Christmas in Harrogate 2026: Glow, Markets, Ice Rink and Where to Stay

What's new for Christmas 2026

North Yorkshire Council confirmed in the summer that the Harrogate Christmas Fayre, the big wheel and the lights switch-on won't return in 2026. Harrogate BID has put together a new festive programme for the town centre instead. Announced so far:

• Five ice sculptures around the town centre on Saturday 12 December, alongside an interactive ice trail.
• Two curling rinks and a giant snow globe for photos (dates still to be announced).
• Santa's Grotto on selected days in December (dates still to be announced).
• A North Pole Post Office from Harrogate International Festivals, where children can post letters to Father Christmas (details to be confirmed).

Opening times and full schedules were still to be published when we wrote this, so check Visit North Yorkshire's Christmas page before you travel.

Christmas markets and fairs

• 26–29 November: Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, with around 180 gift, food and fashion stalls under one roof. A good place to get ahead on presents.
• 5–6 December: Little Bird Made Christmas Market in Valley Gardens, with local makers, artists and food producers.
• 5–6 December: Knaresborough Christmas Market in the Market Place, 10am to 5pm. In recent years the Sunday has finished with fireworks over the viaduct; the 2026 fireworks time hadn't been confirmed when we wrote this. Knaresborough is about ten minutes from Harrogate by train.

With two markets on the same weekend, the first weekend of December tends to book up early.

Skating, panto and the ice trail

• Harrogate Ice Pavilion, Valley Gardens: a covered ice rink, open from Thursday 17 December to Sunday 3 January (closed Christmas Day). Sessions last 45 minutes, skates are included, and the organisers say popular sessions are expected to sell out. Book on the Ice Pavilion website.
• Sleeping Beauty at Harrogate Theatre, from 25 November. The Harrogate panto is a proper tradition; check the theatre for the full run and show times.
• Saturday 12 December: the ice trail. Five ice sculptures around the centre make a good excuse for a wander, followed by tea at Bettys.

For a calmer day, our guide to Valley Gardens in every season and the Turkish Baths are good places to start.

Where to stay for Christmas in Harrogate

Most of the festive programme is in the town centre and Valley Gardens, so staying central means you can walk everywhere and leave the car. A few of our homes that work well in December:

• The Blossom Bay: a three-bedroom apartment with bay windows over the Stray, for families and friends.
• Mayfield Two: a calm two-bedroom apartment in the centre. Book it with Mayfield One and Three if you're a bigger group.
• Honey & Oak, St James Apartments: two bedrooms and two bathrooms on Cambridge Street, a few minutes from the station.
• Terracotta & Sage: a one-bedroom apartment with a boutique-hotel feel, ideal for a couple's Christmas break.

Booking direct on our website avoids booking-site service fees. See all our homes and check dates.