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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Date: Friday 19 December 2025, 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Friday 19 December 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

This 25-minute family-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol will run every Friday from 21 November until 19 December,  and Tuesday 23 December, with performances throughout the day.

Join Ebenezer Scrooge on Kirkgate for a journey of redemption, generosity and joy, in an immersive one-man show of the classic Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol.

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

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Date: Friday 19 December 2025, 2:00 pm-2:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Light, Hope and Salvation
Wednesday 10 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!

A moving look at Christmas through Paul Nash’s painting ‘Winter Sea’, 1925-37, one that will bring a tear to the eye. This piece shows that even in the depths of winter and World War One, there is a light, hope and salvation.

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

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Date: Saturday 20 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Castle Kitchen: Mince Pies
Saturday 20 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!

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Date: Saturday 20 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Saturday 20 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 20 December 2025, 10:30 am-3:30 pm
Venue: York Museum

Letterpress Festive Cards
Saturday 20 December 2025 | 10.30am – 3.30pm | Included in general admission – Book Now

Print your own Christmas card inspired by the Victorian cards in the museum’s collection. Use an Adana press and choose from a selection of borders, ornaments and festive messages set in metal type to personalise your design.  

This activity is a drop-in and takes around 5-10 minutes. 

Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

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