North Yorkshire Council is organising the festival, which opens with a lantern parade at 5.30pm on Friday in Peasholm Park, led by Animated Objects and local community groups.

Visitors can ride a festive train, enjoy marshmallows and music in a tipi bar, and watch performances on the main stage hosted by This is the Coast radio station. Local choirs and bands will perform, alongside competitions. Funfair rides, a snow machine, a Christmas tree, Santa’s sleigh, the Grinch and Frozen characters will also be on site. O’Briens is sponsoring the rides, catering and stage hire.

The North Bay Railway will transport visitors to the event, and Shoreline Suncruisers will run a free bus service from Eastfield.

Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, said: “Scarborough Sparkle is a magical and enchanting wonderland, sure to get everybody into the festive spirit and offers entertainment for people of all ages. With an array of independent traders selling their products, it’s the perfect place to dive into the festive spirit and get a head start on Christmas shopping. The free bus service from Eastfield makes it easy for local people to attend, and we expect to see an increase in visitors from further afield at what is usually a quieter time of year for tourists.”

Local schools have formed choirs for the event. Claire Barber, headteacher of St Martin’s Primary School, said: “We are busy rehearsing and getting our performance ready for this fantastic event. We have taken part for many years now and we always see the Sparkle event as our start to Christmas in school. The lantern parade is a special feature for us and the children can’t wait to wrap up warm, add their glowing lights and take in the wonder that is Scarborough Sparkle.”

Animated Objects will stage the lantern parade for the ninth year, with help from community groups. Lee Threadgold, artistic director, commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to be bringing back this ever-popular event. There’s a lot of new lanterns to see this year, including a huge section based on The Twelve Days of Christmas to get everybody into the festive spirit. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in our workshop sessions over the last few months to make this one of the most colourful parades yet.”

Admission is free. The festival runs 5pm to 9pm on Friday, 11am to 8pm on Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. The free bus runs from Eastfield via Crossgates, Falsgrave and Scarborough town centre to Peasholm Park on Saturday and Sunday.

More information is at www.visitnorthyorkshire.com/events/scarborough-sparkle

“Christmas is a magical time of year for all ages, and we’re excited to repeat our Santa experience for all the family,” said Lauren Turnbull, Cedarbarn’s assistant general manager. “The children have the excitement of meeting Santa and receiving an age-appropriate gift, whilst the adults can get involved in the Christmas crafting and enjoy a train ride on the Santa Express.”

The Santa Experience takes place on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December. Children’s tickets cost £18.99, with additional adult Santa Express tickets priced at £3. Children must be accompanied on the miniature railway. Tickets are available online at https://bit.ly/CedarbarnChristmas.

Visitors can also enjoy festive treats from Cedarbarn’s Airstream Trailer, including ciabattas, homemade children’s hot dog sausages, coffee, mince pies and cakes.

The Santa Experience is part of Cedarbarn’s wider festive programme, which includes wreath making on 7th December, daily festive lunches throughout the month, and special Christmas Sunday lunches on 14th and 21st December.

The parade will start from the Lower Avenue outside Frasers and make its way through the centre, finishing on the Lower Gallery with the first performance from the Christmas Cirque. Returning for a second year, the Cirque promises a dazzling display of acrobatics, juggling, and festive wonder.

Santa will wave from his sleigh as a marching band plays Christmas classics, joined by a host of mascots guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages. Football fans can look out for Captain Blade from Sheffield United, Ozzie Owl from Sheffield Wednesday, Miller Bear from Rotherham United, Toby Tyke from Barnsley FC, and Chester the Fieldmouse from Chesterfield FC.

Beloved characters including Harry and Marv, Pudsey the Bear, Dex from The Works, and Percy Pig from M&S will also join the parade, adding to the festive fun.

This year, Meadowhall is also debuting a giant LED light show outside the Oasis Dining Quarter. The show tells the story of Sparky, a star born in Santa’s workshop, as it spreads festive joy across Sheffield. The first performance takes place at 4pm today, with five-minute shows every 30 minutes until 8pm.

Looking ahead, Meadowhall’s Magical Winterland returns on Saturday 22nd November, transforming the Orange Car Park into a winter wonderland. New this year, the Winter Spectacular by Circus Cortex brings frost and fantasy under the big top, alongside Santa’s Magical Grotto, fairground rides, and seasonal food and drinks.

Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadowhall, said: “The Christmas Parade is one of our most loved traditions and is always the perfect way to mark the start of the festive season. This year’s line-up promises to be bigger than ever, with many popular faces visitors of all ages will enjoy. With the Cirque, our light curtain show, and brand-new decorations, we’re transforming the centre into a winter wonderland for festive fun, family time, and gift shopping.”

Meadowhall’s Christmas Parade is free to attend. For more information, visit meadowhall.co.uk/event/christmas-parade

Images released by the Trust reveal rich colours and striking designs across the State Floor. Digital specialist Tom Le Bon and BOSUN Studio have added projections that carry visitors from one scene to the next, showing whispered gossip, bursts of fireworks, and the private thoughts of the Ball’s host.

Siobhan Murphy said the event will be a “feast for the senses”. In the Entrance Hall, an 18ft ombre Christmas tree made from 700 second-hand ballerina tutus will dominate the space. More than 300 pairs of pointe shoes, donated through The Drop-Off Pointe, have been painted pink and transformed into smaller rotating trees.

The Music Room offers a different rhythm, with classical music filling the space while animated notes swirl across the walls. Two tall Christmas trees decorated with gold instruments and feathers in pink and orange complete the scene.

In the Gallery, projections show guests gathered at the room’s edge, quietly sharing gossip, while ballgowns from Leeds Playhouse and couture by Julia Clancy line the walls. In the Spanish Library, visitors glimpse the host’s private reflections as her diary appears in projection and her voice reads her thoughts aloud. More than 200 books collected from charity shops and car boot sales form a “book tree” in the room.

The State Dining Room takes inspiration from a festive feast held by Marie Antoinette. Bejewelled swans, rotating macaron trees, and iced cakes made with Great British Bake Off contestant Helena Garcia adorn the table, which is dressed with Siobhan’s bespoke tableware inspired by Harewood’s historic interiors. Visitors can purchase the collection online or at the Christmas Shop.

Finally, the Servants’ Hall shows staff enjoying their own celebration, filled with music and laughter. Projections through the windows display fireworks over Almscliffe Cragg, while Christmas trees made from copper pans, brass jugs, and spoons stand alongside long chains crafted from vintage papers.

To create these spaces, Siobhan and Harewood’s volunteers have crafted more than 10,000 decorations using second-hand items, including over 2,000 saved from charity shops and car boots. DOME, Harewood’s Official Christmas Fragrance Partner, has also returned to provide a bespoke scent that enhances the bold colours and patterns throughout the house.

Children will discover miniature scenes placed throughout the House. Nine miniaturist artists, including Michael Robbins and thirteen-year-old Arabella Duffy, have created intricate displays for families to follow on a free trail.

Zoë Hughes, Head of Public Programme at Harewood, said: “There’s nothing quite like Christmas at Harewood, and this year’s celebrations will be our most spectacular yet. Siobhan Murphy’s dazzling, maximalist designs will reimagine the House in true Regency style, while Tom Le Bon’s vibrant light projections will elevate the experience even further, creating showstopping moments, unexpected surprises, and memories to treasure long after the festive season ends.”

A Glittering Invitation: Harewood’s Grand Christmas Ball runs from Saturday 8 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. Tickets are available at harewood.org/christmas

Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadowhall, said: “We’re so excited to be launching Christmas at Meadowhall with a whole host of spellbinding performances. This year is set to be bigger and better than ever before, packed full of surprises and wonder for those of all ages. There’s truly something for everyone – from meeting Santa himself to watching incredible circus performances, all whilst finding the perfect gift at our range of leading retailers.”

From Saturday 22nd November, Magical Winterland will transform the Orange Car Park into a winter wonderland. New for 2025, the Winter Spectacular by Circus Cortex brings frost and fantasy to the grand big top, featuring aerial acrobats, candy-cane juggling elves, and playful clowns. Visitors can meet Santa in the immersive Magical Grotto, peek inside the Elf Factory, and enjoy seasonal fairground rides including the Star Flyer and Vintage Swing Chairs.

The Christmas Village offers hot chocolates, mulled wine, and festive treats, while the Après Bar provides a cosy space to relax.

