Christmas Events in the Yorkshire Dales 2024

Christmas at Mother Shipton’s Cave

📍 Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

📆 23/11/2024 - 24/12/2024

🧡 Weekends and immediate run up to Christmas have extremely limited availability and some days are now sold out or restricted to late entry times. Some midweek availability. (November 2024)

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-booked tickets only.

💰 Admission is paid per car and allows up to 5 people into the attraction. Pedestrian only tickets are available to those who do not wish to see Father Christmas and these range between £36 and £42 dependant on the date of your visit. To see Santa, you MUST also purchase an additional ticket of which is £13-£16 per child.

Father Christmas is back at Mother Shipton’s for a magical Christmas experience! (2021 event pictured above and on the Father Christmas picture)

The experience includes a festive pack, the opportunity to meet the big SC, and loads more, as all the other usual Mother Shipton’s fun at the cave and petrifying well. The adventure playground isn’t usually open during the event.

Find out all the booking information for Mother Shipton’s Christmas here!

Stockeld Park Santa’s Grotto and Enchanted Forest

📍 Stockeld Park, near Wetherby, North Yorkshire

📆 16/11/2024- 24/12/2024 (Father Christmas - weekends only until 18th December) 16/11/2024 - 6/1/2025 (Winter Illuminations) 16/11/2024 - 6/1/2025 (Ice Skating)

🧡 Amber/ Book NOW: Peak times have limited availability, although tickets are still available. (November 2024)

🎟 Pre-booking required.

💰 Packages range from £12 (ice skate only) up to £46 per child (Gold Package including Santa’s Grotto) Adults range from £12 - £36. There are multiple options for add ons and extras such as the Playhive and ice skating. For ease, here is the link to that payment information on Stockeld Park Website but this is by far one of the priciest of the Christmas events.

🧒 All ages! Babies under 6 months are free.

What does a Christmas at Stockeld Park have in store?

The enchanted forest will be given its annual festive makeover and become a twinkling wonderland, packed with light installations alongside the usual playpark fun.

But not only that, you can see Santa in his Grotto (book with Gold/ Silver tickets only), see a festive show, go ice skating, experience the snowflake maze and head to the Playhive!

There are a number of options available for tickets. Bear in mind that the Santa’s Grotto, Playhive and Pantomime all are added extras incurring an additional cost. Tickets can include ice skating or not, or you can just get ice skating tickets alone.

Find out more about is on the Stockeld Park Website (Link above)

Pictured above, the 2023 Stockeld Event

Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave

📍 Clapham, Yorkshire Dales

📆 Weekend dates throughout December, then Monday 23rd December 2024.

🧡 Amber - some times sold out but still some availability. November 2024 update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Adults: £16 Child: £19.50 (inc gift) Infants: 0-18 months: £5 (inc gift) Senior Citizen: £13

We LOVE A CAVE!

And a cave with Santa in it? Well, what could be better?!

Quite frankly, the caves are stunning here. Be prepared to walk, as access to the Grotto and Cave is via the Estate Nature Trail (cost of entry is included in the ticket price) although for very young or elderly visitors, they have put on a mini-bus. Check out our Gaping Gill walk to find out more about what’s involved in the walk bit, you could even replicate the walk we did to make a full day of it!

Booking information for Santa’s Grotto at Ingleborough Cave is here!

Mother Christmas at The Dales Countryside Museum

📍 Hawes, Yorkshire Dales

📆 30/11/2024 10.30 - 3.30pm

💚 Green -Tickets are available from the Yorkshire Dales National Park website. (November 2024)

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £8/ child entry to the museum is included in the price.

This year you will have the chance to meet MOTHER CHRISTMAS at the Dales Countryside Museum. Included is a gift, the chance to write a letter to Father Christmas and to do some Christmas crafts with a hot chocolate!

Find out more by heading to the Yorkshire Dales website here!

Father Christmas at Bolton Abbey

📍 Near Skipton, Yorkshire Dales

📆 23&24 November, 30 November & 1 December, 7&8 December and 14&15 December and 20-23 December 2024

SOLD OUT ENTIRELY for 2024. I will update if any further dates are released.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £32.50 - £40 per child £12 per Adult £10 for an older sibling (Parking for the event is complimentary)

Father Christmas is returning to Bolton Abbey this Christmas!

The event takes place in the festive village in the Strid Woods. All children who participate will get the chance to take part in two festive crafts, and a singing activity before meeting Father Christmas himself.

Each child receives a personalised memento and a gift from Santa.

Find the booking details on the Bolton Abbey Website.

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Train The Polar Express

📍 Bolton Abbey Station, Yorkshire Dales

📆 15/11/2024 - 19/12/2024 (Weekends in Nov, Fri - Sunday in Dec, Thurs - Sunday from 5 December then 17, 18 & 19 December 2024.

🧡 Amber only early/ late time availability. November 2024 update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £33.95 - £50.95. This is the official Polar Express train ride experience.

The Polar Express returns to Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway for the second year!

