• UK Snooker Championships 1st/9th Dec Barbican
• Ukulele Orchestra 3rd Dec Grand Opera House
• Woodland workout 3rd/17th Dec 1:00pm Rawcliffe / West Bank Park We will be thinning an area of woodland in Rawcliffe Country Park. This involves cutting down selected trees to create more light and space for other trees to expand and grow bigger. At West Bank Park we will be resurfacing the woodland paths with bark chip and replacing any sections of edging that have gone missing. All tools will be provided – Please come prepared to get muddy! Please contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk for more details
• Beyond the barricade at Christmas 4th Dec Grand Opera House
• Ding Dong Merrily 4th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre Part of a fortnight of Early Music Christmas Festival
• A Christmas Carol (promenade) 5th/21st Dec The Golden Fleece
• Mostly Autumn 6th Dec Grand Opera House
• Children’s Chapel 6th 3rd Jan York Minster http://www.yorkminster.org/whats-on/2012/12/06/the-children-039-s-chapel-in-york-minster.html
• Carol Concert 7th Dec Minster
• Jimmy Carr 7th/8th Dec Grand Opera House
• Minster Minstrals 8th Dec 1:00pm Early Music Centre
• Christmas Tree-Top Angels 8th Dec Minster. Create your own unique Angel inspired by the Minsters stained glass
• Big Band Christmas Party 8th Dec De Grey Rooms
• Handel’s Messiah 8th Dec Minster (YMS)
• Santas Steam Adventure 8th /23rd Dec NRM Everything is ready for Christmas but Santa has lost his presents! Come and help us track them down at the North Yorkshire Pole. The journey begins in our Station Hall which has been transformed into Santa’s depot. From here Santa’s helpers will climb onboard a beautiful festive carriage pulled by a steam engine to take part in a special interactive story telling adventure. Before the magical steam journey is over, children will meet Santa Claus himself and receive a special present to take home.
• York’s Festive Fayre 8th/23rd Dec Parliament Street York’s Festive Fayre brings a sweep of Christmas traditions with music and decorated wooden huts. Open Daily from Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Thursday/Friday & Saturday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Sunday 9.30am to (approx 6.30pm) you are sure to find that extra special Christmas gift. Then escape the hustle and bustle and relax in the twinkling haven of the Festive Inne and enjoy a glass of delicious Winter Pimms and other festive offerings.
• Jingle Jog 9th Dec Sun 10:30am York Knavesmire Why not come along and try a festive fun run with a difference, sign up and get your free Santa suit to run your chosen distance in. Two distances are available, a shorter 2km route suitable for participates as young as 2 and as old as Santa Clause himself. If you would like a bigger challenge why not try the 5km route around York’s famous Knavesmire. The fun does not stop with the run, feed the reindeer and try some festive treats – a great family fun day for all. For more information register at 0121 661 5161 www.bhf.org.uk/yorksanta
• Stand up York 12th Dec 7:30pm Barbican
• Rock DJ 12th Dec Wed 6:30pm Door 84 Lowther Street York Arts Academy rock bands, and local young D.J’s get a chance to show what they can do at this exciting performance! All welcome, tickets available on the door – cost £1 For more information contact Ted Schofield ted.schofield@york.gov.uk or 01904 554275
• Robin Hood & his Merry Mam 13th Dec/2nd Feb Theatre Royal
• Sleeping Beauty 14th Dec/6th Jan Grand Opera House
• Carol Concert 14th Dec Minster
• Kate Rusby at Christmas 14th Dec 7:30pm Barbican
• Christmas Crafts 14th Dec Fri 10:00am Rowntree Park Join us on the terrace of the cafe to make your own Christmas wreath. We will use willow to make a frame that you can then decorate with materials collected from the parks. Afterwards why not pop into the cafe for a hot drink to warm up! Cost: Free Please book your place by contacting Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or emailing jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk
• Festival of Angels 15th/16th Dec 10:00am The Quarter The Festival of Angels is a true winter festival, bringing York a winter wonderland of ice-sculptures, stalls, outdoor food and drink, street entertainment. A true Christmas festival, transforming York’s most unique streets into a winter wonderland of ice-sculptures, stalls, al fresco dining and street entertainment. Popular with both visitors and residents, across the streets of the Quarter (Swinegate, Back Swinegate, Grape Lane) through to St Sampson’s Square, Stonegate and Petergate
• Football City v Bristol 15th Dec Bootham Cres
• A Ceremony of Carols 15th Dec Minster (Ebor Singers)
• Create a “Christingle” 15th Dec Minster
• Santa’s Circular Cycle 15th Dec Sat 11:00am Millennium Bridge A circular bike ride to Heslington common via the golf course and the University, approximately 6.5 miles. We will be using mostly off-road cycle paths, tarred tracks and bridleways. This will be the last ride before Christmas and will finish at Rowntree Park Café for refreshments and a Festive quiz! Ho Ho Ho! For more information contact Sarah Prescott on 01904 553377 or Email: sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/cyclerides
• Musical Family Day 15th Dec Sat 10:00am Canon Lee School
• Community Carol Concert 16th Dec 2:30pm Barbican
• “La Nativite du Seigneur” 17th Dec Minster A meditative organ recital with readings featuring the Minster’s Grand Organ
• A Victorian Christmas 18th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre
• Carols by Candlelight 19th /21st Dec Minster (Chapter House Choir)
• The York Waits 20th Dec 7:30pm Early Music Centre
• Football City v Gillingham 22nd Dec Bootham Cres
• Music Night 22nd Dec Jo Ro Theatre
• Festive sing along 22nd Dec Sat 6:00pm Micklegate glass centre http://www.micklegatequarter.co.uk/events/winter-festival
• Nine Lessons and Carols 23/24th Dec 4:00pm Minster
• Cinderella 21st/30th Dec Barbican Starring Dani Harmer
• See in the new year 31st Dec/ 1st Jan Duncombe Place