Date: Friday 31 October 2025, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Stories Alive in the Cells
31 October 2025 | Available throughout the day| Included in general admission – Book Now 

Brand new for October 2025, get involved with immersive performances inviting visitors to play judge and jury, deciding the fate of some of York Castle Prison’s most famous historical felons such as Dick Turpin and Mary Bateman. Join Eden from Stories Alive in York Castle Prison to hear mystifying and peculiar real-life stories in the authentic prison cells. 

*11:00am, 12:00 noon, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Drop-in performances, suitable for all ages.

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Date: Saturday 1 November 2025, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Saturday 1 November 2025 | Throughout the day | Included in general admission 

Watch live cooking demonstrations throughout the day in our studio kitchen.

This October half term, we’re making Soul Cakes, a small cake with sweet spices traditionally made for Halloween. These treats are a symbol of community and remembrance in Christian traditions, used as offerings to commemorate the dead. Tasters may be available if you’re lucky!

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Date: Saturday 1 November 2025, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Stories Alive in the Cells
1 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Brand new for October 2025, get involved with immersive performances inviting visitors to play judge and jury, deciding the fate of some of York Castle Prison’s most famous historical felons such as Dick Turpin and Mary Bateman. Join Eden from Stories Alive in York Castle Prison to hear mystifying and peculiar real-life stories in the authentic prison cells. 

*11:00am, 12:00 noon, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Drop-in performances, suitable for all ages.

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Date: Sunday 2 November 2025, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

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Date: Saturday 15 November 2025, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Saturday 15 November 2025 | Throughout the day | Included in general admission 

Watch live cooking demonstrations throughout the day in our studio kitchen.

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Date: Saturday 15 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Saturday 15 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Father Christmas returns to York Castle Museum every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 15 November until Christmas Eve, and Tuesday 23 December, with an array of performances throughout the day.

A figure the Victorians will have known well, Father Christmas will be dressed in his traditional long green cloak greeting visitors on Kirkgate, bringing fun and jollity to all. Come along with friends and family to talk to him about food and feasting, games, dancing and songs, as well as his many different guises, companions and transport across the world!

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

Please note, this is not a meet Santa experience.

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Date: Sunday 16 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday Sounds: The Ran Tanners
Sunday 16 November 2025 | Throughout the day | Included in general admission – Book Now

Enjoy live carols and tunes throughout the museum every Sunday from 16 November until 21 December 2025.

Get in the festive spirit with live, energetic performances of carols and tunes throughout the day from The Ran Tanners.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

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Date: Monday 17 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Monday 17 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Victorian Carol Singers will perform every Monday from 17 November until 22 December, with performances throughout the day.

Get in the festive spirit and experience Christmas tradition with Same Difference Arts with their atmospheric live performances on Kirkgate.

Inspired by traditional Christmas carols, performances will feature classic ditties from the period including ‘O, Christmas Tree’, ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Hark the Herald’, certain to get everyone in the festive mood.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

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Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Storycraft Theatre: Ralph the Robin’s Christmas Party
Tuesday 18 November 2025 | 10:30am – 10:50am, 11:15am – 11:35am, 12:30pm – 12:50pm | Included in general admission – Book Now

Storycraft Theatre’s live storytelling experience will run every Tuesday from 18 November until 16 December, with 20-minute performances throughout the day at 10:30am, 11:15am and 12:30pm.

Story Craft Theatre return to York Castle Museum with another festive tale. Ralf the Robin is planning the biggest Christmas party ever, but he can’t do it without all his friends. This magical storytelling experience is support by Makaton signs and puppetry.

Suitable for under 5’s, children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 19 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Father Christmas returns to York Castle Museum every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 15 November until Christmas Eve, and Tuesday 23 December, with an array of performances throughout the day.

A figure the Victorians will have known well, Father Christmas will be dressed in his traditional long green cloak greeting visitors on Kirkgate, bringing fun and jollity to all. Come along with friends and family to talk to him about food and feasting, games, dancing and songs, as well as his many different guises, companions and transport across the world!

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

Please note, this is not a meet Santa experience.

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