Welcome to An Otley Advent-ure, the online home of Christmas 2021 in Otley.
This year we’re encouraging visitors and residents alike to discover as much of Otley as they can over the Christmas period. That’s why we’ve created the Otley Advent-ure Calendar: 25 suggested things to do in and around the town.
You may have a paper copy of the calendar as found in the latest edition of Otley Matters – or you can download and print your own calendar here.
All you then have to do is tick off as many adventures as you can throughout the Christmas period for the chance to enter our prize draw to win the entire Cooplands Christmas range!
We know everyone won’t be able to do them on our suggested dates so feel free to change the days around as you please. Then submit a photograph of your calendar to [email protected] by December 28 at 5pm for the chance to be entered into the draw. Entrants must be aged 18 and over and give their name, address and contact details for the chance to win.
To help you complete the calendar, we’ve completed a list of suggestions below. Good luck and a Merry Christmas to you all…
Kindly sponsored by
Wednesday, 1 December 2021
Listen to this year’s Visit Otley Christmas Song, Christmas in a Northern Market Town by Jen Pugh and Richard Sabey of Woolpack Studios. You can see the video for the film above too!
Thursday, 2 December 2021
After a year off for Covid-19, the Otley Snowman Trail is back this year.
See https://otleysnowmantrail.weebly.com/
Friday, 3 December 2021
Every year some lights will have gone on the tree or you’ll need some new baubles. Pick them up from one of our shops.
Yorkshire Trading Company
JBM
Original Factory Shop
Saturday, 4 December 2021
The first weekend in December is an ideal time to put up your tree, so head out and choose one (and a wreath) from one of our fab retailers. Suggestions include
Stephen Smiths
Courtyard Planters
Russell Farm, Leeds Road has trees grown on the farm. Pick one up or cut your own down!
Sunday, 5 December 2021
Today is the first of two Super Sunday openings (the other is December 19 alongside Farmers Market Day. Today a host of shops will be open for you to pick up presents and there will be carol singing in the town. There will also be other carol performances on Saturdays and Sundays in December.
Monday, 6 December 2021
Grab your crackers. Pop into one of our supermarkets to get your crackers.
Asda
Sainsbury
Waitrose
Tuesday, 7 December 2021
Do some present shopping at any one of our amazing shops.
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
It’s not Christmas without a decent pudding so pick one up from our legendary chocolatier Patisserie Viennoise or one of the other shops on town
Thursday, 9 December 2021
Take a stroll on the Chevin – there’s plenty of holly up there.
Friday, 10 December 2021
Buy some sweet treats
Saturday, 11 December 2021
Donate something to charity to help others less fortunate. Here at Visit Otley, we are particularly fond of Otley Food Bank and it’s there that profits from this year’s Christmas single will go.
Sunday, 12 December 2021
Here in Otley, Santa comes early in the form of Santa’s Grotto at Stephen Smiths. Ran by Otley Lions and at the garden centre on weekends from November 27 until December 19, it costs £6 which includes a present and badge. £3 per visit goes to a local charity.
Monday, 13 December 2021
Weather getting you down? January is the best time to book a holiday, so why not dream ahead by visiting one of our travel agents.
Tuesday, 14 December 2021
We may not have a Guiding Star, but if it’s clear tonight and you look up, you may see the Geminids meteor shower. The shower can be seen from December 4-17 with the most sightings (around 120/hour) is said to be on the 13th and 14th.
Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Get some traditional mince pies… Bondgate Bakery is the place to go!
Thursday, 16 December 2021
Love a cheese board? Two of our new additions may be able to help. Simon & Becky has a fab cheese counter, or you could pick up delicious and award-winning Italian cheeses, made right here in Otley at Yorkshire Pecorino.
Friday, 17 December 2021
It’s Friday, it’s the weekend and you’ve done most of the things you need to. Why not let someone else take the strain by visiting one of our restaurants or pubs.
Saturday, 18 December 2021
Traditional shows are part of the fabric of Christmas, so why not take in the Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Beastly Belle at the Courthouse today?
Sunday, 19 December 2021
It’s the final Farmers’ Market of the year, so pick up some sprout trees and other veg from one of the excellent stalls. Remember, it’s also the second Super Sunday opening of the festive season so many shops will be open, while there is also the Bay Horse Bazaar (every Sunday in December) for great individual gifts.
Monday, 20 December 2021
You’ll no doubt have had a whole heap of stuff dropped off over the last few weeks. Take some of it to be recycled today.
Tuesday, 21 December 2021
Missing any vegetables for the Christmas table? It’s regular market day today, plus there’s O’Fresh and Simon & Becky grocers too!
Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Don’t leave it until the last minute. Today is a great day to get your presents wrapped up.
Thursday, 23 December 2021
You want your bird and your other meat to be nice and fresh, so pick them up today from one of our butchers.
Friday, 24 December 2021
With one day to go, it’s an ideal time to take in one of the services at our churches. Some suggestions include
Otley Parish Church
Our Lady & All Saints
Otley Methodist Church
The Bridge Church
Beech Hill Church
Saturday, 25 December 2021
Presents, eat, drink, sleep, repeat…