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.
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.
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.
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!
Date: Thursday 17 December 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery
Gallery Babies Thursday 17 December 2026 |10am - 12pm £2 per child, accompanying adult free | Book Now
Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.
Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.
Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.
The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will be out in the Burton Gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.
These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies; however, we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child. The session takes place in the Burton Gallery, a space with plenty of room to play, read and The Studio is also available to eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.
We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.
Please note: Participants must have a pre-booked ticket to attend the session. Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket. This event takes place in the Burton Gallery.
Date: Thursday 17 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum
Green Father Christmas
Thursday 17 December 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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