With the festive season fast approaching, there is the opportunity to enjoy some Christmas cheer with a host of events that are being staged around North Yorkshire.

From stunning illuminations and drone displays to festive markets, creative workshops and hugely popular pantomime productions, the breadth of events will provide entertainment for all of the family.

Our executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “The Christmas period is such a special time and there is so much on offer in North Yorkshire to make sure that the festive celebrations are so memorable.

“These events show just how diverse the cultural and arts sector is in the county.

“Our venues are set to host some of the country's most exciting festive events and I encourage everyone to make this holiday time one to remember.”

Among the major events is the next edition of Scarborough Lights, which is part of The Scarborough Fair cultural project. For more information, visit The Scarborough Fair website.

The Scarborough Art autumn and winter edition runs until Sunday 21 December, while Scarborough Lights will illuminate the town between Friday 14 November and Sunday 21 December.

Scarborough Fringe winter edition is staged from Thursday 4 December to Sunday 7 December.

Among the highlights of Scarborough Lights is a drone display that will be held at the town’s castle on the headland from Wednesday 19 November to Sunday 23 November. It will blend technology, storytelling and live fire and light performances, celebrating the town’s 400th anniversary which is next year. For more information, visit The Scarborough Fair website.

The town will also host Scarborough Sparkle from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, The event will include a lantern parade, artisan stalls, live music, a tipi bar and a snow machine. Entry is free. For more information, visit the Scarborough Open Air Theatre website.

Meanwhile, Scarborough Spa will host an immersive storytelling event for the family called SPRiTES on Saturday 29 November. For more information, visit The Scarborough Fair website.

Christmas markets are being held in Harrogate and Skipton during December with the chance to buy gifts from dozens of stalls while taking in the festive atmosphere.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be staged from Friday 5 December to Sunday 14 December around Prospect Crescent and Cambridge Street. More information can be found on our Visit North Yorkshire website.

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The Skipton Town Hall Christmas Makers Market will be held from 11am until 4pm on Sunday 7 December, with handmade gifts ranging from art and ceramics to fashion and bath treats on offer from more than 30 local makers. For more information, visit the Skipton Town Hall website.

A major theatre production, called The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas, will also be staged at Skipton Town Hall.

Featuring puppetry from Matthew Forbes of War Horse fame, it is the largest production of its kind to be commissioned by our Culture North Yorkshire team.

Other events at Skipton Town Hall include a gothic retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol on Saturday 29 November and the annual pantomime, which this year is based on the story of Jack and the Beanstalk on Monday 29 December and Tuesday 30 December. For more information, visit the Skipton Town Hall website

There are festive wreath-making workshops at both Harrogate Horticultural Nursery and Scarborough Indoor Market. The wreaths are a perfect festive addition to any front door or as a centrepiece for a dining room table for a Christmas meal. For more information, visit our horticultural nursery website.

This year’s pantomime at the Scarborough Spa will be Cinderella with Anne "The Governess" Hegerty from ITV popular gameshow, The Chase, headlining the cast in this spectacular production. For more information, visit the Scarborough Spa website.

The panto, which will run from Sunday 7 December to Thursday 1 January, will follow Cinderella’s quest to win the heart of the dashing Prince Charming, with a little help from her best friend Buttons and the enchanting Fairy Godmother.