Xmas Shopping in Style

Harrogate is home to one of the UK’s leading Christmas fairs, and the spa town has become a hot Christmas shopping destination. Check out the highlights below of this year’s Country Living Christmas Fair, as more than 200 artisan businesses showcase their wares from Thursday 1 December….

Christmas Shopping Extravaganza Marks a Ten-Year Festive Tradition

More than 200 independent artisan businesses and designer makers will appear at the Country Living Christmas Fair at the Harrogate Convention Centre, from 1 to 4 December.

Old favourites will return along with exciting new brands.

This year the fair comes with extra sparkle, as it promises a very special four-day shopping event celebrating its 10^th anniversary in Harrogate.

Just under half of the exhibitors this year are new to the four-day gift fair, offering the latest trends with unique Christmas gifts, produce and décor.

The Country Living Christmas Fair officially marks the start of Christmas as it begins on Advent on 1 December and runs across four days.

The emporium of festive delights showcases leading artisan producers and independent crafters from the length and breadth of the UK, all under one roof.

From handcrafted products, stylish decors, soft furnishings to gourmet cheese, Christmas puddings, sweet and savoury treats, tasty tipples and fine wines, visitors can shop to their hearts’ content while soaking in the festive vibes with live music throughout the day from the Fair’s brass band and choirs.

Shoppers can opt for a special VIP experience, including bottomless prosecco and gift bags worth more than £100.

The fair has become a fixture in the Christmas shopping calendar. A number of exhibitors including Harrogate-based Urban Outline and the Gaskill Gallery from Leyburn, will return.  They have exhibited at the Fair across its ten-year history in the spa town. There will also be 75 brand new exhibitors.

Dan Sewell, Event Director, said: “It shows there’s a really strong appetite for this special tenth anniversary year, with so many new exhibitors bringing fresh, exciting ideas alongside the traditional, festive favourites who return year-on-year.”

The Country Living Kitchen Theatre will see some of the country’s finest food and drink producers and culinary experts whip up their ultimate festive recipes and seasonal showstoppers.

Visitors can expect tailored chocolate tasting sessions, as well as hands-on workshops from crafting experts where they can create needle felted baubles to unique Christmas table decorations to take home.

New exhibitors include The Wild Shepherdess, who champions the British Sheepskin, producing luxury, top quality handmade sheepskin products.

For the first time, there will be unique artwork from Lást, a small design studio in York. Lást is old English for ‘footprint or track’, and the team specialise in maps and custom artwork that celebrates adventure and the natural world. Everything is hand drawn.

Also new from Bedale, Plewsy – a small, independent and female run creative business, that aims to put a ‘little lift’ into your everyday – offers playful, bright limited edition textiles including tea towels, children’s aprons, mugs, cosmetic bags, and art prints.

Yorkshire’s Guggle & Torquith, a family run company with a passion in formulating quirky and distinguished scents, will also be exhibiting for the first time. It works with a fully qualified Perfumer for a range of expertly selected scents.

Over the four-days, around 15,000 are expected to attend the Harrogate Convention Centre. It promises gifts you can’t find on the high street, while supporting and championing the country’s independent, artisan producers, crafters and creatives.

Shoppers can also enjoy a Champagne Bar, cocktails or Afternoon Tea dining experience.

Country Living Christmas Fair will take place on 1-4 December 2022 countrylivingfair.com