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).

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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.

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Date: Saturday 13 December 2025, 2:00 pm-2:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Reflection and Human Connection
Saturday 13 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 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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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.

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Date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday Sounds: Paul the Historical Musician
Sunday 14 December 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Enjoy live carols and tunes throughout the museum every Sunday from 16 November until 21 December 2025.

Get in the festive spirit with live, energetic performances of Christmas tunes throughout the day from Paul the Historical Musician.

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

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Date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 11:00 am-11:15 am
Venue: York Art Gallery

Georgian Woman at Christmas
Sunday 14 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!

Inspired by William Etty’s ‘Preparing for a Fancy Ball’, 1833, explore a women’s responsibilities during a Georgian Christmas, learning about the origins of Christmas traditions and how they differed in households based on social class.

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

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Date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Ghost Stories for Christmas by Edwyrdian Tales
Sunday 14 December 2025 | 7.00pm – 8:30pm | £15pp | Sold out 

Join Edwyrdian Tales for an evening of haunting ghost stories set during Christmastide. Featuring bone-chilling tales from classic authors of the age including M.R. James and Marjorie Bowen, this live storytelling performance is sure to conjure the spirits of Christmas.

Not suitable for children under 10 years of age. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

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Date: Monday 15 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Monday 15 December 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Victorian Carol Singers will perform every Monday from 17 November until 22 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.

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

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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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