Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Story Craft Theatre: A Christmice Tale
Tuesday 16 December 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Story Craft Theatre’s live storytelling experience will run every Tuesday from 18 November until 16 December, with 20-minute performances throughout the day.

Story Craft Theatre return to York Castle Museum with a heart-warming festive tale. Winnie and Nell are two little mice who need some extra help to make their Christmas one to remember! This magical storytelling experience is supported by Makaton signs and puppetry. Stick around for some festive craft activities too!

Suitable for under 5’s, children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

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Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 17 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.

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Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 17 December 2025 | 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: Wednesday 17 December 2025, 2:00 pm-2:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Chocolates, Ghosts & Trees: Christmas in St. Helen’s Square
Wednesday 17 December | 2pm – 2:15pm
Included in general admission | Book Now

This short on-gallery talk is part of our Christmas Talk Series at York Art Gallery, come along to hear about some of our incredible works – with a festive twist!

Gather around William Townsend’s snow sprinkled ‘St Helen’s Square’, 1954, to hear about the history and Christmas connections of this little meeting space in the heart of York city centre.

Please note that talks are subject to staff availability on the day.

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Date: Thursday 18 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

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Date: Thursday 18 December 2025, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

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Date: Thursday 18 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Thursday 18 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.

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Date: Thursday 18 December 2025, 11:00 am-11:15 am
Venue: York Art Gallery

A Merry Medieval Christmas
Thursday 18 December | 11am – 11:15am
Included in general admission | Book Now

This short on-gallery talk is part of our Christmas Talk Series at York Art Gallery, come along to hear about some of our incredible works – with a festive twist!

Discover how Christmas in the Middle Ages transformed a month of Advent fasting into twelve days of feasting, music, games and communal celebration across all levels of society. From royal banquets and carefully prepared seasonal dishes to village mumming and the Feast of Fools, you’ll learn about the traditions and customs that shaped a medieval Christmas.

Please note that talks are subject to staff availability on the day.

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Date: Thursday 18 December 2025, 2:00 pm-2:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gillian Lowndes and her Abstract Sculptures
Thursday 18 December | 2pm – 2:15pm
Included in general admission | Book Now

This short on-gallery talk is part of our Christmas Talk Series at York Art Gallery, come along to hear about some of our incredible works – with a festive twist!

Discover more about Gillian Lowndes’ ceramic works and her relationship with the collector Anthony Shaw. Each year, Lowndes followed the tradition of giving Christmas cards by creating a unique, handmade card especially for him.

Please note that talks are subject to staff availability on the day.

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Date: Friday 19 December 2025, 11:00 am-11:15 am
Venue: York Art Gallery

Reflection and Human Connection
Friday 19 December, 11am – 11:15am
Included in general admission | Book Now

This short on-gallery talk is part of our Christmas Talk Series at York Art Gallery.

Come along to hear the story behind some of our incredible works from Harold Gosney: Materials and Making – a moving set of drawings and sculpture inspired by a newspaper photograph reporting on the 2003 natural disaster in Bam, Iran on Boxing Day.

An opportunity to recognise the festive period as a time of reflection and human connection through Gosney’s work, and reminder to appreciate our relationships and remember those that have passed.

Please note: This talk covers themes of death that some visitors may find upsetting and distressing. Please speak to a member of the team for more information.

Please note that talks are subject to staff availability on the day.

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