Quick answer
Christmas on the Yorkshire coast brings two Christmas shows, Santa Specials on a miniature railway and fairytale rooms in a country house. Puss in Boots plays the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough on selected dates from 5 to 31 December 2026. Cinderella plays Bridlington Spa on selected dates from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Most events below need tickets, and several venues close on some days over Christmas, so read the closures first.
Christmas closures and changed hours
- Scarborough Castle: on 13 November 2026 the calendar showed Saturdays and Sundays only, 10am to 4pm, up to 20 December. It showed the castle closed 21 to 26 December, open Sunday 27 December, then open daily from 28 December to 3 January 2027.
- Rotunda Museum: closed on Sundays and Mondays. Over Christmas it also closes 25 to 28 December, 31 December and 1 January, then 4 to 8 January for collections maintenance.
- Sewerby Hall and Gardens: the whole site closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
- North Bay Railway: on 13 November the calendar showed regular trains only on 14, 15, 21 and 22 November. It showed none from 23 November to 26 December, apart from its Christmas events. It showed regular trains again from 27 December to 1 January, then closed from 2 January.
- Stephen Joseph Theatre: the building is usually closed on Sundays, opening occasionally for special events.
- Christmas shows: no Puss in Boots performance was listed on 25 December. No Cinderella performances were listed on 14 to 17 December, 25 December or 30 December.
Christmas shows in Scarborough and Bridlington
Puss in Boots at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is directly opposite Scarborough railway station. Puss in Boots plays in The Round on selected dates from 5 to 31 December 2026. The event page gives prices from £10 and a running time of about 2 hours, including the interval. Kids under 18 months go free but still need a ticket. Age guidance is 6+, and younger children are welcome.
A relaxed performance is at 11am on Thursday 17 December, when it is fine to make noise, move around or leave. A BSL interpreted and audio-described show is at 6pm on Monday 28 December, and a captioned show at 6pm on Tuesday 29 December.
The use of mobile phones is not permitted during performances, and audience members may not go onto or cross the stage in The Round. The theatre cannot store bags or luggage, and the official pages do not mention pushchair storage, so ask the Box Office first. A passenger lift serves both auditoriums, but many seats involve stairs.
For under 6s: Hairy Bob’s Christmas Jumper runs from 16 to 23 December 2026. It lasts 50 minutes and costs £7, and every performance is a Chilled Performance.
Cinderella at Bridlington Spa
Bridlington Spa on the Bridlington seafront stages Cinderella on selected dates from Saturday 12 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
On 13 November 2026 the booking system showed child tickets at £19 to £28.50. Adult tickets were £25 to £31.50, varying by seat band. Some events carry booking fees. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase, except when an event is cancelled. Every child needs a ticket with a seat, except children under 2.
Children under 14 must be with a responsible adult aged 18 or over. The terms say there are no pass-outs or re-admissions of any kind. Some performances use strobe lighting, smoke effects and loud noises.
A relaxed performance is at 5pm on Monday 28 December, and a BSL signed show at 2pm on Sunday 3 January 2027. Free carer tickets need pre-registration, and the box office is closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. Some seats can only be reached by stairs, and there is no on-site parking.
Santa Specials and light trains on the North Bay Railway
The Scarborough North Bay Railway is a miniature railway between Peasholm Station and Scalby Mills Station in Scarborough.
Christmas Light Trains run at 6pm on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Friday 11 December 2026. On 13 November the ticket shop listed one ticket type, a Lights Ticket at £8.50.
Santa Specials run on 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 and 24 December 2026, and advance booking is essential. Families meet Santa one to one in his grotto. On 13 November the shop listed adults at £16.95 and children (12 months to 16 years) at £20.45. An infant under 12 months cost £11.95 with a gift, or went free without one. No concessions, passes or promotions are valid.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. There is no wheelchair access to the Santa Special Experience. Only assistance dogs may go to the Santa Specials. The FAQ says the railway has no toilets or baby changing, with public toilets a 2 minute walk from Peasholm Station.
Fairytales at Christmas at Sewerby Hall
Sewerby Hall and Gardens at Sewerby, near Bridlington, fills its house with fairytale scenes and a trail. On 13 November 2026 the booking calendar listed 21, 22, 28 and 29 November, and 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December. It also listed 2 and 3 January 2027.
The gardens are free from 2 November 2026 to 19 March 2027. House and zoo tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for children aged 3 to 15. A family of 2 adults and 2 children pays £25. The Fairytales page lists house-only tickets at £4.75 for adults and £3.75 for children. Under 3s go free.
Booking is recommended because capacity is limited, and Annual Pass holders must pre-book. Fairytales tickets are not refundable, but can be moved for a £5 fee per booking, subject to availability. Children under 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Prams and pushchairs cannot go into the house, but there is lockable storage near the rear door. Many rooms have low lighting and waist-high barriers that can be hard to see.
A festive trail at the Rotunda Museum
The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough is an indoor museum of fossils and coastal heritage. On 13 November 2026 its event page listed a Festive Donkey Trail from 2 November to 31 December 2026, during opening hours. The trail covers the Rotunda and two other galleries, where children find hidden donkeys and collect letters for a Christmas clue and a sticker. The trail is free, but admission charges may apply.
Under 18s and registered carers go free, and adults buy a £5 Annual Pass. On 13 November 2026 the West Wing was closed after water leaks.
Scarborough Castle at weekends
Scarborough Castle is an English Heritage ruin on a grassy clifftop headland, with a museum. On 13 November 2026 a child ticket (5 to 17) cost £4.25 to £5.50, and under 5s are free. Paid tickets cannot be changed or refunded, but booked tickets are refunded automatically if English Heritage has to close the site. The access page warns: “Remains are hazardous due to unfenced ditches, moat and ramparts”. Keep small children close. There is no parking on site, except pre-booked spaces for disabled visitors.
Frequently asked questions
What Christmas shows are on near Scarborough in 2026?
Puss in Boots at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, and Cinderella at Bridlington Spa. Both run on selected dates, given above.
Where can children meet Santa near Scarborough?
The North Bay Railway runs Santa Specials on 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 and 24 December 2026. Advance booking is essential.
Are there relaxed Christmas performances on the Yorkshire coast?
Yes. Puss in Boots has one at 11am on 17 December, and Cinderella at 5pm on 28 December.
Is Scarborough Castle open over Christmas?
On 13 November 2026 the calendar showed weekends only up to 20 December. It showed the castle closed 21 to 26 December, then open from 27 December to 3 January 2027.
Is Sewerby Hall open at Christmas?
The whole site closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Scarborough venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.
Main photo: Whitby Abbey and the old town above the harbour in Whitby, December 2025. Photo: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).