October 30 2018

Reserve your place to experience the award-winning magic of a Victorian Christmas this festive season at York Castle Museum, with online tickets on sale from Saturday 27 October.

Visitors are invited to the Victorian Christmas Experience (17 Nov – 31 Dec) to take a stroll along the cobbles of our twinkling Victorian street; Kirkgate. Meet our Victorian residents and see their shop windows dressed for the festive season to experience how Christmas was celebrated 150 years ago.

As part of our Father Christmas Experience (select dates from 17 Nov- 24 Dec), visitors can meet our wonderful Father Christmas and discover the magic of Christmas past.

This includes a special Christmas trail, festive activities and gingerbread making demonstrations, which all lead to an unforgettable visit to Father Christmas who is waiting in ‘Elf School’ with a traditional gift.

Also new for 2018, York Castle Museum will be opening its doors after hours for unforgettable Evenings with Father Christmas, where visitors can step in from the cold wintery nights for a truly unique twilight experience. These take place on Thursdays, from 29 November – 20 December, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

Sarah Yates, assistant curator of history – learning, said: “We have been busy behind the scenes getting ready for the best Christmas yet at York Castle Museum. With our beautiful decorated street, Father Christmas, gingerbread making and performances of A Christmas Carol, we are also opening on selected Thursday evenings to tie in with late night shopping in the city. It is the perfect place to step back in time to soak up the atmosphere and festivities of Christmases past.”

Last year’s activities received fantastic feedback from visitors and won the Little Vikings Award for Best Christmas Experience.

Polly Bennett, Founder of Little Vikings, said: “We were delighted that York Castle Museum won the Best Christmas Experience Little Vikings Award. With festive activities, a fun Father Christmas and a sprinkle of Victorian Christmas magic, it’s no wonder that it has become a Christmas tradition for so many families.”

Following the popularity of the Christmas activities, this year extra dates and times have been added and online ticketing has been introduced for the first time to guarantee that special visit with Father Christmas.

Now in his tenth year, Chris Cade will be back to entertain the crowds with his immersive one-man show of A Christmas Carol on selected days, with an added special evening event for adults on December 14th to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Dickens classic.

To find out more visit: www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/christmas

Please note: Tickets can only be booked online for the Evenings with Father Christmas and A Christmas Carol by visiting www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/christmas