15 Magical Things to Do in York At Christmas

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In my opinion, York is one of the best cities in England to visit in winter. It literally oozes Christmas charm as soon as the festive season arrives. Plus, there are so many wonderful things to do in York at Christmas. 

We’ve visited York several times during the Christmas period. Once on the way back from our road trip to Edinburgh and again and again simply to explore the Christmas markets. Every time, I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of effort York puts into decorating its historic city centre for Christmas. 

15 Things to Do in York at Christmas

So, if you’re planning on visiting York at Christmas, here are the 15 top festive things to do.

1. Explore York’s Christmas Markets

York’s Christmas markets are some of the best in the UK. You’ll find the markets spread across the city, but the main one is St Nicholas Fair down Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. Here, you’ll see rows upon rows of stalls with vendors selling everything from homemade fudge to hand-crafted Christmas decorations. 

There are also stalls selling traditional Christmas drinks such as mulled wine, hot cider, and hot chocolate, and foods like mince pies, bratwurst worthy of German markets, and other delicious street food trucks.

You can spend ages wandering around the markets, exploring the stalls, buying unique Christmas gifts, and munching on delicious food. Don’t forget to grab a drink from Thor’s Tipi Bar before you leave, but, I’ll warn you, this can get pretty busy!

Top Tip: If you do want a table at Thor’s Tipi Bar, I highly recommend booking in advance. It can get extremely busy.

2. Visit Castle Howard

Castle Howard is one of the best places to visit in York at Christmas. Located approximately 15 miles north of the historic city of York, but it makes the perfect winter day trip. It’s known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history. This beautiful place becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas and most years the decorations have a unique theme.

In 2023, the land of Peter Pan will come to Castle Howard! between the 12th of November and the 2nd of January, you can explore the wintery Peter Pan-themed festivities including elaborate decorations, and a beautiful light display, and you can even meet Santa Claus. There is a festive Afternoon Tea, a Bauble Emporium, a wreath-making workshop and even a Santa’s Grotto in the courtyard! 

Tickets for Christmas in Neverland start at £19 and tickets for the other attractions in Castle Howard are sold separately. Be sure to book quickly though, as it’s likely to sell out! You can buy tickets here.

3. Explore the York Castle Museum

York’s Castle Museum is a fantastic experience when it’s not all decorated with snow. Winter just makes it even better. This museum is a re-enactment of York in times gone by. You can explore its famous Victorian Street dusted with a blanket of snow and wander the cobbles while listening to Christmas cheer and admiring the authentic decorations. 

Outside of the main street, there are additional activities that you can do at the museum. There’s a historical mince pie recipe demonstration, a re-enactment of A Christmas Carol, a Christmas Cracker-making workshop, and a Christmas Lino painting workshop. There’s even an adult’s only performance of A Christmas Carol which includes mince pies and mulled wine on arrival.

From the Giant Christmas Tree at the end of the street, to the numerous period rooms decorated with a festive makeover, York Castle Museum is a great Christmas experience that all the family will enjoy. 

4. Attend the York Minster Christmas Tree Festival

Located outside the York Minster, the Christmas Tree Festival is one of the best things to do in York at Christmas. The cathedral is already stunning as it’s one of the most impressive cathedrals in the UK, but when you walk inside and see around 60 Christmas trees decorated to their absolute grandest, your jaw will surely drop!

You can wander around the trees, comparing the decorations and admiring the different colours and designs. Each of the trees was designed by local businesses, schools, and charities, so many of them have a delightful personal touch to them. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite!

This year (2023), the festival will open on December 2nd and run until January 5th. 

5. See the Christmas Lights

If you love exploring Christmas lights and walking through beautifully lit light trails, you’re going to love York at Christmas. There’s quite a selection of light trails and shows to enjoy at this time of year. Some of my favourites include:

• St Nicholas Fair – York’s main Christmas market is full of beautiful lights and decorations.
• St Helen’s Square – There’s a huge Christmas tree here and plenty of beautiful lights.
• Museum Gardens – Visit here and find Santa’s post box!
• Explore the city’s streets – Some of the best streets to see Christmas lights in York include Coppergate, Coney Street, and Parliament Street.

If you want to experience a proper Christmas light trail, you can also visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Park illuminations, the Enchanted Forest light trail at Stockeld Park, or the Christmas spectacle at Roundhay Park. 

6. Explore York’s City Centre

York’s city centre is a great place to explore at any time of year, but at Christmas, it truly comes alive. You can wander the cobbled streets drinking in the festive atmosphere (and drinking mulled wine) and admiring the decorations. 

York’s historic buildings and medieval architecture are adorned with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and wreaths. It’s a super picturesque and magical atmosphere.

The centrepiece is, of course, the St. Nicholas Fair, but you don’t just have to visit the Christmas market to experience the festivities in York. They’re literally all around you, and simply wandering the streets can be a great way to experience it.

