Date: 20 October 2026

Making every day feel like Christmas Eve at York Castle Museum 

14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 

 Every day of the winter season will be just like Christmas Eve at York Castle Museum! The museum will be frozen in time, on the night before Christmas, capturing the heart-warming excitement of Victorian Christmas celebrations. 

Create memories to last a lifetime at York Castle Museum, generations of families have visited the iconic Victorian Street, walked across the snow dusted cobbles and perhaps met Father Christmas clad in his traditional green attire for a truly Yorkshire Christmas.  

Live inside Christmases past and marvel at the grand tree and twinkling garlands along Kirkgate whilst browsing all sorts of festive goods in Victorian shop fronts and experience traditions from seventeenth and eighteenth-century feasts displayed across historical dining rooms, to Victorian parlours and twentieth century decorations. From designers Spatial Projects, and new for 2026, Kirkgate comes alive with shadows and silhouettes of the street’s residents preparing for Christmas, decorating their trees and sharing a mistletoe kiss. Frosty decorations down hidden snickets make the scene one of yuletide joy. 

Familiar favourite, Ebeneezer Scrooge, returns for the much-loved rendition of Dickens’ iconic seasonal tale ‘A Christmas Carol’, in one-man performances throughout November and December, including an exclusive evening event for adults. 

Music makes the season, with a favourite carol or nostalgia for a classic CD playing in grandma’s kitchen bringing back memories of Christmases past. York Castle Museum has all eras covered from folk classics and carol singers filling Kirkgate with traditional songs on selected days to the Swinging Sixties Gallery where iconic Christmas tunes from the decade will be playing. Even the recreated kitchen displays get a festive makeover with 1980s Christmas foodie favourites and chart-topping music. 

Carla Starkey, Immersive Interpretation Producer at York Castle Museum said, “We are so excited for Christmas this year at York Castle Museum, making every day feel like the night before Christmas. We really wanted to capture the excitement that many people feel, the gifts, the food, the traditions of Victorian England, some of which we still do today. There will be performances, extra goodies in the shop windows on Kirkgate to spot and of course the new decorations from Spatial Projects to give visitors a sense of what might be going on behind the Kirkgate doors in preparation for Christmas and get everyone in the festive spirit.” 

Special events such as Edwyrdian Tales, a night of truly traditional Victorian ghost stories and guided craft workshops will also take place throughout the season, allowing visitors to create their own wreath and greeting cards to take home a piece of festive decor. 

More details on the events that are included in general admission and how to book onto special events and workshops are now available on York Castle Museum’s website. Book general admission tickets to secure the Christmas magic online at www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk