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FUN SEASONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

Explore the Top Local Festive Events, Activities, Experiences and Craft Workshops

Near Ripon, Boroughbridge, Easingwold, Knaresborough, Masham, Bedale, and beyond

Christmas Crafting Events, Workshops, Festive Activities & Xmas Experiences

View Ure Life’s guide to Christmas craft workshops, Christmas activities, festive storytime, and experiences

Looking to get creative this festive season? Our essential guide to Christmas craft workshops, hands-on activities and seasonal creative experiences near Ripon, Thirsk, Easingwold, Bedale, Masham, and Boroughbridge will help you discover inspiring ways to kickstart your Christmas spirit. Whether you want to make your own wreath, learn festive baking, try pottery, design personalised gifts or enjoy a relaxing craft afternoon with friends, North Yorkshire offers some truly magical creative events throughout November and December.

These workshops are perfect for all ages and abilities, and many are led by talented local makers who bring a warm, welcoming atmosphere to every session. Not only will you head home with something beautiful and handmade, but you’ll also enjoy a calming, mindful break from the Christmas rush. From cosy village halls and boutique craft studios to historic houses and countryside barns, you’ll find seasonal creativity happening across the region.

Explore this guide to find the perfect festive workshop for you, your children, or your friends, and make this Christmas your most creative one yet.

Wed 12 Nov 2025

Mosaic Mini Christmas Wreath Workshop

Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Create a beautiful glass mosaic mini wreath in this new festive workshop. Join Ann Newbould from Mosaicables and spend a few hours creating something magical to decorate your home or gift to someone special.
Bedale

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Sat 16 – Sun 17 Nov 2025

Crafts in the Pen

Skipton Auction Mart

230 talented local artists, crafters, and makers demonstrate their craftmanship, host workhops, and showcase their wares for sale at this well-attended event. Meet the makers and ask questions, enjoy discounts, and shop unique gifts across art, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, glass, jewellery, printmaking, sculpture and more.
Skipton

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Wed 19 Nov 2025

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Led by our Curator, Faith Douglas, learn how to expertly craft an exquisite Christmas wreath using natural foliage specially chosen to provide a fabulous mix of varieties, colour, longevity and verdure.
Bedale

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Thu 20 Nov, Fri 21 Nov, Thu 27 Nov, Fri 28 Nov, Thu 4 Dec, Fri 5 Dec, Thu 11 Dec, Fri 12 Dec 2025

Wreath Making Workshop in the Garden Centre

Castle Howard, York

A practical two-hour session making a Christmas wreath using natural materials. All materials are provided, and tea and coffee are included. Add a glass of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine for extra Christmas sparkle if you are joining us for an evening session. For age 16+. Only 10 tickets available per session! Ages 16+.
York

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Fri 21 Nov – Tue 23 Dec 2025

Teddy Bear Workshop at Piglet’s

Piglet’s Adventure Farm

Children can create a decent-sized super soft teddy that they can keep forever. Teddies come with their own birth certificate to fill in on the day.
York

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Mon 24 Nov 2025 at 9.30 am

Create Your Own Festive Willow Angel

Swinton Park Estate

Sculptor Jess Wilkinson will guide you through this intensive day of willow weaving to create a beautiful willow angel sculpture for your home or garden. Refreshments and a two-course lunch included in the day.
Masham

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Tue 25 Nov 2025 at 10.00 am

Jonathan Moseley Wreath Making Workshop

Grantley Hall, near Ripon

Join the much-loved florist, Jonathan Moseley, for a special festive wreath making masterclass suitable for all ages and levels. Day includes refreshments and a two-course lunch.
Ripon

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Wed 26 Nov, Thu 27 Nov, Wed 4 Dec, Thu 5 Dec 2025

Wreath Making with Susie Hart

Swinton Park Estate

Susie Hart of Hart Company will demonstrate and help you create your own beautiful wreath with greenery and berries from our Estate for you to take home. Starts at 10.00 am with refreshments and a two-course lunch included in the day. Four dates to choose from.
Masham

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Thu 27 Nov, Wed 4 Dec 2025

Christmas Wreath Making With Highwood Blooms

Yolk Farm, Minskip

Get creative this Christmas! Join us for one of our festive wreath making workshops this season, where you can design your own festive wreath using fresh greenery and beautiful decorations. £65 including a mince pie and mulled wine!
Boroughbridge

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Fri 28 Nov 2025

Something Social: Baubles & Baileys

Rural Arts, Thirsk

Sip Baileys, paint ceramic baubles, and share the magic of Christmas with friends. A creative evening filled with warmth, laughter, and lasting keepsakes. From 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm.
Thirsk

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Fri 28 – Sat 29 Nov 2025

Rural Arts Christmas Makers Market 2025

Rural Arts

Bursting with festive cheer and unique handmade gifts, this artisan market opens late on Friday and is a great place for festive shopping and sipping.
Thirsk

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Sat 29 Nov and Mon 1 Dec 2025

FREE Community Lantern Making Project by Thread Nidd

St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

Bringing people together and celebrating the true community spirit of Christmas across Nidderdale. Join Thread Need at Thread CIC to create your very own lantern. You can make multiple lanterns per family, completely free of charge, thanks to the support of Nidd Plus and Thread CIC. Following the fantastic success of last year, Thread Need are looking to make the 2025 lantern parade bigger, brighter, and even more joyful. Help light up the Pateley Bridge Christmas Parade on Friday 5th December to kick off the town’s celebrations with a magical procession down the high street. Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday 4.00 pm – 6.00pm.
Nidderdale

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Sat 29 Nov – Sun 30 Nov 2025

Thirsk Christmas Tree Festival

Thirsk Methodist Church

Browse the decorated trees created by local organisations and individuals. Enjoy the light Refreshments available. Free admission with donations to the Herriot Hospice. Open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm on Saturday and 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm on Sunday.
Thirsk

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Sat 29 Nov 2025

Regency Gilded Baubles Workshop with Siobhan Murphy

Harewood House

Join Siobhan Murphy and indulge in the ultimate festive craft as you design and hand-embellish a sumptuous velvet bauble.
Wetherby

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Sun 30 Nov, Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec 2025

Christmas Decoration Activity 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.
Ripon

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Mon 1 Dec 2025

Create Your Own Willow Christmas Decorations

Swinton Park Estate

Sculptor Jess Wilkinson will guide you through the process of designing and making a small collection of unique willow stars, reindeer and other motifs. The workshop also includes a two-course meal in the Terrace Restaurant and Bar, along with arrival tea or coffee and biscuits.
Masham

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Tue 2 – Sun 7 Dec 2025

Reindeer Willow Weaving Workshop

Harewood House

A festive Willow Weaving workshop where you will have the chance to make your very own 5-foot Christmas reindeer. Join Leilah Vyner from Dragon Willow to learn how to create a charming Reindeer out of willow.
Wetherby

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Thu 4 Dec 2025

Festive Storytime at Ripon Walled Garden

Ripon Library

Ripon Library are heading on over to Ripon Walled Garden for a special Christmas story time event. Let the children enjoy Chrismtas stories as the parents enjoy hot drinks and baked goods from the cafe. From 10.30 am to 11.30 am.
Ripon

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Sat 6 Dec 2025

Rural Arts: Santa’s Workshop

Rural Arts, Thirsk

Step into the festive magic at The Courthouse, Thirsk! Write a letter to Santa, create your own Christmas cards, and decorate a ceramic bauble to take home as a keepsake. Enjoy seasonal carols, a professional family photo, and a warm hot chocolate as part of this joyful experience the whole family will love. There are two two-hour sessions to choose from: 10.30 am or 2.30 pm. For more information, call 01845 526536.
Thirsk

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Sat 6 Dec 2025

Family Christmas Macramé Bunting & Baubles Workshop

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

Get festive with a family-friendly macramé workshop, perfect for creating handmade Christmas decorations together. Macramé is the art of decorative knotting using cords to create beautiful patterns and designs. Led by The Knotty Queen, you and your child will learn the basics of macramé to craft your very own festive bunting and baubles. A wonderful way to spend creative time together and make keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come. Suitable for ages 8+. 90-minute sessions at 10.00 am and 1.00 pm.
Nidderdale

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6 – 21 Dec 2025 on Saturdays & Sundays only

Beningbrough Hall at Christmas

Beningbrough Hall, near York

Take some time out of your day together to have a go at the seasonal crafts and letter writing on the top floor of the hall. Make a something special to take home or as a gift including a peg doll elf, tree decoration and door or window hanger. The activities often vary.
York
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Tue 9 Dec 2025

Mini Makers – Christmas Taster Session

Rural Arts, Thirsk

This taster session is perfect for those wanting to see what Mini-Makers is all about before we launch our full programme in 2026. Led by Early Years Practitioner, Laura Johnson, this session will see gentle festive music, Christmas stories, opportunity to make a crafted Rudolph keepsake, and some exploration of textures, sounds, and colours, with art embedded throughout.
Thirsk

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Tue 9 Dec 2025

Home Education Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

Join Thread Nidd at Thread CIC for a festive hands-on activity designed especially for Home Education families. Children will create a simple Christmas wreath using real greenery and recycled materials, learning how to craft something beautiful from natural and scrap resources. 10.00 am – 11.00 am. £5.00 pp.
Nidderdale

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Tue 9 Dec, Fri 12 Dec 2025

Christmas Tree Scrap Workshop

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

Why buy new when you can re-use and recycle? Supported by the Cone Exchange Scrap Store, this festive workshop shows children how to turn scrap materials into creative Christmas trees. A fun, eco-friendly way to celebrate the season and learn about sustainability while crafting something unique to take home. Each child takes home two Christmas trees of approximately 20 cm tall. Suitable for ages 8+. £15.00 pp. Tuesday, 1.00 pm – 2.30 pm, Friday 10.00 am – 11.30 am, and 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm.
Nidderdale

