Holly Jolly Christmas Markets in North Yorkshire 2023
Get into the holiday spirit this year by visiting a few of the Christmas markets happening in North Yorkshire in 2023! Find the perfect present for friends and family, shake it like some jingle bells to live holiday music, meet Santa and his elves, or just indulge in the joyful ambience, there’s something here for everyone.
Scarborough Christmas Craft Fair
Nov 1, 10am – 3pm
Spend a day by the sea and warm up at the Scarborough craft fair hosted in the historic Market Hall! There will be an array of craft stalls and independent vendors to find the perfect, unique gifts. Then go to one of the food and drink vendors, kick up your feet, and enjoy your day of festive fun! Click here for more information.
Harewood House Artisan Winter Market
Nov 8 – 12
Okay, so we know that Harewood House is technically West Yorkshire, but with it being such an amazing event just over the border, we figured it was worth an honourable mention! Harewood House will play host to the Little Bird Artisan Winter Market where you can find 100 stalls of gifts created and curated by local artisans. Not only can you play Santa’s helper in tracking down gifts for you and loved ones, but you can also enjoy everything else Harewood House has on offer this holiday season from the festively lit grounds and gardens to the farm experience and adventure playgrounds. Click here to book your tickets or find out more!
Scarborough Light Festival
Nov 15 – Dec 23
Marvel in the splendour of the holiday season at Scarborough‘s light festival! With 60 different light installations, be part of the town’s first event of the cultural festival. The first evening of the festival includes a fabulous drone display over Scarborough Castle! Click here for more information.
York Christmas Market
Nov 16 – Dec 22
York kicks off their Christmas Market season November 16th. Not only are the Christmas stalls decked out with treats and gifts, but there is a multilevel mulled wine bar that brings to life your cosy ski lodge dreams. When you’ve finished perusing the stalls for the perfect gift and have indulged in a hot cocoa, take to the narrow cobbled streets of York where the stores, restaurants, and cafes are lit up to celebrate the magic of the season. The city is a Dickensian tribute to Christmases of yore.
Whitby Christmas Festival
Nov 17 – 19
Wonderful Whitby is illuminated for the weekend. Don’t miss the lights switch-on on Friday evening. On Saturday, the Christmas lights are taken to new heights with a fireworks display. Get moving and shaking into the holiday spirit with the Radio Stage for live entertainment, all while having fun and finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Click here for more information.
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food & Gift Fair
Nov 24 & 25, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Enjoy a mulled wine while browsing over 100 stalls of gifts, food, and drinks, with the Ripon Cathedral as the backdrop for a weekend of festive fun. Have a jingle jangle jig along with the live Christmas music, and find festive family activities, Christmas prize draws, and more! Be sure to book your ticket here to reserve your spot!
Tennants Garden Rooms Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair
Nov 24 & 25
Luxury shopping brought to you in partnership with Living magazine; independent vendors, craftspeople, and artisans offering high-end and high-quality products, like leather, cashmere, jewellery, gifts, festive décor, and more. There is also a bistro to grab a refreshment in-between your browsing! Click here for more information.
Christmas in Thirsk
Nov 24 – 26
Don’t miss the light switch-on to illuminate Thirsk on the first day of the Christmas Fayre! The whole market place is decked out with a giant Christmas tree, twinkling lights, and a stage for musicians and carollers to entertain as you stroll the artisan food and gift stalls, play games, enjoy the food trucks, cafes, and more! Click here for more information.
Leeds Christmas Markets
Nov 24 – Dec 22
Not too far out of North Yorkshire, there are so many wonderful activities taking place in Leeds during Christmas time. The main market running from the end of November to December has 120 Bavarian-style timber Christmas stalls, outdoor bar areas, ice skating, family-friendly events. That’s not all! Running alongside the main Christmas Market, there will also be vintage Christmas Markets, vinyl record fairs, Nubian Noire Christmas Markets, farmers markets, artisan winter markets, and more! Make sure to click here for more information and to find the dates for these auxiliary market events. Another honourable mention for a West Yorkshire event too good to leave off the list!
The Harrogate Country Living Christmas Fair
Nov 30 – Dec 3
The Country Living magazine comes to life at the Harrogate Convention Centre from November 30th to December 3rd. There are stalls to find the perfectly curated gifts, inclusive and accessible workshops for all, and an extensive food hall. There’s even a Christmas table exhibition where you can learn to whip up the perfect cocktails or canapes to impress friends and family at your own Christmas dinner table. Be sure to book now to ensure your spot at this fabulous and festive event!
Harrogate Christmas Fayre
Dec 1 – 17
Cambridge Street and Market Place in Harrogate are taken over for over two weeks of Christmas fun! With traditional Christmas stalls and food trucks to the more eclectic artisanal offerings, you are sure to find something wonderful to bring good tidings! Take a wander through the rest of Harrogate and enjoy the bright lights on a crisp December evening. Click here for more information.
Grassington Christmas Market
December 2 & 9
Nestled in the charming Dales village (that you may recognise as Darrowby in All Creature’s Great and Small) is the Grassington Christmas Market. Browse the cobbled streets with local stalls and live music, and make your trip a unique and unforgettable experience. There is also plenty of entertainment for the whole family where the kids can take part in elf workshops or meet the jolly man himself at Santa’s grotto! Check out the Grassington Christmas Market’s facebook page for more information and updates!
Malton Christmas Festival
December 2 & 3
Known to be Yorkshire’s foodie capital, don’t miss out on the festive feast offerings of Malton’s Christmas Festival! The picturesque marketplace is like something out of a Christmas card with live local brass bands, food (and non-food) stalls, a Christmas train for the kids, and more! Notably you’ll find Malton’s award winning macarons, mulled wine, gin, and beer. Click here for more information!
Knaresborough Christmas Market
Dec 2 & 3
Knaresborough is a picture perfect town with the arched bridge over the river, the layered effect of the buildings, and castle ruins to boot. What makes it an even more magical place is visiting when the Christmas market is in town! Based in the historic market place, track down great gifts at the stalls and illuminated stores dotted throughout the town. Wind down at a local cafe or restaurant, indulging in Christmas sweets! Click here for more information.
Robin Hood’s Bay Victorian Weekend
Dec 3 & 4
The Robin Hood’s Bay Victorian Christmas Weekend is a can’t miss festive event! Come in your best Victorian dress (maybe even win the competition for best dressed Victorian man, woman, and child), participate in Victorian era games and amusements, and soak up the amazing atmosphere with brass bands and Christmas carollers. Whether you want to get started on Christmas shopping (there will be independent vendors of one-of-a-kind gifts) or peruse the Christmas exhibitions and open home tours of historic houses, there’s something for everyone! Click here for more information.
Skipton Christmas Market
Dec 3 & 10
Take to Skipton for their Christmas market of over 100 stalls of artisanal makers, producers, and crafters. The independent, boutique shops in the town get into the Christmas spirit, decking the halls (and their window displays) with their best decorations. Grab a mug of mulled wine (or hot cocoa), a mince pie, and head down to the merry music stage for even more festivities! Click here for more information.
Northallerton Christmas
Dec 10, 11am – 4pm
The Northallerton Christmas festival has lots on offering this year! With craft and artisan stalls, fair rides, donkey rides, a Santa’s Grotto, food court, bands, and more, there’s plenty for the whole family! Click here for more information.
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