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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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.

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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.

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Date: Tuesday 23 December 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Tuesday 23 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, and Tuesday 23 December, 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 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, and Tuesday 23 December, 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 >