Returning favourites include the Christmas Parade, free to attend from 5pm on 6th November, which features Santa on his sleigh, the mischievous Wet Bandits, and mascots such as Westie from Weston Park Cancer Charity, Miller Bear from Rotherham United, and Errol the Eagle from Sheffield Eagles.

The Christmas Cirque returns outside Next on the lower level of The Gallery, offering acrobats, jugglers, and aerialists every weekend from 8th November until 22nd December, with extra shows on Christmas Eve.

Magical Winterland runs most days from Saturday 22nd November until Sunday 4th January. Entry is free, with tickets for selected attractions, including the Winter Spectacular and Santa’s Grotto, starting from £10.95.

For more information, visit Meadowhall Christmas Parade and Magical Winterland

The family-friendly rink, made of real ice, will be located in The Village at White Rose throughout the Christmas period, including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Guests can book 45-minute skating sessions, with skate hire included. Skating aids are available for younger visitors or anyone who wants a little extra support.

This year’s rink will feature more events and offers than ever before, including themed sessions, regular Friday Disco Nights, and special Parent & Toddler and Quiet Sessions. Tickets are priced from £12.50 for children aged 12 and under, £14.50 for adults, and £48 for a family ticket. Early bird bookings made before midnight on 19th November receive 20% off all tickets. Additional offers include online saver prices, group bookings, and 2 for 1 sessions.

The ice rink is brought to life using rapid-freeze technology and is fully covered, making it suitable for all ages and all weather.

Santa’s White Rose Express grotto is also returning, giving children the chance to meet Santa inside a vintage train carriage. Tickets went on sale from 13th October, with visits running from 8th November to 24th December.

For more information and updates on festive events, families can join PLUS+ for free at www.white-rose.co.uk.

At midnight, Clara is whisked away on an enchanting adventure. She meets dancing snowflakes, a host of colourful characters, and watches the epic battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King.

“The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition for so many families, and we are thrilled to bring its magic back to Leeds this winter,” said Federico Bonelli, Artistic Director at Northern Ballet. “Our production has been taken into the hearts of people of every generation. The story can’t help but awaken the childlike imagination in us all.”

The 2007 production is choreographed by David Nixon CBE, who also designed the lavish costumes. The set, by Charles Cusick Smith, recreates the charm of 19th-century Regency England.

Tchaikovsky’s iconic music comes to life with live performances, including the famous dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Many of the tunes are instantly recognisable from films, TV, and adverts for brands like Cadbury and Baileys.

Tickets are on sale now at Northern Ballet. An audio-described performance will also be offered to make the show accessible for visually impaired audiences.

To set the scene, Harewood has teamed up with digital installations specialist Tom Le Bon and BOSUN Studio. Their projections will bring the imagined guests of the Grand Ball to life, complete with whispered gossip, private glances and fireworks over the estate.

Interior designer Siobhan Murphy has overseen the transformation of the house. She commented that the experience will be a “feast for the senses”. Visitors will first encounter an 18ft ombre Christmas tree in the Entrance Hall, made from 700 second-hand ballerina tutus. More than 300 worn pointe shoes, donated by the English National Ballet through its Drop-Off Pointe scheme, will be spray-painted in shades of pink and hung with ribbons as rotating decorations.

In the Music Room, classical music will fill the space while animated musical notes travel across the walls. Two tall Christmas trees, dressed with gold instruments and bright feathers, will frame the room.

The Gallery will be filled with ball gowns from Leeds Playhouse and couture pieces by designer Julia Clancy. At the edge of the room, projections will show guests caught in mid-conversation, watching the evening unfold.

In the Spanish Library, visitors will step into the private world of the Ball’s host. A projection will show her writing in her diary, while her voice drifts through the room. Siobhan Murphy has sourced more than 200 second-hand books to build a towering “book tree” as the centrepiece.

The State Dining Room will draw on the excess of a Marie Antoinette-style feast, complete with bejewelled swans, spinning macaron trees and iced cakes created by Siobhan Murphy and Great British Bake Off contestant Helena Garcia.

The final chapter of the experience will take place in the Servants’ Hall. Here it will look as though the staff have held their own celebration, with music, dancing and laughter still hanging in the air. A projection through the windows will show fireworks bursting over Almscliffe Cragg. Decorations will include paper chains made from vintage paper and Christmas trees built from old copper pans, brass jugs and spoons.

