Quick answer
Christmas in Ryedale brings Santa steam trains from Pickering, a Dickens Christmas at Castle Howard near Malton and Christmas trees at Nunnington Hall. Santa Express runs on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026. Most events need tickets booked ahead, and several places close on set days, so read the closures first.
Christmas closures and changed hours
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway: the main 2026 season ended on 1 November, so standard trains are not running.
- Castle Howard: on Christmas Day the opening table lists the House, Ticket Office, Courtyard Café and Coffee Shop as closed.
- Nunnington Hall: closed until Thursday 19 November 2026, then open Thursday to Sunday until 20 December. On 13 November the calendar showed 21 to 31 December closed.
- Helmsley Walled Garden: Wednesday to Sunday only, and it closes for winter on Sunday 20 December 2026.
- Dalby Forest: the visitor centre closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and opens 9am to 12pm on Christmas Eve.
Santa Express and Winter Steamer from Pickering
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs Santa Express from Pickering station. It runs on 28 and 29 November, and 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24 December 2026. Departures are at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00. It is an hour-long return trip to Levisham, with Santa visiting on board.
Fares per person are £29.50 on 28 and 29 November and £34.50 on 5, 6, 12 and 13 December. On 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24 December they are £39.50. A £1.50 booking fee applies per booking. The official pages do not say how babies under 1 travel, so ask the railway before booking.
Carer tickets cost £17.50, for one necessary carer per disabled visitor who pays the full fare. Carry valid ID, and note carer tickets cannot be used with other vouchers or offers. There is one Relaxed Santa Express only, at 15:00 on Saturday 28 November 2026, with fewer guests and softer sound and lighting.
Winter Steamer runs daily from 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, between Pickering and Goathland only. An adult ticket (16+) costs £24.95, and one child aged 4 to 15 travels free with each fare-paying adult. Extra children pay £6.50, and babies aged 0 to 3 travel free on a lap.
Pushchairs travel free, but only in the Guard’s van, and special events may add restrictions.
A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard
Castle Howard, near Malton, dresses its House for A Dickens of a Christmas. It runs on selected dates from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day. Expect projections, soundscapes and “a ghost or two”. The FAQ welcomes any age but recommends it from 4+.
The FAQ gives A Dickens of a Christmas prices by date and time. Adults pay £24 to £40, and children aged 1 to 15 pay £12 to £20. Babies under 12 months go free, but need a pre-booked ticket. Online bookings carry a 5.5% booking fee, and parking is £7.25 per car, pre-booked with your tickets. Members (one car per booking) and Blue Badge holders are among those who park free.
The Christmas page says all event tickets must be pre-booked, and the FAQ says walk-up entry is not guaranteed at busy times. Tickets are non-refundable. One change of date and time is allowed at least 48 hours ahead, subject to availability, and extra charges may apply. House last admission runs from 3.30pm to 7pm, depending on the date.
Pushchairs and prams are not allowed in the House at Christmas, so leave them in the Christmas Marquee. The House has open fires. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times, including near the lakes and on the high playground, which closes after dark.
Father Christmas in the Castle runs on selected dates from 21 November to 24 December 2026, from £60 for children. It includes the Gardens and House, though the Walled Garden is closed for maintenance in the winter. It is recommended for age 4+. Every booking needs a paying child ticket, with a maximum of two adults. Arrive 30 minutes early, because latecomers are not admitted. It is up two flights of stairs.
Nature’s Noel at Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall is a National Trust house at Nunnington, beside the River Rye. Nature’s Noel runs on selected dates from 19 November to 20 December 2026 (Thursday to Sunday). It opens 10.30am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm. Around 20 Christmas trees fill the Hall. It needs no booking, but normal admission applies.
Adults pay £14.30 and children aged 5 to 17 pay £7.20, with Gift Aid. Under 5s and National Trust members go free. Pushchairs are not permitted inside the house. Keep young children close by the river. Nunnington Bridge is closed for repairs, so search for “Nunnington Hall Car Park” in your sat nav.
Festive Evenings are on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December, 4pm to 8pm, with last entry at 7.30pm. The gardens are closed during the evenings, so bring a torch.
Meet Father Christmas in the Panelled Bedroom. On 13 November the event page listed Saturday 21 and 28 November and Saturday 5, 12 and 19 December. It costs £11.50 per child, plus standard admission for non-members. Babies under 18 months who do not need a gift go in free; book a child ticket if you want one. Booking is essential, tickets are non-refundable, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The room can only be reached by staircase.
Esmeralda the Elf at the Milton Rooms, Malton
The Milton Rooms on Malton Market Place hosts Esmeralda the Elf and Father Christmas on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 only. Shows are at 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm on the Saturday, and 10.30am, 12pm and 2pm on the Sunday.
Tickets are £5 each for adults and children, sold on TicketSource by Epic Adventure Parties. Babes in arms need a child ticket too. Each family sees Father Christmas after the show, and all children receive a gift.
There is no allocated parking, and wheelchair users should call the box office to book a place.
A Christmas trail in Dalby Forest
Dalby Forest, north of Pickering near Thornton-le-Dale, is open 8am to 8pm every day. Entry is free if you arrive car-free. By car, parking costs £3.50 for up to 1 hour, rising to £15.00 over 4 hours.
The Room on the Broom Christmas trail is aimed at children aged 3 to 9, and the trail pack costs £4. On 13 November 2026 its page gave no start or end dates, so check before you go. It starts at Dixon’s Hollow car park, a 10 minute drive into the forest.
Free entry weekend at Helmsley Walled Garden
Helmsley Walled Garden in Helmsley gives free entry for all on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2026. It opens 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm, then closes for winter until March 2027. On other days under 16s go free, as do carers accompanying a disabled person. A standard adult day ticket is £14.00, sold only at the kiosk on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Where can children meet Santa in Ryedale?
On the event dates listed above: Santa Express from Pickering, Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall and the Milton Rooms in Malton. Each needs booking.
Is anything open on Christmas Day in Ryedale?
Dalby Forest is open 8am to 8pm every day, although its visitor centre is closed on Christmas Day. Castle Howard’s House is closed that day.
Are there trains between Christmas and New Year?
Yes. Winter Steamer runs daily from 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, between Pickering and Goathland.
Is there a relaxed Santa train?
Yes, one only: the 15:00 Relaxed Santa Express on Saturday 28 November 2026.
Is there anything free at Christmas in Ryedale?
Helmsley Walled Garden is free for everyone on 19 and 20 December 2026. Dalby Forest is free to enter if you arrive car-free.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Ryedale venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.
Main photo: Pickering station and Park Street in the snow, February 2021. Photo: T Eyre, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).