Date: Saturday 20 December 2025, 2:00 pm-2:15 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Chocolates, Ghosts & Trees: Christmas in St. Helen’s Square
Saturday 20 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.

View event >

Date: Sunday 21 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday Sounds: Paul the Historical Musician
Sunday 21 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.

View event >

Date: Sunday 21 December 2025, 11:00 am-11:15 am
Venue: York Art Gallery

Georgian Woman at Christmas
Sunday 21 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.

View event >

Date: Monday 22 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Monday 22 November 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.

View event >

Date: Tuesday 23 December 2025, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

 Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 23 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.

View event >

Date: Wednesday 24 December 2025, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 24 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.

View event >

Dates: Saturday 27 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: 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.

View event >

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 >