Dates: Wednesday 29 October 2025–Sunday 2 November 2025, All Day
Venue: York Art Gallery

Explore, Play, Create
Daily, Wednesday 29 October – Sunday 2 November 2025 | 10.00am – 5.00pm
Included in general admission | Booking not required

Book General Admission Here

Throughout the gallery, families are invited to discover three engaging areas designed to enhance your experience and help you explore both the space and our wonderful collection.

Explore
Discover the Burton Gallery with our Sensory Toolkit, created by artist Sarah Marsh. This interactive experience, suitable for all ages and abilities, encourages participation through sensory exploration of the gallery’s forms, colours, and textures. It is designed for quiet reflection.

Play
Get playful with costumes inspired by ceramic pots on display. Explore the shapes, colours, textures, and forms you see on gallery and mix and match to design your own wearable pot.

Create
Unleash your creativity with our Art Cart, stocked with drawing materials, intriguing objects, and inspiring activities linked to gallery artworks and exhibitions. Accessible for all ages and abilities, this space is designed for creative exploration.

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Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 5 November 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.

Please book separately for each session.

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Date: Saturday 8 November 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: Saturday 15 November 2025, All Day
Venue: York Castle Museum

Saturday 15 November 2025 | Throughout the day | Included in general admission 

Watch live cooking demonstrations throughout the day in our studio kitchen.

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Date: Saturday 15 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Saturday 15 November 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: Sunday 16 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Sunday Sounds: The Ran Tanners
Sunday 16 November 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 carols and tunes throughout the day from The Ran Tanners.

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

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Date: Sunday 16 November 2025, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 16 November 2025, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ |  Included in general admission | Booking not required

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Date: Monday 17 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Monday 17 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Victorian Carol Singers will perform every Monday from 17 November until 22 December, and Sunday 7 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 the festive mood.

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

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Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Storycraft Theatre: Ralph the Robin’s Christmas Party
Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Throughout the day* | Included in general admission – Book Now

Storycraft 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 another festive tale. Ralf the Robin is planning the biggest Christmas party ever, but he can’t do it without all his friends. This magical storytelling experience is support by Makaton signs and puppetry.

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 19 November 2025, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 19 November 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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