York Castle Museum will recreate the atmosphere of a Victorian Christmas Eve from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with new displays, festive music and seasonal events.
The museum’s recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, will feature Christmas decorations, festive shop displays and new scenes showing residents preparing for Christmas. Designed by Spatial Projects, the additions will use shadows and silhouettes to depict activities taking place behind the street’s doors, including decorating trees and sharing a mistletoe kiss.
Visitors will also be able to see Christmas traditions from different periods, including historic festive dining displays, Victorian parlours and twentieth-century decorations. The museum’s recreated kitchens will feature 1980s Christmas food and music, while the Swinging Sixties Gallery will include Christmas songs from the decade.
Traditional music and carol singing will take place on selected days. The seasonal programme will also include performances of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, featuring the return of Ebenezer Scrooge in a one-person performance during November and December. An evening performance for adults is also planned.
Carla Starkey, immersive interpretation producer at York Castle Museum: We really wanted to capture the excitement that many people feel, the gifts, the food, the traditions of Victorian England, some of which we still do today.
Other events will include Victorian ghost stories under the title Edwyrdian Tales, along with craft workshops where visitors can make Christmas wreaths and greeting cards.
Some activities are included in general admission, while special events and workshops require separate booking.
Further information about opening times, events, prices and tickets is available from the York Castle Museum website.