Go Car-Free This Christmas…
Christmas in Calderdale is magical—twinkling lights, festive markets, and cosy pubs tucked away in the hills. But let’s be honest: the roads can feel anything but. Between last-minute shopping trips, family visits, and winter weather, driving can quickly turn into a stress-fest.
So, what if this year, we gave ourselves (and Calderdale) a break from the car?
Why Consider Leaving the Car at Home?
- Traffic jams steal your time – Nobody wants to spend Christmas Eve stuck on the A646 when they could be sipping mulled wine.
- Parking headaches – Spaces near our market town centres vanish faster than mince pies at a family party.
- Cleaner air for everyone – Fewer cars mean fresher air in our valleys, which is a gift that lasts past December!
But what are the alternatives? We’ve put together some of the other options for getting around Calderdale this Christmas…
Hebden Bridge Park & Ride
There are very limited parking spaces in Hebden Bridge, especially during the Christmas period! But fear not – the Park & Ride at Mytholmroyd train station is BACK, making it easy for you to leave the car at home! For all 4 weekends up till Christmas, the Park & Ride will take you to Hebden Bridge and back, for a fee per car of £4.50 to cover costs, with 10% of proceeds going to Calder Food Support, and contactless payment taken on the bus.
Park & Ride Dates for Your Diary (Saturdays & Sundays, 10am – 5pm)
November 29th & 30th – Calderdale Markets Hebden Bridge Christmas Market
December 6th & 7th – Hebden Bridge Open Studios
December 13th & 14th – Merrymaker Festival with Handmade Productions (more info to come!)
December 20th & 21st – Last Minute Christmas shopping!
Top Tips:
- Don’t miss Mytholmroyd: Whilst in Mytholmroyd drop into to the award winning Blue Teapot and try something tasty from their extensive vegetarian menu, or call into the Pink Pepper and enjoy a delicious meal after a busy day shopping!
- Take a stroll: Walking from Mytholmroyd train station to Hebden Bridge is a pleasant journey along the canal towpath, taking about 30 minutes and offering scenic views of the Calder Valley.
Christmas On The Calder Valley Line
Calderdale’s rail links are great for festive trips from Leeds or Manchester, as well as providing a quick way to travel between our market towns. With Christmas market taking place all over the Borough on the 28th and 29th November, why not make a day of it and hop off at a few?
- Todmorden Market Christmas Market on Friday 28th November, from 5-9pm
- Brighouse Christmas Market on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November
- The Hebden Bridge Christmas Market on Saturday 29th and 30th November
Travel by rail, and you’ll also be treated to live choir performances taking place at Calderdale’s railway stations that weekend, see details below.
Friday 28th November
10pm — Todmorden Choral Society @ Todmorden Station
Saturday 29th November
11am — Orange Box Choir @ Halifax Station
12. 30pm — Orange Box Choir @ Brighouse Station
2pm — Orange Box Choir @ Hebden Bridge Station
Catch the ‘Brontë Bus’
Did you know you can catch the bus between Haworth and Hebden Bridge using the aptly named ‘Brontë Bus’? Both locations are simply magical at Christmas, but with limited parking space, the Brontë Bus is the perfect solution for visitors. The route takes you through stunning Brontë Country landscapes, linking Haworth’s cobbled streets, twinkling lights, and the Brontë Parsonage Museum with Hebden Bridge’s artistic vibe, independent shops, and scenic walks. Seasonal events like torchlight parades, cosy pubs with roaring fires, and unique Christmas markets make both towns a must-visit in winter.
Find Christmas Events in Haworth
Find Christmas Events in Hebden Bridge
It’s All Part of the Experience!
This Christmas, we hope you enjoy your journey as much as the destination! Enjoy ‘hopping on’ and ‘hopping off’ the train, catch festive performances at railway stations, enjoy scenic bus rides and refreshing walking routes, or simply use the travel time to catch up on your cheesiest Christmas playlist! 😉 Check National Rail or West Yorkshire Metro for up to date schedules.
You can find all the latest updates on Christmas in Calderdale here.
