What's on
What's on in Thirsk
The next two weeks first, then the months ahead. Choose Thirsk on its own, add the towns and farms nearby, or open it out to the wider area. Each listing says what it means for the town: when the square fills up and when to book a table.
The next two weeks
22 Oct to 4 Nov
On all through the fortnight
- MaltonSeasonal
Castle Howard: Pesky Pumpkin Trail
From 10:00, until 31 Oct
Find the pumpkins hidden around the house, included in a house and garden ticket. Last entry 3pm
- BedaleSeasonal
Halloween Trail at Thorp Perrow
until 1 Nov
A Halloween trail through Thorp Perrow Arboretum near Bedale through half term to the first of November, at normal opening hours
- In ThirskMusic and stage
At the Ritz: Verity
until 5 Nov
The Ritz on Westgate, run by volunteers, shows a film each week at 7.30pm, seven pounds on the door
- BagbySeasonal
Every day to Halloween
until 31 Oct
10am to 5pm. Adults Only pumpkin night on Saturday 24, Family Pumpkin Night on Sunday 25
- RiponSeasonal
Autumn half-term cruises on the Ripon Canal
until 2 Nov
Ripon Scenic Cruises runs short autumn trips on the Ripon Canal from 24 October to 2 November, booked online
- AmpleforthSeasonal
Half-term Apple Week at Ampleforth
From 10:00, until 31 Oct
Apple Olympics, an orchard trail for children, crafts, tasting and cider-mill demonstrations. Free
- PickeringSeasonal
Moors Railway: station trick or treat
until 28 Oct
Trick or treating at Pickering, Goathland and Grosmont, with one child free per paying adult on standard trains
Today
Also on: Free co-working upstairs
Tomorrow
- MaltonSeasonal
Castle Howard: late night tour
From 18:30
After-dark tours of the house led by the curators, lit as it was before electricity
- Near RiponSeasonal
Fountains by Floodlight
until 24 Oct
The abbey ruins lit after dark on selected October evenings, which is the one time of year Fountains is worth an evening rather than an afternoon
- HelmsleyMusic and stage
Helmsley Arts Centre: Hudson and Hudson
From 19:30
A husband and wife magic double act in Married at First Sleight!
- RiponMusic and stage
Ripon Cathedral: Family Silent Disco
From 18:30
Headphones on in the nave, 6.30pm to 8pm. Adults 15 to 20, children 8 to 10
Saturday 24 October
Also on: Thirsk Market
- MaltonSeasonal
Castle Howard: late night tour
From 18:30
After-dark tours of the house led by the curators, lit as it was before electricity
- Near RiponSeasonal
Fountains Abbey: costumed re-enactors
From 10:00, until 25 Oct
Re-enactors around the abbey, 10am to 4pm, and a new family trail from 24 October
- RiponMusic and stage
Ripon Cathedral: The Music of Adele by candlelight
From 19:30
Naomi Johnson and a live band sing Adele's songs by candlelight
Sunday 25 October
- PickeringSeasonal
Moors Railway: Mad Alice's Ghost Train
From 18:15
An hour in lantern-lit carriages with York's ghost Alice Smith. Ages 14 and over, from 35
- In ThirskMarkets
The Yorkshire Flea Market
From 11:00
Around 100 antiques and vintage dealers at Thirsk Auction Mart, with an early preview hour and free parking
Monday 26 October
Also on: Thirsk Market
Tuesday 27 October
- In ThirskAround town
Half-term workshops at Rural Arts
Three children's workshops at The Courthouse in half term: a ceramic dragon, wire-art broomsticks and 3D alien masks
Wednesday 28 October
Also on: Free co-working upstairs
- In ThirskAround town
Half-term workshops at Rural Arts
Three children's workshops at The Courthouse in half term: a ceramic dragon, wire-art broomsticks and 3D alien masks
Thursday 29 October
Also on: Free co-working upstairs
- Near RiponSeasonal
Fountains by Floodlight
until 30 Oct
The abbey ruins lit after dark on selected October evenings, which is the one time of year Fountains is worth an evening rather than an afternoon
- In ThirskAround town
Half-term workshops at Rural Arts
Three children's workshops at The Courthouse in half term: a ceramic dragon, wire-art broomsticks and 3D alien masks
Saturday 31 October
Also on: Thirsk Market
- PickeringSeasonal
Moors Railway: station trick or treat
until 1 Nov
Trick or treating at Pickering, Goathland and Grosmont, with one child free per paying adult on standard trains
Sunday 1 November
- PickeringSeasonal
Moors Railway: Mad Alice's Ghost Train
From 18:15
An hour in lantern-lit carriages with York's ghost Alice Smith. Ages 14 and over, from 35
Monday 2 November
Also on: Thirsk Market
Wednesday 4 November
Also on: Free co-working upstairs
After that
November 2026
18 events
- Bagby
Fireworks at the Farm
5 November 2026, from 17:00
A bonfire and low-bang fireworks set to Disney music at Monk Park Farm on Bonfire Night, with carnival games, marshmallows and street food
Ticketed through the farm's own booking site, from free to 12 a ticket depending on age
- Northallerton
Northallerton Bonfire and Fireworks
5 November 2026
Northallerton Town Council's annual bonfire and fireworks at Applegarth, a fixture for over fifty years that draws more than 8,000 people
Free
- In Thirsk
Rural Arts: Katie Spencer, Music Monthlies
5 November 2026, from 19:30
Katie Spencer plays the Music Monthlies evening at The Courthouse. 15
Ticketed, booked online through Rural Arts, prices as listed. Checked 11/10/2026
- Bedale
Bedale Fireworks
7 November 2026, from 17:15
Bedale's free fireworks display in Bedale Park, with food and entertainment from 5.15pm and the display at 7pm. No bonfire this year
Free, with a bucket collection on the night that pays for next year's display
- Masham
Masham Bonfire and Fireworks
7 November 2026, from 17:30
Masham's volunteer-run bonfire and fireworks at Shooting Holme, with the bonfire lit at 6.15pm and fireworks at 7pm
Free, donations welcome
- Northallerton
Remembrance Sunday in Northallerton
8 November 2026