7. Listen to a Carol Concert in the York Minster

To embrace the perfect blend of Christmas spirit and music, head to a carol concert at the stunning York Minster. The carol concerts at York Minster are a great way to withness the spirit of Christmas in this historic cathedral. 

As the sun sets and the grand interior of the Minster is bathed in candlelight. The soaring Gothic arches and exquisite stained glass windows create a breath-taking backdrop for the choir and congregation.

I really enjoy going to carol concerts because it always takes me back to when I was younger and I attended them in my local girl guides group!

8. See a Christmas Pantomime at the Theatre Royal York

You cannot beat a winter pantomime! I used to love going to see these when I was little and laughing at the drumroll jokes, men dressed in drag, and the endless chorus of ‘He’s behind you!’. It’s so much fun and a great way to embrace the Christmas spirit theatrically. 

This year (2023) you can watch Jack and the Beanstalk at the York Royal Theatre. It’s showing between the 8th of December and the 7th of January.

9. Wander the Reindeer Trail at Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey is stunning and easily one of the best things to do near York. Although not actually located in York itself, this beautiful ruin is just an hour’s drive away in the neighbouring city of Leeds. The ruin makes the perfect festive day trip, plus you can stop in Leeds itself on the way!

The Reindeer Trail is pretty much exactly what it seems. You’ll find a series of Reindeer scattered around the Abbey and your task is to find them all. It’s basically a winter scavenger hunt! It’s a completely free event. Although, if you’re not a resident of Leeds, you’ll have to pay for entry to the Abbey. 

10. Explore Shambles

York’s most famous street, and inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, Shambles is one of the best things to do at Christmas in York. The picturesque street is full of crooked, half-timbered houses, cute shops and boutiques, and a great range of festive decorations. 

There are so many shops down here that are themed around Harry Potter. For any die-hard fans (like me), you can wander in and out of potions shops, buy chocolate frogs, and Gryffindor jumpers, and generally have a great time!

11. Have a Christmas Afternoon Tea

Is there anything more classically British than an afternoon tea? And is there anything more festive than a Christmas-themed one? If you’re in York at Christmas, this is easily one of the best things you can do, and the perfect way to have a traditional English experience.

There are plenty of places to find a festive afternoon tea in York, but a few of my favourites include:

• The Grand, York – located around the corner from the city’s famous Christmas markets, this is a great place for afternoon tea. Taste mince pies, sausage rolls, Christmas cocktails and more.
• The Waterfront Cafe, York Marina – Their gorgeous afternoon tea includes delights like mulled wine-poached pear cheesecake and turkey and cranberry sandwiches, all washed down with sparkling champagne.
• Plush Cafe, York – Offering a range of afternoon tea options including traditional, vegan, and children’s options, and a range of extras, this cafe is another of the delightful festive tea menus in York.
• Castle Howard, Henderskelfe – Just 15 miles north of the city of York, this delicious afternoon tea is one of the best in Yorkshire. If you want to make a day of it, there are plenty of Christmas activities to participate in once you’ve finished your scones! 

12. Experience York’s Chocolate Story

Chocoholics will absolutely love this and, I must say, it is definitely one of York’s best events. 

Their Christmas activities involve chocolate making with Santa, a family-friendly Christmas workshop, a chocolate masterclass, and Christmas truffle rolling. You have to book each of these events individually and they do often sell out, so be quick if something has caught your eye.

This year, these events will be running from the 1st of December until the 26th of December 2023.

To book tickets to York’s Chocolate Story, click here.

13. Go Christmas Shopping

Can you honestly go to York at Christmas and not do a little bit of shopping? The city is the perfect place to explore the shopping centres and markets and grab a few last-minute gifts.

Some of the best shopping centres in York include:

• Coppergate Shopping Centre – where you’ll also find some fantastic Christmas lights
• York Designer Outlet – a great place for discounted designer gear.
• Vangarde Shopping Park – full of great shops and some fantastic places to eat
• Monks Cross Shopping Centre – a slightly smaller shopping centre, but they do have a huge Primark!

Of course, you can also browse the Christmas markets and the smaller shops in the city centre. These are great for finding more unique gifts and handmade items that you won’t find in the larger stores.

14. Visit the Yorkshire Winter Wonderland

This is not technically in the city, however, I’d be lying if I said that this Winter Wonderland wasn’t one of the best Christmas attractions in Yorkshire. Home to the Ice Factor, one of the UK’s largest outdoor ice rinks (alongside those in Glasgow and London), this event is a great day out for those wanting to fully embrace the Christmas spirit.

Located in York’s Designer Outlet, it’s about an 18-minute drive from the historic city centre. You’ll find a wide range of festive attractions, ice skating, rides, and activities. You can visit Santa’s Grotto, ride vintage Dodgems, and play hook-a-duck and a range of other classic funfair games. Once you’ve explored enough, you can explore the Christmas markets or grab a bite to eat in the chalet café. 

