17 Best Things To Do In York At Christmas 2025

Last Updated on 12th August 2025

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Are you planning a trip to the beautiful city of York this Christmas? Whether you’re looking for the best family friendly Christmas activities or you just want some festive inspiration for the best Christmas events in the city, this huge guide of the best things to do in York at Christmas has got you covered!

I firmly believe that Christmas is truly the most magical time of the year, regardless of where you are in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to experience Christmas in New Zealand, Singapore and New York City, but Christmas in York is something that I’ve experienced almost every single year for the last 15+ years and it’s a place that always feels incredibly special to me at this time of year.

Even though most of my family are now based in Doncaster, Cumbria and even in America, I’ve spent many a festive period in my beloved hometown of York so I feel very well versed in recommending the top things to do in York at Christmas.

If you live in York and want to know more about all the festivities to take part in this year or you’re planning a festive weekend away to this stunning city, check out this post of the best things to do in York at Christmas!

1. See the York Minster at night – things to do in York at Christmas

See the York Minster at night - best things to do in York at Christmas

The York Minster is the city’s most iconic attraction and it’s well worth a wander around regardless of the time of year that you visit York.

However, during the festive period, York Minster (amongst many other places in the city) comes alive with magical lights shining on it, giving it a truly magnificent glow.

Matt and I love the York Minster so much, (Matt so much so that he has it tattooed on his forearm!) but it’s never more magical for more than during the Christmas period.

There are also numerous events throughout the festive period where people gather to sing Christmas carols and even if you don’t join in, it’s always such a heart-warming thing to watch.

2. Go ice skating at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland

I’ve been ice skating at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet with my family for as long as I can remember and it’s always been one of my favourite things to do in York at Christmas.

Not only can you go Christmas shopping inside the outlet itself, but there’s a pretty sizeable ice skating rink outside that’s open over the Christmas period every year and it’s always one of my favourite festive activities in York to enjoy with my family.

3. Visit St Nicholas Fair York

Manchester - best Christmas markets in the UK

The York Christmas Market, also known as the St. Nicholas Fair, is held annually in the city on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square and while it’s not exactly a huge Christmas market like the ones you’ll see in London or Edinburgh, for example, it’s still well worth a visit if you’re in the city over the festive season.

There are plenty of vendors selling everything from delicious mulled wine to festive sweet treats to hot chocolate and of course, there are plenty of stalls where you can pick up souvenirs or Christmas gifts and many of the stalls are local businesses selling their homemade creations and produce so it’s always such a lovely thing to support local ventures, especially at Christmastime.

4. Enjoy a hot drink at THOR’s – best things to do in York at Christmas

York St Nicholas Christmas Fair - best things to do in York at Christmas

THOR’s isn’t necessarily exclusive to York at Christmastime as they have pop-up locations in Leeds , Lincoln and London as well in the winter months, but I’ve only ever attended the York version and it’s a winner every single time.

They’ve also recently started having summer pop-ups in York over the last couple of years which is always such a fun event! At Christmastime, you’ll find beautiful tipi tents that are so ridiculously adorable and cosy inside, with plenty of festive hot drinks, fire pits and a proper Scandinavian feel to it.

It’s 100% worth a visit at Christmastime and this year, THOR’s have two locations in York; one on Parliament Street right next to St Nicholas Fair and one in the Principal Hotel Gardens which is where they hosted their summer event.

5. Visit TwinklePike Way

My family and I have been visiting TwinklePike Way ever since I was super young so it’s a yearly Christmas tradition that I still love to honour to this day.

Located in Wigginton (where I lived when I first moved to the city), a small village in York, about 5 miles from the centre of town, TwinklePike Way is a festive feast for the eyes for the whole family. Almost every single person/family on the street decorates their house in as many lights and decorations as they can and the whole street gives off the most magical glow and it feels insanely Christmassy.

At the end of the street, once you’ve admired all the beautiful lights and decorations, there is a donation box where you can contribute a small donation to the street’s choice for the year for a local charity. Not only does it make you feel good by seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations, but you’ll also be donating to charity at a difficult time of year for many people.

