Late night shopping in York City Centre, opening late on Thursdays from late November.
The essential festive shop is Christmas Angels at 47 Low Petergate. Supplying everything you will need for a magical Christmas and gifts all year round, including a huge range of Christmas decorations. Re-live the run up to Christmas as depicted in those fabulous Victorian style Christmas cards.
York Designer Outlet on the outer ring road, will also be staying open late in december. St. Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, York, YO19 4TA
Tel: 01904 682700
Christmas Lights In York
Christmas At York Minster
30 November 2008
18.30 Advent Procession Service
12 December 2008
19.00 Family Carol Concert
22 December 2008
19.00 9 Lessons and Carols Service
24 December 2008
07.30 and 07.45 Matins and Holy Communion
12.00-13.00 Crib Service
15.00 Evening Prayer
16.00 Nine Lessons and Carols Service
23.30 Midnight Mass
York offers a range of Christmas markets from mid-November right through till Christmas week. York also has specialist boutique shops for that unique gift along with the main high street stores. Christmas is a great time to visit York and will put you in the very best of festive moods.
St. Nicholas Fayre
27 - 30 November 2008 St. Nicholas Fayre is York's famous four day market offering a range of specialist stalls selling gifts, crafts, and the very best in local produce. Located in the city centre, St. Nicholas Fayre will fill you with Christmas spirit of days gone by.
info@yuletideyork.com
Medieval Christmas
December 2008 Wed–Sat 10am–4pm
Experience the Medieval Hall decorated for Yuletide. Hear about the festive traditions at 11am and 2.30pm in the Great Hall. barley hall
Barley Hall Christmas Fayre
6-7 & 13-14 December 2008
Escape the Christmas rush and soak up the festive atmosphere with stalls selling unique Christmas presents, mulled wine and experience Medieval seasonal festivities. Barley Hall is located in Coffee Yard, which runs between Grape Lane and Stonegate. Admission £2 adult, £1 concession, £5 family of four. map here
Christmas Farmer's Market
19 & 20 December 2008
Located in Parliament Street, right in the centre of York.
Sample the finest local Yorkshire produce from the ever-popular Farmers Market.
Specialising in the very best of the region’s produce you’ll be able to indulge in the finest organic meat, dairy, home-grown vegetables, Yorkshire Punch and quality locally produced soaps, crafts and gifts. Normally open from 9am to 4pm.
Tel: 01904 551355 or york.market@york.gov.uk
Hotels In York ~ Christmas Deals
First Tuesday Jazz Suppers
The Court Café-Bistro & Bar
Dean Court Hotel, York. Music from 8pm 2nd December 2008
World Beers, Quality Wines, Delicious Food.
Due to the high demand of these popular evenings please book in advance.
Dean Court Hotel, Duncombe PLace, York
Tel: 01904 625082
Christmas Reindeer! Monks Cross
Come along to Monks Cross Shopping on Sunday 7th December 2008 for a fabulous Christmassy day. Santa arrives on his sleigh pulled by real reindeer and there will be lots of prizes and giveaways from Minster FM throughout the day. Don't miss this great Christmas shopping experience only at Monks Cross Shopping. monkscrossshopping.co.uk
Creepy Crawlies York, Adventure Play Park
December 2008 Come along to meet Father Christmas in North Yorkshire's largest indoor and outdoor play area! Father Christmas will be in his grotto, dancing in the disco room, outside feeding the donkey, goats and other animals! The fun never stops! He will be here every weekend in December and through the children's Christmas holidays until Christmas Eve.. he has a few other jobs to do that night! Ring 01904 692221 for more details about this and other events! Toddlers Christmas Breakfast with Father Christmas, Christmas Disco, Drop and Shop, New Years Eve party.. to name but a few! creepy-crawlies.co.uk
York Early Music Christmas Concerts
11th - 14th December 2008
Booking is now open for the 2008 York Early Music Christmas Festival, which runs from 11 to 14 December, with performances by Liber unUsualis, Vivien Ellis and Clare Salaman, I Fagiolini, Yorkshire Bach Choir, Minster Minstrels and Bell'arte Salzburg with Emma Kirkby. Talks and illustrated lectures will be given by Lynda Sayce and David Owen Norris. Visit York Early Music Christmas Festival Programme to read more about each event.
The award-winning National Centre for Early Music.
A centre of excellence for historic styles of music making of all kinds. Located in St. Margaret’s Church York. With events throughout the year including early music, jazz, folk, world, contemporary and classical music. For up to date listings of what's on in December, venues and tickets visit: www.ncem.co.uk
Sunday 7th December 2008 Central Hall, University of York
Click the image above for the 2008 carol concert poster.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre ~ December
Sleeping Beauty 6 to 13 December 2008
A traditional family pantomime bought to you by Rowntree Players.
Loosely based on a famous fairytale with madness and mayhem! Evil Witch Hazel doesn't get invited to the christening of baby Rose so casts a spell on her so that if she pricks her finger before her 18th birthday she will sleep for 100 years! Musical spectacular with lots of zany dance routines, silly plot lines, and don't forget the slapstick! Prepare to be entertained again by the group who brought you Aladdin last year.
