Browse the Best Local Festive Shopping Events, Christmas Markets, Town Fairs & Artisan Markets
Near Knaresborough, Ripon, Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Masham, Bedale, and beyond
Browse the Best Local Festive Shopping Events, Christmas Markets, Town Fairs & Artisan Markets
Ure Life has put together this long guide to Christmas Shopping Events, Artisan Markets, Festive Fayres, and Christmas Markets, so you can choose the best Christmas market or festive fair for you and your family this holiday season.
Get ready for a season of festive shopping with our complete guide to the best Christmas fairs, markets and seasonal shopping events near Easingwold, Knaresborough, Ripon, Thirsk, Masham, Bedale, and Boroughbridge. North Yorkshire’s market towns truly come alive during the Christmas period, offering enchanting artisan stalls, beautifully lit markets, handmade gifts, local produce and delicious festive treats. Whether you’re searching for the perfect present, stocking up on food for the big day, or simply enjoying a festive day out, there’s a magical market waiting for you.
This guide rounds up traditional Christmas markets, indoor craft fairs, local maker events, school fairs, church markets, charity fundraisers and special artisan showcases across the region. Many are free to enter and offer a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses, crafters and independent creators. From mulled wine and mince pies to unique Yorkshire-made gifts, you’ll find plenty to make your Christmas shopping feel fun and festive.
Plan your seasonal outings with ease and discover where to find the best atmosphere, the best stalls and the loveliest Christmas experiences in and around Ripon, Masham, Knaresborough, Easingwold, Bedale, Thirsk and Boroughbridge.
Sat 1 Nov – Sat 20 Dec 2025, Saturdays only
Browse with Bubbles at The Ginger Bear
The Ginger Bear, Helmsley
Join The Ginger Bear any Saturday throughout November and December for a complimentary glass of prosecco whilst you browse their wares. Open 10.30 am until 4.30 pm.
Harewood Christmas Market in partnership with Little Bird Made
Harewood House
Harewood House is welcoming over 160 makers, crafters, and producers to its annual Christmas Market in partnership with Little Bird, set along the North Park Walk. Discover unique gifts from some of Yorkshire’s finest independent traders and indulge in the region’s best street food.
York’s award-winning Christmas Market will return from 13 November to 21 December 2025, bringing festive cheer to the heart of the city. Alpine chalets are set to line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, and the market will showcase a magical array of local crafts, artisan products, and delicious seasonal treats. With over 80% of the traders coming from Yorkshire, it’s the perfect opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying the very best of the region.
A festive artisan market filled with handpicked stalls, handmade gifts, seasonal food and drink, and a magical Christmas atmosphere by Little Bird Made Markets.
Enjoy festive lights and decorations, live music entertainment, a snow machine, free craft activities, toasting marshmellows, walking a miniature trail, posing for festive photos, and eating and drinking a selection of festive refreshments. Free entry but all donations gratefully received
York Explore Library, Library Square, Museum St, York YO1 7DS
A festive fayre featuring cards, jewellery, prints, and gifts from local artists and crafters—perfect for starting your Christmas shopping. Includes tombolas and a raffle for added fun.
York
Sat 15 Nov – Sun 16 Nov 2025
Hawes Christmas Craft Fair
Market House, Hawes
Meet local makers and browse handmade crafts, artisan gifts, seasonal decorations and more in the heart of Wensleydale.
Balance Women’s Circle Presents A Festive Makers Market
Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall
A festive community Christmas fair with over 20 local craft stalls, craft activities, festive mini photo shoots, face painting, raffle, pizza and drinks. Free entry from 10.00 am – 3.00 pm.
A Christmas fair featuring stalls with seasonal gifts, a grandparents’ tea room, live music and carols, seasonal food and drink, holiday crafts, and games to celebrate the holiday season. Hosted by the school’s PTA, it is open to the public from 3.00 pm until 5.30 pm.
All of your Christmas shopping under one roof. Hailed as the biggest and best seasonal shopping event in Yorkshire, this Christmas fair features more than 250 carefully-selected stands, from artisan designer-makers, local food producers and fashion retailers to homewares, gifts and accessories, and of course special Christmas decorations.
Little Bird Made & Ripon BID’s Magical Artisan Christmas Markets
Ripon Market Square
A 3-day magical artisan Christmas market filled with music, sparkling entertainment, food, handmade crafts, and unique gifts. On 2.00 pm – 8.00 pm each day.
