Date: Saturday 5 December 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Saturday 5 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: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Saturday 5 December 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 5 December 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Studies: Line, Form & Figure
Saturday 5 December 2026
2pm – 4pm
£15 per person* | Book Now
Adult only (18+)

*Ticket price includes general admission to York Art Gallery, including our exhibition Turner, Wedgwood & Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Join us at York Art Gallery for a special life drawing class, set in our latest exhibition Turner, Wedgwood and Beyond: Inspired by Flaxman.

Led by York based artist and tutor, Rob Oldfield, you’ll draw from a live model, exploring contour, proportion, rhythm and gesture, inspired by Flaxman’s distinctive linear drawings and his fascination with classical form.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to try life drawing, this session is suitable for all abilities, offering a supportive and friendly environment within the beautiful surroundings of the gallery.

Important information:

Sessions are suitable for ages 18+. By booking, you are confirming that you are over 18. Proof of age may be required.

Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too.

Sessions will take place on gallery which will continue to be open to the public throughout.  If you’re more than 15 minutes late for your workshop, unfortunately we may not be able to guarantee entry. This is to ensure that participants have the best experience.

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Date: Sunday 6 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Sunday 6 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: Sunday 6 December 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 6 December 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ |  Included in general admission | Book Tickets

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Date: Monday 7 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

The Ran Tanners
Monday 7 December 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Enjoy live carols and tunes throughout the museum every Monday on the lead-up to Christmas, from 7 until 21 December 2026.

Get in the festive spirit with live, energetic performances of carols and tunes throughout the day from The Ran Tanners.

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Date: Tuesday 8 December 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Tuesday 8 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.  

View event >

Date: Wednesday 9 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 9 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 10 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Thursday 10 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: Friday 11 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Friday 11 December 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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