Date: Wednesday 23 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Green Father Christmas
Wednesday 23 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 24 December 2026, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Thursday 24 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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Dates: Sunday 27 December 2026–Thursday 31 December 2026, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Kirkgate Talks
Daily
11.30am and 2pm
Included in general admission 

Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world in this insightful talk.

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Sunday 27 December 2026–Thursday 31 December 2026, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Cells Talks 
Daily 
11.30am and 2.30pm 
Included in general admission 

Discover the history of York Castle Prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Date: Monday 28 December 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Street Busker
Monday 28 December 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

The Street Busker will perform on the Sixties Street every day from 28 December until 30 December.

Enjoy the ambience of live music on the Sixties Street during betwixmas. Our street busker will be playing tunes throughout the day.

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Date: Tuesday 29 December 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Street Busker
Tuesday 29 December 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

The Street Busker will perform on the Sixties Street every day from 28 December until 30 December.

Enjoy the ambience of live music on the Sixties Street during betwixmas. Our street busker will be playing tunes throughout the day.

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Date: Wednesday 30 December 2026, 10:00 am-4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Street Busker
Wednesday 30 December 2026 | Performances throughout the day
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

The Street Busker will perform on the Sixties Street every day from 28 December until 30 December.

Enjoy the ambience of live music on the Sixties Street during betwixmas. Our street busker will be playing tunes throughout the day.

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Dates: Saturday 2 January 2027–Monday 4 January 2027, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Kirkgate Talks
Daily
11.30am and 2pm
Included in general admission 

Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world in this insightful talk.

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Dates: Saturday 2 January 2027–Monday 4 January 2027, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Cells Talks 
Daily 
11.30am and 2.30pm 
Included in general admission 

Discover the history of York Castle Prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Please note, talks are subject to staff availability.

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Date: Wednesday 6 January 2027, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Sketchbook Circle
Wednesday 6 January 2027 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ | £5 per person* | Tickets coming soon 

*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.

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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