18Sun
Mad Alice's Ghost Train Halloween & Christmas
Halloween evening trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Pickering
What's on
Halloween & Christmas in the North York Moors
Steam galas, agricultural shows, guided walks, workshops, stargazing and Christmas markets. The moors have a calendar worth planning around.
October 2026
23Fri
Illuminated Whitby Abbey Halloween & Christmas
The abbey ruins lit in colour for the Halloween week, with Dracula readings and a dramatically different view of the East Cliff.
23Fri
Late night candlelit tours of Castle Howard Halloween & Christmas
After-dark, candlelit tours of the house led by its curators, just before Halloween
24Sat
Halloween half term on the steam railway Halloween & Christmas
Kids go free, trick or treat in costume at the station shops and spooky selfie frames through October half term
30Fri
The Creepy Circus with The Walking Theatre Company Halloween & Christmas
An outdoor Halloween walking adventure for families at Danby Lodge
31Sat
Autumn Apple Weekend at Helmsley Walled Garden Halloween & Christmas
Celebration of the garden's heritage orchard with apple identification, pressing, tastings and stalls.
31Sat
Hallowbean Halloween & Christmas
Halloween family theatre from Fladam Theatre at Helmsley Arts Centre
31Sat
The Haunted Hotel: murder mystery night Halloween & Christmas
Halloween murder mystery with a three-course dinner at Danby Lodge
November 2026
4Wed
Weave a festive willow star Halloween & Christmas
Willow weaving workshop at Sutton Bank: make a star for the tree or the wall
7Sat
Christmas at the Inspired by... gallery Halloween & Christmas
Festive exhibition and gift fair of work by local artists and makers
11Wed
Weave a festive willow tree or angel Halloween & Christmas
Willow weaving workshop at Danby Lodge
12Thu
A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard Halloween & Christmas
The great house dressed for Christmas on a different theme each year, with a giant tree in the Great Hall.
13Fri
Whitby Christmas Festival Halloween & Christmas
Craft and food stalls, live music and children's entertainment on the Marina Front and around the town centre over a mid-November weekend.
19Thu
Christmas wreath workshops at Castle Howard Halloween & Christmas
Two-hour wreath-making sessions in the garden centre, all materials provided
21Sat
Father Christmas in the Castle Halloween & Christmas
A festive family show with Father Christmas and friends, then a one-to-one visit for each family
27Fri
Helmsley Christmas lights switch-on Halloween & Christmas
The market town lights up for Christmas
28Sat
A Christmas Carol theatrical afternoon tea Halloween & Christmas
Four-course festive afternoon tea hosted by a live actor, with cakes by pastry champion Florian Poirot
28Sat
Christmas craft market at Ampleforth Abbey Halloween & Christmas
Advent weekend market at the abbey, with lantern and wreath making workshops
28Sat
Kirkbymoorside Christmas Market Halloween & Christmas
Christmas market in the market town's broad main street
28Sat
Little Bird Made Christmas artisan market Halloween & Christmas
Handmade gifts and local makers at Sutton Bank National Park Centre
28Sat
Santa Express on the steam railway Halloween & Christmas
One-hour festive return trips from Pickering to meet Santa on the train, with a gift for every child
28Sat
Santa's Grotto in the Jellycat shop Halloween & Christmas
A one-to-one visit to Santa, with a Jellycat soft toy to take home
28Sat
Wreath making at Ampleforth Abbey Halloween & Christmas
Make a Christmas wreath with foliage from the abbey grounds
December 2026
1Tue
Make a sustainable wreath: Sutton Bank Halloween & Christmas
Festive wreath-making with willow and natural foliage at Sutton Bank
3Thu
Make a sustainable wreath: Danby Lodge Halloween & Christmas
Festive wreath-making with willow and natural foliage at Danby Lodge
5Sat
Christmas Craft Fair at Danby Lodge Halloween & Christmas
The National Park's annual festive fair of local makers and food producers
5Sat
Thornton-le-Dale Christmas lights switch-on Halloween & Christmas Dates TBC
The picture-postcard village by the beck lights up for Christmas
5Sat
Whitby Krampus Run Halloween & Christmas Dates TBC
Horned, furred and fearsome, the Krampus parade through the streets of Whitby on the first Saturday of December.
6Sun
Lantern procession and carol service Halloween & Christmas
Advent lantern procession and carols at Ampleforth Abbey
12Sat
Celtic Carols by Candlelight Halloween & Christmas
Candlelit Celtic carol concert at Ampleforth Abbey
12Sat
Christmas shopping weekend at the National Park Centres Halloween & Christmas
Festive shopping at Sutton Bank and Danby Lodge National Park Centres
26Sat
Whitby Boxing Day Dip Halloween & Christmas
Fancy-dress charity swim in the North Sea, organised by Whitby Lions
Dates TBC marks events whose typical timing we know but whose dates for this year have not yet been confirmed by the organiser. Always check with the organiser before travelling. Many events listed here are run by the North York Moors National Park Authority, which takes bookings online or on 01439 772738.