Tickets: Adults £11.00; Children and Concessions £9.00; Family Ticket £36.00 (2 adults and 2 children)
The Joseph Rowntree Theatre is located opposite Rowntree's Chocolate Factory. Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Rd, York. YO91 1RT
For all shows in December visit www.jrtheatre.co.uk
The Ice Factor Ice Rink
15th November 2008 to 4th January 2009 The Ice Factor, York’s open-air ice rink, is back for its fourth successive Christmas season! In one of the country’s most picturesque settings for an outdoor rink, skaters glide around an illuminated oak tree in the centre of the 600sqm rink, overlooked by the spectacular facades of 13th Century Clifford’s Tower, the Law Courts and the Castle Museum, right in the centre of historic York. The Ice Factor is made all the more festive with York’s biggest Christmas tree, log cabins decked with greenery, and theatrical lighting. Situated right beside the ice rink, the glass-fronted, heated Ice Bar & Café is the perfect place to warm up or cool down (depending on how energetic you’ve been), alternatively it’s a cosy spot for those who don’t wish to skate but want to watch the fun outside. Whether you’re a novice or fancy yourself as a bit of a pro, our Ice Marshalls are on hand at all times to prise you off the handrail and get you skating. To help your toddler get confident on the ice, we have special ice shoes as well as our stabiliser, Bobo the Penguin, who is joined by some of his friends this year. And remember, The Ice Factor is made of 100% real ice. Further details can be found on theicefactor.co.uk or by calling the office on 01653 619169.
Dick Turpin The Panto - York Theatre Royal
Written by Berwick Kaler 11 December 2008 - 31 January 2009
Directed by Berwick Kaler and Damian Cruden.
For 21 years one man has been heralded as the greatest villain in all of Pantoland, that is until notorious highwayman Dick Turpin rides into York, and robs him of his title. Join Dame Betty Turpin, her nephew Dick, and his horse Black Mess in what promises to be the most hilarious historically incorrect pantomime you're ever likely to see.
Traditional, home-grown family pantomime doesn't get any better than this - all the gags, slapstick and buckets of water you might dare to expect, with plenty of wonderful surprises. Not only is this Berwick Kaler's 30th panto at York Theatre Royal but our abominable villain, David Leonard, is also celebrating his 21st with us. So saddle up for the side-splitting ride of a lifetime with York Theatre Royal's Dick Turpin, The Panto.
Expect breathtaking sets and costumes, expect slapstick and belly laughs galore, but above all - expect the unexpected and you won't be disappointed! Filled with fun & laughter! Come along and join in with what has become one of York's most treasured possessions, attracting nearly 50,000 people every year - the York Theatre Royal Pantomime. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it.
Tickets available from York Theatre Royal Box Office
Tel: 01904 623568
Jack and the Beanstalk at the Grand Opera House York
Starts 12th December 2008
Fe, fi, fo, fum! This year’s fantastic family pantomime is Jack and the Beanstalk! With the usual mix of traditional pantomime fun with lots of singing and dancing, plus beautifully bright costumes and sets, including a magical growing beanstalk, this year’s pantomime is sure to be another magical hit for all ages. The perfect festive treat, book now for the best seats. Just remember to watch out for the giant!
Stunning Ice Sculptures
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th December 2008
An annual free festival where ice sculptures line the old streets in The Quarter area of York. With guaranteed snow, street entertainment, festive music, food and drink! The festival normally starts at 10am on both days and begins to pack down around 4pm. Fully accessible, with food & drink, boutique shops and good cheer for all. The parade ends in The Quarter with Father Christmas. The Quarter is a patchwork of old Medieval streets including; Grape Lane, Swinegate, Back Swinegate and Little Stonegate. festivalofangels.co.uk
Tru Nightclub York
Saturday night is your big night out, so make the most of it by coming to Tru Nightclub. We've got private booths with table service, three rooms of great music - Chart and Dance in Room 1, 70's and 80's Disco in Room 2, and sexy R&B in Room 3 - plus a VIP lounge for those special occasions, make Tru Nightclub your destination on a Saturday night.
Tru 3/5 Toft Green, York
Shepherd Group Brass Band Gala Christmas Concert
18 & 19 December 2008 Joseph Rowntree Theatre
Including numbers played by the Beginners Band, the Concert Band and the Senior Band with a finale featuring all the Bands together.
Thursday 18 December 7:30pm
Friday 19 December 7:30pm
Tickets: £6.00 All Tickets
Mrs Brown Tel: 01904 425256 shepherdbrassband.org
Harrogate Pavilions Fine Art & Antiques Fair
5-7 December 2008
A fine art and antiques fair with furniture for town and country homes, contemporary and traditional fine art, silver, Persian rugs, jewellery, porcelain, sculpture, maps & prints, bronzes, glass, lamps, clocks, mirrors and much more. baileyfairs.co.uk
Craft Fair At The Merchant Adventurer's Hall
Wood Art Exhibition 06 December 2008
Are you looking for a special gift? Visit our stands at the Heritage Promotions Fair, York GuildHall. Located just off St Helen's Square, York YO1 9QN - map here
Holgate Windmill
Don't miss Santa's visits to Holgate Windmill on the 6th/7th & 13th/14th December 08 2-4pm. £3 per person, each child gets an early Christmas present and adults a free glass of Sherry and mince pie.
holgatewindmill.org
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy contained in this guide, we cannot accept responsibility in respect of any error or ommission which may have occurred. Please check with the event organiser's website for latest information, times and dates.