FUN SEASONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
View the Best Local Festive Events, Santa Experiences, Elf Academies & Family-friendly Craft Activities
Near Boroughbridge, Ripon, Masham, Knaresborough, Bedale, Easingwold, and North Yorkshire
Family-friendly Christmas Events, Santa Visits & Grottos
Ure Life’s 2025 Where To Visit Santa Seasonal Guide for Ripon, Thirsk, Knaresborough, Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Bedale, Masham, and North Yorkshire
If your little ones can’t wait to meet the big man in red, our guide to where to visit Santa near Ripon, Easingwold, Thirsk, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Bedale, and Masham, is sure to bring you the very best grottos and Christmas experiences across Yorkshire. From magical woodland trails and cosy storytime sessions to traditional grottos, sleigh rides and full festive days out, you’ll find a Santa experience to suit every family and every budget.
Many local attractions, farms, stately homes and community venues host unforgettable Santa events throughout November and December, often including gifts, photo opportunities, crafts and festive entertainment. These popular sessions book up quickly every year, so this guide makes it easy to explore your options and secure your preferred date.
Whether you’re planning your baby’s first Santa visit or searching for a special Christmas memory for older children, you’ll discover all the must-visit grottos and magical encounters across the Boroughbridge, Easingwold, Ripon, Knaresborough area and beyond.
Fri 21 Nov – Tue 23 Dec 2025
Wensleydale Railway: The Polar Express Train Ride
Wensleydale Railway
Your journey begins just like THE POLAR EXPRESS motion picture when THE POLAR EXPRESS™ will pick you up at Leeming Bar station to take you on your Christmas journey. You will get to meet the characters from the film including the conductor, the singing chefs, the hobo and of course the main man himself Father Christmas. Join families, couples and just those big kids who believe in our magical train ride.
Fri 21 Nov – Tue 23 Dec 2025
Magical Sleigh Ride and Santa Experience
Piglet’s Adventure Farm
Check in at Elf Airlines and jump aboard the Magical Sleigh Ride to Santa’s Woodland Village, for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience. Meet the fun festive elves and the big man himself! Share your dreams and wishes with Santa who will give you the magic key to unlock his amazing Toy Shop. Choose your perfect gift from a huge selection. Watch live shows with the cheeky elves, make reindeer food, write your Christmas Wish and leave it on the Wishing Tree.
22 & 29 Nov • 6 & 13 Dec
Meet Father Christmas
Nunnington Hall, York
Join Father Christmas and his friendly Elf in the festively decorated Panelled Bedroom to tell him your Christmas wishes. Babies are welcome too, with a ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ experience offering a shorter visit and baby-friendly gift.
Sat 22 Nov – 24 Dec 2025
The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
Stockeld Park
Step into the magic of Christmas with the dazzling light show, winter illuminations, festive ice skating, live thatre show, and enchanting Santa’s grotto.
Sat 22 Nov – 24 Dec 2025
The Christmas Adventure at Lotherton Hall
Lotherton Hall
Explore the festively decorated Hall and enchanting grounds and gardens. Wander festive trails, discover twinkling surprises, and explore the crafts, toasted marshmallows and weekend magic shows in the Elf Village. You can also book to meet Santa and Mrs Claus.
29 Nov – 21 Dec 2025, Saturdays and Sundays only
Yolk Farm Santa’s Grotto
Yolk Farm, Minskip
Enjoy a private audience with Father Christmas including a personalised conversation based on your child’s interests and a thoughtful gift. Children also have the chance to hand Santa their letter directly.
Find out more
29 Nov – 23 Dec 2025
The Magical Christmas Experience at Birchfield
Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge
Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets. Then be greeted by Buddy The Elf who will help you board Santa’s sleigh for your magical sleigh ride before arriving at Father Christmas’s woodland grotto where you can sit by the fire and tell him your Christmas wishes.
Find out more
Sat 29 Nov – Wed 24 Dec 2025
Santa’s Grotto at Thorp Perrow
Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Take a wintery walk through the Arboretum towards the cosy cabin nestled deep in the woods where the elves will be waiting to welcome you into an enchanted winter woodland. Inside, you’ll explore a host of seasonal landscapes and creatures, discover miniature worlds, and peep inside the elves’ charming little bedroom before finding Santa in his cosy sitting room, ready for a chat and an extra special photo.
Sat 29 Nov – Wed 24 Dec 2025
Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House
Harewood House
Step into a world of wonder as your family joins Father Christmas and his merry band of elves in preparing for a once-in-a-century celebration: The North Pole’s Royal Ball! Children will become part of the festive preparations, and will help Father Christmas choose an enchanted outfit for this extraordinary event.
Sat 29 Nov – Wed 24 Dec 2025
Christmas at Mother Shipton’s
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
A festive woodland experience with Santa visits, grotto activities, fire-pit marshmallows and magical photo opportunities.
Find out more
Sat 29 Nov – Wed 24 Dec 2025
Father Christmas in the Castle
Castle Howard, York
The warm and wonderful Story Craft Theatre return to Castle Howard with a fabulous festive show in Santa’s cosy Boathouse Grotto. Santa himself will join the fun, with a gift for each child with a ticket.
Find out more
Sun 30 Nov, Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec 2025
Visit Santa Claus at Ripon Walled Garden
Ripon Walled Garden
Little ones can enjoy meet and greet with Santa, receive a gift bag, write a letter to Santa and post it, make a Christmas decoration, and walk the Santa trail.