It reminds me somewhat of Dyker Heights in New York City, although on a much, much smaller scale!

6. Go to the pantomime – things to do in York at Christmas

A yearly trip to the pantomime is another family friendly tradition that I’ve enjoyed for years. We usually go to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre as that’s always been an incredible show, but there are several other theatres that put on great pantomimes in York every year such as the Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House.

7. See the Betty’s festive display window

Betty’s is one of my favourite places in York regardless of the time of year, but it’s arguably even more special during the Christmas period when their shop/restaurant window is kitted out in the most elaborate decorations that usually involve a lot of sweet treats!

From giant gingerbread houses to decadent cakes and chocolate creations, you’d be hard-pressed not to head inside for a sample of the good stuff!

8. Visit the many cocktail bars and enjoy a festive tipple or two!

York has so many incredible bars and restaurants that can easily be enjoyed all year round, but there’s arguably no better time to visit one of York’s many cocktail bars than Christmastime.

Some of my favourite bars in York at Christmas are The Botanist, Manahatta, Kennedy’s, Slug and Lettuce and more. Places such as Manahatta and Slug and Lettuce also offer bottomless brunch all year round, but The Botanist’s festive menu and cocktails are some of my personal favourites!

9. Spend an afternoon at York’s Chocolate Story ‘A Chocolate Covered Christmas’

Visiting York’s Chocolate Story is a must-do if you’re visiting the city with kids in tow, or indeed, if you’re just a huge fan of chocolate yourself!

At Christmastime, York’s Chocolate Story have also introduced their very own ‘Chocolate Covered Christmas‘ which is a fun and immersive experience that allows you to take part in an expert masterclass, as well as the chance to make your very own chocolate with Santa!

You’ll be able to take part in a guided tour, as well as enjoy the chance to meet Santa and make some delicious chocolate with the big man himself and his elves!

10. Take the kids to ‘Christmas in Narnia’ at Castle Howard

While Castle Howard does technically have a York postcode, it’s about a 35-minute drive from the centre of York, so it’s not super close to many of the other attractions featured on this list. However, Castle Howard is undoubtedly one of my favourite places “in York” and it’s yet another place that I’ve been visiting with my family for years.

This beautiful stately home is worth a visit at any time of year, but especially so at Christmas when it literally looks like a scene out of a movie. This year, Castle Howard has also taken their festivities one step further and has introduced a magical ‘Christmas in Narnia‘ experience after dark that transforms the place into an enchanting wonderland that can be enjoyed with or without kids!

There’s even a 25-foot Christmas tree that’s beautifully embellished with more than 3000 baubles, offering a glorious Christmas attraction inside the Great Hall. If you can fit a visit to Castle Howard into your schedule this Christmas, I promise you won’t regret it!

11. Visit the York Christmas Shop (Käthe Wohlfahrt)

Located on Stonegate, the famous Christmas Shop in York, also known as Käthe Wohlfahrt, is definitely one of the best things to do at Christmas in York.

It’s also one of the best things to do in York all year round, so even if you’re feeling the festive spirit in the middle of July, you can enjoy shopping for Christmas decorations, baubles, ornaments and more at any time of year!

12. Eat delicious festive street food at the Shambles Market

The Shambles Food Court is undoubtedly one of the best places York at Christmas food, but it’s also an awesome place to visit over the holiday season as many of the street food stalls offer up delicious festive treats!

Shambles Kitchen is arguably the number one place to eat in the food court, but it’s worth checking out the many other food and drink stalls while you’re there, too!

Bonus things to do in York at Christmas

Visit the Christmas Festival at Web Adventure Park
Attend ‘A Kirkgate Christmas Tale’ at the York Castle Museum
Take the kids to Christmas at Piglets Adventure Farm
Wander around the city and admire the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations
Watch ‘The Snowman’ at York Minster

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Is York somewhere you’d like to visit at Christmas? Do you have any other recommendations of the best things to do in York at Christmas to add to this list? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.