What's On in Harrogate: October to December 2026

The short answer

Autumn and early winter are some of Harrogate's busiest months. The highlights for October to December 2026 are:

• the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival (11–25 October)
• Knit + Stitch at the Harrogate Convention Centre (19–22 November)
• the Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre (26–29 November)
• Glow at RHS Harlow Carr (selected dates from 26 November to 30 December)
• the Knaresborough Christmas Market (5–6 December)
• the Harrogate Ice Pavilion in Valley Gardens (17 December to 3 January)

One thing has changed this year. The big Harrogate Christmas Fayre and the lights switch-on event are not running in 2026. The town has a new Christmas programme instead, with ice sculptures, an ice trail, curling and the covered rink.

Below is the month-by-month list we give our own guests. We've added the dates when rooms go fastest.

November 2026

• Early November: bonfire night. The Round Table's Stray Charity Bonfire is one of the biggest displays in the area. The 2026 date hadn't been confirmed when we wrote this (last year's was on a Saturday in early November), so check before you travel.
• 14–15 November: Thought Bubble Comic Convention at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
• 13–15 November: North of England Woodworking & Power Tool Show at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre.
• 19–22 November: Knit + Stitch. This is one of the UK's biggest craft shows, with 150+ exhibitors and 200+ workshops. It's one of the busiest weekends of the year for accommodation in Harrogate.
• 26–29 November: Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair, with around 180 exhibitors. It's a good place to start your Christmas shopping.
• From 25 November: Sleeping Beauty, the Harrogate Theatre pantomime. It runs until 17 January.
• From 26 November: Glow at RHS Harlow Carr. It's Glow's tenth year, with eight new light installations and the gardens' champion trees lit up for the first time. Tickets are timed and evening slots sell out, so book as soon as you know your dates.

When to book: the busiest dates

Given the size of this season's events, these are the dates we expect to fill up fastest:

• 18–20 October (Nursery Fair)
• 30 October–1 November (half term weekend, plus two events at the Convention Centre)
• 13–15 November and 19–22 November (the woodworking show, then Knit + Stitch)
• 25–29 November (the conference, the Christmas Fair and the first Glow nights)
• 5–6 December (Christmas market weekend)
• Glow weekends in December

If you're travelling on those dates, book early. Booking direct on our website is usually the best-value way to stay, because you avoid the service fees some booking sites add. You can see every home and check live availability on Our Properties.

Not sure which home suits you? For families and groups, The Royal Hall Retreat and The Blossom Bay each sleep six. For couples and solo trips, browse our apartments and studios, or our townhouses if you would like a whole house to yourselves.