The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and it’s a very busy time of year. Here are some ideas of things to do in York that are free and will provide some extra entertainment at Christmas.
This winter York Mumbler is bursting with information to help you plan and organise a brilliant Christmas and New Year. From where to see Santa to Christmas markets and shopping, plus where to buy a real Christmas tree, you will find everything you need to know. Not forgetting, of course, details of Pantomimes & Festive Shows and Children’s Christmas Parties.
Travelling in from further afield? For just £3.50, three children aged 16 and under can travel for free when accompanied by an adult boarding at any of our 6 York Park & Ride sites. Put your parking money towards treating the family and get out and about with York Park & Ride!
Live closer to the city? Up to 3 children aged 5-16 can travel for free in York on our city services when they’re accompanied by a paying adult. Let someone else do the driving, whilst you prepare for the fun day ahead!
Download the First Bus App to plan your journey and buy your city or Park & Ride tickets.
Low-cost Santa options in York 🎅ℹ️ Find all the places to see Santa in York here.
The Christmas lights in York are great again this year! Why not take a selfie next to the huge tree in St Sampson Square, and don’t forget to look out for all the lovely festive shop windows along the way! Enjoy a free trip out when it’s dark to see all the lights twinkling!
We’ve also listed some great local lights and drive-by sights where people have got LOTS of decorations on their homes and gardens and even installed a HUGE inflatable Santa!
ℹ️ See more details in our blog about Christmas lights in York here.
💷 Cost? Free (some of the light displays and attractions listed on our blog do charge – but there’s plenty you can see for FREE)
📅 When? now until early January
📍 Where? York City Centre and various local locations listed in our blog
Pick up a free map from the Visitor Information Centre on Parliament Street and seek out ten Nutcrackers across the city centre. Great free fun for all the family! Also, there is a chance to win a £250 York BID Gift Card.
ℹ️ Find out more information here.
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? now until 4 Jan
📍 Where? York City Centre – pick up your Nutcracker Trail leaflet from the Visit York Information Centre
Santa and Mrs Claus brought some of their festive friends to York to see the lights and get in the festive spirit, but now they’re lost in the City Centre.
Join the Santa Search and discover 7 jolly augmented reality virtual characters along the way at magical locations around York. Use the GPS-enabled map to find and collect each one.
ℹ️ The York Quest app is free to use and is available now on Google Play Store or App Store
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? now until 6 Jan
📍 Where? York City Centre
Experience the popular York Minster Christmas Tree Festival, set inside the medieval Minster, with 60 trees on display in the cathedral’s stunning Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel. Don’t miss our very own York Mumbler Christmas Tree – it’s very purple, and has a fun activity for the kids to do!
ℹ️ Find out more information here.
💷 Cost? Entry is free with general admission. Don’t forget, entry to York Minster is free for York residents with valid proof of address and up to four children aged 17 and under go free with each adult.
📅 When? now until 5 Jan
📍 Where? Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
Why not take a trip to the Explore York Library in the city centre and enjoy reading some Christmas books together? Spot one of the Nutcrackers whilst you are there!
You can always warm up and stay for a festive drink and snack in the family-friendly cafe.
Or visit your local library and enjoy some Christmas books there. Explore Libraries often have Christmas trails and free colouring activities for kids too!
There are often special Events running at various local libraries. You can see what’s on here and we’ve listed a few highlights below! (Please note that all must be prebooked here)
ℹ️ See Explore York website for more information
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? See website for opening times. Closed 24-27, 31 Dec & 1 Jan
📍 Where? Library Square, York YO1 7DS
Kids Takeover – FREE Winter Holiday Camps
A programme of fun sports, dance and activities for children between 5 and 12. All children attending will be provided with a healthy lunch and will take part in nutritional workshops.
💷 Cost? *Free: This holiday club is part of the City of York Council HAF programme and is free for children and young people with a HAF code or unique reference number.
📅 When? from 12 pm to 4 pm on the 2nd of January, and from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm from the 3rd to the 5th of January.
📍Poppleton Road Memorial Hall (YO26 4SE)
Ballers Academy – FREE Winter Football Camps
At Ballers Academy, we provide a programme of ball skills, games and activities for children between 5 and 12. All children attending will be provided with a healthy lunch.
💷 Cost? *Free: This holiday club is part of the City of York Council HAF programme and is free for children and young people with a HAF code or unique reference number.
📅 When? Sessions run from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm from the 2nd to the 5th of January.
📍York Sports Centre (YO10 5FG)
ℹ️ Limited spaces available. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable week of fun! Book here or give us a call on 01482 218 753 for more information. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Family Hubs Christmas Parties:
With FREE party food, hot drinks, festive crafts and a present delivered by Santa!
Copmanthorpe Rec Kids Christmas Disco:
FREE ENTRY and free glowsticks! 🎉
Go to a FREE playgroup or kids’ club!Many of the playgroups in the area pause over the Christmas and New Year break; however St. James the Deacon church at Woodthorpe is holding a Tuesday Tots Extra on Tuesday 2nd January, 9.30-12.30pm. Their usual playgroup will be running, as well as crafts and activities for older children and workshops from TrashBang! FREE refreshments will be served all morning, along with a buffet lunch served from 11.30am.
Alongside the activities, the church will be used as a clothes and toy bank, and food parcels will be available. Anyone is welcome to come and collect if they need support during this time.
If anyone does have any donations they would like to give for these parcels, they can be taken in advance to the church. Contact Nicola at nicola.stjamesthedeacon@gmail.com to arrange a convenient time.
📍 St. James the Deacon Church, Woodthorpe, YO24 2SE
Free taster sessions with Baby Ballers in advance of their January class launch! Baby Ballers is the NEW football-based development club for children aged 16 months to 5 years old. Come along for FREE to try it out on Sunday 17 December at Tang Hall Community Centre.
ℹ️ Find out more & book here.
💷 Cost? Sunday 17 Dec
📍 Where? Tang Hall Community Centre
Get crafting at Hobby Craft ✂️There are always lots of crafting workshops at Hobby Craft, Monks Cross that are brilliant for kids.
Here are a few Christmas highlights:
ℹ️ Find out what’s on at York Hobby Craft here.
💷 Cost? From £5 per session
📅 When? Various dates
📍 Where? Monks Cross Shopping Park, Huntington, York, YO32 9GX
💜🎅💜We hope you enjoy some of these free things to do in York this Christmas & New Year and have lots of festive fun out and about! 💜🎄💜
Last updated December 2023
