Festive Adventures Everyday: Christmas Experiences and Things to Do in York
Make the most of Christmas in York with shopping, sightseeing and seasonal treats across the city.
Wander York’s historic streets and snickelways, browse independent shops and festive finds, then pause for coffee, lunch or something warming. Discover museums, galleries, family attractions, seasonal events, or stay a little longer for dinner, drinks and a cosy overnight break.
York Christmas Market brings festive cheer to the heart of the city, open from 12th November to 21st December, and closed on Tuesdays for a weekly rest day. For those visiting York on a Tuesday, there is still plenty of fun and festive things to do and experience in the city.
For inspiration and tips on your trip to York, pop into the Visit York Information Centre & Gift Shop on 28 Back Swinegate to pick up a map or guide, get recommendations for your stay and browse York-themed gifts and souvenirs.
Whatever day you visit, enjoy Festive Adventures Everyday in York.
York Christmas Market
📅 12 November to 21 December 2026
🕥 10.30am to 7pm, Wednesday to Monday
🎄 Closed Tuesdays for a weekly rest day
📍 Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
⏰ Closes at 5pm on Monday 21 December
York Christmas Market returns from 12 November to 21 December 2026 (closed on Tuesdays for a weekly rest day) bringing alpine chalets, seasonal flavours and plenty of Christmas atmosphere to Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square.
Browse gifts, crafts and artisan products from a fantastic collection of traders, with more than 80% coming from Yorkshire, making the Market a great place to shop local and discover something special.
Between browsing the stalls, enjoy seasonal food and drink and soak up the festive atmosphere in the heart of the city. The Market also continues its focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive experience, alongside a commitment to sustainability, with traders offering a range of ethical and eco-friendly products.
Please check Market opening times and the latest travel information before visiting.
Visiting on a Tuesday?
York Christmas Market takes a weekly rest day on Tuesdays, but Christmas continues across York.
Explore the city’s independent shops and historic streets, visit an attraction, stop for lunch or coffee, discover a festive event or stay into the evening for dinner and drinks. York’s wider festive offer remains open and welcoming throughout the week. Explore an array of ideas and inspiration for your festive trip below.
Christmas shopping in York
🎁 Find something special this Christmas
Beyond the Christmas Market, York is packed with places to find the perfect present.
Explore independent boutiques, specialist retailers and familiar favourites across the city centre. Explore the popular Shambles Market for a unique array of York sourvenirs and locally produced goods, open 7 days a week.
Discover locally made gifts, food and drink, artwork, jewellery, homeware and plenty of distinctly York souvenirs. With beautiful streets and plenty of places to pause along the way, Christmas shopping in York can easily become a full day out.
Seasonal food and drink
☕ Warm up with a taste of Christmas
A festive day out calls for plenty of delicious stops along the way.
Take a break from Christmas shopping with a warming hot chocolate, settle in for lunch in one of York’s cosy cafés or pubs, book a festive afternoon tea, or make an evening of it with dinner and drinks.
Across the city you’ll find everything from traditional favourites and seasonal menus to independent restaurants and bakeries. For street food lovers, discover Shambles Food Court for and enjoy the delicious cuisine on offer such as crepes, Thai food, burritos, and festive treats.
York Christmas Market also offers seasonal food and drink from Wednesday to Monday, while the wider city’s restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars are open throughout the week.
Discover York’s attractions
🏰 Add a little history, adventure and discovery to your Christmas
Christmas is a great time to discover more of York’s attractions.
Explore world-famous museums, uncover stories from the city’s Roman, Viking and medieval past, visit galleries, discover hands-on family experiences or simply spend a little longer exploring York’s historic streets and snickelways.
For visitors hoping to pack even more into their break, the Visit York Pass offers admission to a wide range of top York attractions, helping you see more while making savings along the way.
Festive events and experiences
✨ Fill your diary with festive adventures
York’s Christmas calendar is packed with events for all ages. Catch a Christmas show, pantomime or concert, enjoy family-friendly activities, meet Santa or plan a festive evening out with friends.
Whether you are planning a whole weekend around Christmas events or looking for something to add to your day out, check what is happening before you visit and build your own festive itinerary.
Make a night of it
🛏️ Book a festive stay in York
Stay overnight and you can enjoy York at a more relaxed pace, with time for an evening meal, festive drinks and another day of sightseeing, shopping and seasonal experiences.
Choose from city-centre hotels, characterful guest houses, self-catering accommodation and places to stay across York and the surrounding area. An overnight break gives you more time to discover the city beyond the busiest parts of the day and enjoy York’s Christmas atmosphere into the evening.
Wake up the following morning and continue your festive adventure with breakfast, an attraction, some last-minute shopping or another wander through York’s historic streets.
Your festive adventure starts here
Whether you are visiting for Christmas shopping, a family day out, festive food and drink, a seasonal event or a few nights away, York is ready to make Christmas memorable!
