If you are looking for some festive fun or a trip out in York with your friends or partner then we’ve got lots of ideas!Christmas can be a very busy time as a parent, but ignore your huge to-do list and gift yourself a child-free festive treat! Make the most of your precious free time, enjoy yourself and get into the festive spirit!
From crafting activities like making your own Christmas wreath or creating your own tree ornaments, to festive bottomless brunches and afternoon teas, or perhaps even a festive foodie trail – there are loads of brilliant things to do in York this year. So arrange a babysitter or call a friend and start the celebrations now!
There are lots of local workshops inviting you to make your own festive creation to adorn your front door, or a table centrepiece!
Festive Floristry at Barley HallMake your own floral centrepiece, perfect for the festive table, at Barley Hall Coffee Shop! Take inspiration from medieval feast tables to create your own stunning – and unique -decoration in this atmospheric setting. Hot drink and festive snack included.
ℹ️ More information: Book your place here.
🎟 Cost: £55 per person. All materials provided.
📅 When: 8th December 2023, 2 – 3.30pm
📍 Where: Barley Hall Coffee Shop, 3 Coffee Yard, York, YO1 8AR
Christmas Wreath Making at Curlew Fields DairiesGet into the Christmas spirit with our festive workshops! Join us for a couple of hours of creativity on the farm cafe. All ages and abilities welcome. We’ll also provide some seasonal treats and warming beverages.
ℹ️ More information: Ring Lynn on 07581 222423 to reserve your space.
🎟 Cost: £48 per person. All materials provided.
📅 When: Various dates as shown on poster
📍 Where: Curlew Fields Dairies, Hessay
🎄Other: We also have a Christmas Rag Wreath crafting workshop on 24th November 2023 (£20pp) – same booking number as above.
Wreath making workshops at SPARKSPARK* is hosting no one but two wreath making workshops this December!
On the evening of Saturday 2nd December, join Belle Blooms Florist to make a festive traditional wreath from scratch using fresh, seasonal greenery and adding all your wonderful decorations. £65 each (incl a glass of fizz), book here.
On the evening of Saturday 16th December, Thistle and Thorn invite you to create a beautiful seasonal wreath to brighten up your front door. With a mixture of flowers, foliage and creativity anything is possible! £45 per person, book here.
📍 SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB
Wreath making at the Carlton TavernWith Flowers by Rebecca. All you have to bring is yourself and some secateurs! Mulled wine and mince pies on arrival.
ℹ️ More information: Book a place either by messaging Rebecca via facebook or by contacting the Carlton Tavern on 01904 781181.
🎟 Cost: £45 per person with a £25 deposit.
📅 When: Choice of 2 sessions – 11th and 13th Dec 2023, from 7pm
📍 Where: Carlton Tavern, 140 Acomb Road, Acomb
Christmas Wreaths at Holy Redeemer Churchℹ️ More information: Ring Lynn on 07581 222423 or email her at lynn@holyredeemeryork.com to reserve your space.
🎟 Cost: £40 per person (£10 deposit required). All materials provided, as well as seasonal refreshments, tea/coffee and cake.
📅 When: Saturday 2nd December 2023, 2-4pm
📍 Where: Holy Redeemer Church Hall, Boroughbridge Road, York
Christmas Wreath workshop at rise@ Bluebird BakeryThe ultimate Christmas crafty activity is BACK! Make your own wreath, decorate it exactly how you want and take advantage of our festive fizz and chocolate brownies (fully licenced bar open – coffee and cakes available too).
ℹ️ More information: book by emailing betsybloomsbury@gmail.com
🎟 Cost: £55 per person
📅 When: Sunday 3rd December 2023, 4.30 – 6.30pm
📍 Where: rise @ Bluebird Bakery, 201 Acomb Road, Acomb, YO24 4HD
Come and create stylish hand-embossed tin decorations with Susan Bradley from For Modern Mothers. All materials and equipment will be provided for you to create a set of 6 to 8 hanging decorations. Two separate dates/venues. No previous experience required. Suitable for over 16’s only.
ℹ️ More information: Book online here.
🎟 Cost: £21 per person (includes £1 booking fee)
📅 When: Wed 29 November 2023 (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) and Tues 5 December 2023 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
📍 Where: The Poppleton Centre (29th Nov); Bluebird Bakery Acomb (5th Dec).