You can expect a fully immersive experience with live actors recreating key scenes of the story, with a visit from Santa too! Premium ticket holders also get a goodie bag.

Check out the full details on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway website.

Photo from Polar Express ride at Wensleydale Railway 2022.

Thornton Hall Country Park Christmas Adventure

📍 Near Skipton

📆 Weekends from 24 November and 20 - 24 December 2024

🧡 Some availability still. Some dates sold out. November 2024 update.

🧒 All ages!

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 These depend on the date you are booking. Range is from £11.95 (for under 1’s) to £47.95/ person (Prices from 2024)

The event will take you on a journey to the Yuletide village meeting Mother Christmas, the elves, deer and then Father Christmas itself.

Pictured Thornton Hall Farm Event 2016. The event has transformed entirely since this picture was taken - how time flies!

Santa’s Grotto at the Forbidden Corner

📍 Near Leyburn, Yorkshire Dales

📆 Every Weekend in December until the 22nd 2024.

🧒 All ages.

💚 Green - Christmas has only just been announced. November 2024 update.

🎟 Pre-Booking required, select Santa’s Grotto when making the booking.

💰 £10/ child on top of the usual admission prices. £12 to see Santa only. (Adult £17.609, Child £15.60).

Santa’s Grotto is headed to the Forbidden Corner again! Amongst the usual crazy Forbidden Corner chaos you will find Father Christmas himself too!

Birchfield Ice Cream Farm Mother and Father Christmas

📍 Near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale

📆 Every Weekend from the 23 November 2024. 6-8 December. 12-15 December. 19-23 December 2024.

🧡 Amber - most weekends now sold out. Some limited midweek availability.

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 From £24/ child £12/ adult

Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room, to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets. Then you will be transported by Buddy the Elf on a magic sleigh ride to see Santa in his woodland grotto! There’s biscuit decorating and also the opportunity to make reindeer food. The indoor play areas are open and you will be able to see the animals too.

Head to the Birchfield Ice Cream farm website to book.

Stump Cross Caverns Father Christmas

📍 Greenhow HIll near Grassington/ Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales

📆 30 November 2024 - 15 December weekends only then 21-24 December 2024

💚 Green Availability - good availability still (November update 2024).

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Tickets range from £32 - to family packages of £105 (for 2 adults and 3 children plus a film). The tickets include cave entry.

There are two packages available this year, one being the interactive Santa experience, with cave entry, reindeer food making, meeting Santa and his elf followed by a classic Christmas film.

Or the Christmas and Cave option, including meeting Santa and his Elf, with reindeer food making and a trip around the caverns.

Pictured Stump Cross Caverns Event 2020 when poor old Santa had to stand behind a screen.

Thorp Perrow Santa’s Grotto

📍 Bedale, Yorkshire Dales

📆 Weekends 30th November - 15 December then 19th - 24th December 2024

🧡 Some dates are sold out, but still some limited weekend availability. November 2024 update.

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £12.50/ child including a gift. Arboretum entry is included for children only. Adults have to pay admission to arboretum.

Take a wintry walk through the Arboretum towards Santa’s cabin nestled in the woods. You will be greeted by elves, get to explore a winter wonderland then have a chat with Santa inside his cosy living room. A gift is included.

Christmas at The Burgoyne - Meet Santa and his Reindeer

📍 Reeth, Swaledale Yorkshire Dales

📆 Not yet announced for 2024.

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £15/ child £10/ adult. You can also add a festive lunch for £35/ adult and £25/ child. (Prices as of 2023 - not yet announced for 2024)

You can meet Santa and his reindeer at the Burgoyne hotel in Reeth, Swaledale. The price includes a gift for each child. You can book through the Burgoyne website.

Children’s Jolly Jamboree at the Craiglands Hotel

📍 Ilkley, West Yorkshire

📆 December 14th & 21st December 2024

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 £24.95/ adult £14.95/ child under 12.

This is a kids Christmas party, with DJ and 2 course meal included.

Santa’s Grotto Reindeer Academy at Otley Garden Centre

📍 Otley, West Yorkshire

📆 November 23/24 then 30 November to 24th December 2024

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 from £21.95/ for child and up to two adults. Under 1 is £15.95

This year, expect reindeer games, flying lessons, science labs and Santa himself. Admission includes a gift.

Illuminated Winter Wonderland

📍 Ripon Spa Gardens

📆 December 13 - 15 2024

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 No booking.

💰 Free event.

This free event is taking place in Ripon Spa Gardens and features Santa Claus amongst the winter illuminations!

Cedar Court Christmas Experience

📍 Harrogate

📆 Saturday 30th November - Tuesday 24th December 2024.

💚 Good availability

🧒 All ages.

🎟 Pre-Booking required.

💰 Children £22.50 Adults £15 (babies free)

Head to the Elf Village for some Elf Training this Christmas, with live entertainment, shows, sing alongs and the opportunity to meet Father Christmas himself. Find out the full details on the Enchantica website.