CALENDAR OF EVENTS

RAID TAN HILL: The New Year kicks off with a visit to England's highest pub by some 80 Citroen 2CV cars and 300 members of Les Hiboux, the 2CV Owners' Club of Leeds.
If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday then the event takes place the following Sunday (the 8th).

THREE PEAKS FELL RACE: A 23 mile race, starting and finishing at Horton In Ribblesdale. Taking in Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough this arduous run involves over 4000 feet of ascent and descent. Other fell runs take place in the Yorkshire Dales and neighbouring Lake District.

TAN HILL OPEN SWALEDALE SHEEP SHOW: The busiest day at Tan Hill Inn. Here breeders and farmers showcase the local breed of sheep, the Swaledale which can fetch up to half a million pounds for a ram. The 2001 and 2002 events were cancelled due to a major outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease but has since resumed, enthusiasm unwaned.

SWALEDALE FESTIVAL: Music and the arts come to the Northern Dales during this well-publiscised cultural event where you may come across string quartets performing in a field and musicians on fells. Arts, crafts, theratical performances, and live music from folk to classical can be enjoyed throughout Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

KETTLEWELL SCRAECROW FESTIVAL: The Wharfedale village of Kettlewell comes to life for two weeks every August with a myriad of scarecrows, many of which have a topical theme depending on current world events. A trail (leaflets available) takes in all the scarecrows which often number over fifty.

KILNSEY SHOW AND SPORTS: Taking place the day after Summer Bank Holiday Monday (which is the last Monday of every August), this is the biggest event in the Yorkshire Dales Calendar featuring a wide range of animals, demonstrations, entertainment and local produce as well as competitions and a fell run.

THE SWALEDALE SHOW: Another event, along similar lines to the Kilnsey Show, this takes place at Muker. In September 2005 it celebrated it's one hundredth show. Other shows take place in various dales and villages at around this time of year.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS take place throughout the summer months and at the various shows in the Yorkshire Dales. A sheep dog demonstration is held at Hawes every Thursday during the high season. The English National Sheepdog Trials took place in Kirkby Lonsdale in 2006

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE AND FRIENDS make regular appearances during the Spring and Summer Bank Holidays.
SANTA SPECIALS run from late November up until Christmas. The railway is open every Sunday throughout the year.