Christmas at York Castle Museum 2026

Christmas at York Castle Museum

14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

Experience the magic of Christmas at York Castle Museum, where the snow has fallen, the carols have begun and Christmas Day is just one sleep away.

This festive season, take a journey through Christmases past.

Wander through our famous recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, transformed for Christmas with twinkling garlands, decorated trees and snow-covered cobbles. Hear festive music drifting through the street, encounter characters like Green Father Christmas and Ebenezer Scrooge, and immerse yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of a traditional Christmas Eve.

With storytelling and family activities, Christmas at York Castle Museum is one of York’s most atmospheric Christmas experiences.

Experience a Victorian Christmas in York

There is nowhere quite like Kirkgate at Christmas.

Explore the shops and snickets of Victorian York, dressed for the festive season, and discover how people celebrated Christmas Eve in years gone by.

Watch as familiar stories and characters bring the street to life. Meet Green Father Christmas, a figure familiar to the Victorians, bringing fun and joy to the Victorian street in his traditional long green cloak and enjoy family-friendly shows of the classic Dickens’ Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol, performed by Ebenezer Scrooge. Bah-humbug!

Get in the spirit as you listen to live renditions of festive music and Christmas carols, performed by the The Ran Tanners and Victorian Carol Singers, and get involved in festive craft activities, a relaxed pastime for all the family.

Performance dates and full programme details will be announced soon.

Christmas evenings at York Castle Museum

Looking for something unique to do in York this Christmas? As darkness falls, York Castle Museum will host a programme of special evening Christmas events for adults, back by popular demand.

Experience An Evening with Ebenezer Scrooge on the snow-covered cobbles of Kirkgate. This immerse and intimate one-man production of A Christmas Carol, accompanied with festive refreshments, brings the magic of a much-loved Dickens classic to life

Embrace a darker side of Christmas with Ghost Stories for Christmas, a storytelling performance by Edwyrdian Tales. Expect an evening of haunting ghost stories set during Christmastide, featuring haunting tales inspired by classic writers including M.R. James and Marjorie Bowen.

Evening event dates and booking information will be announced soon.

Things to do in York at Christmas

Whether you’re planning a festive day out, visiting York for a Christmas break or looking for something special to do with family and friends during the festive season, Christmas at York Castle Museum offers a chance to escape the bustle of December and step into Christmases past.

Explore the museum, enjoy the festive atmosphere and visit our gift shop for seasonal gifts and souvenirs. Don’t miss our bespoke Green Father Christmas bauble, designed especially for York Castle Museum, the perfect souvenir to remember your visit.

Experience the magic of a traditional Christmas at York Castle Museum this winter.