Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026–Thursday 24 December 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Kirkgate Talks
Daily
11.30am and 2pm
Included in general admission 

Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world in this insightful talk.

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Wednesday 14 October 2026–Thursday 24 December 2026, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Cells Talks 
Daily 
11.30am and 2.30pm 
Included in general admission 

Discover the history of York Castle Prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Wednesday 21 October 2026–Sunday 3 January 2027, 11:00 am-10:30 pm
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Wednesday 21 October 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
11 am – 9 pm Sunday to Thursday | 11 am – 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday | Free

York’s most festive venue returns to York Museum Gardens! Thor’s Tipi is bringing roaring log fires, live music and winter warmers to our historic botanical gardens throughout the festive season.

For more information and the full programme of events, please see Thor’s Tipi’s website.

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Dates: Thursday 5 November 2026–Sunday 29 November 2026, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Classroom: The 3 R’s
Daily, Thursday 5 November until Sunday 29 November 2026 | 12.30pm – 1pm and 3pm – 3.30pm  (2 x 15 minute sessions)
Included in general admission 
Suitable for all ages 

Join our Victorian school teacher to experience a real school lesson from the past in our Board School. You’ll take part in a short teaching on the 3 R’s – reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. Don’t be late to class!

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Dates: Friday 13 November 2026–Sunday 3 January 2027, All Day
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Friday 13 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
45-minute sessions throughout the day
Tickets from £12 | Book Tickets
York Museum Gardens, located directly behind York Art Gallery

New for 2026,THOR’S is bringing a covered ice rink to the heart of York Museum Gardens. Get wrapped up and skate on real ice with family and friends, then warm up on the brand-new Alpine Terrace with a mulled wine or hot chocolate or enjoy a festive feast featuring a viral Irish Spice Bag, followed by a Crumble Pot for dessert. There’s no better way to enjoy a winter’s day!

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Date: Saturday 14 November 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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Date: Saturday 14 November 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Saturday 14 November 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Victorian Carol Singers will perform every Saturday from 14 November until 19 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.

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Date: Sunday 15 November 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Sunday 15 November 2026 | Throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Father Christmas returns to York Castle Museum 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, the famous Victorian street at York Castle Museum, bringing fun and cheer 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!

Please note, this is not a meet Santa experience.

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Date: Sunday 15 November 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 15 November  2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ |  Included in general admission | Book Tickets

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Date: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 9am–11am*
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages 

Experience York Castle Museum’s The Night Before Christmas in a relaxed visiting session, offering an adapted environment specially for those who would prefer to visit the museum without the usual levels of noise and activity.  

These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed setting, or an adapted welcome or experience this festive season, including neurodivergent visitors, those with sensory processing differences, families who might need a quieter space, or anyone that may need a different pace to their visit.  

Experience the snow-covered street, decorated shops and festive atmosphere with additional support designed to make your visit more comfortable. 

We would advise booking a 9am or 9.30am arrival slot for those who may benefit from a calm, quiet entry. Please respect the relaxed sessions and do not book during these limited entry slots unless you need to. 

*You are welcome to stay as long as you like after entry, but please note, at 11am the full experience including projections, a more contrasting lighting mode, and louder audio in some spaces will be turned on.  

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