September brings that lovely in-between feeling to North Yorkshire, with the last days of summer giving way to crisp mornings, autumn colour and a packed calendar of things to see and do. From family-friendly activities, food festivals and craft workshops to live music, exhibitions, fairs and community events, there’s plenty happening across Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk, Easingwold, Knaresborough, Bedale, Masham, Leyburn, York, Harrogate and beyond. Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, planning a day out with friends or simply want to discover more of what’s happening on your doorstep, we’ve rounded up some of the best September events in North Yorkshire to help you make the most of the month.
Local Events Not To Miss This September
Sports Cars in the Park
Newby Hall, Near Ripon
A spectacular gathering of sports and performance cars, with access to Newby Hall’s grounds and family attractions.
Dog Day
Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park, Near Ripon
A family-friendly day supporting the Lost Dog Tracking Network, featuring a fun dog show, dog activities and stalls.
Thirsk Farmers’ Market
Market Place, Thirsk
Browse locally produced food and drink from independent growers, producers and makers. 9am–2pm.
Sunday Big Band
The Forum, Northallerton
Enjoy the fabulous sounds of the Big Band era performed by Alan Owens and The Forum Big Band. 12pm–2pm.
The Illegal Eagles
York Barbican, York
Live tribute performance celebrating the music of the Eagles.
A Summer in Oz
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
Follow a magical Wizard of Oz-inspired adventure at one of Yorkshire’s most unusual attractions.
Great Yorkshire Circus
Ripon Spa Gardens
A traditional circus experience featuring live entertainment under the big top.
Proddy Rug Making Course
Yesterdaze Workshop & Studio
Learn the techniques needed to design, make and finish your own proddy rug during this hands-on course.
Art Exhibition: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Outcomes
Harrogate Library
An exhibition celebrating creativity and the stories behind ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.
Learn To Sew In Four Weeks
White Rose Sewing & Craft Centre, Harrogate
A practical four-week sewing course for those looking to develop their skills and confidence.
Poetry Night
Empress Hotel, Harrogate
An evening celebrating poetry and spoken word in Harrogate.
Nature Tots – Autumn Sessions
St Nicks, York
Outdoor nature activities designed for young children and their grown-ups.
Yotam Ottolenghi: Simple Too LIVE
Grand Opera House, York
An evening with celebrated chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi discussing his food and latest cookbook.
Pottery Skill Building with Amy
Hopewell Studios, Knaresborough
A six-week pottery course designed to help participants develop practical ceramic skills.
The General Tarleton Pub Quiz
The General Tarleton, Knaresborough
Put your general knowledge to the test at this regular local quiz night.
Community Picklers Social
Great Ouseburn Village Hall
A friendly social pickleball session welcoming players looking to enjoy the sport and meet others.
Humankind & Technology: From Today’s AI to the Technology of the Middle Ages
York Public Library
An illustrated talk exploring the relationship between technology, people and society across history.
Private Pickleball Session
Great Ouseburn Village Hall
A private pickleball session for players looking to practise and develop their game.
York’s Growth Challenge
De Grey Court, York St John University
Discussion exploring whether investment can keep pace with York’s ambitions for future growth.
Selling Your Business for its Maximum Value
Bowcliffe Hall, Near Wetherby
An informative session for business owners considering an eventual sale and looking to maximise their company’s value.
Forest of Mythical Breezes
Markington Hall, Near Ripon
A classical music concert in a beautiful North Yorkshire setting.
Swing Thursdays
Belfrey Hall, York
Learn beginner Lindy Hop followed by improvers’ dancing and social swing dancing in central York.
YNY Networking – Northallerton
Treadmills Business Centre, Northallerton
Free local business networking with opportunities to meet other businesses, local authorities and support providers.
YPL Crafting Group
York Public Library
A relaxed crafting group open to all handcrafters. Bring your own supplies and enjoy making and socialising.
Music of ABBA by Candlelight
Ripon Cathedral
ABBA Reunion performs a live tribute to ABBA’s biggest hits in the atmospheric setting of Ripon Cathedral.
Back to the Land Girls
Knayton Village Hall, Near Thirsk
A heartwarming live theatre production from Badapple Theatre celebrating the women who worked the land during wartime.
Luxury Gong Sound Bath
Blossomgate, Ripon
A relaxing evening sound bath using gong vibrations and sound for deep relaxation.
Steam Gathering
Hunton, Near Bedale
More than 1,000 exhibits celebrating over 120 years of agricultural and motoring heritage, with a ploughing match on Sunday.