Sun 30 Nov, Sun 7 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Sun 21 Dec 2025
Santa Sunday Lunch
Carlton Towers
Enjoy a festive three-course Sunday lunch in the beautifully decorated staterooms. Then visit Santa by the fireside in the Bow Drawing Room. Each family receives a small gift for every child.
Mon 2 Dec – Sat 21 Dec 2025
Boroughbridge Lions Santa Sleigh Tour
Boroughbridge and Surrounding Villages
The Boroughbridge Lions Santa sleigh will be going door to door across Boroughbridge, Helperby, Marton cum Grafton, Roecliffe, Langthorpe, Aldborough, Minskip, Kirby Hill, Dishforth village, Dishforth Airfield, Marton le Moor, Whixley, Great Ouseburn, Little Ouseburn, and Green Hammerton. They will also be at the Boroughbridge Late Night Shopping event and in front of Morrisons towards late December.
6 – 21 Dec 2025 on Saturdays & Sundays only
The Santa Sensory Christmas Experience
Zen Sensory, Wath
Loopy Tooty The Elf will whisk children away to his Elf Workshop where they will help decorate the elf Christmas tree, dive into wrapping paper messy play and write their own letters to Santa before posting them. Children will then enjoy snow ball fights and frosty messy play in the Enchanted Snowy Forest, decorating a gingerbread cookie in the Gingerbread House, snuggling up with a hot chocolate for Christmas Eve storytime, making reindeer food, and meeting Santa in the grotto.
Find out more
Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec, Sat 13 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Sat 20 Dec, Sun 21 Dec, Mon 22 Dec, Tue 23 Dec 2025
Santa Paws at the Garden Centre
Castle Howard, York
Dogs can meet Santa Paws in the Garden Centre. Snap a festive photo, grab a treat for your pooch and enjoy a lovely meet-and-greet experience, free with no booking required. The event is open 10.00 am – 3.00 pm.
Find out more
Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec, Sat 13 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Sat 20 Dec, Sun 21 Dec, Mon 22 Dec, Tue 23 Dec 2025
Father Christmas at Temple Newsam
Temple Newsam House
This festive season, Temple Newsam House transforms into a Christmas wonderland where Mrs Claus invites you to help her get ready for Christmas with a sprinkle of magic. Explore the beautifully decorated historic house, meet Father Christmas, and enjoy an interactive and magical Storytime.
Sat 6 Dec – Sun 21 Dec 2025 on Saturdays & Sundays only
Beningbrough Hall at Christmas
Beningbrough Hall, near York
Enjoy storytime with Father Christmas, festive crafts & a magical setting. Withi limited days, this event often sells out.
Find out more
Sun 7 Dec, Sat 13 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Sat 20 Dec, Sun 21 Dec 2025
Mr & Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt
Raby Castle
Meet Mr & Mrs Claus in the twinkling Yuletide Yurt with magical décor, heartfelt stories and a Christmas meet-and-greet. Includes access to the Walled Gardens & Deer Park.
Sat 13 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Fri 19 Dec, Sat 20 Dec, Sun 21 Dec, Tue 23 Dec 2025
Enchantica’s Father Christmas Experience 2025 – Elf Training
Allerton Castle
Guided by Santa’s cheerful, twinkling elves, young adventurers discover magical surprises around every corner of the castle, from the Toy-Making Workshop in the Grand Hall and the Music-Making Room to the Enchanted Wishing Tree.
Find out more
13–24 Dec
Breakfast with Santa
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Hop aboard the HMS Beagle, enjoy breakfast, meet Mrs Claus and Santa’s jolly helpers, and finish the morning with a magical meet-and-greet with Santa where every child receives a gift.
Sun 14 Dec, Sun 21 Dec 2025
Breakfast with Santa
Harewood House
Breakfast with Santa is back at the Masons Arms in Bishop Monkton. Join them on Saturday 14th December and Saturday 21st December from 9:30am to 11:30am for a magical experience.
Wed 17 Dec – Thu 18 Dec 2025
Tea with Santa
Murton Park
Enjoy a magical evening with dinner, crafts, festive cheer and a one-to-one with Santa where every child receives a Christmas gift.
Thu 18 Dec 2025
Father Christmas Early Years Experience at Harewood House
Harewood House
Welcome Christmas into your home with Snuggle & Squish with a super satisfying finger knitting workshop and take home a stunning chunky knit Christmas Pudding! Dive into the world of knitting without needles! This beginner-friendly class will teach you the art of finger knitting, creating your cosy, squishy Christmas pudding with super-soft, vegan-friendly Mammoth yarn from Woolly Mahoosive.
Sat 20 Dec – Sun 21 Dec 2025
Festive Storytime with Mrs Claus
Temple Newsam House
Mrs Claus transforms Temple Newsam House with festive magic for a cosy, interactive Christmas storytime experience.
Wed 24 Dec 2025
Brunch with Santa
Carlton Towers
Enjoy brunch with pastries, roast turkey and treats before visiting Santa by the fireside. Every child receives a gift to take home.
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If you know of any other activities, events, or clubs that are not mentioned on the above list, do let us know, especially if you or someone you know is hosting any things to do near Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk, Easingwold, Masham, Knaresborough, or within the surrounding towns and villages.
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