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is free to enter but you have to buy tickets to participate in the attractions. In 2023, it’ll run from November 17th until the 7th of January.

15. Take a Day Trip to Leeds Christmas Markets

Last but not least, easily one of the top things to do at York at Christmas is to take a day trip to the neighbouring city of Leeds. Home to some of the best Christmas markets in England and the infamous German Christmas market – which is back for 2023!

This event, which was cancelled for a couple of years due to COVID restrictions, is now back and going to be bigger than ever. It’s one of the best German Christmas markets outside of Germany. You can explore over 120 Bavarian-style stalls, try traditional German cuisine (I highly recommend the gingerbread), and drink beer and gluhwein at one of 3 Christmas-themed outdoor bars.

There’s also a range of rides including the Ice Cube and the giant wheel. The markets will no longer just be contained to Millennium Square either – instead, they’re going to spread out all across the city. This year, Leeds at Christmas is going to be very exciting and well worth a visit from York.

Where to stay in York at Christmas

If you’re planning on visiting York at Christmas time for more than one day, which I highly recommend as there’s just so much to do here, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. York is a big city. But, they have accommodation options to suit a range of different budgets and travel types, from fancy hotels to self-catering apartments.

Here are some of the best places to stay in York for the Christmas period:

• £££ – The Grand, York – This superb 5* hotel is located in York’s historic city centre. Elegantly furnished with spacious rooms, a luxury spa, a swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant and bar, you’ll find the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring the city. This is also one of the best places to have a festive afternoon tea!
• ££ – The Lawrence Aparthotel – For those who like a taste of luxury but also enjoy their home comforts, this aparthotel is perfect for a winter visit to York. Each spacious apartment has a cosy living area, with a fully equipped kitchen and living room and a large, comfortable bed. There are only 3 apartments in the block, so you’ll get plenty of privacy, and the historic city centre is just a 10-minute walk away.
• £ – Ibis York Centre – For a budget option, this simple yet comfortable hotel is perfect. You’ll get a fairly basic room, yet it still features a large bed, private bathroom, coffee station, and seating area. Plus, there’s parking on site, ideal if you drive to York.

How to Get Around York at Christmas

By far the easiest way I’ve found to get around York is to walk! The city centre is pretty compact and easy to get around and you don’t need to use transport to get between York’s top attractions. 

Nonetheless, if you are staying outside of the city, then public transport is a pretty good way to get into the centre. There are bus stops all over the city and the buses are pretty easy to navigate. You can find the bus timetable here.

The closest airport to York is Leeds, so if you’re arriving by air, it’s a fairly quick 1-hour drive to the city centre. If you don’t drive, there’s no direct bus or train route to York from Leeds airport, so you have to make your way to Leeds city centre first. This can add time to your journey, but will give you an excuse to pop into Leeds’ German market!

However, it’s worth noting that, for some destinations outside of York city centre (like Castle Howard, and Winter Wonderland) they can be a little trickier to get to. In this case, you might want to consider driving or hiring a car. Driving in the UK is pretty simple and everything is well signposted. This will also give you the freedom to come and go as you please instead of being reliant on bus times.

To hire a car in York, click here.

Top Tips for Visiting York at Christmas

Hopefully, by now, you’re pretty convinced that Christmas in York is a pretty good idea. However, as with a lot of winter travel, a trip to York in winter may involve a little bit more planning than other times of the year.

Here are a few of my top tips so you can make the most of Christmas in York:

• Prepare for early sunsets. The sun usually starts to set at around 4 pm in December in the UK. So, if you have lots of things you want to do in York, it’s probably best to aim to start your day around 9 am.
• Wrap up warm. It’s no secret that English weather can be a little unpredictable, especially in the winter months. I recommend bringing plenty of layers, a scarf, hat, gloves, and reliable waterproofs to avoid spending your days chilly and uncomfortable.
• Plan ahead. York is a popular destination to visit during the winter months. If you don’t plan properly, you might end up not being able to do everything you’d like. Tickets can sell out way in advance so be sure to book instead of just turning up.
• Sample local cuisine. Savour Yorkshire puddings, roast dinners, and other traditional British dishes at local pubs and restaurants. Don’t forget to try the mince pies and mulled wine.
• Prepare for limited opening times. Be aware that some attractions and shops may have adjusted opening hours around Christmas and New Year. I recommend checking schedules in advance.

Final thoughts on Visiting York at Christmas

Overall, York is one of the most festive destinations to visit in the UK. The whole city comes alive with sparkles, lights, and decorations. I’ve been to York at Christmas several times. It’s a city I’m always going to keep coming back to at this time of year because it’s just so magical. So, if you’re planning on visiting anywhere in the UK in winter, I highly recommend a trip to York. You won’t be disappointed.

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