Dates: Sunday 28 December 2025–Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

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Dates: Monday 29 December 2025–Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

View event >

Dates: Tuesday 30 December 2025–Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

View event >

Dates: Wednesday 31 December 2025–Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

View event >

Dates: Friday 2 January 2026–Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

View event >

Date: Saturday 3 January 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

History Riot: Tales from the Trail
Daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

History Riot return to York Castle Museum daily from Saturday 27 December until Saturday 3 January, except Thursday 1 January 2026, with an array of family friendly performances throughout the day.

Join two madcap Victorian characters for an urgent shopping trip on Kirkgate this festive season. Prepare for mystery, silliness and stories about the variety of items that they pick up along the way.

*Times will be advertised at the admissions desk on the day.

View event >

Date: Wednesday 7 January 2026, 10:30 am-11:30 am
Venue: York Museum Gardens

Community Birdwatching  

Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 10:30-11:30  | Free 

Join our Gardens Duty Manager Isabelle for a community bird watch, and spot some of the various bird species in the gardens

Suitable for all ages, no pre booking required.

Please meet at the bird feeding station next to the rock garden.

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Date: Wednesday 7 January 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ | £5 per person* | Book Here 

Pick up a pencil – draw and discover!

Give yourself time to sharpen and share your drawing skills in this 2-hour sketching workshop with artist Griselda Goldsbrough.

Enjoy working in sketchbooks in a relaxed and friendly group, taking inspiration from the collections at York Art Gallery.

These informal practical art sessions run one Wednesday each month for beginners or those who create regularly. Suitable for ages 16+. Materials are provided.

*General admission to York Art Gallery is included. Please book separately for each session.

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Date: Thursday 8 January 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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Date: Saturday 10 January 2026, 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.

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