Christmas Events at York Castle: A Very Yorkshire Christmas

About

Dates: 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026

York Castle Museum presents A Very Yorkshire Christmas, an immersive seasonal experience that explores over two centuries of festive traditions. Visitors can stroll through period settings, enjoy live music and performances, and watch historical cookery in the Castle Kitchen. Snowy scenes on Kirkgate, the celebrated Victorian street, create an evocative backdrop for a winter visit in York.

Highlights across the museum

Kirkgate, the Victorian street: Authentic seasonal décor, shop windows filled with Victorian Christmas objects from the museum collection, and a light dusting of snow on the cobbles.
Victorian carol singers: Traditional carols performed live every Monday.
Green Father Christmas: Meet the Victorian Green Father Christmas on selected dates, with games, songs and tales of winter feasts. A Kirkgate sleigh photo spot provides a keepsake of a nineteenth century Christmas.
Sunday Sounds: Festive tunes throughout the museum with The Ran Tanners and Paul the Historical Musician on Sundays in November and December.
Period rooms: Glimpses of seventeenth and eighteenth century Christmas décor, plus nostalgic touches in the 1940s and 1980s kitchens.
Castle Kitchen demonstrations: Live baking sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays from 15 November to 20 December, featuring Tudor and Georgian mince pie recipes, with samples when available and recipe cards to take home.
Sixties Street: Festive decorations, toys and seasonal songs inspired by the 1960s.

Seasonal performances and evening events

Scrooge, A Christmas Carol: One-man performances on Fridays from 21 November to 12 December.
An Evening with Ebenezer Scrooge: Wednesday 10 December, 18:30 to 20:30. £23 per person, includes a mince pie and mulled wine or a soft drink. Ages 16 and over, under 18s accompanied by an adult.
Ghost Stories for Christmas by Edwyrdian Tales: Sunday 14 December, 18:30 to 20:30. £15 per person. Suitable for ages 10 and over.

Family storytelling and drop in making

Storycraft Theatre: Tuesdays from 18 November to 16 December. Interactive 20 minute sessions featuring Ralf the Robin and friends. Suitable for under 5s.
Drop in Letterpress Cards with Thin Ice Press: Saturday 20 December, 10:30 to 15:30. Suitable for all ages.

Adult craft workshops

Materials and refreshments are provided for all workshops. Admission to York Castle Museum is included on the workshop day. Ages 16 and over, under 18s accompanied by an adult.

Festive Wreath Making: Saturday 22 November and Wednesday 10 December, 10:30 to 13:30. £30.00 per person.
Lino Printing, Festive Cards: Saturday 29 November, 10:30 to 13:30. £25.00 per person.
Letterpress Festive Crackers: Saturday 6 December, 10:30 to 13:30. £30.00 per person.
Lino Printing, Festive Decorations: Friday 12 December, 10:30 to 13:30. £25.00 per person.
Festive Marbling Baubles: Saturday 13 December, sessions at 11:00 to 12:00, 12:30 to 13:30, and 14:00 to 15:00. £25.00 per person.

Included in general admission

These activities are included with a general admission ticket. Times are advertised on the day at the museum.

Green Father Christmas

Appearing on Saturdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus Tuesday 23 December and Wednesday 24 December.

Dates: 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29 November, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24 December.

Victorian Carol Singers

Dates: 17, 24 November, 1, 7, 8, 15, 22 December.

Sunday Sounds

Dates: Every Sunday from 16 November to 21 December.

Scrooge

Dates: 21, 28 November, 5, 12 December.

Storycraft Theatre

Dates: 18, 25 November, 2, 9, 16 December. Suitable for under 5s.

Castle Kitchen, Historic Mince Pies

Dates: 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 November, 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 December.

Drop in Letterpress Cards

Date and time: Saturday 20 December, 10:30 to 15:30. Suitable for all ages.

Tales from the Trail with History Riot

Dates: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December, 2, 3 January.

Plan a visit

Venue: York Castle Museum
Dates: 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Opening hours: Mondays 11:00 to 17:00. Tuesdays to Sundays 10:00 to 17:00. Seasonal hours may apply, check the website for any updates.
Tickets and booking: Visit the York Castle Museum website for general admission and workshop bookings. See Christmas at the Castle for the full festive programme.
Gift shop: Seasonal ranges available, including a 2025 highlight, the bespoke Green Father Christmas bauble created for York Castle Museum.
Support: As a charity, income from admission and workshop tickets helps York Museums Trust care for its collections and buildings.