More than 10,000 decorations have been handmade for the event using over 2,000 reclaimed items, with Siobhan Murphy working side by side with Harewood’s volunteers.

Harewood has also renewed its partnership with fragrance brand DOME, which will create a bespoke festive scent to run throughout the rooms, designed to work with Siobhan Murphy’s bold use of colour and texture.

There will also be a miniature trail designed for families. Nine miniature artists, including Yorkshire-based Michael Robbins and thirteen-year-old Arabella Duffy, have created tiny scenes hidden throughout the house for children to find and tick off as they go.

Zoë Hughes, Head of Public Programme at Harewood, said: “We are thrilled to reveal that Tom Le Bon is on board to help create an unforgettable Christmas at Harewood. His light projections will complement Siobhan’s maximalist approach to decor and design, helping to transport visitors into the world of a regency-inspired Christmas. Expect real ‘wow’ moments throughout the experience, with unexpected delights that promise to spark joy, bring smiles to faces of all ages, and create lasting festive memories to treasure.”

Tickets are available now at harewood.org/christmas.

Following the success of last year’s debut, choirs and musical guests will once again perform at the cathedral to raise money for Henshaws. The charity supports children, young people, and adults living with sight loss and a range of disabilities across Yorkshire.

The Charity Festive Showcase takes place on Monday 24th November at 6.45pm and promises an evening of festive cheer, music, poetry, and community spirit.

This year’s line-up includes singer-songwriter Leo Hicks, the Harrogate Spa Town Ukes, the Yorkshire Voices Choir, and the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre Makaton Choir, returning after their show-stopping performance last year. The event will be compered by Henshaws Patron Dave Steele, known as the internationally acclaimed ‘Blind Poet’. Steele will also share his poetry throughout the evening.

Guests can join in with traditional carols, enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, and take part in a Festive Raffle featuring prizes from local businesses, including family days out, bottles of wine, and golf experiences.

Every ticket sold will support Henshaws’ work to empower people with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.

Ison Harrison Solicitors are this year’s title sponsor. Ervin Shakaj, Harrogate branch manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Henshaws as headline sponsor for this year’s Charity Festive Showcase. The event is a true celebration of community, inclusion, and local Yorkshire talent, and we’re delighted to play a part in bringing people together for such a meaningful cause.”

Flora Simpson, fundraising development manager at Henshaws, said: “We are over the moon to be back with this fabulous event. The atmosphere last year was nothing short of magical, and there wasn’t a dry eye when our Makaton Choir performed. This year, we’re hoping it will be even bigger and raise a phenomenal amount for Henshaws, while bringing the community together for a night of festive celebration.”

Tickets are available now. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to volunteer, contact fundraising@henshaws.org.uk

Set across the lakes and woodland garden of Swinton Park Hotel near Masham, the trail will guide visitors along a mile-long illuminated path inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Guests will begin with a laser-lit welcome at the Walled Garden Gates and pass glowing displays including the Party Parade, Woodland Grotto, Lakeside Lights, a shining deer herd, and The Galaxy.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister said: “We are unveiling the Luminescence – A Winter Light Trail as an immersive experience that we hope will captivate all the family. At this truly magical time of year, the Swinton Estate is a magnificent setting to bring people together and to celebrate the beauty of nature. Luminescence is a sensory journey through light, landscape and imagination and we’re thrilled to share it with our guests from early November and into the heart of wintertime.”

Visitors can enjoy food and drinks, including hot chocolate and marshmallows, at a midway point along the trail. Guests can also combine the experience with dining at the hotel, from English afternoon tea and traditional Yorkshire Sunday lunch in Samuel’s to light meals at The Terrace Bar & Restaurant.

The 20,000-acre Swinton Estate, welcoming more than 45,000 visitors each year, offers woodland, moorland, and luxury hotel facilities. Felicity Cunliffe-Lister and her husband, Mark Cunliffe-Lister, have developed initiatives including the Swinton Cookery School, Swinton Birds of Prey, and Swinton Country Club & Spa.

The opening night of Luminescence on 6th November will coincide with Great British Game Week, a celebration of country living. Tickets are available online via the Swinton Estate website, and complimentary car parking is provided for all visitors.