A festive showcase of handmade gifts, art, textiles, home décor and more from talented local artisans. A perfect chance to support small businesses.
York
Sat 22 Nov, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
York Steiner School Advent Fair
York Steiner School, Fulford, York YO10 4PB
A beloved festive fair with handmade crafts, artisan stalls, delicious food and family activities. A joyful community fundraiser.
York
Sun 23 Nov 2025
Northallerton Christmas Food Market
Northallerton High Street
An unforgettable foodie event featuring over 20 top-notch food vendors, live music, and a variety of festive activities that everyone can enjoy, brought to you by Northallerton Business Improvement District (BID). Don’t miss the Santa Sing-Along Sleigh, running throughout the day, proudly funded by Visit North Yorkshire. Join us and celebrate the season in style!
Choose the perfect tree to adorn your home this Christmas. With a selection of beautiful, locally sourced Christmas trees from near Ebberston, including non-drop Nordmann trees and the more traditional Norway Spruce trees – both, sure to bring holiday cheer to your festivities.
A Christmas fair featuring artisan stalls, Christmas shopping, live music and carols, and seasonal food and drink. Nestled between Easingwold and Malton, the event is on between 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm.
Browse the wonderful, carefully selected array of Christmas gifts, decorations and sweet treats for you to give or enjoy for yourself at the Swinton Estate Shop. Enjoy a complimentary mulled wine and mince pie while you shop.
Easingwold Christmas Light Switch-On and Artisan Market
Market Place, Easingwold
The annual Christmas lights switch-on returns with late-night shopping, artisan market stalls, live music & carols, from 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm across town.
The Halls, The Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate
Discover 180 unique Christmas gifting, food and fashion stalls, all under one roof at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. The 2025 Opening times are Thursday to Saturday, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm, and Sunday, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm.
Join Cundall Manor School for a festive day of delicious festive food, interactive games, lively entertainment and a variety of stalls. Plus meet a special visitor in the library!
A local community Christmas fair with a festive cafe, traditional stalls, arts and crafts, lovely gifts, children singing, and a visit from Santa. Open 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Rufforth Institute Traditional Christmas Craft Fayre
Rufforth Institute
A local community Christmas fair with a festive cafe, raffle, tombola, artisan craft stalls, and more. Open 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, with a low sensory time of 10.30 am – 11.00 am.
A local community Christmas fair in aid of Fountains Playgroup and Pre-School. Open 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, this event offers homemade refreshments, Christmas gift stalls, Ugly Ducklings, and a warm festive atmosphere.
Free entry! The Abbey’s magnificent Nave will be full of local, independent craft stall holders selling their wares. Refreshments, cakes, raffle & tombola.
Selby
Sat 29 Nov, 10.30 am – 3.00 pm
RSPCA York Christmas Fair 2025
RSPCA York Animal Home
An annual Christmas fair with crafts, cakes, refreshments, dog treats, Santa’s Grotto, tombola, games, toys, mince pies, hot drinks, festive preserves & more.
York
Sat 29 Nov, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
New Earswick Folk Hall Festive Fair
New Earswick Folk Hall
A festive fair with local stalls, seasonal treats & holiday cheer. A perfect start to the Christmas season!
York
Sat 29 Nov, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Winter in the Wheelhouse
White Syke Fields, Sand Hutton, York,
Christmas gifts, homewares, hand-printed textiles, jewellery, toys, artisan street food, craft activities, face painting & more.
York
29 Nov, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
Art & Craft Winter Fair
South Bank Studios, York
A festive fair featuring original art, craft, handmade gifts and local makers at South Bank Studios.
York
29 Nov, 12.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Frost Fair
Patch York, Terry Avenue, York YO1 6FA
A cosy celebration of local craftspeople, winter stalls, seasonal treats and festive cheer.
York
Sat 29 Nov – Sun 30 Nov 2025
Little Bird Christmas Artisan Market
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Make your way down to the West Green of the Abbey for a truly special shopping experience. Browse through gifts and crafts by some of Yorkshire’s finest independent makers, artists, and food producers. Normal admission applies.
Join Romanby Golf and Country Club for their annual Christmas market with over 20 festive stalls selling crafts, local produce and more. Mulled wine and turkey rolls will be available to purchase on the day. The event runs from 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm. Book your free ticket on their website.
