BID fully supports return of festive fun to Harrogate over Christmas period
From Ferris wheels to the Candy Cane Express, Harrogate BID is fully supporting the return of festive fun to the North Yorkshire town over the Christmas period.
A previous Christmas in Harrogate town centre
The Business Improvement District leads on funding every single Christmas light across the town centre, so the team are excited that the festive spirit is coming back for another year.
North Yorkshire Council announced the 2024 Christmas plans for Harrogate last month, following a successful year in 2023.
The popular Harrogate Christmas Fayre will return from Friday, November 28th to Monday, December 14th - featuring a range of traders with up to 50 stalls on offer from not only across the UK, but overseas too.
It has also been revealed that other festive favourites – including a 33-foot-tall Ferris wheel and the Candy Cane Express – will make a return to the North Yorkshire town for Christmas. As well as this, a special Little Bird Market will be held on the three weekends leading up to Christmas, featuring stalls from local business.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “We’ve been keen supporters of the Christmas plans in Harrogate ever since they were first staged three years ago, so we can’t wait for this year’s fun to come to light!
“Christmas is an important time of year for so many people, so it’s a fantastic way to help drive footfall and spend into our town’s business community - all while offering entertainment through additional elements including the Ferris wheel and road train.
“We’ve also got new displays for our town’s Christmas lights this year, so watch this space…”
The North Pole Post Office, organised by Harrogate International Festivals and sponsored by Harrogate BID, will return to the town centre this year – offering the chance for children to post their Christmas gift wish lift to Santa and his elves!
The street entertainment team will be back in Harrogate to help celebrate all things Christmas with special themed performances, helping to create a vibrant atmosphere to get the town centre into the Christmas spirit.
It has also been confirmed that there is not support from BID levy paying businesses for a Christmas lights switch on in Harrogate for 2024. The BID team have carried out extensive research with local businesses, with 60% saying they feel switch on events do not benefit them through increases in footfall within their business and spend. Feedback suggests that business owners would rather see the money spent elsewhere, for example in additional festive animation such as the Candy Cane Express or Ferris Wheel. It’s hoped, as in many other towns across the UK, a future Harrogate Town Council may pick up this community event.
Plans for the Christmas Shop Window competition will be announced by the BID over the coming weeks. The competition offers the chance to local businesses to get into the festive spirit and dress their stores with all things Christmas!
The Harrogate Gift Card acts as that perfect present for your loved ones over the Christmas period. Available for use in almost 100 businesses in Harrogate, from national chains to independent retailers, the cards can be preloaded with value up to £500. The scheme is backed by a range of restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, hairdressers and other businesses located around the town centre.
