Christmas in Malton brings a magical Christmas glow to my home of North Yorkshire. During the festive season, it’s a place you can go to experience the Christmas spirit with our family and friends.
If you’re hunting for the best things to do in Malton at Christmas UK, then look no further! There are plenty of things to do in and around the market town of Malton! Malton celebrates its Christmas Festival over two days filled with festive activities and merry-making in its picturesque Market Place. So let’s look at some of these Christmas experiences from festive markets buzzing with local produce to historical sites dressed in holiday cheer.
- 1. Malton Christmas Festival (cancelled)
- 2. Special Christmas Menus at Local Restaurants
- 3. Talbot Yard Food Court Offerings
- 4. Castle Howard Christmas Events
- 5. Malton’s St Clement’s Festival
- 6. Esmeralda the Elf and Father Christmas 2025
- 7. Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village Tours
- 8. Malton Museum Special Exhibitions
- 9. Yorkshire Arboretum Winter Walks
- 10. Festive VIP Afternoon Tea in Scampston Hall
- 11. Flamingo Land
- 12. Eden Camp Modern History Museum Events
- 13. Special Children’s Workshops at Cosy Cottage
- 14. Ryedale Vineyards Wine Tasting Sessions
- 15. Christmas At Sledmere House
- 16. Bramble Berry Markets
1. Malton Christmas Festival (cancelled)
This event has been cancelled – locals are currently trying to sit up an alternative Christmas festival.
Malton’s Market Place transforms into a festive wonderland with Christmas market stalls active from 9am to 3.30pm each day during the festival. These stalls display an assortment of festive food (of course, Malton is Yorkshire’s food capital, and they have their Malton Monthly Food Market!), unique treasures, and handcrafted gifts perfect for the holiday season. You can try products from local artisans and independent shops at their food and festive gift stalls. It’s great for local businesses and offers shoppers the chance to discover distinct presents that are not seen elsewhere.
There’s also live entertainment and music. Local brass bands and choirs bring festive joy to all who visit. These performances create a perfect festive feeling for shopping and enjoying street food in Malton’s picturesque market place.
There are festive workshops and activities, entertainment and even a chance to see Father Christmas at his grotto. So don’t miss this fabulous weekend of festive fun.
2. Special Christmas Menus at Local Restaurants
Local restaurants in Malton get into the festive spirit with special Christmas menus. They serve traditional turkey, mulled wines, and award-winning macarons. These dishes are sure to warm you up and fill you with holiday cheer. You’ll find such menus in places along Parliament Street and Chancery Lane.
To make dining out even more tempting, the town centre offers two hours of free parking.
3. Talbot Yard Food Court Offerings
Talbot Yard Food Court is great for food lovers, set in a historic 17th-century inn’s former horse stables. It houses six artisan food producers who bring unique tastes to Malton. Among them, Rare Bird Distillery catches the attention with its gin-making experiences.
4. Castle Howard Christmas Events
Castle Howard transforms into a magical place from November 13th 2025 to January 4th 2026. Castle Howard is going to be Wizard of Oz themed Wonderland themed in 2025. Tickets go quickly, so make sure to book in advance! Castle Howard really is the perfect spot for family days out during the holiday season. We went last year and really enjoyed it! There are so many Christmas trees and decorations, it’s the so joyful! And I could have spent a fortune at the gift shop! For me, it’s one of the best places I’ve visited at Christmas.
You can even book tickets to visit Santa Claus.
Ticket prices vary depending on when you go, so secure your place now!
See my review of the 2023 Castle Howard Christmas In Neverland Experience here.
Website: https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-castle-howard
Address: Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
5. Malton’s St Clement’s Festival
Come to the free St Clement’s Festival at Milton Rooms. There’ll be Christmas activities, light trails, singing, dancing and food. For children, there’s activities such as storytelling and face painting. It’s a perfect way to start off your Christmas experience.
Dates: 2Saturday 22nd November 2025
Website: https://themiltonrooms.com/event/st-clements-festival/
Address: The Milton Rooms, Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire,YO17 7LX
6. Esmeralda the Elf and Father Christmas 2025
This interactive family theatre show is good for all ages! All children will receive a gift and meet Santa at the end.
Date: Saturday 6th December and Sunday 7th December 2025
Website: https://themiltonrooms.com/event/esmeralda-the-elf-and-father-christmas-2025/
Address: The Milton Rooms, Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire,YO17 7LX
7. Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village Tours
This English Heritage site showcases well-preserved remains of a medieval village that thrived from the 12th to 14th centuries before abandonment in the 1500s.
