Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Tuesday 24 November 2026 | 9am–11am* 
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages 

Experience York Castle Museum’s The Night Before Christmas in a relaxed visiting session, offering an adapted environment specially for those who would prefer to visit the museum without the usual levels of noise and activity.  

These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed setting, or an adapted welcome or experience this festive season, including neurodivergent visitors, those with sensory processing differences, families who might need a quieter space, or anyone that may need a different pace to their visit.  

Experience the snow-covered street, decorated shops and festive atmosphere with additional support designed to make your visit more comfortable. 

We would advise booking a 9am or 9.30am arrival slot for those who may benefit from a calm, quiet entry. Please respect the relaxed sessions and do not book during these limited entry slots unless you need to. 

*You are welcome to stay as long as you like after entry, but please note, at 11am the full experience including projections, a more contrasting lighting mode, and louder audio in some spaces will be turned on.  

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Date: Friday 27 November 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Friday 27 November 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

This 25-minute family-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol will run every Friday from 20 November until 18 December, and Thursday 24 December for Christmas Eve, 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.

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Date: Saturday 28 November 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Saturday 28 November 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Victorian Carol Singers will perform every Saturday from 14 November until 19 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.

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Date: Saturday 28 November 2026, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Festive Wreath Making Workshop
Saturday 28 November 2026 | 10.30am – 1pm
Tickets £35 pp* | Buy Tickets
Suitable for ages 16+, under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult

There is an additional Festive Wreath Making Workshop on Monday 30 November | 10.30am – 1pm | £35pp*

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Date: Sunday 29 November 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Sunday 29 November 2026 | Throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Father Christmas returns to York Castle Museum 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, the famous Victorian street at York Castle Museum, bringing fun and cheer 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!

Please note, this is not a meet Santa experience.

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Date: Monday 30 November 2026, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Festive Wreath Making Workshop
Monday 30 November 2026 | 10.30am – 1pm
Tickets £35 pp* | Buy Tickets
Suitable for ages 16+, under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult

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Date: Tuesday 1 December 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Tuesday 1 December 2026 | 9am–11am* 
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages 

Experience York Castle Museum’s The Night Before Christmas in a relaxed visiting session, offering an adapted environment specially for those who would prefer to visit the museum without the usual levels of noise and activity.  

These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed setting, or an adapted welcome or experience this festive season, including neurodivergent visitors, those with sensory processing differences, families who might need a quieter space, or anyone that may need a different pace to their visit.  

Experience the snow-covered street, decorated shops and festive atmosphere with additional support designed to make your visit more comfortable. 

We would advise booking a 9am or 9.30am arrival slot for those who may benefit from a calm, quiet entry. Please respect the relaxed sessions and do not book during these limited entry slots unless you need to. 

*You are welcome to stay as long as you like after entry, but please note, at 11am the full experience including projections, a more contrasting lighting mode, and louder audio in some spaces will be turned on.  

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Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026, 12:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Letterpress Festive Greeting Cards
Wednesday 2 December 2026 | 10.30am – 1.30pm
Tickets £35 pp* | Buy Tickets
Suitable for ages 16+, under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult

*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.

Print your own Christmas cards inspired by the Victorian cards in York Castle Museum’s collection during this relaxed, festive workshop. Learn about the history of Christmas cards and create 6 bespoke cards, playing with colour and decorative elements. 

All workshop participants will go away with a set of 6 cards with matching envelopes.

There is an additional Letterpress Festive Greeting Cards Workshop on Saturday 5 December | 10.30am – 1.30pm | £35pp*

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Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 2 December 2026 | Throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Father Christmas returns to York Castle Museum 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, the famous Victorian street at York Castle Museum, bringing fun and cheer 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!

Please note, this is not a meet Santa experience.

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Date: Thursday 3 December 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 3 December 2026 |10am - 12pm
£2 per child, accompanying adult free | Book Now

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