Hello!
York’s an incredible place to be at any time of year, but it’s really special at Christmas. With twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate in the air, there’s no better place to soak up the magic of the season with your family. From enchanting Santa’s grottos to the award-winning Christmas market and pantomimes galore, there’s no shortage of ways to make memories with your little ones.
Amid the festive frenzy, we’d be so grateful if you could take a minute or two to vote for your favourites in this year’s Little Vikings Awards. We had more nominations than ever, and now it’s up to you to choose our winners. Visit our website to cast your vote.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, and a fabulous 2025!
Best festive wishes,
All at Little Vikings HQ x
Since last issue, we've….
• Enjoyed Ghosts After Dark in York Museum Gardens, an exciting new event for York. Here’s hoping it’s back next year!
• Been wowed by Phoenix at York Minster, an incredible light show commemorating the 40th anniversary of the fire.
• Been shopping local for our Christmas presents. It’s tough out there for small businesses, so do support them if you can.
• Seen the baby meerkats at Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park. So sweet!
Little Vikings was founded and is run by a York family. Contact us at hello@little-vikings.co.uk. Content © Little Vikings 2024. Little Vikings is a registered trade mark. Every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is up-to-date and accurate, but some things are liable to change. Always check details before you travel.
Festive experiences and days out
A Winter Adventure
at JORVIK Viking Centre
Discover JORVIK as you’ve never seen it before this winter! For the first time in 40 years, JORVIK Viking Centre is embracing the chill with an immersive winter makeover. Step into the icy world of the Vikings and discover how they braved the cold, kept themselves and their animals warm, what they ate and how they entertained themselves during the long, dark Yorkshire months. Pre-booking a timeslot is essential. It’s easy to book—head to jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.
Alice’s Christmas Wonderland at Castle Howard
This year’s theme at Castle Howard is Alice’s Christmas Wonderland! Alice is planning a huge Christmas party, and she invites you to follow the White Rabbit through Castle Howard’s grand halls and regal rooms with each twist and turn revealing fanciful festive surprises. Don’t be late for this very important date, as you immerse yourself in a psychedelic world that will leave your smile as wide as the Cheshire Cat’s.
15th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 – castlehoward.co.uk
Christmas Tree Festival at York Minster
York Minster has a selection of fabulously festive activities that children will enjoy, from a Christmas Tree Festival to the York Minster crib service. The Christmas Tree Festival is lovely, with 60 trees on display in the cathedral’s stunning Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel. We’re delighted that there will be a Little Vikings Christmas tree once again, celebrating the best of family-friendly York! Entry is included in general admission.
30th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 - Yorkminster.org
A Christmas Moustery: The Case of the Missing Ruby
at Fairfax House
Enjoy a festive family caper as hundreds of mice return to Fairfax House. It’s Christmouse morning and the famous Fairfax Ruby has been stolen by the dastardly Highway Mouse. Play detective to recover this precious jewel and discover who helped commit the crime. You’ll find over 400 charming whiskered guests causing chaos, swinging from the ceilings, bursting out of drawers and even sneaking a swig of the Viscount’s best Port!
9th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 – fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Christmas at York Castle Museum
Wander through the famous Victorian street, Kirkgate, as Christmas arrives with a blanket of festive snow on the historic cobbles. Enjoy the charming period trimmings that adorn the street and take a peek at an exciting range of historical decorations and objects in the stunning shopfronts. There’ll be visits from a green Father Christmas, live performances and much more, and it’s included in general admission yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
Ice skating at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns to York Designer Outlet for 2024 with 975 sq m of real ice to glide, slide and wobble around. Presented by HARIBO, it runs from 15th November 2024 to 5th January 2024 with a glistening outdoor ice rink, thrilling funfair, magical Santa’s Grotto and cosy alpine cafe. yorkshireswinterwonderland.com
York Nutcracker Trail
It was one of the most popular free activities in York last Christmas, and it’s returning for 2024! The York Bid’s giant nutcrackers are returning to the city this festive season and it’s even better than before. Ten unique bespoke nutcrackers, painted by a local artist, will be hidden in locations in York just waiting to be spotted. There will be ten to find, and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a York Gift Card if you find them all.
theyorkbid.com
The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas
Trail at Raby Castle
Embark on an enchanting journey through The Plotters’ Forest and create cherished memories with your loved ones this holiday season. Immerse yourself in the magic of Raby Castle’s Enchanted Christmas Trail, where twinkling lights and festive music guide your path through a captivating winter wonderland. As the sun sets and the night sky emerges, watch in awe as the trail comes to life under the blanket of darkness, each corner illuminated with a warm and inviting glow. Choose from day and evening tickets.
