Christmas at York Castle Museum 2023!
Date: 30 November 2023
Christmas at York Castle Museum 2023!
The Victorian Kirkgate and Period Rooms reopen with a fanfare to celebrate Christmas 2023 with a magical yuletide experience at York Castle Museum. With activities for all ages, there’s something to get everyone into the festive spirit.
Included in general admission 8 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
Wander through our famous Victorian street, Kirkgate, as Christmas arrives with a sprinkling of festive snow on the historic cobbles. Enjoy the charming period trimmings that adorn the street and peek at an exciting range of historical decorations and objects, all from the museum’s collection, in our stunning shopfronts. With a variety of family friendly Christmas activities on offer, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
On selected dates throughout the holiday season Scrooge will appear on Kirkgate! Included with a general admission ticket, join us for a family-friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ festive novel A Christmas Carol. After-hours Scrooge will also return for an adult-only evening performances at an additional cost.
A Victorian green clad Father Christmas will be on Kirkgate welcoming visitors every weekend throughout December until Christmas. The Father Christmas of this time was known for bringing jollity, talking of food, feasting, games, dancing and songs. Visitors will be welcome to join in, and to make their own Christmas card.
On Sundays, including Christmas Eve, the cobbles will ring to the sound of carol singers singing traditional songs which will bring smiles to the faces and warm hearts even on the coldest of days.
As well as experiencing the Christmas cheer on Kirkgate, visitors can step back in time as they stroll through some of our popular Period Rooms, from a 17th century dining room to a Victorian worker’s cottage.
For younger children, the award-winning Story Craft Theatre will bring some cute Museum Mice to life with puppets, games and lots of fun for all the family followed by a craft activity on several weekdays.
The 2023 festive season continues into ‘betwixtmas’ with events running between 27 December and 6 January 2024, with performances sharing New Year traditions and the chance to make a New Year’s card ready to welcome in 2024.
This year’s Christmas offer is part of general admission to York Castle Museum, giving access to the museum for 12 months.
Scrooge performances:
9, 10, 16, 17, 18 and 23 December, four shows throughout the day (included in general admission).
19 December, evening adult-only shows (find out more and book here)
Green-clad Father Christmas:
9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 December four times a day
Christmas tails from the Museum mice and craft activities:
11 am and 1 pm 11, 13 and 20 December
Carol singers:
10, 17 and 24 December several times throughout the day
Betwixtmas activities:
28, 30 and 31 December and 2, 4 and 6 January four times a day
Please note that York Castle Museum will close early at 3 pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January 2024, with reopening 2 January.
For further information on the events and to book tickets, please visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
