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Helmsley Arts Centre

Helmsley
Courtesy of Helmsley Arts Centre

WHERE

Helmsley

What it’s like

Panto, youth theatre, cinema screenings and holiday workshops in one Helmsley venue, with a small gallery to wander round beforehand.

This is Helmsley's spot for a proper night or afternoon out: theatre productions, cinema screenings, workshops and classes, plus half-term and holiday activities when school's out. There's youth theatre too, so if your child fancies being on stage rather than watching from a seat, that's covered, and pantomime season brings the family shows out in force.

Family tickets cover 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children, where the show allows it, and under-18s often get a special price on family shows. Book by phone or in person and there's no extra charge; book online and you'll pay £1.50 per ticket, which feels like a fee for the privilege of not queuing. Group bookings get a decent deal too: buy 10 tickets and the 11th is free.

Worth knowing before you commit: tickets are non-refundable unless the event itself is cancelled or rescheduled, though you can exchange for a different performance of the same show. There's a small exhibition space open a few days a week if you fancy a look round before the show starts, and toilets on site for the interval scramble.

Parking is pay and display at Helmsley Market Square, free outside 9am to 6.30pm, so an evening show usually means free parking once you factor in the hours. There's disabled parking at the centre itself but you need to reserve it by phone first.

What’s on here

Facilities

Toilets

Need to know

Booking
Online booking available with £1.50 per ticket fee
Parking
Pay and Display at Helmsley Market Square, Mon-Sun 9am-6:30pm
  • Book by phone or in person to dodge the £1.50 per ticket online fee
  • Buy 10 tickets and the 11th is free for group bookings
  • Market Square parking is free outside 9am to 6.30pm
  • Disabled parking at the centre needs booking ahead by phone
  • The exhibition space keeps different hours to the box office, so check which days it's open

Plan your visit

Do we need to book in advance?

Booking isn't compulsory but for popular shows like pantomime it's sensible. Book by phone or face to face to skip the £1.50 online booking fee per ticket.

Is there a family ticket?

Where a show offers one, it covers 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children. Most family shows also have a special under-18s price.

Can we get a refund if plans change?

Tickets can't be refunded unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled, though you can exchange for a different performance of the same show. Friends of HAC get a bit more flexibility, with credit available if returned 48 hours before the show.

Where do we park?

Helmsley Market Square is pay and display 9am to 6.30pm, free outside those hours. There's also disabled parking at the centre itself, but you'll need to call ahead to reserve it.

Is there anything for younger children in the holidays?

Yes, there are half-term and holiday activities alongside the usual workshops and classes.

Can we see anything besides theatre?

The centre also runs cinema screenings and has a small exhibition space open a few days a week.

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