Annual Book Fair
Baldersby St James Church, Near Thirsk
Browse a huge selection of fact and fiction books while supporting the church’s fabric fund. Refreshments available.
Autumn Market at Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall, Near York
Discover local artists, makers, charities, handcrafted gifts, artwork and artisan food at this seasonal market.
Castleton Show & Road Race
Castleton, North York Moors
A traditional village show combined with a scenic six-mile road race through the North York Moors.
Back To The Land Girls
Knayton Village Hall, Near Thirsk
Badapple Theatre presents a heartwarming evening of live theatre celebrating Britain’s Land Girls.
Repair Café
Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall
Bring broken or worn-out household items along and let a team of skilled volunteers see if they can repair them. Donations welcome.
Race Night
The Crown Inn, Boroughbridge
A fundraising race night supporting the Boroughbridge Christmas lights, with horse racing and supper.
Proddy Rug Making Course
Yesterdaze Workshop & Studio
Continue developing your skills in designing, making and finishing a traditional proddy rug during this practical course.
Marrows and Murder
The Forum, Northallerton
An interactive murder mystery combined with afternoon tea, presented by the Allerton Players and Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club.
Family Friendly Sound Bath
Blossomgate, Ripon
A gentle sound bath experience designed to introduce families to relaxation and sound healing.
Once Upon a Fairytale
Rural Arts, Thirsk
Family theatre from Storycraft Theatre bringing classic fairytale storytelling to life.
Matilda The Musical Singalong
The Ritz Cinema, Thirsk
An interactive screening of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, perfect for families and musical fans.
Thirsk Races: Season Finale
Thirsk Racecourse
The season finale at Thirsk Racecourse with live music, bars and food vendors. Gates open at 11am.
Hope & Harmony
Holy Rood House, Thirsk
A joyful day exploring the beauty and spirituality of communal singing, led by Mike Leigh. Everyone is welcome to join in.
Medicinal Herbs Workshop
The Workhouse Museum, Ripon
Discover the healing power of plants in this hands-on workshop with medical herbalist Bel Charlesworth.
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Newby Hall, near Ripon
A spectacular celebration of autumn gardening featuring thousands of blooms, specialist nurseries, floral displays, gardening advice and access to the beautiful Newby Hall gardens.
Sir Nigel Gresley: The Legend Returns
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Ride behind the iconic No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley as the railway celebrates 150 years since the birth of the famous locomotive engineer.
Heritage Open Days
Harrogate and surrounding area
Explore historic buildings, churches and hidden gems that are not normally open to the public as part of the annual Heritage Open Days programme.
Champagne Evening
The Harrogate Club, Harrogate
An evening exploring a selection of champagnes with host Patrice Lipatti-Mesme, including tasting notes and an interactive champagne challenge.
The Gin Train Experience
Leyburn Station, Leyburn
Enjoy a special journey on the Wensleydale Railway combining scenic railway travel with a gin tasting experience.
The Friday Bridge
Harrogate
A gentle wellbeing session offering an opportunity to pause, connect and take time for yourself.
Disco in the Park
Spa Gardens, Ripon
A free open-air disco with classic hits from the likes of ABBA, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Chic and the Bee Gees.
September Saunter
Leyburn and Wensleydale
A choice of two circular charity walks through Wensleydale, with routes of approximately 5.7 or 13.6 miles.
John Bell Lecture
St Mark’s Church, Harrogate
A morning lecture exploring imagination as a key to unlocking Scripture, with John Bell of the Iona Community.
Kirtan, Cacao & Mantra
Camp Kátur, near Masham
An immersive evening of devotional music, mantra, ceremonial cacao and community connection surrounded by woodland.
Saturday Yoga
Boroughbridge Methodist Church Hall
A welcoming yoga and movement session suitable for beginners and all levels, incorporating stretching, strength, Pilates, relaxation and mindfulness.
DJ Kenny & Karaoke
The Fox & Hounds, Langthorpe, Boroughbridge
An evening of music, karaoke and entertainment at the local pub.
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Newby Hall, near Ripon
Enjoy the final day of the prestigious autumn flower show, with seasonal horticulture, floral displays, specialist nurseries and gardening inspiration.
Floating Sound Bath
Exhale Yoga Studio, Ripon
A relaxing sound experience using crystal bowls, gongs, chimes and other instruments, with the option to relax in a silk hammock or on a mat.
