weekly Peaceful Play sessions are specially designed to be all the fun of Activeplay, specially catered to those who need a calmer environment.
And last, but certainly not least, on the first Friday of every month it’s Neon Night at Oxygen Activeplay. Join us for an illuminating evening filled with jumping, games, dancing to a live DJ, unlimited squash and a hotdog, competitions and glow sticks to take home from 6.00pm – 8.00pm, for jumpers aged 5 and over.
Look out for special themed nights too, sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about events and offers. We can’t wait to see you there!
Clifton Moor Centre, Hurricane Way, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 4XU
Clifton Moor Centre, Hurricane Way, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 4XU
Sledmere, Driffield, Yorkshire YO25 3XG. 01377 236637
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5.00pm (also open Bank Holiday Mondays)
Come and spend a day at Sledmere House and Gardens this May half term!
Explore the Grounds and Walled Garden, before heading off to the Adventure Play Area! We have a Rare Breed Farm Park with lots of animals to see – including a new foal and piglets too!
The House is open for Free-Flow self-led tours on Sunday 4th June (11.30am–3pm) – spend as long or as little time as you like looking inside the house which is steeped in history, with guides and stewards on hand to answer any questions!
Picnics are welcome, and we also have a state of the art Coach House Café, Farm Shop plus The Pantry for that all-important ice cream!
Dogs are always welcome, we just ask they are kept on leads.
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.
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
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Sutton Bank YO7 2EH
Thursday 18th to Sunday 28th January at 7.15pm with matinee performances on weekends at 2.15pm.
One of the most popular pantomimes of all, the thrilling story of a boy, a lamp and a genie has kept people spell-bound for generations.
Families visiting the Kirk Theatre this January can look forward to a fun-packed performance full of side-splitting comedy, singing, dancing, slapstick, dazzling special effects, beautiful costumes and plenty of audience participation.
Pickering Musical Society is excited to announce that their 2024 annual pantomime will be Aladdin written by Ron Hall and directed by Luke Arnold.
In the bustling streets of Old Peking, a cast of characters unfolds, including Wishee Washee, the offspring of the town’s laundry proprietor, and the fair Princess Lotus Blossom. Aladdin, son of a local tradesman, finds himself hopelessly enamored with the princess. However, her caretaker One Long Pong and domineering mother forbid their love. In a bid to win her heart, Aladdin embarks on a journey with his uncle Abanazar, only to be locked away in a cavernous tomb. But a stroke of luck befalls him as the Slave of the Ring hears his plea and offers a path to freedom. Meanwhile, Abanazar abducts Lotus and takes her to the arid dunes of Sahara. With the help of his kin, Aladdin rescues his love and defeats Abanazar. The tale concludes with a joyous feast, a testament to the triumph of love and the indomitable human spirit.
Aladdin opens at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering on Thursday 18th to Sunday 28th January at 7.15pm with matinee performances on weekends at 2.15pm. Tickets are priced from £13 and are available by phone 01751 474833 or via the theatre website
The Kirk Theatre, Hungate, Pickering,YO18 7DL
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.
If you’re planning things to do between Christmas and New Year, why not take a special steam-hauled excursion to Whitby!
Daily from Thursday 28 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024. 11:10 am (10:15 am Sundays) departure from Pickering and 2:30 pm departure from Whitby.
Adult: £45, Child: Free
Pickering Station, Pickering, YO18 7AJ
Tel. 01751 472508
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