November brings colder weather, darker nights and the anticipation of Christmas just around the corner. However, you don’t have to wait till the festive season starts, as it is also a month packed with events and celebrations across our wonderful county. To help you plan a memorable month, we have put together ten of the best things to do in Yorkshire this November.
We look at book festivals, vinyl fairs, a film festival, quirky fun runs, and so much more. Enjoy our guide and make your month one to remember.
1. Christmas Markets
Ready for twinkling lights, excited little ones, and cosy, hot chocolate-fuelled strolls as the Christmas events in Yorkshire start to kick off? Don’t miss out on anything festive this year with our events guide to all the fun things happening in God’s Own Country. From local Christmas markets to spectacular light installations and, of course, Santa’s Grotto visits – there’s plenty to see and do this magical season.
Check out all the best Christmas markets taking place across Yorkshire here: 40 of the Most Festive Yorkshire Christmas Markets & Events To Enjoy This Winter
2. Leeds International Film Festival
Running since 1987, the Leeds International Film Festival is one of the biggest yearly film events. It runs for 18 days in November across venues in Leeds. It showcases over 250 features and shorts from countries across the world. Its mission is to highlight and support new and diverse filmmaking talent which may otherwise go unseen by UK audiences.
To highlight the diversity and talent on show at the festival, here are some of the films that will be featured:
- Pan’s Labyrinth (20th Anniversary 4k Restoration)
- Iron Boy
- Filipiñana
- Wicker
- The Red Hanger
- Ultimate Thunder
- Ben’Imana
- Sad Girlz
- Day of the Dead
- Heysel 85
The films will be shown at various venues across the city, including Vue Cinema, Everyman Cinema, Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds City Library, Cottage Road Cinema, and Mill Hill Chapel.
If you still need persuading to attend this excellent event, your LIFF 2026 pass also gives you access to exclusive discounts for some of the city’s best food, drink, social spots, and independent businesses. These include Bundobust, Belgrave Music Hall, Eat Your Greens, and Laynes.
The Leeds International Film Festival runs from 29th October -15th November. For the full event programme and ticket information, visit the official website here.
3. Todmorden Book Festival
Next on our list of best things to do in Yorkshire is another event for creative minds and those who love new ideas. The Todmorden Book Festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, activists, journalists, and artists for a series of talks, performances, and workshops.
There is an extensive programme throughout the festival, but here are some of the highlights:
Friday 6th November – Lee Child in Conversation
Lee Child is the award-winning author of the Jack Reacher series. He has written more than thirty Reacher novels and sold over one million copies to date. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours. (Todmorden Hippodrome, Friday 6th November, 7.30pm)
Saturday 7th November – Naz Shah – Survival, Strength and My Path to Politics
Labour MP for Bradford West since 2015. Her memoir, Honoured, explores her childhood, including being sent to Pakistan to escape her mother’s abusive partner, and forced into marriage at just 15 years old. It also details her mother’s 20-year jail sentence for the murder of her abuser and Naz’s campaign to reduce her sentence. (St Mary’s Church, 7.30pm)
Sunday 8th November – Frank Cottrell-Boyce In Conversation
Frank has had a highly varied and successful career which includes writing scripts for Dr Who, 24 Hour Party People, and Coronation Street, as well as supporting Danny Boyle in planning the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. He is also an award-winning children’s novelist. He will be discussing his book ‘A British Childhood ’, telling the story of his career and how life has changed for children since his own childhood in Liverpool in the 1960s. (Hippodrome Theatre, 7.30pm)
Thursday 12th November – Jeremy Hunt – Can We Be Rich Again?
Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Hunt MP was elected as a Conservative MP in 2005. He has served as Secretary of State for Health, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and Chancellor of the Exchequer. He also set up a charity helping AIDS orphans in Africa. His book ‘Can We Be Rich Again?’ discussed the radical growth policies needed to get Britain’s economy growing again. (St Mary’s Church, 7.30pm)
Running from the 6th November till the 15th November, the Tomorden Book Festival is the place to be for those who want to meet their favourite authors, discover new voices, or hear thought-provoking ideas. For the full programme and more information about tickets, visit the website here.
4. York Record Fair
The boom in vinyl records in recent years has seen people, young and old, wanting the pleasure of owning a physical copy of their favourite albums. The feel of the record, its sound and artwork are all part of the joy of collecting vinyls.
