Julie Smith
31 October 2019
With a huge showground, the world-class Harrogate Convention Centre and beautiful gardens, it’s no wonder that Harrogate is a hub for Yorkshire events and shows, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
From trade fairs to festivals, there’s always lots going on in and around the spa town of Harrogate and 2020 will be no exception.
We’ve compiled some of Harrogate’s top events and some of the places you can stay when visiting. Remember that the early bird catches the worm and for popular events like the Great Yorkshire Show, booking in advance is highly recommended.
Springtime Live
This family-friendly event takes place during the Easter holidays and features lots of activities to keep children entertained including Mr Bloom from CBeebies, a climbing wall, an animal barn and the inflatable Tractor Ted bouncy castle. There are also interactive workshops and a singing Easter Bunny.
When: 28th March 2020
Where: Great Yorkshire Showground
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
The UK’s favourite spring gardening event features show gardens, a Plant Nursery Pavilion and the largest floral art exhibition in Britain. There will also be more than 70 trade stalls selling unique crafts, original artwork and handmade jewellery plus the Feast! Food Theatre featuring a range of fresh seasonal dishes.
When: 23th - 26th April 2020
Where: Great Yorkshire Showground
RHS Harlow Carr Flower Show
The gardens at RHS Harlow Carr cover 68 acres of Harrogate countryside and the stunning variety of landscapes make it a popular Harrogate attraction that you can visit time and again throughout the year. Each June, the gardens play host to a three-day flower show that’s filled with trade stands, floral displays and demonstrations. It’s a great opportunity for aspiring gardeners to learn hints and tips from the experts and to enjoy an array of food and music in a beautiful setting.
When: 26th - 28th June 2020
Where: RHS Harlow Carr
Harrogate Music Festival
As part of Harrogate International Festivals, the Harrogate Music Festival features a range of classical, jazz and contemporary music performances in venues throughout the town. You’ll find everything from grand orchestral symphonies to smaller concerts in intimate venues.
When: 1st - 31st July 2020
Where: Various venues around Harrogate
Great Yorkshire Show
The Great Yorkshire Show is a three-day extravaganza that celebrates the best of the Yorkshire countryside and is one of the biggest agricultural events in the country. The enormous showground is filled with retail stands and shopping marquees and there are also cooking demonstrations, fashion shows and lots of livestock.
It’s an ideal summer day out with live music, impressive shows and numerous bars where you can enjoy a glass or two of Pimms. Look out for the Welcome to Yorkshire Big Wheel - a ride on this gives a bird’s eye view of the show.
When: 14th - 16th July 2020
Where: Great Yorkshire Showground
Home & Gift 2020
Harrogate Convention Centre hosts a range of industry specific exhibitions throughout the year, making the town a top destination for business visitors. One such show is Home & Gift 2020 which is a must-visit event for anyone looking to get ahead of new trends in interior design and source innovative giftware products.
When: 19th - 22nd July 2020
Where: Harrogate Convention Centre
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Harrogate became the centre of a baffling mystery in the 1920s when Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days before turning up at The Old Swan in Harrogate. Each July, the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival pays homage to the legacy of Agatha Christie and celebrates the very best of the crime fiction genre with world-class authors leading discussions and workshops.
When: 23rd - 26th July 2020
Where: The Old Swan Hotel
FEVA Knaresborough
FEVA (the Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts) is an annual ten-day festival that includes art trails, dance performances, music shows and workshops for children throughout Knaresborough - a pretty market town that’s just 4 miles from Harrogate.
The festival culminates in Picnic in the Park - a free family-friendly event that takes place in the grounds of Knaresborough House with live music throughout the day to keep everyone entertained.
When: 9th - 19th August 2020
Where: Various venues around Knaresborough
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
There’s a change of venue for the 2020 Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. The event is moving from the Great Yorkshire Showground to Newby Hall and Gardens - a grand Georgian stately home that’s set in 25 acres of glorious grounds near Ripon.
Designers will take inspiration from the Newby Hall interiors to create a series of stunning floral installations for the event which promises to be a highlight of the horticultural calendar.
When: 18th - 20th September 2020
Where: Newby Hall and Gardens
Countryside Live
Countryside Live is the autumnal cousin of Springtime Live and includes interactive zones and activities for children which range from making a magic wand to ride-on mini tractors and a velodrome cycling simulator. Older visitors will appreciate the pop-up Tipsy Heifer pub where you can also meet The Yorkshire Vet from the Channel 5 show.
When: 17th & 18th October 2020
Where: Great Yorkshire Showground
Harrogate Comedy Festival
From up-and-coming talent to big name stars, the Harrogate Comedy Festival is a celebration of comic talent with a range of shows taking place each October. Previous years have included shows from stand-up comedians including Sarah Millican, Jimmy Carr and John Bishop.
When: October (exact dates TBC)
Where: Harrogate Theatre and Royal Hall
Harrogate Christmas Market
The ever-popular Harrogate Christmas Market comes to the town’s Montpellier Quarter each November to kick-off the festive period. Pick up some Christmas gifts from more than 200 stalls while you enjoy a mince pie and glass of warming mulled wine.
When: 12th - 15th November 2020
Where: The Stray
Country Living Shopping Fair
A fabulous Christmas shopping fair where you’ll find an array of stalls to browse in the warmth of the Harrogate Convention Centre. As you would expect from a Country Living event you’ll find beautiful decorations and homeware along with a range of demonstrations where you can learn to make a range of festive items including handmade Christmas wreaths.
When: December 2020 TBC
Where: Harrogate Convention Centre
Book your Harrogate holiday cottage
There’s a range of accommodation in and around Harrogate, from town centre apartments to country cottages in the surrounding Nidderdale countryside.
You’ll find cottages close to the Great Yorkshire Showground, accommodation near to Harrogate Convention Centre and holiday homes that are just a short stroll from RHS Harlow Carr.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.