The village boasts notable features such as a medieval church and a tranquil mill pond. Meandering through this site provides insight into life during this period, making it an enlightening experience for all ages.
Open during daylight hours, entry is free while parking costs £2, offering accessibility for small groups and families seeking to immerse themselves in historical insights.
Although there are not any dedicated Christmas events, it’s still a great place to visit!
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wharram-percy-deserted-medieval-village/
Address: Centenary Way, Wharram-le-Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9TD
8. Malton Museum Special Exhibitions
During the Christmas period, Malton Museum often puts on Christmas crafting events – so keep an eye on their website to see what comes up!
Website: https://www.maltonmuseum.co.uk/
Address: 36 Yorkersgate, Malton, YO17 7AB
9. Yorkshire Arboretum Winter Walks
If you want to get outdoors, then try Yorkshire Arboretum Winter Walks, spanning over 120 acres and featuring an array of trees and landscapes. The arboretum is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, welcoming visitors to explore its enchanting grounds. Yorkshire Arboretum Winter Walks provides an opportunity to embrace nature’s beauty amidst the winter season. Whether it’s admiring the diverse collection of trees or taking in the serene ambience, these walks offer a delightful escape into the great outdoors during the festive period.
Read my Yorkshire Arboretum review here.
Website: https://www.yorkshirearboretum.org/
Address: The Yorkshire Arboretum, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7BY
10. Festive VIP Afternoon Tea in Scampston Hall
Enjoy a VIP festive afternoon tea and then take a relaxed walk through the Scampston Hall. This Regency country house boasts a contemporary Walled Garden that’s open for guided tours from 10am to 5pm. Tickets are £100 for two people.
Dates: 2025 dates tbc
Website: https://www.scampston.co.uk/
Address: Scampston Walled Garden, Malton, YO17 8NG
11. Flamingo Land
Flamingo Land offers a great experience as it combines a theme park and zoo with live-action shows. The attractions include special Christmas activities such as cookie making with Mrs Claus. You can even book a stay in their Christmas lodges!
Website: https://www.flamingoland.co.uk/
Address: Flamingo Land Ltd. Kirby Misperton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6UX
12. Eden Camp Modern History Museum Events
The Eden Camp Modern History Museum hosts various events throughout the year, offering an insightful look into life during World War II through its exhibits. The museum is housed in a former prisoner of war camp from 1942 and provides a unique experience for visitors who can learn about the historical context of that era. I’ve been to Eden Camp many times as a child and always loved it!
At Christmas, they put on Christmas events all about celebrating Christmas during the war. Meet elves, Santa and more!
Website: https://edencamp.co.uk/
Address: Malton, North Yorkshire,YO17 6RT
13. Special Children’s Workshops at Cosy Cottage
Cosy Cottage produces and makes skincare, beauty and health products. They often offer workshops throughout the year, such as candle making and bath bomb making. At Christmas, they put on The Special Children’s Workshops at Cosy Cottage offering engaging and educational activities for kids. These workshops are designed to be fun, focusing on natural, cruelty-free products made in Yorkshire.
Website: https://www.cosycottagesoap.co.uk/
Address: Cosy Cottage Soap Limited, 13 Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LP
14. Ryedale Vineyards Wine Tasting Sessions
Rydedale Vineards is a 12-acre vineyard. During Christmas time, you can enjoy mulled wine, spiced cider, hot drinks and mince pies. Wander the vineyard and enjoy some quiet time in its winter beauty. Also, a perfect place to buy some last-minute Christmas gifts! No booking is necessary.
Website: https://www.ryedalevineyards.co.uk/
Address: Farfield Farm, Westow, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7LS
15. Christmas At Sledmere House
A few miles out of Malton, but worth the visit! There’s lots on at Sledmere House over Christmas, such as the fast-selling Sledmere’s Magical Santa Experience, where you can meet Santa, enjoy a festive trailer ride and explore the Christmas village.
There are also Wreath Making workshops and the farm shop is full of Christmas food and gifts.
Website: https://www.sledmerehouse.com/
Address: Sledmere House, Sledmere, Driffield, YO25 3XG
16. Bramble Berry Markets
This artisan market is sure to be full of Christmas gifts and cheer!
Date: 13 December 2025 10:00 am
Address: The Milton Rooms, Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire,YO17 7LX
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