Festive Trip to the Heart of North Yorkshire

Enjoy a morning full of festive entertainment at Stockeld Park. Walk through the Enchanted Forest bursting with light displays, projections and illuminations. Children can play in the adventure playgrounds in the forest before warming up with a hot chocolate at one of the cabins. Next, see if you can find your way to the centre of the Snowflake Maze festooned with twinkly lights. Finish the morning with some ice skating before grabbing an early lunch in the Woodland Cafe.

As dusk settles, head to RHS Garden Harlow Carr for Glow. Follow the light trail around the gardens as they take on a magical hue. New light displays will fill you with wonder as you walk through them. Don’t forget your camera to capture the magic as a memento of your visit. Enjoy festive food and a hot chocolate from Bettys and call into the shop for some Christmas shopping at the end of your visit.

Admission is by pre-booked tickets and early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment

Finish your day with an evening of family fun and entertainment at Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Be prepared for lots of silliness and laughs as Jack and his mother, Dame Trott go on their adventures with a handful of magic beans.

Join in with the jokes and songs and get ready to shout, ‘he’s behind you’. Harrogate’s panto is a firm family favourite and is the perfect way to end your festive trip to the heart of North Yorkshire.

Extend your trip by just one day more and you can enjoy the magical Christmas Experience at Mother Shipton’s, an enchanted land where Father Christmas is waiting to meet you. Make your way through the woodland to the Christmas Village where you will meet Chief Elf Chestnut before visiting the man himself!

Take a photo in Father Christmas’ sleigh, listen to Holly Berry tell magical stories and pick up your very own bag of reindeer food to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve. Finally visit the Snowy Owl Sorting Office and post your letter to Father Christmas.

Visit the Harrogate Christmas Fayre for a day of festive shopping. Soak up the atmosphere as you explore the many wooden chalets and stalls loaded with Christmas goodies, decorations and gifts.

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas as you wander around the Fayre with a mulled wine or hot chocolate in your hand. Grab some lunch from one of the many food stalls and listen to live musical entertainment before taking a ride around the town on the Candy Cane Express.