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).

View event >

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!

View event >

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, 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.

View event >

Date: Saturday 13 December 2025, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Join us at York Art Gallery for life drawing workshops; whether you are a regular participant, would like to hone your skills, or try life drawing for the first time, these regular two-hour immersive Saturday sessions, led by Rob Oldfield, are a wonderful way to experience life drawing in a supportive and friendly environment.

View event >