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.  

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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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Date: Friday 11 December 2026, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

A Christmas Carol: An Evening with Ebenezer Scrooge
Friday 11 December 2026 | 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Tickets £23 pp* | Book Tickets

Ages 16+, under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult).

*Includes a mince pie and mulled wine or soft drink.

Join us on the snow-covered cobbles of Kirkgate for an immersive and intimate production of A Christmas Carol, bringing the magic of a much-loved Dickens classic to life.

Chat to Victorian shopkeepers, enjoy the sounds or sing along to carols with our choir and discover the true meaning of Christmas as you encounter Scrooge – Bah Humbug!

Seating is very limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Those with mobility difficulties can reserve a seat in advance by emailing participation@ymt.org.uk as soon as you have made your booking. As seats are limited, please only reserve them for those in your party who would be unable to stand for the performance (45 – 60 mins).

If you have any specific dietary requirements such as vegan or gluten free, do let us know as soon as you have made your booking by emailing us at: participation@ymt.org.uk. Please note that our food is prepared in an environment which is not guaranteed to be free from nut or dairy cross-contamination, so we are unable to cater for anyone with a severe allergy.

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Date: Saturday 12 December 2026, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Relaxed Christmas Visits
Saturday 12 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 12 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Victorian Carol Singers
Saturday 12 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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