Enjoy a festive day of live music, food stalls, crafts and gift shopping at this popular annual Christmas fair. Previous years have featured a Santa’s grotto, local ales, and charity fundraising through raffles and donations.
Guildhall transformed into a festive fair with unique gifts from Yorkshire makers: jewellery, art, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, soaps & more.
York
Wed 3 Dec 2025
Boroughbridge Christmas Lights & Late Night Shopping Event
Boroughbridge town centre
A festive lights-switch event and shopping night that includes a children’s trail, local musical performances, festive refreshments, craft stalls, tombola, mini funfair, the Boroughbridge Lions Santa sleigh, late night cafe and restaurant openings, and late night shopping.
A cheerful school Christmas fair with stalls, games and festive treats.
York
Sat 6 Dec, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Galtres Centre Christmas Fair
The Galtres Centre
A festive community fair with stalls, gifts and seasonal treats.
Easingwold
Sat 6 Dec 2025
Dalton Village Christmas Fayre
Dalton Village Hall
A chance to browse local handmade and artisan goods at this community event, happening between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. Enquire to be a stall holder by calling 07752260571.
Local Community Christmas faire including stalls selling stocking fillers and Christmas gifts, a ‘pay as you feel’ second hand toy stall (run by Ripon Community Toy Library) and a pop up cafe selling toasties, bacon butties, mince pies, soup and alcohol-free mulled wine. There are free children’s activities running all day including card making and decorating biscuits. Children can also visit Santa for £7.00 pp which includes a selection box and small gift. The event is on from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Soak up the magical atmosphere of this community event. Meet Santa in his grotto, shop local, enjoy live entertainment, taste festive food & drink, and find the perfect gifts from our amazing local businesses and makers. From 10.00 am each day.
Around 20 local makers including textiles, ceramics, jewellery, soap, weavers, printmakers & stained glass. Festive foods & choir on Saturday.
York
Sat 6 Dec – Sun 7 Dec, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Rawcliffe Community Christmas Market
St Mark’s Grove, Rawcliffe
A festive family market with local stalls and the chance to book a magical Santa visit.
York
Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec, Sat 13 Dec, Sun 14 Dec 2025
Christmas in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Little Bird Markets bring a festive artisan market to Valley Gardens over two magical weekends. Shop independent makers, enjoy seasonal treats, and soak up the festive atmosphere among twinkling lights.
Yolk Farm Christmas Makers Market with Real Markets
Yolk Farm, Minskip
This festive season, Yolk Farm has teamed up with Real Markets to host a Makers Market, bringing together creativity, community, and Christmas cheer under one barn roof. This indoor market will host over 20 traders, who will showcase their handmade, local, or artisan goods.
A community Christmas market with festive stalls and seasonal activities.
York
Sun 7 Dec, 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Shine 21 Christmas Fair
Burnholme Sports Centre, York
A festive charity fair supporting Shine 21, with stalls and family-friendly activities.
York
Fri 12 Dec 2025
Grewelthorpe School Christmas Fair
Grewelthorpe C of E Primary School
A festive community Christmas fair with local stalls, festive games, and seasonal food and drink. Organised by the Friends of Grewelthorpe School, this event is open from 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm.
A cheerful village Christmas fair with local stalls and festive fun.
York
Sat 13 Dec 2025
Northallerton Christmas Artisan Market
Northallerton High Street
Little Bird Made proudly presents Northallerton’s Christmas Artisan Market with 22 independent makers, crafters & creators showcasing some of the most unique Christmas gifts in North Yorkshire. Enjoy festive shopping under twinkling lights with Christmas carols filling the air. The Christmas market runs from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Decorated tractors parade through the high street alongside festive stalls, judged displays, Santa’s grotto, and late-night shopping. The event will take place between 5.00 pm and 9.00 pm.
A local community Christmas fair offering craft and gift stalls, mince pies, coffee and cakes, tombola, raffle, lucky dip bottle bag, a visit from Santa, and more.
Anticipation is high as the festive industry counts down to the 2026 Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, which is set to be a show bursting with creativity, inspiration, and opportunity. This trade show is the ultimate destination for discovering what’s next in Christmas and gifting from dazzling décor and artisan creations to luxury homeware and lifestyle must-haves. Open 9.00 am to 6.00pm Sunday to Tuesday, and 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on Wednesday.
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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