North Yorkshire’s calendar is jam packed with special events and festivals this year, from Food and Drink festivals which celebrate the Yorkshire way of life, to thrilling live music performances, exciting sporting events, art-led spectaculars and much more.  

Beam – by Harrogate International Festivals

New to Harrogate in 2024

This March, a brand-new light festival Beam is set to illuminate Harrogate town centre.

The two-night spectacular from Harrogate International Festivals takes place on  15 & 16 March, with stunning light installations and soundscapes lighting up key landmarks and buildings to create a mesmerising trail through the town.  

Selby Residents’ Engagement Festival

April sees the return of the Selby Residents’ Festival. Over the weekend of 20 & 21 April locals and visitors are invited to discover hidden gems across the Selby area, as well as benefit from a range of exclusive offers and experiences.

From behind-the-scenes tours to discounts in shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with this destination in the Heart of Yorkshire.  

Richmond Mayfest

Want to feel like part of a community? Head over to Richmond where you can join Richmond Mayfest, a festival of historical and traditional music, dancing and storytelling taking place over the bank holiday weekend of 3 to 6 May.

With a variety of events taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, you and the family will have plenty to do, including a 50s & 60s retro night, a market & fair or stepping back in history at Richmond’s own medieval castle.  

The Scarborough Fair

An exciting evolution of the original Scarborough Fair which drew merchants from as far away as the Ottoman Empire to ‘sell goods of true worth’ to hundreds of visitors each August and September. Reimagined 230 years later, The Scarborough Fair offers a year-round programme of distinctive arts, heritage and sporting events at venues across the seaside town

Following its debut at the end of 2023 with Scarborough Lights, the latest addition to the programme will be Scarborough Streets: International Street Arts Festival. The three-day free festival featuring a parade with outdoor events created by local arts organisations and visiting performers will take place from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May allowing visitors to soak up an electric atmosphere with art and culture at its core.  Further events throughout the year from an art trail to a sport and music extravaganza to the return of Scarborough Lights means a trip to the coast is a must in 2024.  

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

The World’s largest celebration of crime thrillers and their authors is back between 18 & 21 July in Harrogate!  This annual gathering of crime authors and fans of the genre features a programme filled with special guests, panels and entertainment celebrating fantastic crime fiction.  It has now become the crime writing industry’s unofficial AGM.

Other festival events taking place this year in North Yorkshire

If that wasn’t enough, the Food Lovers Festival returns for a second sitting over the August bank holiday. If you’re hungry for more, you can find your fill at the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival or indulge in local cheese at the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival.  

Delight in the chaos and fun of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race on 8 June or marvel at an impressive range of tractors at Tractor Fest, the UK’s largest vintage tractor and engine show in Ripon.  

  Or you can head to Harrogate for the new Love To Be Festival for a full day of music to celebrate 30 years of the famous house music brand and record label ‘Love To Be’.  Taking place on the famous Stray on Saturday 14th September, they’ll be bringing the sounds of Ibiza to North Yorkshire!

If you are looking for lots of fun things to do this February half term to keep the children entertained, you will find lots of exciting activities, events and days out in North Yorkshire.
Whether you are planning to enjoy some fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors or looking to visit one of the many tourist attractions in the county, you will find the perfect combination to keep all the family happy.

The eight acres of formal gardens, including the beautiful two-acre walled garden, at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens are perfect to explore for some family fun adventure. This half term explore the wilderness play area which is perfect for children to let off some steam; popular activities include building a den, swinging high on the cantilever swing, balancing on the clamberstack or let your imagination loose in the Wendy House. Take yourself on an adventure and tick off some of the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4′ playlist.

The focus is on mindfulness and well-being this half term at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden with events for all the family.

Families can get crafty this half term in their winter craft workshop where you can have a go at creating a lavender pouch to take home. You can tuck it in a drawer to make your clothes smell nice or take it out and about with you. This is a FREE family craft workshop available everyday from 11am-2pm during February half-term.

Scarborough Pancake Races, 13 February

Scarborough’s annual flippin’ fantastic Pancake Day Race is held in the town centre followed by local schools heading to South Bay to take part in the traditional skipping spectacular.

In line with tradition in Scarborough, Pancake day kicks off with the Town Crier introducing the Mayor who then rings the Pancake bell on North Street at 12 noon.

For a completely different adventure head to Stump Cross Caverns. Situated just outside of Pateley Bridge and surrounded by remote moorland, this spectacular subterranean world of caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites will captivate and amaze children and adults alike. This half term join in a fossil and gem dig with Stump Cross Caverns’ very own cavewoman. Close by is Grimwith Reservoir, a 4.5 mile walk around the water’s edge guaranteed to burn off some energy.

Unleash the adventurer in you at North Yorkshire Waterpark, where thrilling experiences and serene landscapes converge for an unforgettable day out. Nestled amidst the picturesque beauty near Scarborough, North Yorkshire Water Park offers a diverse range of activities for individuals, families, and corporate groups.

Take to the water with paddleboarding, master the art of wakeboarding, paddle away in our kayaks or conquer our Inflatable AquaParks—a splash of fun for water enthusiasts of all levels.

Discover Buckets of Fun hiding in the grounds of Kiplin Hall this February Half Term. Play games, explore trails, learn, and laugh as a family in the fresh air.

Kiplin’s Buckets of Fun will be placed in the grounds and gardens for you to find. They are filled with games and resources on themes like bird watching, music and more. The contents have been designed to encourage children and adults to talk, play and work together.

Once those bells have chimed to ring in the New Year, there are two ways to approach things – you can either ease yourself in gently or throw yourself into it with a New Year, new you attitude. Whichever approach you favour we’ve got a wealth of options for you to consider.

You can keep the Christmas magic going with a visit to a pantomime, and of course, many illumination events run through the dark evenings of January. The winter illuminations at Stockeld Park near Harrogate run until 8 January and many towns and villages keep their Christmas lights switched on as ‘winter’ lights to brighten our days.

For bustling market towns, charming villages, stunning medieval architecture, and beautiful countryside just waiting to be explored, visit the Selby district. There are ancient woodlands, waterways, and protected nature reserves to explore. Or uncover the stories of people who have made this area their home over the centuries by delving into history and heritage to find a new perspective.

You may be ready to ditch the tinsel and glitter and indulge in a little retail therapy of course. If this is the case our high streets are ready and waiting, whether you’re looking for bargains from a national retailer or something a little different from a local independent trader. Big or small retailers across the county will be offering bargains to tempt you.

And once all that retail therapy is done and dusted, what else to do but treat yourself to coffee and cake in a café or even a tipple in a local pub. You’ve earned it!