From 16th November 2024 – rabycastle.co.uk
Winter Woodland at
Sewerby Hall
This year’s theme at Sewerby Hall’s Winter Wonderland is the legend of the Golden Goose, who has used her magic to light the woodland, while fairytale villagers hold a festive celebration with music and dance. But the celebrations awaken the selfish Old King Troll who wants to take over the woodland for himself and kidnaps the Golden Goose. With the help of Puss in Boots and pals, visitors must rescue the Golden Goose and defeat the Old King Troll with the biggest and brightest magic light show yet.
6th to 22nd December 2024 – sewerbyhall.co.uk
Enjoy a magical Christmas at Barley
Hall
Embrace the festive spirit with a touch of history at Barley Hall this December! Step out of the winter chill, take a break from the bustle of holiday crowds, and soak up the cosy atmosphere at this beautifully decorated medieval hall. Combine your visit with a trip to JORVIK Viking Centre and DIG: An archeological Adventure by purchasing a PastPort for all the attractions starting at £18 pp. barleyhall.co.uk
Dig into some archaeological fun
At DIG, kids discover the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, so you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times. Combine your visit with a trip to JORVIK Viking Centre and Barley Hall by purchasing a PastPort for all four attractions starting at £18 pp. digyork.co.uk
Where to see Santa in and around York
Discover the very best places to see Santa this year, from a river boat to a grand stately home!
Meet Father Christmas at Mother Shipton's
Step into a world of magic at Mother Shipton's Christmas experience for 2024. Meet Santa in his cosy grotto, receive a luxurious soft toy, and pose in his magic sleigh. Enjoy enchanting stories from Holly Berry in a tipi adorned with shimmering lights and collect a bag of reindeer food to guide Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve. Visit the Snowy Owl Sorting Office to send your letter to Santa, and hang your wish on the Christmas Wishing Trees. Choose between the Magical Christmas Experience for families or the Winter Woodland Walk for a quieter exploration for older kids/adults.
mothershipton.co.uk
Meet Santa at Murton Park
This year, Santa's making a grand return to Murton Park, and oh boy, has he got some surprises up his red velvet sleeves! Christmas at Murton Park (Weekends in December) - Your little ones can meet Santa, take a train ride with some cheeky elves and enjoy some story time with Mother Christmas. Tea with Santa (Selected evenings in December) -
A Christmas experience in the Yorkshire Barn Café which includes a one-to-one with Santa and a meal with your family. You'll also get to meet Mother Christmas and one of Santa's elves. Selected dates in December - murtonpark.co.uk
North Yorkshire Moors Railway Santa Special
Experience the magic of Christmas with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's Santa Specials, running on selected dates from 30th November to 24th December. Meet Santa on board a steam train, where each child will receive a unique Edmondson railway ticket, a limited-edition soft toy and more as keepsakes. This lovely new Santa Specials experience offers a unique blend of nostalgia, tradition and festive fun for the whole family, ensuring you'll leave with memories to treasure forever!
Nymr.co.uk
Meet Santa at Piglets Adventure Farm
Join Santa's sleigh for a memorable Christmas adventure at Piglets Adventure Farm! Check-in at Elf Airlines and journey through snowy trees to Santa's Woodland Village. Meet Santa, receive a magic key to unlock his toy shop, and pick your favourite gift!
