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Step Back in Time to Celebrate Christmas at the Castle

FOR 2015 Christmas events see:

Christmas at the Castle 2015

27 November – 24 December 2014

Come along to York Castle Museum for a whole month of festive fun!

Meet Father Christmas

Toy Gallery, 6 – 7 Dec and 13 – 24 Dec 2014
Appearances at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm (times may vary on Christmas Eve)

Meet Father Christmas in our festive Toy Gallery and write your Christmas wish in the Big Book of Christmas.

A Christmas Carol: Scrooge

Kirkgate, 24 Dec 2014, 11am – 2.30pm

Back by popular demand, special Christmas Eve drop-in performances of Scrooge on our beautifully decorated Victorian street, Kirkgate.

Miserable Mr Tackleton’s Christmas

6th and 7th December 13th – 23rd December 2014 – Performances between 11.00am and 4.00pm

Meet miserable Mr Tackleton the Toy Maker from Charles Dickens’ Christmas story The Cricket on the Hearth, who hates children as much as he hates making toys! Follow his story as he discovers some Victorian Christmas cheer!

Traditional Victorian Chocolates

6 December 2014 2pm-5pm

Come to the Castle Kitchen this Christmas to create a really special festive gift with Sophie Jewett from York Cocoa House.

In this practical workshop you will discover the techniques behind Terry’s traditional Victorian Fancy Fondant Creams, and have a go at producing your own chocolates to take home.

£25 per person. Includes admission.

To book a place ring York Museums Trust on 01904 687633.

Christmas Gingerbread Decorations

29 – 30 Nov, 7 Dec, 13 – 14 Dec and 20, 22 & 23 Dec 2014

Discover how gingerbread was made and used to decorate Christmas trees. You may even have the chance to sample some yourself!

Victorian Christmas Experience

16 – 20 Dec 2014, 5pm – 7.30pm
Hour-long tours starting every half hour

A unique and magical Christmas evening for all the family in our recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate.

Meet the people of Victorian York as they make their Christmas preparations, find the items on your Christmas shopping list, learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, and join in with singing carols – if you sing loud enough then Father Christmas might just make an appearance!

£7.50 per child and £6 per adult

Price includes museum admission, shopping list gifts, present from Father Christmas for children, and coffee and mince pies (juice and biscuits for children).

Ticketed event – to book a place please ring York Museums Trust on 01904 687633.

Click here to download the Christmas at the Castle flyer.

Your Comments

  1. Helen |

    A question, if we book for Victorian Christmas Experience, do we pay the fee for that plus the entrance fee to the castle?

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hello Helen

      Thanks for your enquiry. The price for entry for the special Victorian Christmas Experience includes the admission to the Museum so you don’t need to pay an additional fee.

      We look forward to seeing you.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  2. Abigail |

    Hi
    Do I need to book for the Scrooge performance on Christmas eve, and are there any specific timings involved? Also is it free to York card holders?
    Thanks

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hi Abigail

      Thanks for your enquiry. You don’t need to book a place for the Scrooge performance, there are drop in performances between 11am-2.30pm and yes, entry to the museum is free with a valid York Card.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  3. Mrs Susan Richardson |

    Hello, I’d like to come into the museum etc, when I come through on the 30th November, how much is th cost of getting into all parts of the museum and Xmas event?

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hello Susan,

      Thanks for your enquiry. The price of admission is £9.50 per adult and children go free. This ticket allows you to visit the whole of the museum including the Victorian Street, Kirkgate. We also offer a Two for £12 ticket which entitles you to visit the Yorkshire Museum as well.

      Be sure to check our Christmas at the Castle Leaflet for details of what activities are scheduled for the 30th November. Click here to view the leaflet.

      Many thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  4. Dorothy dixon |

    Looking to bring our grandson who is 8yrs on 20tg dec do we need to book for the Victorian experience separate to entry to the museum ,

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hello Dorothy

      Thank you for your enquiry. The prices for admission to the Victorian Christmas Experience are £6.00 per adult and £7.50 per child (price includes a gift for the children). Your admission to the museum is included in this price but please be aware that, whilst the Victorian Street area is open, not all of the museum exhibits will be open during this event as it falls outside regular visiting hours.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  5. Shaun Gilder |

    We travelled an hour to get to the 11am Museum Monkeys Christmas Special. We queued in the traffic, paid to park (£4) only to be told it was not on today. We had pre-booked this and you had our information. You should have contacted us. We have a very disappointed little boy who was expecting to meet Santa. You have not even mentioned the cancellation on your website. Dreadful.

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hi Shaun.

      Thanks for getting in touch. I’m incredibly sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience over the weekend. On our behalf I would like to apologise, this is not acceptable and you should indeed have been notified as soon as the event was cancelled.

      We do not like to hear that any of our visitors have such a disappointing experience so please leave this with me and I will investigate further and email you directly once I have had the opportunity to look into the matter.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-Ordinator

  6. Monica |

    Hello,
    I was wondering if Santa is visiting on weekdays or the weekends only?

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hi Monica

      Thanks for your enquiry. Father Christmas is now due to be appearing everyday from now until Christmas Eve at the following times: 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm.

      We hope you can join us.

      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  7. Martin Sheldrick |

    Hi, we will be visiting on 21st or 22nd December will Father Christmas be meeting children individuallly? Thanks.

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hi Martin

      Thanks for your enquiry. Yes, there will be the opportunity for children to meet Father Christmas individually as well as write their wishes in the Bog Book of Christmas. He will be appearing on both 21st & 22nd at the following times: 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm.

      We look forward to seeing you.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  8. Angela Nicholson |

    Hi

    im wanting to bring my children to see santa…..do I have to book or is it a case of turn up on the day.

    Thanks in advance

    angela

    1. Mike Linstead |

      Hi Angela

      Thanks for your enquiry, there is no need to book, you just need to turn up on the day. This event is also included in the regular admission price to the Museum so there is no extra charge.

      Father Christmas is appearing everyday from now until Christmas Eve at the following times: 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm.

      Please note however that times may vary for Christmas Eve, as we expect a lot of demand on this day.

      Thanks,
      Mike Linstead
      E-Communications Co-ordinator

  9. Sarah Parker |

    Is the mr tackletons Christmas something we have to book and is there an extra charge. We have York cards?