Puss in Boots plays Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre on selected dates from 5 to 31 December 2026, and Cinderella plays Bridlington Spa on selected dates from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. The North Bay Railway runs Santa Specials on selected dates from 12 to 24 December (advance booking essential), and Sewerby Hall’s Fairytales at Christmas runs on selected dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Find a timber play area above Scarborough’s South Bay, kite flying at Filey Country Park and a free playground at Sewerby Hall near Bridlington. We flag the cliffs, tides, steep steps, winter toilet hours and the Peasholm boats closed until Easter 2027.
Plan a calmer Yorkshire coast day out with visual stories, ear defenders to borrow and free carer places at several venues. Relaxed Christmas shows are on 17 December in Scarborough and 28 December in Bridlington, and closed days and carer rules vary, so check before you go.
Seals at SEA LIFE, dinosaur footprints at the Rotunda Museum, where under 18s go free, and a 50-minute Christmas show for under 6s from 16 to 23 December make Scarborough easy going with little ones. Check days first: the Rotunda is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and SEA LIFE says pre-booking is essential, under 2s included.
On a rainy day, hunt for fossils at Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum, free for under 18s and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Our guide also covers SEA LIFE Scarborough (pre-booking essential), Whitby Museum (closed Mondays; check December opening before travelling), Bridlington’s Splash Zone and Christmas shows.
Explore a pagoda park, Victorian cliff gardens, Filey Brigg and the Falling Foss waterfall with no entry charge, plus fossil museums in Scarborough and Whitby that are free for under 18s (in full-time education at Whitby). Adults pay at the museums, and we flag parking and toilet charges, cliff and tide warnings, closed days and Whitby Museum’s unpublished December closing date.