Selected dates in November and December - pigletsadventurefarm.com
Meet Santa at Stockeld Park
Meet Santa, enjoy the Winter Illuminations in the Enchanted Forest, discover the secrets of the Snowflake Maze or whizz around the ice rink at Stockeld Park this Christmas. You can even bring a little bit of the magic of Christmas at Stockeld Park home with you by buying a real Christmas tree, grown on the Stockeld Park Estate, the biggest plantation in Yorkshire! stockeldpark.co.uk
Meet Father Christmas on the river with City Cruises
Get ready for an extraordinary Christmas adventure aboard a City Cruises boat, where you'll be joining Santa himself for a magical cruise along the stunning river Ouse! Explore Santa's North Pole Grotto then step onto the most festively adorned boat in York, accompanied by one of Santa's treasured elves and St. Nick himself.
cityexperiences.com
Santa’s Grotto in the Boathouse at Castle Howard
Share a laugh and photograph with Santa in Castle Howard’s Grotto this Christmas. Enjoy a short show by the much-loved Story Craft Theatre, bursting with energy and Christmas joy, before that all-important meeting with the man himself. Enjoy a full day out at Castle Howard with a Santa’s Grotto in the Boathouse ticket, which includes access to the gardens. castlehoward.co.uk
Christmas shows and pantos
There’s nothing like a festive show or pantomime to get the whole family in the Christmas mood, and we’re so lucky in York to have something for everyone. Here are three of the best.
Aladdin at York Theatre Royal
York Theatre Royal’s ever-popular pantomime returns for 2024 with a much-loved classic, Aladdin. CBeebies and CBBC superstar, Evie Pickerill, will bring her sparkle and flare as Spirit of the Ring and York favourite, Robin Simpson, returns too. This fun-filled extravaganza is guaranteed to delight the whole family, but tickets will move like flying carpets so book early for the best seats at the best prices.
3rd December 2024 to 5th January 2025 – yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Beauty and the Beast at the Grand Opera House York
Belle and The Beast will be joined by a host of larger-than-life characters as they’re transported to a cursed castle under the spell of an evil enchantress. Can the arrogant Hugo be defeated? Can Belle see beyond the Beast and fall in love with her captor? And will the Beast’s heart be melted by Belle’s beauty? Book your tickets to find out!
Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show will run from 7th December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025 - atgtickets.com
York Minster Crib Service
The York Minster Crib Service is a very popular way for York families to see in the festive season. Expect the traditional Christmas story told in a very family-friendly way, with carols to sing along to. It's a very relaxed affair, where dressing up in your best Christmas jumper is encouraged.
York Minster - 24th December 2024, 11.30am - Free, no tickets needed
The Nutcracker
Need something to look forward to after the festivities? How about treating the family to tickets for Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at the Grand Opera House York? This classic ballet comes to the city on 12th and 13th January 2025.
atgtickets.com
Little Vikings Awards 2025The finalists!
Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Little Vikings Awards, sponsored by The Mount School! Many thanks to our other sponsors: York’s Chocolate Story, En Pointe Dance School and Middletons Hotel. We’re thrilled to announce the shortlisted finalists, all of whom are doing an amazing job for families in York. Huge congratulations to everyone who made it through - it was a very close call in many categories. Now it’s back over to you to choose our winners. Visit our website to cast your vote before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and the winners will be announced in January.
Special recognition awardSponsored by Middletons Hotel
• Cain North with the OSCAR's Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity has worked tirelessly to support the children and families impacted by brain tumours despite having a brain tumour himself
• Kayleigh Mason from Puddle Ducks York for helping a child with a tracheostomy learn to swim
• 1st Holgate Scouts - A wonderful organisation that puts on so much and provides amazing opportunities for children and teenagers.
