If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family on New Year’s Eve or New Years Day, here’s a selection of family-friendly events in and around the local area. Something for children of all ages!  

If you’ve got any other recommendations, please share them in the Wharfedale & Craven Mumbler Chat Group.

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE ACTIVITIES

• Augmented Reality App Trail in Ilkley Town Centre – Get into the Christmas spirit by exploring Ilkley’s magnificent Festive Trail. Download the Discover Ilkley App and use the GPS-enabled map to tour the town and find all seven of the town’s cheerful virtual characters. Simply go to your app store and search “Discover Ilkley” and enjoy!
• Ice Cube Leeds – Ice Cube @Christmas is back this winter, bringing a joyful season of outdoor ice skating, festive feasting and family-fun experiences in the heart of the city centre. Taking over Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street, Leeds’ coolest wintertime attraction boasts a 400sqm covered ice rink, promising a fun-filled day out whatever the weather. Book tickets here www.icecubeleeds.co.uk
• After-Christmas Viking Yule at The Royal Armouries – Combats, sagas and axe-throuwing! The Vikings are coming to spend the Yule festival at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.  Join us for an action-packed programme of demonstrations, have-a-go activities, battle stories and much more. This is a free event but please pre-book your tickets to guarantee your visit here.
• Lotherton Hall Christmas Experience Festive Woodland Walk. The Festive Woodland Walk will include larger-than-life Christmas traditions and interactive elements for the family to enjoy. Take a walk through the sparking and twinkling lights whilst exploring the amazing interactive traditions Tickets must be booked in advance here.
• KWVR Mince Pie Special– Travel in the toasty, Yuletide carriages as the festive journey continues into the New Year. See our stunning stations transformed with an amazing Christmas display creating a magical glow as your train rolls in.
• Bolton Abbey – enjoy a family walk this New Year’s Eve, the car parks, gift shops and takeaways are open daily over the festive period, excluding Christmas Day. Usual estate admission applies, tickets must be booked in advance here.
• Ice Rink at Tingley Garden Centre – Get ready to bring your whole family together for an unforgettable experience that will fill your hearts with festive cheer. It’s is all about spending quality time with your loved ones, and our ice rink is the perfect place to do just that. Gather your family and friends and make cherished memories on the ice! Book your tickets here.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park Winter Illuminations – Enjoy a magical evening at Yorkshire’s largest light & lantern festival! Experience an illuminated trail through four enchanted realms: Under the Sea, Animal Adventure, World of Fantasy & Fairytale Kingdom. Tickets must be booked in advance here.
• Thorp Perrow Arboretum. Thorp Perrow offers the perfect place for a winter’s walk through the trees in the Arboretum and has fun in the adventure play area. Open New Year’s Day 10 am to 5 pm, last entry at 3.30 pm. Tickets must be booked in advance. More details here.
• RHS Garden Harlow Carr – the garden is open from 9.30 am with last ticketed entry at 3.00 pm. Tickets can be booked in advance here.
• Ice Rink at The White Rose Shopping Centre – Get your skates on – it’s the first ever Ice Rink at WRSC! Outdoor and undercover, our 800sqm rink offers plenty of fun for guests of all ages, come rain or shine. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones and bob skates to help guests stay steady. Book online here.

Explore the Outdoors

We live in such a beautiful area and are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks, gardens & nature reserves. All free to enjoy. Have a walk or a bike ride…
Make it more exciting with nature bingo, a scavenger hunt or doing some leaf rubbings – Lots of free ideas available with a quick internet search.

Walking Trails:

Try out one of the below trails and let us know your thoughts! wharfedale@mumbler.co.uk

The Chevin Geology Trail, Otley

The Chevin Sculpture Trail, Otley

The Aire Valley Sculpture Trail, Saltaire

NEW YEARS DAY FAMILY DAYS OUT

1. Skipton Castle. Start 2024 with a journey into the past at Skipton Castle. Open 10 am – 4 pm. Tickets must be booked in advance here.
2. Yorkshire Wildlife Park. A great day out! Open 10am – 3pm. You can read our review from last Summer here! Tickets must be booked in advance here.
3. Fountains Abbey.  Open 10am – 5 pm  (last admission 4pm).  Pull-on your boots to come for a stroll in the fresh air, bring the kids to run wild in the play park or indulge in a nice cup of tea in the tea-rooms.
4. Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Mince Pie Specials. Travel in a toasty, Yuletide carriage as the festive journey continues into the New Year. Tickets must be booked in advance here.
5. Harrogate Ice Rink – This festive favourite is bigger and better than ever before, hosting not only a bigger ice rink, but an outdoor bar, a cosy sheltered tipi, funfair rides including a carousel and bungee trampolines, and a Yorkshire Wrap food stall – vegetarian and vegan options available. For a 20% discount code for Mumblers use discount code: mumbler20. Book online
6. RHS Garden Harlow Carr will be open from 10 am – 3 pm, grab some fresh air and lets the kids run free & play! Please note Betty’s will be shut. Tickets can be booked in advance here
7.  Thorp Perrow Arboretum. Thorp Perrow offers the perfect place for a winter’s walk through the trees in the Arboretum and has fun in the adventure play area. Open New Year’s Day 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets must be booked in advance. More details here.
8. Yorkshire Wildlife Park Winter Illuminations – Enjoy a magical evening at Yorkshire’s largest light & lantern festival! Experience an illuminated trail through four enchanted realms: Under the Sea, Animal Adventure, World of Fantasy & Fairytale Kingdom. Tickets must be booked in advance here.
9. Saltaire Living Advent Calendar – Take a stroll through the streets of Saltaire, where 55 windows will be unveiled in the run-up to Christmas and illuminated until Saturday, 1st January 2024.
10. Ice Rink at The White Rose Shopping Centre – Outdoor and undercover, our 800sqm rink offers plenty of fun for guests of all ages, come rain or shine. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones and bob skates to help guests stay steady. Book online here.
11. Stockeld Park – Enjoy the Winter Illuminations, Enchanted Forest inc. five playgrounds and Snowflake Maze. You can also book Ice Skating and / or the Playhive! Book tickets here

Whatever you end up doing we hope you have a fantastic time! 

Happy New Year & here’s to a great 2024! x