Fabrication York – Various Festive Craft WorkshopsFancy needle-felting a Christmas bauble? Or how about making a Christmas candle? Then Fabrication is the place for you. Various workshops in early December.
ℹ️ More information: find out more on the Fabrication facebook Events page here.
🎟 Cost: £25 – £45 per person, depending on workshop chosen. Materials provided.
📅 When: Various dates in early December
📍 Where: Upstairs in Fabrication York at 19 Coney St, York YO1 9QL (please note that there are 2 flights of stairs).
Learn how to decorate a Christmas cake or cupcakes at Iced YorkshireFancy trying your hand at making an edible masterpiece? Iced Yorkshire are offering various festive courses to create showstopping Christmas cakes, cupcakes and adorable festive cake toppers.
ℹ️ More information: find out more on the Iced Yorkshire website here.
🎟 Cost: £50 – £145 per person, depending on workshop chosen.
📅 When: Various dates throughout December.
📍 Where: Iced Yorkshire, Unit 26c, The Bull Commercial Centre, Stockton on the Forest YO32 9LE
Pub Painting – Paint a festive robin!Sip and paint at York’s very own Pub Painting Art class! 🎨 No art skills required 🤪🥂 You will create your own masterpiece in our step-by-step method with one of our talented Artists. At this session, we will recreate the ‘Robin’ painting!
Don’t worry about equipment, we’ve got it covered! Paint, brushes and the canvas are all included in the price. This means you’ll get to take home your very own piece of art at the end of the night!
ℹ️ More information: find out more and book tickets here.
🎟 Cost: £25 + £2.80 booking fee per person. Price includes equipment and materials, but does not include drinks, which will be available at the venue at the usual prices.
📅 When: Monday 18 December 2023, 7.00 – 9.30pm
📍 Where: Yates York, Church Lane York YO1 9QT
Christmas Calligraphy Bauble Making WorkshopLearn the art of brush lettering and bauble painting to make your very own Christmas decoration to treasure for years to come.
ℹ️ More information: find out more here or message Cookhouse Design on Instagram to book. There is also a Christmas wreath workshop on Monday 4th December 6pm.
🎟 Cost: £45pp, including all materials to create and take home your own bauble, as well as Christmas nibbles and refreshments.
📅 When: Monday 11 December 2023, 6.00 – 8.30pm
📍 Where: Cookhouse Design showroom, 59 Monkgate, York
Radisson Hotel YorkJoin us in our Paddle Room Bar for a bottomless brunch! Choose from our brunch favourites menu and unlimited drinks including house wine, Bloody Mary cocktails, mimosas and house beers.
ℹ️ More information: Find out more here.
🎟 Cost: £35 per person
📅 When: Available to book every Saturday from 25th November 2023 to 6th January 2024. 12-4pm, with live music from 1-3pm. Booking slots are for 1.5 hours and bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
📍 Where: Radisson Hotel York, North Street, York, YO1 6JF
ManahattaManahatta’s 2 hour bottomless is about to get festive!
From the 20th November 2023, our iconic 2 hour bottomless brunch will include some special new festive additions, such as a Christmas cocktail and tasty dishes!
ℹ️ More information: Find our more and book here. View the menu here!
🎟 Cost: £40.95 per person
📅 When: From 20 November 2023 (bottomless brunches until 3pm)
📍 Where: Manahatta, 3 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX
Enjoy a Festive Afternoon TeaAfternoon Tea is always such a treat, so could there be a more perfect delight than a Festive Afternoon Tea? We’ve rounded up lots of gorgeous places in York where you can enjoy a Festive Afternoon Tea on our blog here. Here are a couple to get you started:
Celebrate the Christmas season with a Cakes d’Licious Festive Afternoon Tea! This award-winning afternoon tea has been given a sprinkle of festivity which offers you a choice of traditional sandwich fillings: turkey & stuffing with cranberry sauce/Wensleydale cheese & Christmas chutney/cream cheese, smoked salmon & cucumber/ham & caramelised onion chutney/egg mayonnaise & cress. Also included are a sausage roll and quiche, savoury and sweet scones and an exquisite selection of cakes – all served with a pot of freshly brewed loose-leaf tea.