Well, if you fancy adding to your collection or looking to buy your first record, you need to head down to York Racecourse on Sunday 1st November. You will find around 70 sellers with over 200 tables. To highlight the scale of the fair, there’s about 200,000 records on display!
There will be music for all tastes, including heavy metal, indie, punk, jazz, classical, hip hop, reggae, soul, prog, good old Rock ‘n’ roll, and much more. There are rare pressings from years gone by alongside new releases. In addition to vinyl records, there will also be collectable CDs and 78s, posters, and music-related books.
If you love your music and want to discover a world of great artists, then visit the York Record Fair this November. It runs from 10am till 5pm, and tickets are available here.
5. Hull Comedy Festival
Looking for plenty of belly laughs this autumn? Well, get yourself down to Hull for its famous comedy festival. It has become one of the most popular events on the city’s calendar, bringing you award-winning comedians, local talent, and rising stars.
Running from 1st November to 15th November, there will be comedy for all tastes! There are family-friendly shows, stand-up, panel shows, sketch comedy, works in progress, variety, and so much more. The shows take place in venues throughout the city, including Jubilee Central, Polar Bear Music Club, Hull Truck Theatre, and The Brain Jar.
Just some of the acts appearing at Hull Comedy Festival 2026 include:
- Andrew O’Neill: The History of Punk (Polar Bear Music Club)
- The Assassination of Dan Coldbeck by The Coward Railroad Bill (The Brain Jar)
- Clinton Baptiste – Christmas Presence (New Walton Club)
- Frankie Monroe (Hull Truck Theatre)
- The Black Card Experience (Pop Up Space)
- Aidan Jones: Chopin’s Nocturne (Hull Truck Theatre)
- Larry Dean (Asylum)
Experience the Hull Comedy Festival 2026 and get ready for big laughs, aching sides, and happy tears. You can get more information about the full programme and how to get tickets here.
6. Barnsley Bright Nights
Next on our list of best things to do in Yorkshire takes us to South Yorkshire, which will be glowing this November as Barnsley Bright Nights returns for its ninth year. On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November, you will see incredible light installations, a magical atmosphere to get you in the mood for Christmas, and live performers all in Barnsley town centre.
What Can You See at Barnsley Bright Nights 2026?
12 Giant Days – Glass Box Square
This immersive projection installation was created by Illuminos and is inspired by the much-loved Christmas carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. You will watch swans, geese, gold rings, and other surprises fall from one present to the next in a fascinating display inspired by the movement of a giant zoetrope.
There’s more! You can also catch colourful pop-up performances from Global Grooves alongside local community groups, helping to bring the Twelve Days of Christmas to life.
Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November. 5pm to 8.30pm
Museum of the Moon – Barnsley College
Brought to you by UK artist Luke Jerram, the same artist behind Helios, which has recently been touring the country and Yorkshire. It is one of the artist’s most successful touring artworks and has been seen by 30 million people in over 40 countries, including India, Australia, China, and now right here in Barnsley.
Suspended from the ceiling, the moon measures six metres in diameter and features highly detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The work is accompanied by a meditative, atmospheric soundtrack from Ivor Novello and BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
The artwork invites you to pause and reflect on the moon’s great majesty and see why it has inspired so many artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and poets from around the world.
Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November. 5pm to 8.30pm
Voicenotes from Barnsley
The stunning Yorkshire Rose sculptures come to life with vibrantly lit and lovingly created voice notes made by and for the people of Barnsley.
It starts close to the earth with inspiring topics such as memories, places, family stories, and people. Gradually, each voice turns to dreams, ambitions, and hopes for the future.
This clever, inspiring, and often emotional artwork helps you understand more about the people who make this South Yorkshire town so special through the power of light and sound.
Discover more about the event at Visit Barnsley.
7. York Ghosts After Dark
The spooky fun is back, and it is bigger and more chilling than ever before. This year features 25 new ghosts joining the trail, making 70 unique ghostly sculptures to discover, all inspired by the city’s rich history. You will find them creeping throughout York Museum Gardens, Library Lawn, and King’s Manor Courtyard with a haunting background of smoke and sounds.
While you walk around, you will hear from live storytellers adding to the atmosphere and bringing the ghosts to life. These local guides are from some of York’s best-known horror attractions, including The Bloody Tour of York, Deathly Dark Tours, and the York Dungeon.
