Date: Thursday 11 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Thursday 11 December 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: Friday 12 December 2025, 10:30 am-1:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Musuem

Lino Printing Workshop: Festive Decorations
Friday 12 December 2025 | 10.30am – 13:30pm | £25pp* | Book Here

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Date: Friday 12 December 2025, 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Friday 12 December 2025 | 12:30pm – 12:55pm, 3:30pm – 3:55pm and 4:00pm – 4:25pm | Included in general admission – Book Now

This 25-minute family-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol will run every Friday from 21 November until 12 December, with performances at 12:30, 3:30pm and 4:00pm.

Join Ebenezer Scrooge on Kirkgate for a journey of redemption, generosity and joy, in an immersive one-man show of the classic Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol.

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Date: Saturday 13 December 2025, 12:00 am-11:59 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Festive Marbling Baubles
Saturday 13 December 2025 | 11.00am – 12:00 noon, 12.30pm – 1:30pm and 2:00pm – 3:00pm | £25pp* | Book Here

*Materials and tools are provided and no experience is necessary. Refreshments are included. Ticket includes admission to York Castle Museum on the date of the workshop.

Make your own one-of-a-kind ornaments with unique and beautiful patterns using inks and water. Experiment with different colours and patterns and leave the workshop with a set of colourful Christmas decorations — the perfect addition to your festive décor or gift for a loved one!

Your ceramic baubles will take twenty minutes to marble and the same time to fully dry – why not explore the museum as you wait?

Ages 16+ (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult).

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Date: Saturday 13 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Castle Kitchen – Mince Pies
Saturday 13 December 2025 | Demonstrations throughout the day | Included in general admission – Book Now

Join us in the Castle Kitchen for mince pie making. Demonstrations of Tudor and Georgian mince pie recipes will run throughout the day on Thursdays and Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.

Recipes will also be available to take home so you can have a go yourself over the festive period!

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Date: Saturday 13 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Saturday 13 December 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 14 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday Sounds: Paul the Historical Musician
Sunday 14 December 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 Christmas tunes throughout the day from Paul the Historical Musician.

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

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Date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Ghost Stories for Christmas by Edwyrdian Tales
Sunday 14 December 2025 | 7.00pm – 8:30pm | £15pp | Book Here

Join Edwyrdian Tales for an evening of haunting ghost stories set during Christmastide. Featuring bone-chilling tales from classic authors of the age including M.R. James and Marjorie Bowen, this live storytelling performance is sure to conjure the spirits of Christmas.

Not suitable for children under 10 years of age. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

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Date: Monday 15 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Monday 15 December 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 in the mood.

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

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Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Storycraft Theatre: Ralph the Robin’s Christmas Party
Tuesday 16 December 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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