Weekly Quiz Night
The King William IV, Ripon
A Sunday evening team quiz with prizes for the winning team.
Paddlesport Safety & Rescue
Ellerton Park, near Northallerton
A practical six-hour course covering paddlesport safety, contact and towing rescues, self-rescues and deep-water rescues.
SEND Connect Fair
The Forum, Northallerton
Meet local services, support groups, activities and community organisations supporting children, young people and adults with additional needs.
Pub Quiz Night
The Ripon Inn, Ripon
A weekly Tuesday night quiz featuring traditional quiz rounds and extra games, with prizes up for grabs.
Bingo
The Navigation Inn, Ripon
An afternoon of bingo with food offers available beforehand at this popular Ripon pub.
Henshaws Charity Golf Tournament
Rudding Park Golf Course, Harrogate
A charity golf tournament welcoming players of all abilities while raising funds to support Henshaws’ services for people living with disabilities.
Women’s Wellbeing Circle
Ripon
An evening wellbeing circle offering time to rest, connect and reflect in a supportive setting.
Black Bull Quiz & Karaoke Night
The Black Bull, Ripon
An interactive weekly quiz followed by karaoke, with a bar tab prize for the winning team.
The Architectural Antecedents of Wilfrid’s Basilica and Crypt
Ripon Cathedral
A Wilfrid Lecture exploring the architectural origins of the basilica and the Roman influences behind Ripon’s historic crypt.
Silverhand Sparkling Wine Experience
The West Park Hotel, Harrogate
Enjoy a welcome drink and four seasonal courses paired with English sparkling wines, alongside a guided tasting and interactive challenge.
Rail Replacement Bus Service
The Portly Pig, Ripon
An intimate live music night featuring Rail Replacement Bus Service with support from Leeds indie-pop band Bonnevile.
Yorkshire Oompah Band Oktoberfest
Tan Hill Inn, North Yorkshire
An Oktoberfest evening featuring live German-style oompah music, with fancy dress encouraged.
Traditional Friday Market
Market Place, Leyburn
Leyburn’s traditional weekly charter market, with stalls selling fresh produce, household goods and other local products.
Masham Sheep Fair
Market Place, Masham
One of Masham’s best-loved annual events, featuring sheep racing, sheep shows, sheepdog demonstrations, Morris dancers, craft stalls, family activities and more.
Annual Steam Gala
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
A major celebration of heritage steam featuring visiting locomotives, including Sir Nigel Gresley, Pendennis Castle and other historic engines.
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band
Holy Trinity Church, Ripon
Enjoy an evening performance from the renowned Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band as part of the Ripon International Festival.
Raku Day
Hopewell Studios, Knaresborough
A hands-on pottery day exploring the dramatic ancient technique of raku firing, with participants creating and taking home two finished pots.
Deer Walk
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, near Ripon
Join wildlife volunteers for a guided walk through the deer park and discover more about the Red, Sika and Fallow deer.
Girls on 45
The Water Rat, Ripon
A vinyl social bringing music lovers together for an evening of records and good company.
Little Bird Artisan Market
Ripon Market Square
Browse stalls from independent makers, artists and small businesses at this monthly artisan market in the heart of Ripon.
Apple Day
Newby Hall, near Ripon
Celebrate the apple harvest with a seasonal day at Newby Hall, with apple-themed activities and family-friendly entertainment.
Harrogate Spa Town Ukes
Newby Hall, near Ripon
Enjoy an afternoon performance from Harrogate Spa Town Ukes during the autumn programme at Newby Hall.
Meat Loaf Tribute Show
The Forum, Northallerton
Heaven Can Wait brings Meat Loaf’s greatest hits to the stage in an evening of classic rock.
HYROX Simulation – Erg Edition
Sowerby, Thirsk
A full HYROX simulation featuring all the HYROX stations with ergs used as the running alternatives, with individual and team categories.
Royal Hall Open Day
Royal Hall, Harrogate
Explore Harrogate’s Grade II* listed Royal Hall with guided tours revealing the history and architecture of this remarkable building.
Ripon Women in Business Networking
Café in the Park, Ripon
A relaxed networking morning bringing women in business together for coffee, conversation and connection.
Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess
The Forum, Northallerton
Helen and Ellie return with a brand-new comedy show covering everything from menopause and mansplaining to teenagers and Tinder.
Deer Willow Weaving Workshop
Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale
Learn the techniques of willow weaving and create your own decorative deer sculpture with expert willow artist Wendy Bristow.
Leave a Reply