Make sure you check out the exclusive Night Market. Here you will find stalls from:
- JORVIK Viking Centre
- York Ghost Merchants
- Villains Rum
- Briathwaite Gallery
- Socktopus
- The Poetry Pharmacy
- The Bloody Tour of York
- The York Dungeon
- The Potions Cauldron
Get ready for some macabre fun and plenty of surprises lurking in the shadows. Ghosts After Dark returns from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th November. For more information about tickets, visit the York Bid website.
8. The Great Skipton Santa Fun Run
Our next addition on our list of best things to do in Yorkshire is something that will get you right in the mood for Christmas. Thousands of Santas are ready to descend on the picturesque market town, and you could join them.
The Great Skipton Santa Fun Run is back for its 17th year! The run started back in 2010, when 400 runners, joggers, and walkers completed the 5km route around the town. It has grown immensely since then and last year saw 2500 participants raise a total of £73,005!
This year’s edition will take place on Sunday 29th November. All abilities are welcome; you can run, walk, a mixture of both, or use a wheelchair. Children aged 6 years and above can take part. The route takes you around Skipton through Aireville Park and Skipton Woods before making your way to the finish line on Skipton High Street. There is also a 3km wheelchair- and walker-friendly route.
Entry fees are £22 for adults (£25 on the day). Children up to 16 are £10. Entry fees include a Santa T-shirt, hat, and commemorative medal. Charities who benefit from the run include Marie Curie Bradford and Sue Ryder Manorlands. So, not only are you getting festive and keeping fit, you are helping some great causes.
So, get your running shoes and your Santa hat on and join the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run this November. Discover how to enter here on their official website.
9. Celebrate Bonfire Night
Remember, remember the 5th November. Now, then, discussing the best things to do in Yorkshire in November, it would be remiss of us not to mention Bonfire Night. There is something magical about standing in a muddy field looking up at the sky in eager anticipation of the burst of fireworks to come. Or playing with sparklers while gathered round a magnificent, roaring bonfire. Then there’s the food: toffee apples, jacket potatoes, hot dogs, bonfire toffee, and pie and peas. Heaven!
Luckily, there is an abundance of bonfire and firework displays taking place throughout Yorkshire. Here are a few highlights:
- Driffield Firework Spectacular, Driffield Showground- 5th November
- Harrogate Stray Charity Bonfire & Fireworks – 7th November
- Beverley Fireworks Spectacular, Beverley RUFC – 3rd November
- ABBA Bonfire Bonanza, Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club – 6th November
- Festival of Fireworks, Club Doncaster – 5th November
- Huddersfield and District 68 Round Table Bonfire and Fireworks Display, DRAM Sports and Community Centre – 7th November
So, enjoy the fireworks, colours lighting up the sky, and plenty of treats and head down to a Bonfire Night event near you this November.
10. Christmas Light Trails
In the words of Bing Crosby… It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And thank God for that, because now the nights are dark and the air is chilly; we definitely needed a bit of festive cheer in our lives. Even the biggest Grinches among us can’t deny that there’s something magical about the festive season: the happy faces, family gatherings, the glittering lights – the latter of which might just be one of the most special parts of the whole thing – which is probably why Christmas light trails in Yorkshire for winter 2024 have become such a thing in recent years.
Transforming our parks and woodlands into enchanted spaces glittering with festive colours, illuminated trails are the perfect way to appease all of the family this winter – providing a sensory experience for the kids and a pretty walk for us grown-ups to admire, too. And luckily for us Yorkshire folk, there’s plenty taking place in God’s Own Country this Christmas. Here’s our picks of the best ones: 8 Of The Most Stunning Illuminated Walking Trails To Enjoy In Yorkshire This Winter
Explore More of the Best Things to Do in Yorkshire
The great thing about Yorkshire is that there are so many exciting activities to do all year round. Across the county, you’ll find events which cover so many interests – food and drink, walking, nature, current affairs, popular culture, literature, and so much more. We always keep our ear to the ground to bring you the best things to do in Yorkshire, so you can have memorable days out and holidays.
To keep up to date on what’s going on across Yorkshire, discover our travel and events sections for our latest guides.
Read More: 8 Of Best Hot Chocolates In Yorkshire You Need To Try This Autumn