Northallerton's Remembrance Sunday service at All Saints Church, with wreath laying and a parade along the High Street
Free. The council has not yet published the start time. Checked 11/10/2026
- In Thirsk
Remembrance Sunday in Thirsk
8 November 2026
Date not yet confirmed by the organiserRemembrance Sunday in Thirsk. Last year the parade left St Mary's Church with the Thirsk Royal British Legion Band for two minutes' silence at the Sowerby War Memorial at 11am
Free
- Northallerton
The Forum: Festival of Remembrance
8 November 2026, from 19:30
An evening of music and readings on Remembrance Sunday
Prices per show as listed. Book online, at The Forum or on the door. Checked 07/10/2026
- In Thirsk
Rural Arts: Our Freedom screening and poppy workshop
11 November 2026, from 14:00
An Armistice Day screening of Our Freedom, then a poppy-making workshop, 2pm to 4pm. 12
Ticketed, booked online through Rural Arts, prices as listed. Checked 11/10/2026
- In Thirsk
Thirsk Artisan Market
13 to 15 November 2026
Handmade and artisan stalls on the Market Place on a Sunday, run by Little Bird Made
Free to browse
- In Thirsk
Thirsk Heritage Show
15 November 2026, from 10:00
Date not yet confirmed by the organiserVintage and classic tractors, stationary engines, farming bygones and models at Thirsk Auction Mart, run by the North Yorkshire Group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club
6 for adults, under-14s free, on the Visit Thirsk listing
- Ripon
Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food and Gift Fair
20 November 2026, from 09:30
Over a hundred stalls of food and gifts inside Ripon Cathedral, about twenty-five minutes from Thirsk
5 on the door, under-16s free
- In Thirsk
Christmas Fair
27 to 28 November 2026
Date not yet confirmed by the organiserStalls in Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall on Westgate
Not yet published by the organiser
- In Thirsk
Christmas lights switch-on
27 November 2026
Date not yet confirmed by the organiserOn the Market Place in the evening. The 2024 switch-on was set for 6.30pm; this year's time is not out yet
Not yet published by the organiser
- In Thirsk
Christmas Makers Market at Rural Arts
28 November 2026
Rural Arts' Christmas Makers Market at the Old Courthouse on Saturday 28 November, with work by independent makers for Christmas presents
See Rural Arts for times. Checked 11/10/2026
- Near Ripon
Christmas trail and Bah, Humbug! at Fountains Hall
28 November to 3 January 2027
Trail 10am to 3.30pm on selected dates through the season
Normal admission applies to the trail. Carols by Candlelight is ticketed separately, with tickets on sale from Friday 6 November
- Bedale
Santa's Grotto and Christmas Trail at Thorp Perrow
28 November to 24 December 2026
Thorp Perrow Arboretum's Christmas trail and Santa's grotto, from the end of November to Christmas Eve
Prices are on the arboretum's own site
- Near Ripon
Artisan Christmas market
29 November 2026
10am to 3pm, Sunday only. The Saturday market has been cancelled
Normal admission applies to the trail. Carols by Candlelight is ticketed separately, with tickets on sale from Friday 6 November
December 2026
3 events
- In Thirsk
Shared Christmas party night
11 December 2026
Not racing. Gates 6.30pm, ends 1am, ticketed by the racecourse
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Goldilocks, the Rural Arts pantomime
18 December 2026
Rural Arts' touring pantomime Goldilocks, at Thirsk Town Hall the week before Christmas, before it tours the villages
10 to 12, booked through Rural Arts
- In Thirsk
Thirsk Artisan Market
20 December 2026
Handmade and artisan stalls on the Market Place on a Sunday, run by Little Bird Made
Free to browse
April 2027
1 event
- In Thirsk
Season opener
17 April 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
May 2027
3 events
- In Thirsk
Thirsk Hunt Cup
1 May 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Irish Day
15 May 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Racing at Thirsk
24 May 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
June 2027
4 events
- In Thirsk
Racing at Thirsk
4 June 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Racing at Thirsk
15 June 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Racing at Thirsk
21 June 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Racing at Thirsk
30 June 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
July 2027
3 events
- In Thirsk
Sky Bet Sunday Series
11 July 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Summer Family Day
23 July 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Summer Cup
31 July 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
August 2027
3 events
- In Thirsk
Family Day
6 August 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Country Music Night
13 August 2027
An evening meeting
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Family Day
27 August 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
September 2027
2 events
- In Thirsk
Ladies' Day
4 September 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
- In Thirsk
Season finale
13 September 2027
All sixteen 2027 flat fixtures, April to September, on the course at the edge of town, twenty minutes walk from the market square
Prices and gate times are on the racecourse page
Every week
The things that are always on
Free co-working upstairs
Wednesday and Thursday, from 09:00
The room above the cafe is free to work in every Wednesday and Thursday, with power, wifi, and a coffee from downstairs the only thing you need to buy
Thirsk Market
Monday and Saturday, from 08:00
The market fills the square outside our windows every Monday and Saturday, and has done since the thirteenth century
Know something we have missed
This list is kept by hand rather than scraped, so it is only as good as what we know about. Tell us and we will add it.