Find out about the latest events happening across the North York Moors
Whatever time of year you visit the North York Moors, there's always something going on. With a wide variety of local events taking place throughout the year, you won’t have to look hard to find something you won't want to miss. Bookmark this page and come back throughout the year, as we'll be adding more events over what promises to be a fantastic 2026.
We also organise our own jam-packed calendar of events throughout the year, including kid's activities, guided walks, family festivals, exhibitions and more, all can be found on our events page.
Plus see more Art and Music events from the North York Moors arts and culture partnership.
Outdoor adventures
Not all outdoor challenge events are included above, head to cycling and mountain biking, and fell and road running events to find challenge events and more. Do take a look at the monthly farmers' markets in and around the North York Moors, and Food & Beer Festivals for more foodie ideas.
See Visit North Yorkshire for more events across North Yorkshire.
Country shows
Traditional Yorkshire country shows are an integral part of summer, one of the finest being the Ryedale Show, near Kirkbymoorside, always held on the last Tuesday in July. We’re talking sheep-dog trials, shire horses, champion cattle, ferret roulette and improbably large vegetables – with similar events at another dozen or so local shows to follow throughout August and September.
50 years of our National Park Centres
2026 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of our two National Park Centres at Sutton Bank and Danby Lodge.
We'll be marking this landmark at special events during the year (look for the asterisk below), including Sutton Bank at 50 in April, and an anniversary Garden Party at Danby Lodge in May. The year will culminate with a special exhibition in our Inspired by... gallery from 7 November where we will reflect on five decades of memories and art made at Danby and Sutton Bank.
November
- 1 - 30 Beacon for the Arts 'Autumn series' - a celebration of arts and culture across the North York Moors
- 1 Autumn Apple Weekend, Helmsley Walled Garden
- 1 Dark Skies Fringe Festival, events across the North York Moors
- 1 Mad Alice's Ghost Train, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering
- 1 - 29 Making a Meal of it, Ryedale Folk Museum
- Until 29 March 2027 The 2026 Turner Prize, MIMA, Middlesbrough
- 7 - 8 North Yorkshire Open Studios – Winter Open Studios, various locations
- 7 - 10 January 2027 50 years of our National Park Centres exhibition, Inspired by... gallery *
- 7 - 10 January 2027 Winter Art Fair at the Inspired by... gallery
- 8 Autumn Gathering & Orchard Fruit, Bow Bride Community Meadows, Castleton
- 12 - 3 January 2027 A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard!, Castle Howard
- 13 - 15 Whitby Christmas Festival, Whitby
- 19 - 20 December Nature's Noel: A Greener Christmas, Nunnington Hall (Thursdays-Sundays only)
- 20 - 22 Lockton Artists Art Weekend, Lockton Tea Rooms & Gallery
- 21 Malton St Clement's Festival, Malton
- 25 Secrets of Cod Beck, Thirsk Library
- 27 Christmas Lights Switch-on, Helmsley
- 27 - 12 December, Helmsley Christmas Tree Festival, 'Hearts full of Love', All Saints' Church, Helmsley
- 27 Thirsk Christmas Light Switch-on & Festive Fair, Market Place, Thirsk
- 28 - 29 Christmas Shopping Weekend, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 28 - 29 Lantern-Making Workshops, Ampleforth Abbey
- 28 - 29 Christmas Craft Market, Ampleforth Abbey
- 28 Kirkbymoorside Christmas Market, Kirkbymoorside
- 28 Pickering Christmas Lights Switch On, Pickering
- 28 - 29 Wreath Making, Ampleforth Abbey
- 28 - 29 Santa Express, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 28 - 29 Scampston's Annual Charity Christmas Fair, Scampston Hall
- 29 Botton Village Christmas Fair, Botton Village
December
- 1 - 12 Helmsley Christmas Tree Festival, 'Hearts full of Love', All Saints' Church, Helmsley
- 1 - 20 Nature's Noel: A Greener Christmas, Nunnington Hall (Thursdays-Sundays only)
- Until 3 January 2027 A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard!, Castle Howard
- Until 10 January 2027 50 years of our National Park Centres exhibition, Inspired by... gallery
- Until 10 January 2027 Christmas at the Inspired by... gallery
- Until 29 March 2027 The 2026 Turner Prize, MIMA, Middlesbrough
- 2, 7 Winter Festival, Ryedale Festival
- 5 Christmas Lights Switch-on event, Thornton le Dale
- 5 Handel's Messiah, Ampleforth Abbey
- 5 - 6 Christmas Craft Fair, Danby Lodge
- 5 - 6 Christmas Mosaic Workshop, Dalby Forest
- 5 - 6 Whitby Krampus Run, Whitby
- 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22-24 Santa Express, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 5, 19 A Bloody Merry Christmas, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 6 Lantern Procession and Carol Service, Ampleforth Abbey
- 7 - 20 A Christmas Carol, immersive theatre experience in the streets and buildings of Malton
- 12 Celtic Carols by Candlelight, Ampleforth Abbey
- 12 North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, launching the 2027 festival theme, St Mary's Church, Lastingham
- 13, 19, 20 Shandy Hall by Candlelight, Christmas Tours, Shandy Hall, Coxwold (booking required)
- 26 Boxing Day Dip - Whitby Lions, Whitby
- 27 - 3 January 2027 Winter Steamer & NER Autocar Services, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Last updated: 10 Nov 2026