Every day will be just like Christmas Eve at York Castle Museum this festive season.
The museum will be frozen in time, on the night before Christmas, capturing the heart-warming excitement of Victorian Christmas celebrations.
Families can walk across the snow dusted cobbles of the iconic Victorian street Kirkgate and perhaps meet Father Christmas clad in his traditional green attire for a truly Yorkshire Christmas.
Visitors can explore Christmases past and see the grand tree and twinkling garlands along Kirkgate.
There will be all sorts of festive goods to browse in Victorian shop fronts and experience traditions from 17th and 18-century feasts displayed across historical dining rooms, to Victorian parlours and twentieth century decorations.
And new for 2026, Kirkgate will come alive with shadows and silhouettes of the street’s residents preparing for Christmas, decorating their trees and sharing a mistletoe kiss, from designers Spatial Projects.
Frosty decorations down hidden snickets make the scene one of yuletide joy.
Familiar favourite, Ebeneezer Scrooge, returns for the much-loved rendition of Dickens’ iconic seasonal tale ‘A Christmas Carol’, in one-man performances throughout November and December, including an exclusive evening event for adults
Christmas at York Castle Museum will take place from14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Carla Starkey, immersive interpretation producer at York Castle Museum said, “We are so excited for Christmas this year at York Castle Museum, making every day feel like the night before Christmas.
“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.
“There will be performances, extra goodies in the shop windows on Kirkgate to spot and of course the new decorations from Spatial Projects to give visitors a sense of what might be going on behind the Kirkgate doors in preparation for Christmas and get everyone in the festive spirit.”
Special events such as Edwardian Tales, a night of traditional Victorian ghost stories and guided craft workshops will also take place throughout the season, allowing visitors to create their own wreath and greeting cards to take home a piece of festive decor.
More details on the events that are included in general admission and how to book onto special events and workshops are now available on York Castle Museum’s website.