ℹ️ More information: Cakes d’Licious website | 01904 541100 |cakesdlicious@gmail.com
🎟 Cost: Just £25 per person
📅 When: From 25th November until 23rd December. Please note that pre-booking is essential.
📍 Where: 1 Clifton, York, YO30 6BD
The festive season is the perfect time to treat yourself and your loved ones to Middletons Hotel’s festive afternoon tea. Featuring classic flavours like smoked salmon, turkey, and cranberry, followed by some more unique tasting notes in the form of a prune, Armagnac and walnut tartlet. Each delicacy is handcrafted by Middletons Hotel’s team of award-winning chefs.
ℹ️ More information: Middletons York website | 01904 611570 | reception@middletonsyork.co.uk
🎟 Cost: Festive afternoon tea – £32.95 per person/Champagne afternoon tea – £39.95 per person
📅 When: Served now until mid-January 2024, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. Pre-booking is required.
📍 Where: Skeldergate, York, YO1 6DU
CityDays Gourmet Christmas Food HuntAn indulgent winter wonderland self-led trail of puzzles around the city’s top cafes, delis, and bakeries, with plenty of Festive Gourmet goodies along the way. Expect Yuletide pastries, mince pies, festive spiced drinks, speciality meats and cheeses, and more, all wrapped up in an escape game-style adventure, cracking clues that weave in and out of the city’s streets. An idyllic Christmas adventure full of puzzles and plenty of delicious surprises.
ℹ️ More information: find more info and book here. Find out more about CityDays’ other York treasure hunts here.
🎟 Cost: £35 per person.
📅 When: Available to book between 15th November to 23rd December 2023
📍 Where: a self-led trail around central York, starting at Exhibition Square and ending at Dean’s Park.
Take part in a Christmas chocolate masterclass!Get ready to indulge in the ultimate Christmas activity for adults! At York’s Chocolate Story, the Chocolatier-led Masterclass is an incredible experience that will have you rolling, dipping, and decorating ganache-filled chocolate truffles. Plus you’ll also craft and personalise your very own chocolate lolly with a selection of delicious toppings before creating your own chocolate Christmas wreath. And to make things even sweeter, you’ll be treated to a boozy hot choc during your session.
ℹ️ More information: find out more and book here.
🎟 Cost: £35 per person. Session is 90 minutes long. Over 18s only.
📅 When: 9th and 21st December 2023
📍 Where: York’s Chocolate Story, Kings Square, York
Velma Celli’s Christmas Special!Join “The UK’s Queen of live vocal drag” for a sensational evening of dinner, cabaret, and disco! Tickets include a glass of Prosecco upon arrival with canapés, main course, dessert and BAGS of fun!! The night finishes with a disco until late.
ℹ️ More information: Call The White Horse for tickets on 01904 289340
🎟 Cost: £45 per person
📅 When: Saturday 25th November 2023, 6pm onwards!
📍 Where: The White Horse Pub, The Green, Upper Poppleton.
York Christmas Walking ToursJoin your Blue Badge Tourist Guide for a 90-minute festive walking tour through the twinkling streets of York, the original Christmas City.
Discover the History of Christmas in an extra-special Walking Tour through the Christmas light-bedecked streets of York. Once voted ‘the Most Festive’ city, the medieval streets echo with the histories of Christmas’ past from Roman Saturnalia, Viking Mid-winter Solstice to Victorian Feasts and more recent traditions.
ℹ️ More information here.
🎟 £12 per person/Under 16’s £5
📆 Everyday 24 November to 24 December from 4pm – 5.30pm
📍Tours begin at the Statue of Constantine Minster Yard, just outside the south doors of York Minster and finish on Parliament Street.
Prep your skin for the festive season with a rejuvenating pre-Christmas self-care treat. Take some time out and join Power and Peace Therapies at SPARK for an exclusive Gua Shua group workshop where you’ll learn essential techniques to revitalize your skin and get that radiant glow just in time for the party season.
ℹ️ Prebooking required – more event information and ticket link here.
🎟 Early bird price (until 1st December): £35; £40 general admission thereafter.
📆 7th December 2023, 7 – 9pm
📍 SPARK:York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB
We hope you enjoy some festive fun in York this Christmas with or without the kids!