Attractions - Sponsored by York’s Chocolate Story
Best family attraction in York
• Piglets Adventure Farm
• National Railway Museum
• JORVIK Viking Centre
• York Castle Museum
• The Web Adventure Park
Best family attraction (Yorkshire Coast)
• Sea Life Scarborough
• Sewerby Hall
• Whitby Abbey
• Alpamare
Best family attraction (Yorkshire Dales)
• The Forbidden Corner
• Stump Cross Caverns
• Mother Shipton’s
• Bolton Abbey
Best family attraction (North York Moors)
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Dalby Forest
• Castle Howard
• Flamingo Land
• Whitby Abbey
Best rainy day destination
• National Railway Museum
• The Web Adventure Park
• York Castle Museum
• Stockeld Park
• Rainbows Ceramics
Classes for kids
Best baby/toddler swimming class
• Water Babies
• Puddle Ducks
• York Swimming Academy
• Pure Swim Yorkshire
Best swimming class (aged 4+)
• Brightwater Swim School
• York Sport
• York Swimming Academy
• Swimming at York Leisure Centre
Best active class
• Gymnastics at The Little Gym
• Flying Ducks gymnastics and trampolining
• PQA York
• Wild Things Forest School
Best drama class
• Stage Coach
• York Stage School
• York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre
• PQA York
Best dance class
• En Pointe
• Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance
• Lisa Marie Performing Arts
• Katie Ventress School of Dance
Best pregnancy class
• For Modern Mothers - Pregnancy yoga
• For Modern Mothers - Hypnobirthing
• Lucy Corbally Yoga at The Stables
• Puddle Ducks aquanatal
Best music class
• My Baby Can Dance York
• Baby Band
• York Stage - Yorkie Puds
• Rhythm Time
Best creative class
• PQA York
• Wild Things Forest School
• Flying Ducks Youth Theatre
• Story Craft Theatre
Best holiday club/workshop
• York Sport multi-sport camps
• PQA York Show in a Week
• Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance
• York City Football Club Foundation
• Camp QE
Best activity for 10 to 13 year-olds
• CrossFit Teens at Dominus CrossFit
• FreeKlime York - Bouldering and Climbing Centre
• Red Goat Climbing
• Lisa Marie Performing Arts
• York Golf Range
Food & drink
Best family-friendly breakfast
• The Balloon Tree
• Yolk Farm
• Robinsons
• The Pig & Pastry
Best family-friendly lunch
• The Balloon Tree
• The Dark Horse
• Mama Doreen’s
• Spark York
Best family-friendly
Sunday roast
• Forest
• Bosun’s
• The Balloon Tree
• Kennedy’s
Best place for ice cream
• LICC
• Trinacria
• Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato
• Loopy Scoops
• Curlew Fields Dairies
Childcare
Best nursery
• Little Green Rascals
• York Childcare nurseries
• Dinky Groves Day Nursery
Best date night destination
• Spark:York
• Ambiente
• Pairings
• York Minster Refectory
• Ate O’Clock
Best street food
• Crumbles
• Yuzu Street Food
• Shambles Kitchen
• Krep
Best cafe
• Rowntree Park Reading Cafe
• Bluebird Bakery, Acomb
• Brew & Brownie
• Dark Horse
• Heppni
• York Campus Nursery
• Queens Kindergarten and Chapter House Nursery
Out & About
Best cinema
• Everyman
• Vue
• City Screen
• Cineworld
Best theatre
• York Theatre Royal
• Grand Opera House
• Joseph Rowntree Theatre
• Friargate Theatre
Experiences
Best chocolate experience
• York’s Chocolate Story
• York Cocoa Works workshops
• Hot chocolate at Wild Things Forest School
• Cocoa Joe’s
Best spooky experience
• The Bloody Tour of York
• Ghosts After Dark
• York Dungeon
• Hallowtween at York Maze
Best festival for kids
• JORVIK Viking Festival
• Baby Band Festival
• Deer Shed
• Totfest
• York Pride
Best shop
• The Blue House Bookshop
• The Potions Cauldron
• The Shop That Must Not Be Named
• York Ghost Merchants
• Cots to Tots
Best Christmas experience
• Piglets Magical Sleigh Ride
• Castle Howard
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway - Santa Special
• York Minster Christmas Tree Festival
• Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
Best tour of York
• The Wizard Walk of York
• City Cruises
• Deathly Dark Tours
• The Bloody Tour of York
• City Sightseeing bus tour
Best magical experience
• The Potions Academy
• The Wizard Walk of York
• The Hole in Wand
• Mother Shipton’s Cave
• Dreamery Gardens
Birthday parties
Best birthday party provider
• The Web Adventure Park
• The Little Gym
• Agility
• Rainbows Ceramics.
