An Illuminating Christmas in North Yorkshire
Time to sparkle
- Stories & Inspiration
- An Illuminating Christmas In North Yorkshire
As the evenings draw in and anticipation of the festive season gathers pace
You can look forward to seeing some stunning light displays and illuminations across North Yorkshire. Feel those Christmas vibes as you walk along sparkly high streets and see trees dressed with twinkly white and coloured lights.
Visit an attraction with their spectacular illuminations, lights and projections with light trails through gardens and woodland, and historic buildings bathed in colour.
There is so much sparkle to enjoy from the glistening tree lights on the Stray in Harrogate to colourful light displays in Scarborough alongside amazing events around the county including light switch ons in our market towns.
New for 2025 is Luminescence – A Winter Light Trail at Swinton Park Hotel near Masham. Be amazed as the 17-acre woodland is transformed into a magical visual event with glittering light installations taking inspiration from nature along the mile long trail.
Enjoy a meal in one of the hotel restaurants pre or post trail or grab a hot drink and some snacks as you explore.
As dark descends, the gardens at RHS Garden Harlow Carr near Harrogate are transformed into a magical wonderland of colourful twinkling light trails and illuminated displays.
Wrap up warm with scarves, hats and gloves to keep the cold out and warm up with a hot chocolate from Bettys Tea House as you explore the amazing displays to get you in the festive mood.
Enjoy some warming refreshments before or after your visit and browse the plant centre and gift shop for a spot of Christmas shopping.
Glow is on selected dates between Wednesday 19 November - Tuesday 23 December 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets must be booked in advance and early booking is advised
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden near Ripon brings the festive sparkle to life with illuminated abbey ruins, carols by candlelight and a giant sparkling Christmas tree.
Every weekend, listen to live music drift through the air around the abbey ruins and see the abbey lit with a rainbow of colour. Why not pick up a hot drink from the restaurant before you set off towards the abbey?
Carols by Candlelight in St Mary’s Church in the Studley Deer Park is a truly magical experience as you are surrounded by flickering candlelight that illuminates the stained glass, or you can sing your heart out by the Christmas tree.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 28 December. Normal admission applies. Carols around the Christmas Tree and Carols by Candlelight: Sunday 7 & Sunday 14 December. Tickets must be pre-booked via the website
Visit Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast for Scarborough Lights and be dazzled as the town sparkles with many free and affordable light displays.
Walk around the town centre, see the shimmering lights in the harbour and be wowed by the many outdoor illuminations and displays.
Don’t miss the spectacular drone display at Scarborough Castle and installations at St Mary’s Church.
Image credit: Scarborough Fair/John Westgarth
Explore the Christmas wonderland that is Scarborough Sparkle for three days of festive fun as the Scarborough Open Air Theatre is transformed into an enchanting festive wonderland.
This free event is the perfect way to celebrate as you browse the stalls, grab some refreshments in the tipi bar and watch the lantern parade.
While Harrogate is known for its pretty Christmas lights as the shopping streets are festooned with rows of twinkly lights, the trees along the edges of The Stray are also decorated with bright lights.
This creates a lovely trail for you to follow before you head back into the town centre for some festive shopping or call into one of the bars, pubs and restaurants for a bite to eat.
Visit one of the Christmas lights switch ons around North Yorkshire and join in the countdown to the magical moment when the town is bathed in colourful lights and decorations, often with a sparkly Christmas tree at its centre. Spend some time browsing the shops or grab a bite to eat from a nearby restaurant or cafe. Head to Richmond for a evening of Christmas entertainment with carol singing, mulled wine and Father Christmas as the lights switch on turns the town twinkly.
Celebrate the countdown to Christmas as you enjoy all the sparkly, twinkly, colourful lights across North Yorkshire this festive season. Find out more about all the fantastic Christmas celebrations happening across the county on our Christmas page and don’t forget to tag us in all your yuletide photos.
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