Two upcoming shopping events in the North York Moors National Park will make it easy for people to support local businesses and artists in the run-up to what is often their most important time of the year.
The Christmas Craft Fair and the Christmas Shopping Weekend will bring together the very best of local arts, crafts and produce, reducing the need for people to shop online for last minute gifts.
Rita Rudsdale, Visitor Centre Coordinator at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“Many of us want to shop locally and support local artists and tradespeople, but Christmas is such a high-pressure time that this aspiration can go out the window. Our Christmas events bring together a fabulous selection of different producers and make it easy to find unique and personal gifts that you might never have otherwise thought of, and that you’d struggle to find online. Just think of the all the packaging you will save.”
The Moors National Park Centre’s popular Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November, offering the chance to buy high-quality food, drink and gifts direct from the artists and producers themselves. The free event, which takes place in Danby, will feature over 35 stalls selling festive treats and quirky gifts including ceramics, scented candles, tree decorations, soaps, soft-furnishings and handmade chocolates.
The fair coincides with the Yorkshire ‘Hygge’ exhibition at the Centre’s Inspired by… gallery, providing the opportunity to admire and purchase items from a magnificent selection of jewellery, textiles and paintings created by members of local craft association Brigantia.
For younger visitors, there will be a visit from Father Christmas and craft-making activities available all weekend. The fair is open from 10.30am-4pm each day.
On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November, the Sutton Bank National Park Centre holds its annual Christmas Shopping Weekend, with a wide-range of local products and gift ideas on offer. On Sunday, Ampleforth Abbey will be running a tasting table featuring some of their favourite products, and there will be live music and a variety of children’s activities to add to the festivities.
The Christmas Shopping Weekend coincides with a book signing event with Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton, who will be at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre from 2pm-4pm on 25 November. Copies of ‘The Diary of a Yorkshire Vet’ will be available to purchase on the day, making a truly unique, personalised gift for any Yorkshire Vet fan.
Rita continues: “The centre cafes will be serving seasonal food and drink and both locations have great family-friendly trails from the door. With something for everyone the events make a lovely day out for all the family.”
Both centres are open daily until 6 January from 10.30am until 4pm apart from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The North York Moors National Park Authority is also supporting the Love your High Street campaign, encouraging people across Yorkshire to shop locally and spend some time and money with the small businesses and independent traders who ensure our communities remain vibrant places to live.