The Cross is back on the Chevin and school’s out for the next two weeks, so if you’re wondering what’s going on in Otley to keep them occupied, here’s a round-up of events and things to do over the holidays.

The Otley Green Fair
April 1 and 2, all day
Otley Courthouse
Visit the Fair to find out what’s happening locally and nationally in the campaigns to support biodiversity and combat climate change. There’ll be loads of stalls, including Otley 2030, Wildlife Friendly Otley, the Chevin Orchard Project, Wharfedale Beekeepers, Otley Men’s Shed, Otley Grow, Friends of Chevin Forest and more. There will also be a raffle of prizes from the like of SB Fruit and Veg, Underground Bakery, Like Nana Did, JR Sports, The Orchard Florist, Mardini Bistro and the Bookshop on the Square.
Free. See here for more

Easter Egg Hunt
April 1-8, all day
Kirkgate Arcade
The shop owners are not the only things hiding in the lovely Kirkgate Arcade. Menna Tansy Pearl has organised an Easter Egg hunt around the Victorian shopping centre. The eggs and chocolate coins will be hidden throughout the Kirkgate Arcade A fun event for children.

Harry Potter Movie nights
April 2, 9 and 16, times below
The Rookery, Kirkgate
If you’re a fan of the bespectacled wizard, The Rookery on Kirkgate has three eight-hour extravaganzas over the holidays showing all the films in order
April 2
Philosopher’s Stone (PG – 12:30pm)
Chamber Of Secrets (PG – 3:00pm)
Prisoner Of Azkaban (PG – 6:00pm)
April 9
Goblet Of Fire (12A – 12:30pm)
Order Of The Phoenix (12A – 3:00pm)
Half-Blood Prince (12A – 6:00pm)
April 16
Deathly Hallows Part I (12A – 12:30pm)
Deathly Hallows Part II (12A – 3:30pm)
From £3 per film. Series tickets also available. See here for more

Easter kids camps, dance and karate
Various dates
Soma, Kirkgate
Otley’s Kirkgate yoga studio and community space Soma has a number of events for children over the holidays, including two kids’ camps on Monday April 3 and Tuesday April 11. The first is three hours long and the second six. There are also regular karate and dance classes over the holidays.
See here for more, including times and prices

Claire’s website Half-term Zine Making Workshop (12-18 years)
April 4, 11am-1pm
Otley Courthouse
What’s a zine? A zine (pronounced ‘zeen’) is a self-published book or pamplet created in the tradition and spirit of DIY culture. Materials are provided. Join illustrator and zinester Claire O’Brien in a fun and informal introduction to zine making. She’ll offer participants everything they need to get started in creating and publishing their own zines.
Tickets cost £6, see here for more

Half-term Lino Cut Tote Bag Workshop (10-15 years)
April 14, 11am-2.30pm
Otley Courthouse
In this workshop local printmaker @silkaguy invites participants to make their own lino-cut designs which will be printed on tote bags.
In this session all materials will be provided and the experienced printmaker will guide participants through the stages to making their own reusable lino-cut design which will be printed onto tote bags using a variety of coloured inks.
Tickets cost £6, see here for more

Half-term Resin Jewellery Workshop (14-19 years)
April 14, 11am-2.30pm
Otley Courthouse
No previous experience necessary, this session is a chance for you to learn a new skill and make some beautiful jewellery using resin techniques. The workshop facilitator, Sasha uses dried flower and dyes inside the resin moulds- creating a vast variety of totally unique earrings which all give a big nod to Yorkshire’s local flowers and natural habitats.
Tickets cost £6, see here for more

Pirate Bonnie
April 15, 2pm
Otley Courthouse
Fidget Theatre present a welcoming, music-filled new play for 4-8 year-old pirates and their families. Pirate Bonnie is looking for treasure – but no ordinary treasure, for she is no ordinary Pirate. The treasures she seeks are stories, the long-lost stories of swashbuckling Pirates…
Tickets cost £11 adults, £9 kids, £35 for a family of four, see here for more

Buttercups Little Kingdom
Open all week
Westgate Arcade, Westgate
Buttercups is Otley’s soft play area catering from babies to pre-teens with play houses, sand pits and ball pools for the younger, to a role play area and play frame for older children. Comfy sofas and an on-site cafe mean mums, dads, guardians and friends can enjoy a meal and a cuppa while the children burn off some energy.
See here for more

Puffin Pottery
Open Tuesday-Saturday
2b Bondgate
Otley’s paint-your-own pottery studio sits in the heart of Otley and offers hundreds of pottery designs to choose from at a range of prices to suit every pocket. There are no studio fees or hidden charges and painted pottery can be glazed in the onsite kiln to be picked up a week later. The spacious, accessible studio also have a café serving hot and cold drinks, sweets and snacks.
See here for more, including opening times