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Tue 9 Dec 2025 at 7.30 pm

Wreath Making Night by The Mum Club Harrogate

The Harrogate Inn

Meet new mums and create a festive wreath over a glass of bubbly.
Harrogate

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Wed 10 Dec 2025

A Taste of Art: Christmas Prints

Rural Arts, Thirsk

In this festive workshop, we’ll explore the art of linoprinting. Guided by our artist Dove, you will have the opportunity to use the printing press, specialist tools and explore different techniques to carve and create your very own lino prints, perfect for unique Christmas cards or gifts.
Thirsk

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Sat 13 Dec 2025

Community Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

Get into the festive spirit at Thread CIC! Children will create a simple version their very own Christmas wreath with real greenery, scrap and with lights to take home. There will also be extra Christmas crafts to enjoy, making this a fun and creative community event for all. Booking required but can arrive any time between 10.00 am – 4.00 pm for the one-hour workshop. £5.00 pp. Suitable for 8+ years.
Nidderdale

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Mon 15 Dec 2025

Safe Print Christmas Cards

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

A friendly festive workshop perfect for younger makers. In this 1.5-hour session, children create their own pack of six Christmas cards using safe print techniques. Instead of lino tools, we use foam, textured plates and simple shapes so they can explore printing in a relaxed, creative and safe way. They’ll design their own image, build their printing plate, roll out inks and produce a set of unique cards to take home. It’s hands-on, colourful and ideal for children who love making gifts for family and friends. £13.00 pp. Suitable for 6+ years. 90-minute session begins at 3.45 pm.
Nidderdale

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Thu 18 Dec 2025

Recycled Christmas Trees with Thread Nidd

Thread Nidd at St Cuthberts Primary School, Pateley Bridge

A fun, eco-friendly Christmas workshop where children turn recycled materials into their own decorated festive trees. We’ll be using denim, fabric scraps, beads and buttons to build and personalise a chunky little tree they can display at home or give as a gift. It’s creative, hands-on and a lovely way to introduce upcycling. As Thread Nidd use low-temp glue guns, this session is suitable for ages 7 and over. 90-minute session at 3.45 pm. £15.00 pp.
Nidderdale

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Fri 12 Dec 2025

Wreath Making and Festive Drink: Evening Session

Rural Arts, Thirsk

Join us for a fun and festive workshop at The Courthouse, where you’ll get creative, soak up the holiday spirit, and leave with a beautiful handmade wreath to hang proudly on your door. To make things even more magical, a festive drink is included!
Thirsk

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Fri 12 Dec 2025 at 10.00 am, Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 10.00 am

A Christmas Forest School Adventure by Curious by Nature

Willow View Farm, Topcliffe

A 90-minute Christmas themed child’s forest school session involving woodwork decorations, Christmas crafts, den building, campfire cooking, and a Christmas challenge.

Thirsk

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Sat 13 Dec 2025

Chunky Knitted Christmas Pudding Workshop

Harewood House

Join Siobhan Murphy and enjoy an afternoon designing and creating your own bespoke Regency-inspired Christmas crackers.
Wetherby

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Sat 13 Dec 2025

A Taste of Art: Fabric Crackers

Rural Arts, Thirsk

Join Dove, our talented in-house artist, for a fun and festive Fabric Cracker Workshop! In this creative session, you’ll learn to cut simple patterns and explore textile techniques like appliqué and embellishment, all while crafting sustainable, reusable fabric crackers. Perfect for beginners or experienced makers, you’ll leave with beautifully handmade crackers to brighten your festive celebrations and add a personal, eco-friendly touch to your holiday season. From 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm.
Thirsk

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Sat 20 Dec 2025

Creating a Christmas Centrepiece Workshop

Harewood House

Join Siobhan Murphy and enjoy an afternoon designing and creating your own bespoke Regency-inspired Christmas crackers.
Wetherby

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Sat 20 Dec 2025

Regency Christmas Cracker Workshop with Siobhan Murphy

Harewood House

Join Siobhan Murphy and enjoy an afternoon designing and creating your own bespoke Regency-inspired Christmas crackers.
Wetherby

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Sat 20 – Tue 23 Dec 2025

Toymaker’s Workshops at Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Take part in a craft workshop with the Toymaker. Choose from three different traditional wooden toys and create your own to take home with you. Parents can grab hot drinks and soak in the twinkly atmosphere at Swanley. Workshops are priced at £10 per child which includes the experience and the wooden toy kit. Each workshop lasts 30-40 minutes and must be pre-booked on website. Workshops are available at 11.00 am, 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm. Normal admission applies.
Ripon

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Fri 26 Dec 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026

Toymaker’s Vintage Games at Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Make your way to the Swanley workshop to play traditional games. Challenge your family and friends to a fun competition before racing down to the abbey ruins. These activities are free with normal admission.
Ripon

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Michelle

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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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