Places to stay
Best family-friendly place to stay
• Novotel York
• Middletons
• Marriott
• 101 House at the End
• The Grand, York
Services
Best children’s healthcare provider/service
• Blossom Family Dental Care
• Orthokind
• Rae and Rae Opticians
• Dr Mafalda, The York Dental Suite
Best birthday party entertainer
• The Wizard Walk of York
• Janet & Cassie, Story Craft Theatre
• Josh Benson
• Dress Up and Dream
Best family-friendly camping and glamping
• Baxby Manor
• Flamingo Land
• Jollydays
• Allerthorpe Lakeland Park
• Camp Katur
Review - A Christmas Mousetery at Fairfax House
A splendid Georgian townhouse might not seem like the most child-friendly destination, but the Christmas experience at Fairfax House is perfect for families. It’s become a Christmas tradition for us, especially since the arrival of the sweet little felt mice hidden throughout the house. They fly, ski, cook, sleep and get up to all sorts of mischief. This year, there’s a new twist—a mystery, or rather, a mousetery to solve! As you explore the beautifully decorated rooms, keep an eye out for clues. The adventure leads up to the final room, where the culprit is revealed. It’s a fantastic experience and great value, too. Tickets are valid for a full year, and children under 16 get in free with a paying adult. Merry Christmouse!
A Christmas Mousetery runs at Fairfax House until 5th January 2025 - fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Review - Christmas at York Castle Museum
Looking for a new magical family tradition? York Castle Museum’s Victorian Christmas experience is just the thing. Walking down the museum's cobbled streets, dusted with fresh snow and lined with enchanting Victorian shopfronts, feels like stepping into a Christmas card. The immersive atmosphere is irresistible for all ages, and this year has even more magical experiences to enjoy.
Kids will love meeting the green-clad Father Christmas, while Scrooge himself is popping up with live performances that bring Dickens to life. For making lifelong festive family memories, York Castle Museum is just the place. It’s great value, too, with York children going free and tickets valid for 12 months. The shop is packed with a great selection of goods for all ages, so you might even tick something off your shopping list!
Christmas at York Castle Museum runs until 5th January 2025
LITTLE VIKINGS MAKE... Spiced Christmas biscuits
We love a bit of baking at Christmas, but it needs to be easy and smell festive when it’s in the oven. This recipe ticks the boxes, and you can even put them on the Christmas tree if they make it beyond the cooling rack (they never do in our house).
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 170/150 degrees fan/gas mark 3. Line a few baking trays with baking paper.
2. If you have an electric mixer, put the flour, baking powder, salt and all the spices into the bowl with the butter and sugar, then add the beaten eggs and honey until it comes together as a stiff dough (stop adding the liquid before it gets sticky). If you don’t have a mixer, do this by hand.
3. Put the ball of dough in the fridge for 30 minutes (this isn’t vital, but you’ll get better results).
4. Flour a surface and roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm, then cut out your biscuits. Keep re-rolling until you’ve used it all up. If you’re planning on hanging them from the tree, use a skewer or similar to punch a hole in each biscuit.
5. Put the shapes on a tray, leaving a bit of space between them as they will puff up a bit.
6. Bake for around 20 minutes, but keep a close eye on them. They will harden up as they cool on the tray.
7. Once cool, decorate as you like. Merry Christmas! Ingredients
• 300g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
• A few grinds of black pepper
• 100g soft butter
• 100g soft dark brown sugar
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 4 tablespoons runny honey
• Pinch of salt
Jokes
Whatdoyougetifyoueat
Christmas decorations?
Tinsilitis!
Whydoreindeerlike Beyoncésomuch? Shesleighs.
Whywasthesnowman looking through the carrots? Hewaspickinghisnose!
Whyisitgettinghardertobuy advent calendars? Theirdaysarenumbered!
What’sanelf’sfavouritetypeof music? Wrap!
What is it called when a snowmanhasatemper
